We made it to the Bahamas. Our target has been Walker Cay. The entrance route was several miles long through a maze of target points in the shallows of the Bahama barrier reefs. It makes one realize how important the homework is each time we pick a destination. Oh, backing up a bit, we originally planned Nassua for that very reason. I did not have proper charts for the Bahamas and didn't dare try to navigate a reef without them. However, we did find detailed navigational approach instructions in a guide for Walkers Cay.
Wow, what a mistake and disappointment. Our guide is four years old and a century out of date. Walker Cay is basically abandoned. The thriving write up is all off base. There are three residents on the island. Tom, Jack, and the Customs Agent. You might ask how can they afford to station a Customs Agent here? When he gets a radio call, he meets you at a tiny one-room shack with a poster and a desk.
The Walkers Cay Resort is sadly condemned so there are no facilities of any kind WHAT SO EVER. Fortunately, we are good on fuel and water.
You would think with a population of 3, it would be impossible to be robbed. But NO, we were robbed. My one year Bahamas cruising permit, dated May 22, 2008 did me no good. The fine print clearly says that, to keep it active, you must return at least once every 90-days. So the Customs agent stole the $268 that we had in cash. He claimed he would cover the remainder of the $300 permit charge out of his own pocket. Hmmmmmmmmmm, wasn't that nice of him. I'm so thankful I could spit.
We had drinks with Tom who helped us navigate an overnight tie up arrangement. He had lived on the island for 25-years and was preparing to leave it for good. Nothing left there for him. He really was a great guy. We joined him for a rum drink on his vessel that evening. He gave us a full set of Bahama Charts and let us look at his "MORE CURRENT" Bahamas Guide.
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