Clarence Town

Our first stop in the Bahamas was not only beautiful on the water, it was interesting on land too.  Clarence Town is on Long Island, one of the out islands of the Bahamas.  It is sparsely populated but has a marina, two churches, a post office and a store (which we heard was out of beer!).  We walked around one afternoon to check it out.

Sign touting the many things to see in Clarence Town:

P1040404

First church.  While we were taking pictures of this one the pastor came out and invited us inside.  He said that the church was only staffed Christmas to Easter and that he was a volunteer.  He told us a bit about Long Island and the folks who live there.  One interesting story was a kid he picked up Monday night and took home.  First, Long Island is LONG, about 80 miles long.  Second, there are not many cars there so if you don’t have a car you hitch hike.  So the pastor picked up this kid who had stayed late to use the computer at school and missed his bus.  He ended up driving the kid 35 miles home!!!!  And he said he didn’t pass another car on the way there or back.  Imagine being so dedicated to your studies that you would risk having to walk 35 miles home!  Pretty incredible.

P1040391

Outside

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Diana on the steps

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Inside from the balcony

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Climbing the rickety steps up the tower

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Tower hit by lightening

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

View from the top

P1040398

Can you spot Ryan?

P1040399

There he is!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Second church

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

On the way back to the dinghy

P1040408 OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA