Little Farmers Cay

One of the most picturesque islands and a truly Bahamian community, Little Farmers Cay is a special place.  Our idea was to stop here for a short time, continue south down the Exumas to the Research Center for a visit, and then sail on to George Town to regroup and plan our next passage.

We've been here a week, with no date of departure set. But our reason for staying so long is mechanical.  We are having a bell housing manufactured; it will then be sent to Watermakers Air in Ft. Lauderdale, and next flown to Staniel Cay, which is about fifteen miles north of here.   One of the island boaters from here will pick it up for us. Then comes removing the current bell-housing that has broken away from the motor mounts and installing the new one. 

As said, this is a special place and we are among friends.  During our nearly week-long stay here last March, we became well-acquainted with many of the local residents on Little Farmers as well as retired cruisers living on Big Farmers.  Terry Bains, a driving force behind the success of Little Farmers, knows our circumstances, and we appreciate him checking on us daily, plus he and all the residents are willing to lend a tool or give a helping hand as needed.

We've been here through two fronts, one with 35+ knots of wind.  Today is nice, so we'll be off the boat, getting in some hiking on 'paths' of rock and shrub (yes, low elevation, but higher than most islands) and beachcombing.  The N/NE wind is clocking, bringing stronger SE/SW winds tomorrow and then NE/NW 20+ with 30-35 gusts and with possible squalls Wednesday.  We'll probably stop by Terry and Earnestine's Ocean Cabin Restaurant (home of delicious lobster, conch fritters, cracked conch, etc.) today, since Tuesday and Wednesday will be boat chores and projects plus reading, while we're rockin' and rollin' on our mooring ball and anchor.

Terry gave us this noni fruit. The small tree with elliptical leaves, white tubular flowers, and yellow fruit goes well with the colorful houses, flowing palms, and blazing shrubs in this Polynisian-looking settlement (pics next time).  Following Terry's directions, I blended the fruit (the fruit has a rather an unpleasant odor) with a little water and strained it to remove the seeds.

I had read about the health benefits of noni and even once brought home a small bottle from the health food store.  It was colorless and odorless, obviously a very diluted second-cousin to this whitish pulp.  We added it to our breakfast smoothie, which is always a one-of-a-kind concoction made in our powerful Blendtec machine. This version included fresh cabbage, carrots, sprouts, apples, and frozen blueberries with a good dose of noni.  This morning, we added the pulp to cranberry juice.  Larry liked it better than I did.  We have one more fruit.  Any suggestions?