Our journey down the Exuma Islands part 1

The Exuma island chain is approximately 120 nautical miles long, and some of the most beautiful scenery and diving in the Bahamas.  Compared to our earlier travels, the Exumas look more like the Bahamas in the media- stretches of white beaches, brilliant turquoise water that is crystal clear, palm trees and millions of fish.
The first part of our journey took us from Current Settlement in Eleuthera to Ship Channel Cay. Overall, it was a beautiful sail and we were able to practice something called "visual piloting"- an essential skill for the Exumas- which involves watching the water for coral heads, rocks and other hazards not marked on the chart.  Tyler stood on the bow and shouted directions to me at the helm, "Starboard, 20 degrees....Port- 10 degrees..,"  we felt a bit like pirates, however, after about an hour, our nerves were a bit frayed.
At first, we planned to anchor at Allen's Cay, where a group of protected iguanas live and come out to meet visitors on the beach.  Our anchoring plans had to change, however, as we found the first large group of sailboats we had seen since arriving in the Bahamas.
Our second choice for an anchorage was secluded and beautiful, and proved to be well protected over night.

Tyler had a fun exercise for us to practice in the morning- we picked up our anchor and left the anchorage entirely under sail (no engine used at all).  Because it worked, I can say that it was great and I felt very accomplished afterward...during the exercise, I thought I might pass out....
We sailed south to Highbourne Cay in the morning- never quite making it to Allen's Cay....the iguanas can wait.