nt for almost two weeks.
On February 6th and 7th we visited the Staniel Cay All-Age School to lecture on sea turtles and read Flat Stanley. The school is up this year from eight to fourteen students. The Principal, Mr. Denny, says with a smile, “Next year we may be up to thirty.” Mr. and Mrs. Denny run a cheerful, vibrant school, and visitors are always welcome. They have an excellent computer laboratory. Steve Piggot, a local computer technician, maintains the equipment and volunteers to teach the children. The older students in Staniel Cay leave the school to attend high school in Nassau or one of the other family islands.
We moved down to the anchorage in Black Point on Feb 8th. There were over 50 boats in the anchorage. Black Point has become an important destination. With RO water, a large Laundromat, internet connections in 3 restaurants, and friendly people, the boaters have a wonderful time. The boaters that we met all commented that people are friendly and they feel welcome and safe. Kevin Rolle, the Police Inspector, has been a great influence in helping to change the attitudes of the people there, and the Bahamas National Trust has an ongoing investment in the all-age school with Juanita Munroe, as it representative, teaching computer literacy and environmental science. Roberta McKenzie, the school Principal, is one of the very best.
At the school Barbara and I talked about sea turtles and Flat Stanley; and the next day I lectured to the older students on the principles of fisheries management and discussed community responsibility for fisheries and protecting the resources in the Exuma Land and Sea Park.
One day in the anchorage we met with Monty and Sara Lewis, publishers of the Explorer chart series. They produce and publish superb charts that have made working and cruising in the Bahamas a lot safer and more enjoyable.
The highlight of the week was our trip to the Exuma Land and Sea Park in our speed boat to show Juanita the Park and to meet with Tom Barbernitz, the Park Warden. The Park is one of the crown jewels of the Bahamas. Located in the center of one of the loveliest cruising grounds in the world, the Park is absolutely first class.
In the morning we toured the anchorages in Warderick Wells and then walked the path up Boo Boo Hill for its spectacular view of the area. Then we had lunch with Tom Barbernitz, so he and Juanita could discuss their plans for a camping expedition in March. They will bring students from Black Point and, hopefully, Staniel Cay and Little Farmer’s to Warderick Wells to camp and learn about the environment in the park.
On our way back we checked out several of the reefs, including the Aquarium, so Juanita could see some of the underwater life that she can then show the students.
From Black Point we worked our way south to the Brigantine Cays and Rocky Point on the bank near Barra Terre. It was our first time around the Brigantines and a privilege to make a turtle survey of such a beautiful, uninhabited area. We found a couple of healthy turtle habitats that had been unknown to us. It was late in the afternoon, so we had time to tag only one turtle; but the turtle was especially beautiful, and its picture appeared on Barbara’s Valentine card (with a play on Barbara’s Flat Stanley project.
The turtle population in the mangroves around Barra Terre seems very healthy. We found a good number of green turtles and a big hawksbill despite the visibility. A long cumulus cloud hung over Great Exuma and Barra Terre all day, so it was hard to see into the water.
The whole area on the bank side of Exuma is a gift. Very few people live there, and the wildlife in the mangroves is incredible.
