We came to Green Turtle Cay for the Island Roots Heritage Festival, a celebration of family roots. It is celebrated here in New Plymouth with their sister city of Key West, FL. The theme this year was pirates and they were everywhere. We went into town shortly after arriving on Friday where we got the lay of the land. Had dinner at the festival with other kid boats, Stella Maris, Second Wave and Tembo. Enjoyed cracked lobster, which was a whole lobster, split and fried. Can’t be good for me, but it was delicious. Strolled around New Plymouth. Seemed like a New England village with lots of salt box style wooden homes.

Church in New Plymouth

The Old Jail in New Plymouth

The area was founded by loyalists that left the US during the revolutionary war. After dinner I started to photograph young ladies dancing around the maypole when I was dragged in to participate.

Pirates and Ladies Around the Maypole

The funny thing (other than my dancing ability) was that Susan Goldsworthy from Durham was also “volunteered” and was right in front of me as we tried to keep up with our partners around the maypole. Another case of small world syndrome.

Saturday we had the schedule and knew what to expect. Noah made a sword out of cardstock and aluminum foil, found an eye patch and even drew a scar on some scotch tape to make himself look piratical.

Noah was the one to Crack the Pinata

We enjoyed the festivities and Noah enjoyed being with other kids, especially Nick from Second Wave whom he hadn’t seen since Georgetown. We toured the Pirate Ship “Wolf”, a topsail schooner visiting from Key West,

The Wolf

Pirate tour guide on the Wolf

Noah and Nick tried the three-legged race,

Nick & Noah in the 3 legged race

and I was relieved to see that the pirates were conscripted as volunteers for the maypole dance and we went back to the boat for dinner fairly exhausted and sunbaked. After a little sustenance we headed back to the festival to catch the Junkanoo Parade, followed by a very funny local comedienne.

Junkanoo Float

The finale was the appearance of the Royal Bahamian Police Band dressed in their leopard skin uniforms. We were close to the front and thoroughly enjoyed the concert and marching formations. They did some very fancy drum routines where the drummers
traded sticks and drums throughout a number. I can’t imagine playing in full uniform, plus a leopard skin in the 87 degree heat with 97% humidity. These officers were dedicated musicians! If you ever get the opportunity to see this band, don’t miss it.