Publish Date: Sunday, January 25, 2009
Location: Thompson Bay, Long Island, Bahamas
Coordinates: 23° 21.578′ N 75° 08.489′ W
Crossing the Tropic of Cancer at 23.5 degrees North. Our GPS is in minutes, therefore half a degree of latitude is 30 minutes, hence the reading on the screen.
At 12:50 p.m. on Saturday, January 24th Three @ Sea crossed the Tropic of Cancer for her first time—another milestone for the boat and her crew. We were thrilled and felt this certainly warranted a celebration. Our cruising friends whole heartedly supported the idea and were game for helping us celebrate. So two evenings later, in Thompson Bay at Long Island, Bahamas we threw a Tropic of Cancer Party. Of course, the weather was cool, cloudy and blowing about 20-25 knots, but that didn’t stop us. Our friend, Brian (the ultimate dingy
The gang off to make grass skirts.
dude) ferried all the kids to the beach that afternoon for making grass skirts from the local palm fronds. Dave concocted his version of the very festive Goombay Smash and everyone brought fantastic food; from local sauteed Bahamian lobster, to golden baked brie, and fresh made tropical salsas and guacamole. Ayla created and hosted a tropical trivia contest with the winning family getting fresh baked bread delivered to their boat the next morning. It was a hard fought contest with the team from More Cow Bell pulling out a 1/2 point victory over the family from Rio Dulce, and Gotta Life gang close behind. Here is a sampling from the 20 questions:
– What specific latitudes define the tropics?
– How many pounds of sea salt do you get from 1 cubic foot of sea water?
– Name the Roman and Greek Gods of the sea?
– How many countries does the equator pass through?
You get the picture…there was real brain power being applied. 🙂
Tropical Trivia was followed by festive dancing on the lido deck (aka boat deck) where Dave had strung up our Christmas lights. He had his iPod cued up with some great music, and everyone was dancing. The parents busted out some great moves that definitely impressed the kids. The music was cranked due to the wind, but fortunately it also meant nobody else in the anchorage could hear it. 🙂 Our last guests left via dingy about midnight on a moonless night (that had to be quite a ride).
We had a FANTASTIC time. Three @ Sea was truly welcomed into the tropics with enthusiasm. In reflecting on this evening there were several elements that made it unique:
1. We were celebrating with friends we had only made a few weeks before, but it felt like we had been friends for years. There is a unique bond that exists among this cruising community that defies words but exists in the heart.
2. Kids and adults had a great time playing, laughing, and dancing together. So often parties at home would end up with the kids playing in one place, and the adults talking in another. Out here the groups seem to flow with one another more often, with kids and adults equally enjoying one another’s company.
3. Everyone was part of creating the party from the food and beverages to the grass skirts. It’s what I imagine pioneer families must have experienced by sharing their resources.
Whether it was these things that made it a festive evening, or something more intangible I’m not sure, but either way it was a great party!