We had a great plan. We would be at the laundry by 745 to start washing by 8 am when it opened. The sign at Lorraine’s said they would open for breakfast at 8 as well which sounded like a good activity while waiting for laundry.
We loaded up and headed over. Not wanting to be late, David had us there at 730. We sat in the little picnic area and waited. A lovely cat joined us . She took a special liking to David and asked him to pet her several times. She finally settled between us.
Eight o’clock came and went. There is were people gathered around but no sign of the laundry opening. A man went to the market to see if he could get the key for us. He returned saying someone might open around 9. The restaurant was also closed, and the market. The only place open was the bar across the street. Several people were drinking on the porch. We wondered about a holiday, or perhaps just island time.
I walked around Lorraine’s restaurant again but it was still closed. The door to Lorraine’s mother’s home was open and great smells were coming from there causing me to linger. Lorraine’s mother came out. She had bread for sale so I bought a loaf of her famous coconut.
Around 9, someone did come and open the laundry and little store. We started our clothes and walked down to see if the market had also opened. There was some opening action at Deshammon’s restaurant where three ladies in red t shirts that said “Staff” sat on the front porch. We asked them if they had any food yet. They looked at one another for a while, then one of them said, “we could make some eggs.” We thanked them and promised to return shortly and went to switch our laundry.
We returned to the restaurant where they served us delicious eggs, toast and jam. It was perfect. We asked about a holiday and the ladies confirmed that it was Majority Rule Day. The real day is January 10th but it was being celebrated on the Monday after.
The holiday commemorates the election day in 1967 where Pindling and his progressive party tied the existing ruling party with 18 votes each. The other votes were split between two other party’s who gave their votes to the progressive party. It was the first time the black majority had won an election and ended the leadership of the minority oligarchy.
Pindling was elected as prime minister many times thereafter despite concerns that he may have been involved with allowing some drug smuggling and may have received some gifts from American casino interests. He finally lost an election, however and conceded graciously.
The staff told us that businesses like restaurants usually stay open on the holiday but that government offices would be closed. We went to the market which was now also open and bought some oranges, tea, oatmeal and pineapple juice. We collected our laundry and headed back to the boat.
There was very little wind as we motored out of the Black Point Settlement anchorage. It was a bit hazy and cloudy.
Galliot was only 12 miles away so it was a short trip. We arrived in the mid afternoon. There were three catamarans in the anchorage but David managed to find a spot. The tide change was around 3 pm so we decided to snorkel between Galliot and Big Farmers. There is an interesting area over there with some coral, some sea fans and fish.
Several other dinghies pulled into the area to dive. First we towed Fat Tuesday swimming but when the current picked up, we anchored her in a small cove. We saw a ray, some nice coral and fish.
We stopped by the beach on the way back. A mom, her 20 month old and their 2 dogs were there. She was from the catamaran Western Sky. Her husband was snorkeling with friends. This is their second season in the Bahamas. They are trying to explore more this year. They are planning to visit the shallow sand bar to the south in the morning before heading to Lee Stocking Island for the bad weather.
We enjoyed our night at Galliot. It is a very special stop for David who has fond memories of this place from his family trip in 1973. It is one of the most beautiful spots we have encountered.