How many is that? a Population study

My Dad, Dr. Bill, has asked me twice 

what is the Population of Marsh Harbor?  

Well - i dont know.  Let's look it up.   'Google, how bout it?'

MARSH HARBOUR - Population 5,315   (with me here)

The Bahamas is made up of over 700 islands, islets and cays in the Atlantic Ocean. "Bahamas" may refer to the country or the largest island chain it shares with the Turks and Caicos Islands. In 2018, the Bahamas has an estimated population of 399,285.

The entire Bahamas has an estimated population of 399,285, which makes it the 177th most populous country in the world. The last official census took place in 1990, finding a population of 255,000.

Bahamians are mainly of African descent – 85 percent black and 15 percent white and mixed. The white population are descended mainly from the early English settlers who arrived on the Island of Eleuthera in 1648. Many can also trace their roots back to the American Loyalists who after 1783 fled the newly independent States with their slaves.

The Bahamas is the site of Columbus' first landfall in the New World in 1492. At that time, the islands were inhabited by the Lucayan, a branch of the Arawakan-speaking Taino people. Although the Spanish never colonised The Bahamas, they shipped the native Lucayans to slavery in Hispaniola. The islands were mostly deserted from 1513 until 1648, when English colonists from Bermudasettled on the island of Eleuthera.

The Bahamas became a British crown colony in 1718, when the British clamped down on piracy. After the American War of Independence, the Crown resettled thousands of American Loyalists in the Bahamas; they brought their slaves with them and established plantations on land grants.

I'm the first to admit that population statistics are not quite as sexy, or exciting as my earlier laundry story, but that's what's up today.  The weather report talked about a Norther blowing in with some very strong winds and squalls associated with it.  Maybe next week we can talk about the weather?  That's almost as thrilling as my laundry!       

- wearing clean clothes, Pirate Skip

All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy

Ok, I get it.  You aren't here to read about my day.  You are here to read about the adventure YOU would have if you were here on vacation....    got it.  I'll work on less work and more play.

Lynn the question sister said to stop discussing my ‘boat chores.’  

But today’s adventure was a little noteworthy.  So, if you can stomach a short discussion of laundry, here goes.  Today I rode my bike back to the laundry that I found yesterday.  It uses tokens.  $2.50 per normal size washing machine.  $3.50 for big ones.  Dryers $1 for 10 minutes.  I used two machines, 1 dryer @ 50 minutes.  $10 and cheap by Caribbean standards.  If you are asking ‘why’ as in why is this noteworthy?  

When I first got to shore I met another cruiser who told me, “the electricity is going to be off while they install a new part.”  I laughed saying ‘it will happen when my clothes are soapy.’  Didn’t happen.  I rode my bike with backpack of soaps in the basket (milk crate) in back, and the Navy duffle bag on my handle bars.  Rode it a mile to the Shell station.  Found my two washing machines.  (actually, a helpful local lady pointed out the ‘two best’ machines for me.  Truthfully.  You cant make this stuff up.)  Then I went to the window to – buy tokens.  The token window is over against the Shell station.  You can look through and see inside to the register and the same Shell lady sells the tokens out of the register.  She came over and informed me, “the water is off till 2pm.”  So I went back and gathered up my stuff and found a spot outside in the shade to cool off before my long ride back home.  (my plan B was to reschedule for tomorrow)  About the time I’m ready to jump on my bike and start the ride home a ‘laundry mechanic’ stuck his head out and told me, “waters back on Mon.”  So I got my tokens and started my 2 machines!  Next, I’m visiting with the lady near me and she says she smells something burning.  In runs the ‘laundry mechanic’ and he starts RUNNING down the aisle behind the machines unplugging them.  Then he runs in front lifting the lids off each machine, when WHOOSH out jumps FIRE!   Immediately with much yelling they evacuate the laundry while he shoots an extinguisher into the top of the offending machine.  Open doors, windows, turn on fans and reopen the laundry.  

Two minutes later we are washing again.  It was pretty routine after the Fire Drill.  I made it back to the boat for lunch and a nap.  Now I’m trying to get enough gumption to try a second chore for the day.  But Lynn, don’t worry, I think I’ll go back to shore and ride my bike to that Bakery again and see what’s good……….           One Fire Drill is enough for today.               

Yum the Bakery does it good.  Coconut Pastry $1.89 for all you can eat.   - Fat Pirate