Allen's Cay

Left Cambridge reluctantly and headed up towards Nassau. Reefed main for the the predicted 15-20 K wind. We were really close hauled but managed a bit of sailing until our last course change. Then course and wind direction completely matched. Jib flapped and main flapped too. The sea had developed a steep chop so we really were beating. We tacked a few times but had to go way way off course to make any way at all. Powered up the D sail and slogged. Made it easy to call it a day around 4 pm. The anchorage behind Allen's Cay looked protected and a colony of iguanas, an endangered species, live there . It took a bit of effort to set the anchor. The current was so strong that the boat was being pulled over the anchor and it was almost impossible to set. There are a few small cays around and I guess in the cuts between them the current can really gather a head of steam. We felt a bit like we were anchored in the Cape Cod Canal, but the iguanas were curious and fun to watch. It felt a little like Jurassic park to see all of them around . When we stood still on the beach, more and more iguanas ventured out from the trees, watching us as we were watching them. As we stood, slowly being surrounded, a couple of go- fast boats from Nassau with about 20 people each roared into the beach . That interrupted the spell quickly enough. Experiences are always different with 40 or so extra people. Still, it was great to see these creatures and it was enjoyable to watch others' reactions to them as well.