Monday, March 12, 2012

Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park

     When we arrived at the Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park, which is in the Bahamas, I knew we were going to have a great time by looking at the crystal clear water and the tropical looking island.  We got the dinghy ready and started over the sand bank to  Powerful Beach.  On the beach was a skeleton of a Sperm Whale, which had, sadly, been killed by a horrible plastic bag.         
              


    The current through the anchorage was very strong, but my mom and I could swim during slack tide.  We swam over one of the reefs but the current became too strong because we were swimming after slack tide.  My dad had to motor over in the dinghy to retrieve us.  We decided that when we swam in deeper water, we would swim together.     
                                         
    On the first day, I saw an eagle ray.  It was about 4 feet long, had white spots over its body, and had a snout-like face.  Over the days, we would see many of these beautiful creatures. 

    One day we decided to take a hike to BooBoo Hill. It got its name because of a schooner that sank off of its coast. Tragically, it was lost, along with all of the sailors and not one of them was found for a burial.  The legend tells that the lost souls sing hymns on top of BooBoo hill at the bloom of the full moon.

    In the park, there are these adorable little black, white and yellow birds, called Bananaquits.  All of these birds are about the size of a sparrow, with black beaks.  They love sugar and will hop onto your hand if you hold it out.  They are just one of the many creatures in the park.      

             
    There are many different things to do here, such as walking trails,  swimming, and looking at wildlife.  The Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park should be kept the way it is,  without too much pollution and people.  It is indeed a treasured and special paradise.