{"id":3065,"date":"2014-05-04T12:18:56","date_gmt":"2014-05-04T12:18:56","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.sailpandora.com\/?p=3065"},"modified":"2014-05-04T14:51:55","modified_gmt":"2014-05-04T14:51:55","slug":"over-yonder-over-the-top-in-the-nicest-possible-way","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sailpandora.com\/?p=3065","title":{"rendered":"Over Yonder, over the top… In the nicest possible way."},"content":{"rendered":"

It\u2019s Sunday morning and it\u2019s been quite a while since I last posted.\u00a0 Since Rob and Kandice arrived in Staniel Cay, we have spent time in the Exuma land and sea park, where there isn\u2019t any cell coverage.\u00a0 No cell, no posts.\u00a0 Such as it is in the Bahamas. \u00a0And, I won’t even talk about how busy having them on board has kept us. \u00a0Alas, no posts. \u00a0Well, the wait is over… Here goes.<\/span><\/p>\n

We are now back in Nassau to prepare for returning Pandora to the US and our home in CT.\u00a0 Rob, Kandice and Brenda fly out of Nassau on Monday afternoon and my crew will arrive.\u00a0 \u00a0Details, details.<\/p>\n

As my departure approaches, hopefully on Tuesday or Wednesday, \u00a0I am focused on catching a good weather window for our run north.\u00a0 Fingers crossed.\u00a0\u00a0 Chris Parker, the weather router we use, seems to think that the coming week will be good.\u00a0 I hope that we will have some wind for sailing as we don\u2019t carry enough fuel to make the run under power the entire way.\u00a0 This is a sailboat, after all.<\/p>\n

While I am very excited about being home in CT again, I must say that I am a bit sad that our visit to the Bahamas is nearing an end.\u00a0 However, it\u2019s safe to say that I am ready to leave.\u00a0 It\u2019s been fun but it will be very nice to be able to enjoy the simplicity of being in a \u201cland home\u201d where things are easier. \u00a0And, you can’t beat New England weather in the summer. \u00a0My excitement about being home is tempered by the fact that there will be a very long \u201choney do\u201d list of chores as we reopen the house and make the improvements, painting etc. that are needed.\u00a0 When we left home four months ago we just shut the door and left.\u00a0 While one of our neighbors has been keeping an eye on things, nothing of note has been done except to have oil deliveries made to keep the heat on.<\/p>\n

Speaking of heat, it\u2019s been really hot and sticky here for about the last month.\u00a0 When we first arrived, the evenings were cool but now that summer is approaching…\u00a0 They say that the year round temperature here only varies by about ten degrees but let me tell you, there\u2019s a big difference between the high 70s and the 80s.<\/p>\n

Oh well, enough whining as it\u2019s nice to be able to split our time between of home and Pandora.\u00a0 Not too shabby.<\/p>\n

Well, speaking of \u201cnot too shabby\u201d, our visit to Over Yonder Cay, earlier in the week, was about as \u201cpolished\u201d as is possible.\u00a0 Dr. Bosarge, the owner of Over Yonder Cay has done an absolutely remarkable job of creating an \u201coasis\u201d from a rugged Bahamas island into an amazing family compound with every imaginable luxury.<\/p>\n

Where do I begin?\u00a0 On Monday, after Rob and Kandice arrived, we made our way from Staniel Cay the short ten miles to Over Yonder and were greeted by a very attentive staff including Ethan, the islands’ Director of Operations, and let me tell you there are a massive number of “operations” on the island, \u00a0as well as several others who helped us with our lines to tie up Pandora.\u00a0 Pandora looked positively diminutive tied up to a dock designed for 200\u2019 yachts.\u00a0 \u00a0\"\"<\/a>Here’s my “crew” posing at the “boathouse”. \u00a0I should mention that there is a ramp on the other side of this building where the seaplanes arrive to bring folks to the island. \u00a0\"\"<\/a>After a bit of work getting fenders in place and all lines secured we stepped onto the dock and were greeted by Darcy, the island steward, with glasses of strawberry lemonade served on a lovely platter garnished by flowers from the island\u2019s gardens.\u00a0\u00a0 Amazing\u2026<\/p>\n

When was the last time someone on a dock greeted you with a cool drink on a platter with flowers?\u00a0 Me?\u00a0 Never, unless you count Over Yonder.\u00a0 And, I am not talking about one of your buddies tossing you a cool one from the next slip.\u00a0 Believe me, it was different.\u00a0 Very classy.<\/p>\n

