Time: 16:20 local
Lat: 25 33.5′ N
Log: 79 16.6′ W
At anchor, Cat Cay, Bahamas

We left Hollywood, Florida yesterday afternoon, at about 4 PM. From Hollywood we motored up the Intercoastal Waterway to the inlet at Port Everglades. Just as we arrived there, it was time for the Cruise Ship Port to empty out. While we hovered in a holding pattern for half an hour three huge cruise ships set off with their holds full of Christmas vacationers primed for a week of gluttony and wallet thickness reduction.

Just as the sun was setting, the channel was finally clear for our own departure out into the ocean.

Our crossing was uneventful. The wind was brisk, and moved us along at good speed. The waves were choppy, but never scary. We regularly were moving at over 9 knots through the water, cut to 7 or less by the contrary current of the Gulf Stream.

We arrived on the western shore of Gun Cay at sunrise. We found a sandy patch to anchor in, and had a nap. Once we were more or less recovered from our “red-eye” sail, we weighed anchor, and uneventfully checked in with Bahamas customs and immigration at the marina on Cat Cay.

Every time I look out of the cabin I have to do a double take at the beautiful color of the water. The temperature is in the low 80’s, with a delightful tropical breeze blowing. The closest thing to snow is the white sand on the empty beach.

Merry Christmas to all.