Report #122 Half Moon Cay, Bahamas May 1, 2016 Sunday Partly cloudy & 83 degrees Part #1 of 2 86 Pictures

Sent: Monday, May 2, 2016 8:04:46 AM
Subject: Report #122   Half Moon Cay, Bahamas   May 1, 2016   Sunday   Partly cloudy & 83 degrees     Part #1 of  2     86 Pictures

The first port of call for this voyage was a place we have often thought about and hoped to go again….Half Moon Cay, a coral island owned by HAL and located in the Bahamas.  Seldom stop on a grand world voyage, we were happy to see this port on the Panama re-positioning cruise.  So here is some information on the country of the Bahamas.  The capital is Nassau, and the population is 309,156 people.  The total area of all of the islands is 5,381 square miles, and their official language is English.

It would take over eight years to visit every island of the Bahamas, because there are 3100 of them.  These islands are described as a ransom of diamonds spread across a velvet cloth.  More words to describe this part of the world are long, linear playgrounds for sun -seekers seduced by an eternally balmy climate.  A fitting image.

When is the best the to visit?   Year-round, but December to February to escape the northern cold.  If you like heat and humidity, try coming in June through August.

Things to see:  Nassau's pirate museums and endless shopping strips.  Inagua National Park to see the roosting spots for pink flamingos.  Harbour Island where the sands are pink, or Cat Island where modern society has not touched.  Or Long Island  with 75 miles of beaches and pastel-colored villages.

Top things to do:  Kayak among all the cays and camping along the way.  Island hop by mailboat, the traditional link.  Explore a shipwreck – there are at least two per island. 

What is there to eat?  Conch – a mollusk served pounded, minced, frittered, marinated, grilled, or even raw in cerviche.  Not me, as I am allergic.

What is there to drink?   Kalik, a light sweet lager or goombay smash, a dangerously good rum punch.

Trademarks:  Casinos, luxury yachts, golf courses, rum, sun, sand, and sin, and deserted islands.

Random fact:  Many Bahamians practice  obeah, a ritualistic form of magic with deep African roots. 

Where we visited today was one of those almost deserted islands, a paradise of powdery sands, and clear  seas.  And lots of tropical sun.

This small island or cay is 1700 acres.  HAL began using it for a one day stop for their ships in the area back in 1997.  It happens to rate 8.7 points out of a possible 10 in the Berlitz book.  That is the highest rating of all of the other private islands owned by other cruise lines.  And in our opinion, well-deserved.

We did not have a really long time to spend here, so we left the ship by 10am after breakfast.  Instead of having to use our tender boats, the transfer of guests was done by local boats equipped to take hundreds over each time.  We were able to load directly from Deck A, without using the stairway.  With a gangplank, it was a straight across walk.  When the boat filled, we left for the short ride.  Sure would be great if all transfers to shore were this easy. 

Here is a sample of the tours offered here starting with a Nature Walk for 1 ½ hours for $20, or aa Lagoon Cruise for 1 ¼ hours for $35.  A Glass Bottom Boat ride was 1 hour for $40, and the Calypso Island Tram ride was $25 for 45 minutes. (We walked the entire tour for nothing.)

Swimming tours included Snorkel Treasure Chest Island for 2 hours for $60, or snorkel by boat for 1 ½ hours for $60.  The Stingray Adventure was 1 hour for $30.  We watched the group as they went in an enclosure with several tame rays, and fed them calamari.  If you were interested in horseback riding for 1 1/4 hours, you could do it for $100.  A Lagoon Kayak or a bike and hike ride ran $40 for a little over an hour.  We did see a convoy of jet ski folks zoom by as, then saw another group getting ready to do the same thing.  For one hour, they paid $90. 

Cabanas could be rented on the beach.  A little one for a group of 4 ran $300, but if you wanted a butler, it would be $270 more.  A Beach Villa for 8 guests cost $550, or the Oasis, a private house for up to 12 guests would set you back $1400.  There was also a list of smaller things for rent such as a float mattress for $11, a clamshell shade for two for $20, or different boat rentals from $20 to $60.  This sure has been a massive change from the first time we came here in 2005.  Back then, very little was available as far as tours or activities.  It was simply a day in the sun and swim in the warm waters.  For us, that is what it was……..a long walk with sun and swimming.

We took our time walking towards the far end of the island passing the dining pavilion, the Stingray Adventure,  and the Aqua Trax Adventures in the Bonefish Lagoon.  Nice to see a lot of guests were doing these activities. Since we were too early for lunch, we continued on towards the Pegasus Horse Ranch.  Many docile horses were kept here in corrals kept spotless.  We did not even see flies.  There were about 6 folks waiting for a ride back to the welcome center, having done their hour or so horse ride.  As long we stayed in this vicinity, we never saw any more people riding the horses. 

Since this was the end of the road, we found our way to the long stretch of sandy beach, and proceeded to walk slowly to the end of the cay.  A sign was posted near the end warning folks about an undertow  from this point onward.   Looked like a fine place to stop and  get some sun and possible a swim.  By now, 1pm, it was getting pretty hot and the cool water of the bay looked inviting.  Locating a chaise lounge we shared it for a few hours.   Despite using lots of sunscreen, we probably did get a little bit too much sun today.  Nothing bad, however.

