Trip to My Eutopia: A town of Hope and a Ride to Remember

In the last couple of days we have done so many things that have completely blown us away, we have experienced so many things that we will never forget due to the sheer beauty behind the things we have seen.

We wake up in the middle of the ocean on a beautiful boat surronded by the bluest water either of us have ever seen, and decide it's time to venture out in the canoe. We didn't really have a destination and we were both simply interested in getting as close to the amazing houses as possible in hope we can catch someones eye and score an invite for thanksgiving breakfast. After much procastination and the final realisation that we weren't getting any such invite we decided to venture back to the boat.

Simon then took us for a closer look at the "world famous" Hopetown lighthouse built in 1864 and still with its original clockwork mechanisms. After climbing the 101 steps, and insisting on counting every single one on the way up, we were able to see for miles in all directions across the Atlantic Ocean. The views were truely breathtaking, and we were able to get a near birds eye veiw of the island, Elbow Cay.

An island that we later cycled the length of on some borrowed bikes that Simon managed to acquire for us. The bike ride, although gentle, was very exhilerating and allowed us to get an even closer look at the quaint pastel coloured village and the larger than necessary mansions of the rich and famous.

After about an hour of cycling we found ourselves on Tahiti Beach where we had been canoeing that morning and where we anchored the night before. We went for a paddle in the warm water and once again settled for a breif sunbathe, before cycling back towards the dinghy dock. All the way following signs to the Sugar Shack, which turned out to be a very momentous event, for both us and the shop, as we became the first EVER customers to take on the challenge of the triple decker waffle cone icecream. A challenge I am happy to say we both dominated with ease. Although after a very strong rum and fruit punch served to us by the very friendly bartender, Gary, we began to feel the large amount of ice cream settling in our stomachs. However, nothing a gentle cycle down to the dinghy dock, where Simon collected us to return us to our floating home, could sort out.

Another day in paradise...

A leisurely start (6a.m) and a slow morning we eventually surfaced and once again made our way into the picturesque Hopetown where we quickly found our spot next to the fresh water pool. We enjoyed the serenity there until early afternoon and then cycled up the road a bit and wandered down to the beautiful, vast, empty beach. The bright turquoise ocean lapped at our feet and enticed us, against our will into the gentle swell. The Bohemian ocean is obviously too intense for a little olympus camera as it managed to break the indestructable thing that has been around the world a couple of times. Luckily the chip is fine.

True to form a day couldn't go by without encountering a strange homeless drunk. While waiting for Simon to pick us up from Dinghy Dock we were happily basking in the sunshine when a leather faced drunk stumbled towards us with the assistance of his walking stick and a beer in his hand. After questioning us on our names he decided to go get us something and demanded we waited for his return. Unsure on whether to run away or sit it out we watched as he abandoned his walking stick and dissapeared up the lane. on his return he handed us flowers and called us beautiful, although flattered, we were both still scared and ran away at the next opportunity.

So the day of relaxation was over and it was time to get back to the real work. Well, you could say that, or you could just say we cooked dinner for the first time since arriving. A very exciting event as it meant we got to use the epic BBQ on the back of the boat. a very successful dinner of Lamb chops, vegtables and potatoes.

A day on the boat
Having enjoyed two lovely days in Hopetown we set to set sail towards Fishers Bay in Great Guana Cay, not without stopping on a lovely reef to do some snorkelling where we saw some lovely fish and enjoyed the 26degree waters.

After swimming amongst the fish we then proceeded to kill two for dinner. Our first catch of the trip. As one of us held the rod the other wound it in. we were happy to see a healthy sized mutten snapper hanging from its torn lips. Perfect for dinner.