Marco’s cousin’s dog, Whitey, at Rum Cay. Marco’s (smarter) dog, who wasn’t there that day,  is called Saxy (or maybe, Sexy).

Rum Cay would be called Rolly Cay if not for Marco’s kindness, local knowledge and navigation skill in guiding us into Rum Cay’s Sumner Point Marina (click here for more about that).

Instead, we decided to stay longer, even when the winds shifted, enabling our passage to Conception, our next planned stop.  Part of that is due to more than the protection of Sumner Point Marina.  It’s because thanks due in large part to Marco and his friends, we’re enjoying our stay here.

Marco insisted on cooking us cracked conch and fries, from the fresh conch he caught in a local salt pond.  He made it at the marina, so we could learn how he makes it.

Marco dredging conch in a cornmeal batter, so Wayne could eat it as he is on a gluten-free diet.

Tagging along was his cousin James, Marco’s girlfriend and exceptional french-fry-maker Shanwee and Kevin.  Not quite sure who Kevin was attached to in the posse, but he enjoyed crooning and quizzing us on “Name That Tune.”  Dave (more on Dave in the next GWT post), the catalyst for the whole event, pleased Kevin exceedingly with his prompt and correct answers.  Whitey, the “not so smart dog” was also in tow. Sadly, his playmate black boxer, Saxy was not feeling well enough to join the party that day.

Marco improvises on his conch-beating tool. Beating conch is necessary to tenderize it before cooking.

I missed out on grabbing my camera when Dave’s other newfound local friend, “Fireman” fed the local sharks with a porgy Dave caught, and then a remora, along with Dave’s hook and leader.  Lemon sharks, Fireman said, “Are tasty!“

James and Whitey.

Shawnee, Marco’s girlfriend, making fries.

In the midst of our hearty potluck, Marco invited us “In two years… to his wedding.”  Not sure if Shawnee, not yet a fiancee, heard.

Marco & Shawnee; a sweet couple.

“If we’re not in the South Pacific,” I told Marco, “We’d love to join you.”

Our Pearson 365 sailboat ketch, Journey, in one of the less dodgy parts of Sumner Point Marina, Rum Cay.

Location Location
April 13, 2014 BAHAMAS.  Recent retrospective of our time in Rum Cay (N23.38 W74.50) at the free! (but a bit decrepit) Sumner Point Marina.  By the time this posts we’ll be in Conception, likely for a few days without internet.