Day 21
We have breakfast at 8am then anchors away as we head out of Hatchet Bay Harbor, Eleuthera.
The narrow rocky opening, Hatchet Bay Harbor, Eleuthera
This time I take better video of the sail through the narrow channel (You can see it on YouTube; the raw cuts). We sail for a few more hours. All is quiet as people are enjoying the views. It’s chilly, we bundle up in our sweat jackets and windbreakers to keep warm. The Schooner is in full dress-three huge sails baring it’s soul to the wind. The sounds of the waves crashing on the boat are mesmerizing.
Next stop Governor’s Harbour, Eleuthera. We dock in a rundown area, littered with trash, junk cars and box trucks. Not feeling the love of this tropical island. Where are the beautiful white sandy beaches? You know the ones that I’m talking about which is all over the internet showing tropical paradise.
It’s late afternoon and a bunch of us head out to look around and check out the town. It’s a small town with gift shops, a grocery store, post office, etc. We find an outdoor café called Buccaneer’s and have a few drinks. We walk about a half mile over yonder to a beach called French Leave Beach. We follow a steep narrow road past the village, and walk by lovely old Plantation homes. As we make our way through the old Club Med grounds there are remnants of buildings and roads leading to nowhere. Finally we come to a crossroad and decide to continue straight on a dirt path. We can hear the ocean and as we round the corner and see a beautiful pink sandy beach ahead of us. You can see the Satellite view of French Leave Beach. Now this is what it’s all about.
French Leave Beach, Eleuthera Bahamas
The gang stops and admires the view but I have to walk along the beach, it’s too beautiful to pass up. It’s calling my name. My feet sink into the soft pink sand as the tide rushes in. It feels good. Even though it’s on the Atlantic side, the water is a turquoise blue. I could sit here for hours just admiring the scenery. Some of the gang departs but a few stay, worried about me. After a while I saunter back and join them for the walk back to the boat.
I’m enjoying the view at French Leave Beach, Eleuthera Bahamas
The photo shoot-smile
The girls club, French Leave Beach, Eleuthera
Day 22:
I wake up around 2am with a hive in my throat. It feels as though a hotdog is stuck in my throat and I can’t get it out. Ugh! I take Benadryl and fall back to a restless sleep. I’m hoping to walk with Julie and Mike to watch the sunrise at the beach but I’m not up to it, so I sleep in.
At 10am we head back to French Leave Beach, this time taking a taxi. I take my day pack which is part of the High Sierra hybrid suitcase/backpack. It’s a must for traveling. This time we prepare for the beach; bathing suits, towels, sunscreen, money and water. When we arrive at the beach, the gang goes one way and I go towards the quiet side. When I’m at a beach I love the peacefulness. It’s my alone time. I sunbathe for a few hours, the sun feels good on my skin. Finally the weather cooperates, warm, sunny and a just a hint of a breeze.
I see Sue walking towards me and we go for a walk. We see a sign saying French Leave Guests Only. We bypass it and continue to walk among the ruins of the Old Club Med.
The remains of the day, the old Club Med, Eleuthera
Apparently it was destroyed by Hurricane Floyd in 1999 and never rebuilt. Mother Nature reclaimed her beauty spot.
The views from the ruins of the old Club Med
We walk back to the beach and I gather my stuff then we rejoin the gang further down the beach. We hang for a bit, then head for The Beach House for drinks and appetizers. Yum they make wonderful cocktails. I have a couple of frozen strawberry daiquiris – refreshing on a warm day.
This is the life. Aah…
Heaven, French Leave Beach, Eleuthera Bahamas
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