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:

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.

Outside

Diana on the steps

Inside from the balcony

Climbing the rickety steps up the tower

Tower hit by lightening

View from the top

Can you spot Ryan?

There he is!

Second church

On the way back to the dinghy