Hope Town Harbour – or Are We Back in the US?

3/9 - After checking the weather forecast for the next few days and after determining that we were close to being out of water, we decided to raise anchor and head for Hope Town at Elbow Cay. We had planned on stopping for a few days at Sandy Cay, Snake Cay and Baker Rock before going to Hope Town, but with the forecast for winds around 20 mph we decided to go to the protected harbor at Hope Town first. When the weather settles, we’ll go back to those cays, as they are only a short distance away.

Thai had radioed Hope Town Marina and got all 3 boats mooring balls. We called the Lighthouse Marina and asked about diesel and water. They said it was available and so we stopped at their dock before picking up our mooring ball. We arrived just before noon, filled with diesel and were in the process of filling with water when the dock master said he was going to lunch and that we’d have to wait until after 1:00 to pay. Oh well, we’re in the islands … or are we? Hope Town is very reminiscent of a seaside town in the U.S., particularly the New England area.  We’re not sure how many people live here, as most of the streets are lined with colorful cottages/villas for rent. There are several restaurants, bars and shops, all of them well-cared for.

After finally paying for our fuel and water we left the dock and made our way to the mooring ball. They really pack them in this harbor and with the forecast wind, all the balls were full by early afternoon.

After settling in, we jumped in the dinghy and went ashore to explore. The place has great ambiance and we decided we definitely won’t mind spending a few days here. We wandered the town until almost 5:00 and then went back to the boat where we had a delicious Mahi dinner with mango salsa (thanks Michael and Jana for the fish). Very yummy.

Second Star racing among the sailboats

Entering the harbor into Hope Town

Second Star and Pelican Rose following us in

Elbow Reef Lighthouse

Shoreline as seen from the harbor

While stopped at the marina for fuel and water we ran
into an old friend we'd met on the loop -- Pat from Sharpie's Dream. 
He was cleaning the Mutton Snapper he'd just caught.

The mooring field with the lighthouse in the background

This speaks for itself

We went for a walk through the town -- first up -- ice cream

At the local school we spotted some future NBA'ers



At the beach



Pool and bar at the Hope Town Harbour Lodge

Us -- with the beach in the background

One of the very cute typical cottages for rent

Another cottage

And now for your viewing pleasure, some of the beautiful
flowers we saw as we strolled through Hope Town.  This is
the Yellow Elder, Bahamas National Flower

Lignum Vitae, Bahamas National Tree

This is Cholera Cemetery where over 100 victims
of a cholera epidemic were buried in the 1850's



Thai outside the Wine Down and Sip Sip



A love seat at the end of the road overlooking the entrance
to the harbor.  It is listed in the cruising guides as a marker
for helping you enter the channel

One of the very picturesque sidewalks through the town

A most unusual fountain

Boats, water and palm trees