We left George Town, Great Exuma on April 27th – for real this time…we tried to leave the day before, but decided against it and anchored at Stocking Island instead. We waited until slack tide (~9:00 am) to exit the Conch Cay Cut into Exuma Sound, and started to make our way for Galliot Cut.

We were fishing on the way and around noon had a huge bite. Phill had wrestled with it for about ten or fifteen minutes when the line snapped. Whatever it was, was BIG. Goodbye trusty cedar-plug-fishing-lure that caught us most of our big water fish so far.

Team Ocean 1, Team Water Music 0.

Phill re-spooled the reel with some heavier test line (100lb, I think), and rigged up our red squid lure. Maybe a half hour later, we got another big bite.

Here’s how that went down – we’re learning that the bigger the fish, the harder to land (please excuse the terrible video – I was scrambling around looking for the cranberry vodka)…

Through the magic of editing, near the end of the video, you may have heard Phill shout “Euchre!” in frustration. This is not, however, what he actually said when he lost the fish.

Team Ocean 2, Team Water Music 0.

It was a tough day on the tacklebox, but fun & exciting nonetheless. We timed our arrival at Galliot Cut perfectly, and had slack tide when we arrived (Exuma cuts can be nasty with tidal flow, particularly when the current opposes the wind).

We anchored at Big Galliot Cay…strong wind and current, but still comfortable for the night.

To take advantage of the high tide to get us over a shallow patch on the Exuma Banks side, we lifted the anchor at 8:30 the next morning, bound for Black Point Settlement, Great Guana Cay.

A dolphin escorted us on the way out of the anchorage…

We were settled in at Black Point shortly after 11 am. Phill got the dinghy ready, then we went to shore to explore a bit.

Here’s a little photo tour of the settlement…

One resident of Black Point has created a driftwood & shell garden, called “The Garden of Eden” – our pictures don’t do it justice.

People in Black Point Settlement are very friendly and welcoming. There was much talk of the recently completed National Family Island Regatta in George Town. Black Point boats finished very well in the races…I’m not positive but it sounds from the talk like Black Point’s Red Stripe finished first in its class.

Phill was invited to join a game of basketball with the local kids at the All Ages School. I spectated with two little girls. When I asked them if we should join the boys and play some b-ball, one said “Girls don’t play basketball.” 🙁 . I wanted to say “Girls can do whatever they want to do…including play basketball” but I bit my tongue. (I don’t think the girls on my rec basketball team in Ottawa are counting the days ’til I get back – truth is, I’m a terrible basketball player, and short to boot – but it’s still fun to play).

On the way back to the boat, we stopped in at Scorpio’s Restaurant & Bar. They have free WiFi for patrons, so we checked our email.

Shortly after we returned to the boat, we saw a ferry arrive with boats that participated in the National Family Island Regatta.

We’ll stay in Black Point Settlement for another night or two – people really are friendly here. We’re going to hike to Dotham Cut this afternoon, and partake of DeShamon’s Tuesday BBQ, tomorrow (we don’t take it for granted that this represents a full schedule in ‘cruiser’s-world‘, particularly since we’re on our way back to the rat race **sigh**).

Hope all’s well back home – ’til next time.