A Special Opportunity

I want to share with you one of the most meaningful opportunities I have had since I retired from the school system.  We were visiting Black Point which is the largest settlement(excluding Great Exuma) in the Exuma Cays. Black Point is a very friendly community welcoming all boaters with its array of essential services and provisions.  On a previous visit, I had met with the Principal of the "All Age School".  She very graciously offered Vic and myself a tour of the school.  We were able to go into each class and meet some of the students and teachers.  It didn't take long to realize that character education, respect, and manners were at the top of their mission. When we would enter a class, all the students would stand by their desks, with their green pants or skirts and yellow oxford cloth, button-down shirts, and say "Good morning,Visitors".  Did I mention that they also had on ties?! The students looked so nice in their uniforms. We were so impressed and felt so welcome and special.  Fortunately for me, I was able to actually work with some of the students for three mornings.  Wow!!!!  What an awesome opportunity!  I immediately fell in love with 4 of the sweetest children who were so eager to read with me and to write about the stories.  They worked so well together and seemed to be just as thrilled when one of their classmates responded correctly as they were when they did.  What a treat! I guess the love for children and teaching will always be in my heart and soul!

Another special treat in Black Point is the Rockside  Inn and Laundrymat and the very special Ida who manages it.  I have never thought doing laundry was a treat, but in this particular setting and facility it definitely ranks really near the top as one of the highlights of our trip!  Not only is the place spotless and cleaner than any laundrymat I have seen anywhere in the world, but the view is spectacular.  Ida also offers the best haircut anywhere in the Exumas!  And what a view!  We have never had our haircut where I can sit outside and look over a Harbor filled with boats and the clearest water of all shades of blues you have could imagine.  Ida - what a sweet, dear lady you are!!

Our next stop after Black Point was Bitter Guana.  There have been so many gorgeous areas on our trip but none any prettier than this Cay.  The white limestone rock formations are just spectacular!  The Cay is a protected sanctuary for Igauans.  These little prehistoric-looking animals will actually come down to the beach to greet you when you land your dinghy.  Magic had to stay on the boat for this trip to shore since dogs are not allowed on the beach.  We had a nice hike to the top of the rocks from which we could look in any direction and have a beautiful view.  I think this was one of Buck's favorite places we have visited so far.

During the last couple of months, we have enjoyed hanging out in the Sampson Cay, Staniel Cay, Big Major, and Black Point areas. There is just so much to do and so many places to explore in the water and on land that we could literally spend another month or two and not see it all.  However, we have been told there are other really beautiful Cays as well.  So, we are planning to leave Sampson Cay on Sunday and head north for a couple of weeks. We will be visiting Norman's Cay, Shroud Cay, and Hawksbill Cay.  I look forward to sharing these areas with you in future blogs.  I'm not sure about  Internet availability but will blog as soon as I can.

For now, that is all.
Fair winds!
Vicki, Buck, and Magic