Ready for Regatta 2014!
‘Tis the season! Race season, that is. Sailboat racing, to be exact. Bahamian sloop sailboats, to be really precise.
And we are ready!
Despite how busy it’s been, nothing takes priority over Regatta! Numerous sailing regattas take place throughout the Bahamas and around the world. However, in our area, “Regatta” in the shorthand means only one thing: the national championship race, the National Family Island Regatta, held every April in George Town, Exuma, Bahamas.
For newcomers to this blog, or as a refresher, click here for a Regatta Primer and pictures. (For… Continue reading
Missed My Own Birthday!
Dearest Better Lifers, hellooooooooooo! I know I’ve been remiss about writing for quite some time. But, it makes for pretty significant neglect when . . .
I missed my own Blog birthday!February 23, 2014 marked 3 years since I returned to the island, and two years since this Better Life blog was born. And I missed it. Yup.
Last year, I celebrated with an Anniversary Roundup, followed by a giant Thank You, a reflection on how the blog came to be, and more – all in my anniversary/birthday week. This… Continue reading
Regatta Recap
Well, dear readers, my apologies for such a delay in posting. I returned from Regatta and promptly took ill – too much hugging and lots of people around in that busy week, I suppose! It’s still got its clutches in me a bit, but I’m feeling mostly fine and going about business as usual.
I’ve also delayed because I just didn’t know what or how to write about this particular race series.
It was the best of times, it was the worst of times . . .It certainly was the epoch of incredulity!
I won’t attempt to… Continue reading
Regatta Prep: Launching the Sailboat!
(Roundup of background info here for those of you who may have missed it.)
Our local community sends two A-class sailboats to the race every year, both of them national champions several times over. The boats are already moored securely in George Town, where the Regatta will take place. Meanwhile, however, I thought I’d give you a glimpse into some of the preparation that goes into getting these boats ready.
Boat Building and RepairI think these traditional Bahamian sloops are so beautiful – for their clean lines and sail-filled grace, as… Continue reading
Regatta Teaser
‘Tis the season! Regatta season! National championship sailing race coming up next week!
To tide you over – or to introduce this to newer readers – here are prior Regatta posts to whet your appetite. Regatta Fever is raging here!
This post (“Regatta Primer”) introduces you to Bahamian sloop racing and my enthusiasm. This post (“Regatta Photo Tour”) links you to 59 photos from the 2012 Regatta, via the blog’s Facebook page. I’m excited just looking at the pics again! This post (“Return from Regatta & Sailing Video”) shares a brief video clip of Beau and crew in action… Continue readingBehold the Islands of the Bahamas – by Mail Boat
Lately, the Bahamas has been making the news (in good ways)!
Behold The Islands of the BahamasDid you notice the oh-so-pricey, but very well done, advertisement that the Bahamas’ Ministry of Tourism aired during the Super Bowl? Beau and I were watching the game (and commercials!) at a local bar. As one particular ad began, we were struck by the beautiful waters being shown. We each thought the same thing, “That looks like the Bahamas.”
As the footage rolled, he recognized the islands depicted. When the commercial concluded, “Behold the Islands of the Bahamas” and the logo for… Continue reading
Stepping on a Sea Urchin
Last week, I blogged about Angel’s medical emergency, but I’m overdue to fill you in on mine . . .
As regular readers may recall, the end of July was a fun, but particularly hectic, time for me. During a brief lull one Sunday, Beau went out diving (free-diving and spear-fishing) for the day, and I decided to treat myself, too.
French Toast
I slept in a little – anything past 6:30am is a luxury! When I woke up, I was craving French Toast, but I didn’t have any bread in the house. I used that… Continue reading
A Perfect Day (Fishing, Snorkeling, Conch Salad)
A few weekends ago, I enjoyed A Perfect Day.
It was a weekend morning and absolutely beautiful.
Morning sky.
Leaving with friends, we piled into a boat and headed out to sea just before 9:00 a.m. for some fishing. Into the deep water on the east side of the island, we baited the rods with ballyhoo.
Ready to cast.
The boys fished off the stern, and the girls lounged in the sun on the bow. After we had trolled along for a while with no luck, we pulled in the lines to check them. Sure enough, somebody… Continue reading
Regatta Photo Tour
My Dearest Better Lifers, thanks for your patience as I get caught up after a whirlwind regatta!
As you know, I’ve had Regatta Fever and have been posting Champion Sailboat Journals, Sailing Videos Clips and more. Finally, I have sifted through more than 600 personal photographs of the race week to cull them to a far-more-manageable 59 to share with you. These pics capture the essence of an incredible week. Of course, NOTHING can convey the excitement, adrenaline, pride and sheer pleasure of being there, but I hope to give you a taste.
Just one picture of many you’ll… Continue reading
Return from Regatta & Sailing Video
Hellooooooo, Better Lifers! I’ve missed you!
Regatta was wonderful, and I’ll fill you in soon. Weather was pretty tricky – the same front that saturated Florida also doused the Bahamas. Thankfully, Mother Nature granted enough of a respite that the boats were able to race, but then she kicked in again and delayed our return by several days. Upon my return, I was greeted with a flooded downstairs in my own home. Thankfully, my visiting mother had stanched the tide. I helped with the cleanup and enjoyed the remaining days of her visit.
It’s also been hectic around here as… Continue reading
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