What a treat for Eddie and Debbie to vacation to the Bahamas with Bill and Geri Weir on their delightful boat Mermaid. This was a knew adventure in more ways than one. First, we hadn't had the opportunity to visit the Bahamas together before; and second, neither of us had ever cruised over in a boat! We had the pleasure of crossing over from Marathon, FL to Harbour Island, Bahamas in grand style aboard the Mermaid. Bill and Geri and their dog Jack were quite the hosts showing us a grand time all along the way. We stopped at the Angler's Club in Key Largo, Cat Cay, Great Harbour, Royal Island, Spanish Wells and finally to our destination of Harbour Island Marina. 
When we say "grand", we mean "grand" - the Mermaid is a 2005 Marlow Explorer 53 C Cockpit Power Cruiser. She is 61 feet from bow pulpit to swim platform with an 18 foot beam and all the trimming inside. "Captain" Bill and "First Mate"Geri" maneuvered her with ease. Eddie was certainly at ease and skilled with his "deckhand" responsibilities being on all types of boats most of his life. They were quite patient with "deckhand" Debbie who had little experience other than being on Eddie's fishing boats.
Each stop in the Bahamas was unique in it's own rite. We swim at a sandy beach on Great Harbour and the water was the most crystal clear that we had ever seen - even considering the B.V.I. We had black/white stripped fish playfully swimming amongst us which was defintely a treat. Jack had a great time trying to catch them swimming back and forth! And the "Cheeseburger's in Paradise" there at the beachside tiki hut were delicious. The afternoon just "swam" by so quickly but we tried ever so much to savor every moment for a lasting memory.
Royal Island was "the" place to anchor out ('on the hook' in boaters terms) for an afternoon and night if you are looking for a quiet, secluded Cay. It is quite beautiful and the remoteness makes you feel as if you have a deserted island all to yourself.
The Devil's Backbone is a tricky passage with numerous coral heads just below the surface and everyone says "Get a pilot to get you through". But Bill had no trouble maneuvering through the Devil's Backbone on the way to Harbour Island Marina. He's an old pro and the choppy water and cloudy day didn't bother him in the least - he wiggled through the Backbone with ease.
Harbour Island Marina was very welcoming and we enjoyed our last days there. There are so many good restaurants on the island that we never had a problem eating all the good food the Bahamians had to offer. It was particularly fun riding through the streets in our golf cart, that is the way to travel, finding interesting shops, restaurants and visiting all the island had to offer.
Our 8 days were up and we were sorry to have to say goodbye to Bill, Geri and Jack - they gave us a taste of the boating life that we will always remember.
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