All aboard time was 3:30pm, so around 2:30pm, we began the long hike back to the tender boat.  It was printed in the daily newsletter that the last tenderboat was also 3:30pm, so we ended up on that one.  There were only about 12 of us going back to the ship.  The majority of passengers must have left a lot earlier.  By the time we got back to the welcome center, everything was closed.  We knew we would miss lunch which ran from 11 am to 1pm.  But we did not expect to see the local staff stacking up lounges and shutting everything down so early.  Guess when their work is done, they can also leave.  We have been told that most all of the island's crew are ferried here from nearby islands.  Only a small staff stays here to take care of the horses.  It sure had been a marvelous day.

The Amsterdam left shortly after we were dropped off, since all that had to be done was close the hatch.  The best photos of the disappearing island were from deck nine as the anchor was lifted and the ship was turned.  We did not see a whole lot of hot appetizers being passed around.  If they were offered, the food was snapped up immediately.  We did not linger too long back there, since we had not eaten lunch, and decided to enjoy some room snacks.  The Lido did not appeal to us, especially the pre-made dried-out sandwiches, and we definitely did not want to wait ½ hour for the Dive In burger.

Dinnertime came as soon as all of our photos were downloaded and sorted.  Although we miss our tablemates, the quiet and quick dining at the railing is a nice way to wind up a day.  It was not as crowded tonight, so we figured the sun and swimming had worn the folks out.  We were……..

Our meals of Asian rotisserie chicken with noodles were excellent, although could have been hotter.  We are realizing that each and every course has to be ordered with the request of- bring it hot please.  If not, it cools lukewarm.  Allan and Sandra have said the same thing.  Also, we need to add that so far, we have seen no difference in the food offerings or the quality of the meat or fish entrees as compared to the "grand" voyage.  The only difference that we noticed was that the room service breakfast menu has been replaced with a different order form.  We never ordered room service once during the entire world cruise, so we cannot comment on it.

Showtime was the Premiere Abba Experience, which was good the first time around.  Gotta love that music………….

Will be interesting to see what a day at sea will be like tomorrow with the new crowd.

Bill & Mary Ann

PS   Got our first of three time changes last night, as the clocks were rolled back one hour.  Also, a nice surprise.  A letter awaited us in our room to advise us that due to the cancellation of Cabo San Lucas, we would be receiving a $50 per person shipboard credit.  Usually only the port charges are given back, but this larger amount is a nice gesture.

Our new room flowers are beautiful

Like the color combination

Lilies, sunflowers, and mums

We came back on the very last boat

One of Half Moon Cay's tender boats

The far end of the island

Half Moon Cay is owned by HAL

These tenders hold a lot of guests

The Amsterdam at anchor

The entrance to the island's sheltered dock

Docked and off-loading

Half Moon Clipper, a ferry

A residence for some caretakers

OK, let's go

Welcome sign

Welcome to Ft. San Salvador

A remind to book a tour

Central courtyard of the welcome center

Conch shell fountain

Rumrunner's Bar area

The main back road around the island

A tram station

Which way to go?

Heading towards the Tropics Restaurant

A detailed map of the island

The Tropics Restaurant – buffet lunch

The Dining Pavilion

Lunch was served from 11am to 1pm

West Indies marinated beef ribs barbequed

Bright-pink bouganvilla

A special area for crew members

Black-headed gulls

Could be looking for handouts?

Continuing up the road

The island's mini-nursery

Climbing a steeper road

The Stingray Adventure

Viewing patio with an old diving suit

Sting ray inside a fenced enclosure

Friendly rays were looking for food

Many rays inside this wire-fenced enclosure

They come to people for treats

Treats:  defrosted calamari from California

Planter box is an old rubber dingy

Boat used for garden decoration

A bike tour for $30

View across the Bonefish Lagoon

Jet ski group ready to roll

A restroom for "gulls" and "buoys"

Place to rent the bikes

Another tram station

A birdhouse on the nature trail

A sandy path for a nature walk

Flora and fauna  -  a lizard

Look out for these birds and reptiles

He is a pretty lizard

A turn around in the road

Perfect view of the ship

Caution:  Horses have the right of way....you bet, they are bigger!

Pegasus Horse Ranch

The feeding corrals

Heading for the beach

Close to the stables

A donkey runs loose

He was sweet

The horse corral

Another docile horse

A larger horse

They were ready to go, but no customers

Pet me, please

Good spot to relax and cool down

Ahhhhh, the beach and the surf

Look at that water and the ship, both beautiful

The end of the road for us

Looks like some kids have been here with nothing to do

We had this stretch of beach to ourselves

Could go no further

Too dangerous

Perfect spot for sun bathing

Possible spot for snorkeling

Rougher surf here

A silly "selfie"

Bill relaxing….finally

Saying goodbye to our lounge

Walking in the powdery sand all the way back