And, that was just the beginning of a remarkable visit to Over Yonder Cay.<\/p>\n

Where do I begin?\u00a0 If nothing beyond the \u201clemonade moment\u201d happened the visit would already be amazing but that was indeed \u201cjust the beginning\u201d.<\/p>\n

As soon as we were settled, and thirst quenched, Ethan announced that he would be back to escort us on a tour of the island.\u00a0 And Ethan knows every inch of the island as he oversaw the construction from the beginning.\u00a0 Darcy announced that towels had been set out on beach chairs for us that we could use following the tour.\u00a0 Looks pretty inviting, and all for us.\"\"<\/a>However, before we boarded the golf carts they had been provided for the tour, we would be joining her for lunch at the beachside pavillion.\u00a0 Lunch?\u00a0 What next?<\/span><\/p>\n

But first, the tour\u2026<\/p>\n

The island has amazing plantings and what\u2019s even more remarkable is that the buildings and all the infrastructure to support them have only been in place for three years.\u00a0 I understand that everything on the island was completed in about 18 months.\u00a0\u00a0 Dr. Bosarge loves classical piano and legend has it that as the island was being prepared for its \u201cofficial \u201copening the staff was preparing the newly arrived Steinway grand piano as guests arrived.\u00a0 Alas, all set, just in time and just perfect.<\/p>\n

Everywhere you look there are lovely spots to sit.\u00a0\"\"<\/a>There’s even a 9 hole golf course that’s so tough it would frustrate a scratch golfer. The “greens” are artificial but look like real turf. \u00a0They decided that keeping up with grass in this arid climate was over the top. \u00a0 And, no dirt paths here. \u00a0 Paved paths everywhere. \u00a0Millions of pounds of pavers brought in and placed perfectly from one end of the island to the other, and back…\"\"<\/a>All of the island buildings, and there are three major guest buildings, along with plenty of other buildings \u201cbehind the curtain\u201d that keep everything running, are powered and cooled by electricity from three huge wind turbines along with acres of solar panels.\u00a0\u00a0 They even have enough power, and it\u2019s \u201cgreen\u201d to produce 20,000+ gallons of water per day.\u00a0 And don\u2019t forget the housing and feeding of 30, full time employees.\u00a0 No, some don\u2019t live on the island and commute from nearby islands, but there is housing for plenty of help.\u00a0\u00a0 When the island was under construction there were 100 full time workers on the job.\u00a0 Given the complexity of the systems that service the island, plenty of help is needed.\u00a0 They have two professionals, at least, who are responsible for the \u201cpower plant\u201d including the solar and wind as well as three massive standby generators.\u00a0 However, beyond being tested weekly, I understand that these generators almost never run. \u00a0Recall that it\u2019s nearly always windy and sunny here in the Bahamas. As an aside, the three wind generators that tower over everything on the island are monitored by a company off-island 24\/7.\u00a0 Really remarkable.\u00a0\u00a0 And, all that power, and there\u2019s plenty, let me tell you, is stored in a huge battery room with hundreds of tons of gel batteries. \u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The computers that run all of this look like the controls for a utility. \u00a0Now wait, it IS a utility.\"\"<\/a>When we visited the room where the batteries and computers that power the island I have to say that it reminded me of a scene from Jurassic Park.\u00a0 Alas, no velociraptors.\u00a0 I\u2019ll bet that Ethan had heard that comparison before.<\/span><\/p>\n

How about millions of pounds of batteries. \u00a0And this was just one of four rows. \u00a0I hope that they last a long time. \u00a0Imagine replacing these? \u00a0 And, a single “cell” weights hundreds of pounds.\"\"<\/a>Our tour, and we did all of this on board our golf carts, with Ethan at the helm, \u00a0also included, remarkably, a look inside the main house with it\u2019s commanding views.\u00a0\u00a0 It was clear that a very talented group had designed the siting of the homes and every other detail of the island.\u00a0\u00a0 I can\u2019t imagine being able to keep a handle on so many details, and there are an amazing number, let me tell you. \u00a0The way that everything tied together in this \u201coasis\u201d reminded me of a piece of fine machinery, like a fine watch. \u00a0And, a very expensive watch with a lot of moving parts.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

How’s this for a “grand entrance”, the approach to the main house.\"\"<\/a>Dr. Bosarge also has a remarkable collection of art and antiquities and everywhere you look there is something new to admire.\u00a0\u00a0 I can\u2019t imagine how he managed to acquire all of it to fill such a massive home, but he did.\u00a0 He also collects antique cannons, armor and firearms and there\u2019s plenty to choose from.<\/span><\/p>\n

