Today's fishing tournament in the Harbour was postponed until Monday due to poor weather.  A rainy day in Tarpum Bay - it looks like it's clearing up nice for tonite.  KB is performing here with T'Rez. Tarpum Bay also has a mechanical bull.  I hope I can get some pictures of this!!!

Beach before Whiteland - too grassy

Anyhow, found THE spot to go conching.  But I'm keeping it a secret.  Got 8 good ones, turned 2 smalls back loose.  The stag horn coral was some of the most incredible I've ever seen here.  Shot one small grouper (he looked bigger under water, I swear).  I think I'm growing gills I've been in the water so much lately.  The homecomings start up tonite with church services.  Following will be music and drinking...

Last night we could hear the music from the homecoming site in Tarpum Bay.  We wandered over and discovered the young girls practicing their dance on stage to the sounds of Bahamian music.  The bar was open, although the night's choices were limited to gin or rum.  But, you can't go wrong with these!  We chatted with George Major for awhile and met the DJ from Nassau, Terrence, and got to make some special requests for Bahamian songs we liked.  The weather was breezy and wonderful... hopefully we'll get the same kind of weather, and no rain, for the festivities this weekend.

Crawfish season opens Sunday.  The big boats are starting their preparations.  The cooks are stocking supplies and the crew is gassing up the boats and checking the equipment.  Let's hope this is a good season for the guys - as last year was tough.  There was lots of wind and bad weather with many mishaps.  Let's keep these guys in our prayers for a safe and plentiful season.

We went snorkeling at Jack's Bay on Saturday.  I must say, the reefs to the south are phenomenal!!!  There is a massive abundance of fish and some incredible coral formations.  The reefs start about 20 feet from shore.  The further out you go, the more clear the water gets and the more fantastic the sights get.  We had a bit of a fright when we got on the back side of the first reef - a 4 foot black tip shark cruised on by.  Yipes!  But he wasn't interested in us, so we kept going.  This is a definite spot for snorkeling for all you enthusiasts out there.  Just remember - do NOT touch the reef - do not stand on the reef.  There is a thin layer of "slime" on the surface of all reef formations that protects it from many of the reef creatures.  When you touch the reef with your hands or flippers or.... you break this protective layer, either killing the plants directly or allowing the fish to access the coral for eating (normally they cannot, as this "slime" repels them).  Please ensure the reef is there for many years for many people to enjoy.

HOMECOMINGS!!!  This week begins Tarpum Bay's, Governor's Harbour, and Hatchet Bay's homecoming festivals.  On Friday night, Governor's will have Visage and Geno D.  Visage will return to entertain the crowds on Saturday night too.  On Saturday, Tarpum Bay will have K.B.. and T'Rez for the live entertainment.  It should be a good time for all.

Today we went to Jack's Bay.  It was flat calm, however, the water was still a little stirred up with sand.  But, the reef was pretty good there.  If you go and access the beach thru the short road, go to the right to snorkel.  We started to the left towards the rocks and it was like a grassy desert - not even any conch.  But to the right, there were nice coral heads with lots of tropical fish.  Bought some conch at the docks and got some jack and snapper - so tonight's dinner is set!  I'll make conch salad and do a little cracked conch since we have the fryer going for the fish.

Today we did some snorkeling at Ten Bay Beach.  There were massive schools of shiny little fish (maybe pilchers?) all along the rocks.  There were also some huge rays resting in the sand.  We then checked out the beach near Glen Elg and found lots of sea biscuit shells.  I bought some conch from one of the local boys on the shore and made some yummy conch salad.  There were some rain clouds around, but none passed over my section of Tarpum Bay.  I hear Governor's got some rain.  

Last night I had to run to do some business in Governor's Harbour and on the way home I ran over a HUGE boa constrictor.  My guess is he was 7 feet or bigger.  It was like driving over a sleeping policeman.  I wish I had had my camera!  Speaking of wildlife... a friend told me that today he was working just north of the Harbour and thousands of yellow butterflies migrated north past him.  He said it was an incredible sight.

Attended a great 4th of July party on a deserted island off of Harbour Island. There were hundreds in attendance, with lots of lovely yachts, lots of food, drink and music. Great fun was had by all!!!

Went to Bluff and Savannah Sound's homecomings. Bluff usually has fabulous homecomings... but I must say that this year's was pathetic. They did not get organized until the last minute and had little live music. The only band that played was Eleuthera Express, there were no big name entertainers this year. Dunred Barry (originally from Bluff, now works in Nassau) did his fantastic limbo routine as he always has in the past. I must say, I've seen several limbo shows, and Dunred's is the most impressive. Dunred creeps under an incredible 8 inch high limbo bar. I'll have pictures of this when they are sent back from the states.

Because I couldn't get good information from anyone, I missed Savannah Sound on Friday night. They had Nehemiah Hield (of the Baha Men) and Spice for that night's entertainment. I heard it was great. I did, however, get to Sound on Saturday night to experience the fashion show and partake in the fire dance and limbo show. It was not of my own doing!!!! The friends I was with were in a fine mood and dancing by the stage when the fire dancer asked them to be her back up dancers. Well, I wasn't even there... I was by the car... but when I returned I found that I, too, had been volunteered to dance on the stage. So, for you folks who were there.... I was the blonde who did the back bend under the limbo stick! Well, life should be fun, yes?

Usually I spend time down North, ranging from Governor's to Bluff and Briland. But I am visiting my friend, Jonna, who lives in Tarpum Bay for a few weeks. I'm getting a feeling for the southern settlements. Tarpum Bay is a very family oriented community that is also very sea oriented. You can buy fresh fish and conch by the docks every day. We went to a lovely restaurant named Barbies and had the best grouper sandwiches around - only $4.00. I've been back twice now :-) We spent a morning snorkeling the shoreline near Cartwright's Cottages and collected oodles of sea glass and sea shells. If you like this type of thing, I would definitely recommend the location!!!

I've been wandering around the settlement taking some pictures of the "architecture". There are several old, old homes and ruins of homes here that (I feel) have much personality.

Here's some pictures of life around Tarpum Bay right now......