Matthew Town

Hi everyone,

This afternoon we'll be departing our first port of call in the Bahamas.  Matthew Town on Great Inagua Island is a quiet place of about 900 people.  Clearing in on Tuesday morning was very simple given we'd already used Click2Clear to pre-arrange our 1 year Cruising Permit.

Matthew Town dawn

HMBS Nassau Patrol Boat in port

USCG helo passing by

On Wednesday we dinghied ashore to explore.  We walked about 1nm along the beach to the lighthouse on South West Point.  A group apparently from the HMBS did the same and some weren't enjoying their walk in the sun.

The lighthouse

The lighthouse's staircase has a few steps missing

The town was quiet.  But just about everyone we came upon gave us a proper Bahamian welcome - a wave, a smile and a big 'hello'.  The colours here are bright and vibrant too.  We found the general store and bought some bread.  They had plenty of the locally produced Morton Salt in stock.

Colourful signage

Nice beach with Zen Again at anchor

Walking around the town we found a real mixture of buildings.  Some are obviously abandoned.  Some are well cared-for, some are very new.  Most are colourful.  The churches are beautiful and very well maintained.

Abandoned building

Methodist Church

Catholic Church

Colourful Cop Shop

It's a shame we can't spend longer exploring the island as a whole.  Tempus fugit and we have a date with the US Embassy in Naasau in a few weeks.  Tonight we'll be departing towards Acklins Island, about 85nm NW.

Matthew Town sunset

Trust all's well where you are.