There are also architectual “details” everywhere. \u00a0How about these chairs? \u00a0I wonder if anyone actually sits in them. \u00a0I did.\"\"<\/a>How about this antique cannon overlooking the harbor? \u00a0 I understand that Dr. Bosarge is inclined to fire cannons from the deck of his yacht Marie when the mood srikes. \u00a0I’ll bet that he is “inclined” to fire one at sunset from time to time. \u00a0It would certainly get more attention than blowing the conch, such as we do on Pandora. \u00a0Alas, no cannon on board Pandora.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/span>The main house is sited on the highest point of the island with 360 views.\u00a0 Here\u2019s little Pandora in the harbor.\u00a0\"\"<\/a><\/span>Off of the master suite, and a suite it is, is a beautiful infinity pool that looks to the east.\u00a0\u00a0There\u2019s even a massive urn that burns a gas flame in the evening. Imagine a sunrise here\u2026\"\"<\/a><\/span>How about the master bath?\u00a0 Between that and the attached dressing room,\u00a0 It was probably larger than the footprint of our entire house.\"\"<\/a><\/span>And this beautiful spiral staircase that goes from the changing room three stories up to an observation platform.\u00a0 \"\"<\/a>Commanding views all around. \u00a0From here you can keep an eye on those frustrated golfers, each hole more diabolical than the last. \u00a0\"\"<\/a><\/span>And, of course, a veiw of those fabulous wind generators turning and turning. \"\"<\/a>What a view of the dining room or should I say \u201cone of the dining rooms\u201d. \u00a0I’ll bet that there have been some really nice parties here. \u00a0And you’d expect them to be very nice as the island is rented for a cool $75,000 per day, seven day minimum. \u00a0Of course…\"\"<\/a><\/span>It\u2019s hard to believe that a place like this exists and that we were invited to visit.\u00a0 My only regret is that Dr. Bosarge wasn\u2019t there for us to meet.\u00a0 That would have been great fun.<\/span><\/p>\n

As we were leaving it was hard to believe that we had only been with this wonderful group for 24 hours.\u00a0 We all posed for a photo, the pooch Diesel too.\"\"<\/a>And, as if that weren\u2019t enough, we were presented with a beautiful cocktail table book of Marie, the 180\u2019 sailing yacht that I had written about nearly a year ago.\u00a0 And, on top of that, T shirts for all and an Over Yonder Cay sailing cap for me.<\/span><\/p>\n

Oh yeah, I closed my post last June with a wish wondering if we were to visit Over Yonder, that perhaps we\u2019d be offered a rum punch.\u00a0 Yup\u2026 that too, after our tour of this magnificent island.<\/p>\n

Want to visit? \u00a0Have $525,000 to spend on a week’s vacation? \u00a0Check out the island website<\/a>. \u00a0It can all be yours. \u00a0Before you decide that’s too much, it does include flights to and from the island via seaplane. \u00a0But, if you have to ask how much it costs, like me, you can’t afford it.<\/p>\n

What\u2019s left?\u00a0 Well, I must get our host\u2019s address so I can send him a note of thanks for such a wonderful visit to Over Yonder.\u00a0 I guess it\u2019s my turn to offer him an \u201can adult beverage\u201d of his choosing.\u00a0 We\u2019ll have to see about that.<\/p>\n

And, last but not least, the post that started it all<\/a>\u00a0last June. \u00a0What’s next? \u00a0I guess I owe the good doctor a rum punch. \u00a0It would only be fair. \u00a0Not over the top? \u00a0I think not.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

It\u2019s Sunday morning and it\u2019s been quite a while since I last posted.\u00a0 Since Rob and Kandice arrived in Staniel Cay, we have spent time in the Exuma land and sea park, where there isn\u2019t any cell coverage.\u00a0 No cell, no posts.\u00a0 Such as it is in the Bahamas. \u00a0And, I won’t even talk about […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","_s2mail":"","site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3065","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sailpandora.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3065","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sailpandora.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sailpandora.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sailpandora.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sailpandora.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=3065"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/www.sailpandora.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3065\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3086,"href":"https:\/\/www.sailpandora.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3065\/revisions\/3086"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sailpandora.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=3065"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sailpandora.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=3065"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sailpandora.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=3065"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}