2016-01-20 - to Black Point Settlement, Exumas

Another cold front is heading our way and it has been a challenge to plan our route keeping in mind that we need a little 'hidey hole' to tuck away into while the storm passes.  The wind is expected to be strong and coming from the west.  Westerly winds are a little harder to find protection as the smaller cays offer little in harbours to wait out winds.  This is supposed to hit in 2 days so we have a little bit of time to still enjoy the cays ensuring we are tucked away for Friday night.

We decided to head to Black Point Settlement just south of Staniel Cay.  I really like Black Point.  We have come to this settlement many times on our trips down here.  It is a small village that isn't touristy but still offers some amenities for travelling cruisers.  Connor was especially interested in meeting up with our friend we met last time - Mario.  Connor spent many days in our previous trip playing card games and socializing with this young man.   As we arrived at the dock and made our way up the pier to the town we wondered if Mario was still here.  As we rounded the corner to head up the main road, who should be there...but Mario.  He seemed to recognize us right away and pointed to the kids.  It was really great to see him.  He used to carry a bag of playing cards.  Kerry asked him if he still plays cards and he nodded but when Kerry asked if he still had the cards, he indicated that he did not have any left. After a stay in the town, which included lunch at Lorraines Cafe and internet connections we all came back to the boat to see if we had any playing cards.  We found two full sets and quickly sped to shore in the dinghy to offer the cards to our friend.  Connor spent the next while reconnecting with Mario and his love of playing cards.  The game was slightly different (Connor recollected) but the value of spending time with Mario since Connor was eight was invaluable.