HOPE TOWN, ABACO: DOLPHINS & A LIGHTHOUSE IN THE SUN
A trip to Hope Town and Elbow Cay is a always a treat. Especially if it includes lunch with friends. Most of my previous visits have been in cloud or rain, so the glory of the historic and indeed iconic candy-striped lighthouse has been rather marred. I left Delphi in hot sunshine, but it began to cloud over ominously during the half-hour drive north to Marsh Harbour and Albury’s Ferry Terminal. I was still optimistic when I arrived, though…
…until I looked the other way. The 20-minute crossing of the Sea of Abaco to Elbow Cay was characterised by a sudden pelting rain storm and a churning sea. A passenger lay down greenly, and I began to count the minutes.
However, as we approached Hope Town we emerged from the gloom into bright sun, and a fine view of the lighthouse. This edifice has one of the last remaining kerosene-lit lights in the world, attended to every 2 hours throughout the night by volunteers. The mechanism sits on a bed of mercury, and the light shines through the original fresnel lenses. Much of the original british-made machinery is still in place. For a tour round the interior, with excellent photos taken by Mrs RH, and views from the top platform, click HOPE TOWN LIGHTHOUSE 
Lunch at the pleasant Harbour’s Edge Restaurant was enhanced by two – or was it three? – bottlenose dolphins that swam around the harbour. I was torn between eating, chatting and photographing them. I didn’t catch the wonderful lazy arcs they made as the broke the surface and slowly arched back into the water. It was near impossible to predict where they would surface next. Here are a couple of less dramatic shots… 
After lunch there was time for a quick wander round the attractive little town, with its pastel-coloured houses. 
There was a YELLOW ELDER tree in bloom, the national flower of the Bahamas. [Later: as it turns out, I was caught in the act… of photography]
I was taken to see the new HUMMINGBIRD COTTAGE ART CENTRE & GALLERY a fine work of building restoration in the centre of town that provides a surprisingly large exhibition space and an idyllic place for art classes and related activities.
Later, I took the ferry back to Marsh Harbour, taking a final good look at the lighthouse, still thankfully in full sunlight against a vivid blue sky.
LINKS
HOPE TOWN LIGHTHOUSE: THE WORKS
YELLOW ELDER: BAHAMAS NATIONAL FLOWER
and for a comprehensive overview of Hope Town and Elbow Cay
Hummingbird Cottage ©Brigitte Bowyer
ROLLING HARBOUR ABACO 
Oh, man! These are such amazing views all around. Where to start, where to start!?
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Mmmmmm, Jody. Start with the dolphins, which were a special treat and not a daily occurrence. Then enjoy the rest of it. With a local Kalik beer. RH
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🙂 Sounds wonderful!
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These are beautiful shots RH – really good composition. I’m glad the weather cleared for you once you arrived!
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Why thank you Lucy. Apart from the crossing, a great outing, with the dolphins as icing on the cake – if that isn’t too atrocious a metaphor mash. Oh! It is… RH
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By the way, I forgot to mention; the final painting, The Hummingbird Cottage by Brigitte Bowyer; I like it very much. It’s got this very special atmosphere, so this is for you Brigitte:***
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Brigitte and her husband were the people I was lunching with. She is an artist who exhibits at HC & gives classes there. I’ll make sure she gets your message… RH
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That’s fine! 🙂
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The lighthouse is wonderful! 4000+ … puuuuh.
🙂 I’ll go for the Mill in Cley first.. 🙂
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Well, I rate that Mill highly too. Hoping to slip up to Norfolk in July to see the Hermitage / Walpole exhibition at Houghton. And maybe a swim at Brancaster [where the wreck of the SS Vina – erstwhile ship of my family’s – can still be seen. And have you tried “The Ship” beer at the pub there?].
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Please explain this; I’m very interested now and I’m sure Klausbernd is too:
…”where the wreck of the SS Vina – erstwhile ship of my family’s”…
?? Your family?
I have been there twice, unfotunately both times it was not possible to get all the way to wreck, it was too risky. But I’m leaving for Kent/Suffolk and Norfolk in a couple of days, staying in Cley next the sea until the 17th of July. If you are around, please give us a shout, maybe we can go for drink at the pub? Which pub do you mean in Brancaster? We’d like to try that Ship Beer. 🙂
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Beer: actually called “The Wreck” – just checked on a bottle I have here. Pub: the Jolly Sailors (pleasant but actually a bit basic, as I recall…). Ship link: nordic-scots shipping family. SS Vina: old coastal steamer requisitioned by Navy & used for target practice by RAF in WW2. We had the ship’s bell at one time, now lost! See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brancaster July: sadly, not there till 20 / 21, just the 2 days.
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I love dolphins. They are so calm and gives me a relaxt feeling. Awesome pictures. Thanks for sharing.
Love and Peace, Summer
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Hi Summer, glad you enjoyed the dolphins. Wonderful creatures – it’s a pity I didn’t get a pic of the ‘curving’ emergence and dive. I agree about the calmness they engender… RH
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Great pictures of the dolpins and that light house.I like light houses. They always have this romantic flair.
Thank you vey much for sharing 🙂
Have a happy day
Klausbernd from the coast of North Northfolk with quite a rough sea today
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Thanks a lot – it’s a lovely small place. And a fascinating piece of lighthouse history. You’ve got that nice windmill at Cley instead! RH
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I thouroughly enjoyed this post, from the beginning to end. Now I only feel sad, because I was not part of your group on this trip. 😦 This looks unreal to me, it’s more than a different world, so gorgeous! Tody we have very heavy rain in Bonn in The Rhine Valley, not to mention the floods…
Now, I’ll click over to the interior of the Lighthouse. Have a great day. Watch your skin, you don’t get sunburned, do you? 😉
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How nice – glad you enjoyed it. Hope you found the interior interesting. Come on the trip another time – it’s only 4000+ miles away! But it’s not always sunny on Abaco – the hurricane season starts soon, & there’s normally cause to batten down the hatches at least once… Maybe stick with Norfolk. Or Germany? Or indeed Norway! RH (PS it’s called ‘bronzing’. But rather red…)
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