Building of Ciganka

The BEST snorkeling, beaching, conching, knot tying lessons, and island exploring!  We are expecting wind tomorrow ~ (Notice the amazing clouds in the pictures)

Congratulations to Michael our “Conch Award of Excellence” recipient.  We are proud of you!

Thank you ALL for an amazing week!!

These guys have become a well oiled sailing machine.  And they became conch hunters finding 3 Queen conch that the Captain showed them how to clean them “Admiral” Linda cooked them for dinner that night!  Always somethin’ fun goin’ on ~

Thanks to our photographer extraordinaire, Mr. Scott, he jumped into our dinghy while under sail and took some amazing pictures.  Enjoy ~

More snorkeling, a hike on Man-O-War, and a drift dive off of Tilloo Cay

We welcome aboard Venturing Crew 685 on Sailing Ship Ciganka in the Bahamas!  The whole crew did great on their first snorkel.  They were hungry from a long day of travel and enjoyed the roast beef and gravy dinner complete with chocolate cake.  Then starting to settle in their sleeping spots for the night.  I

Such impressive young men!!  Congratulations Travis and Kennard!

The Captain and I would like to thank this fun, courteous, committed and focused group that truly excelled in every aspect of running our sailing ship!  The North Carolina gracious and courteous attitude prevailed as they kicked butt all week long.  What an absolute pleasure to be a part of.  And thank you Craig Murray

The amazing Venturing Crew 2235 has gotten sailing down to a fine art.  They are kicking it in high gear.  Mr. Craig found a mature Queen Conch so Captain Thomas gives a conch cleaning lesson and then everyone got to taste the fresh conch meat.  Most of them really liked it!  Then off to explore

Looking their finest ~ What an impressive CREW!

Congratulations to Ben our “Conch Award of Excellence” recipient!

More great sailing, “Chef” Nick made a delicious conch salad for lunch, we got to see the Bahamian race boat “Abaco Rage” in the Independence Day race, and more fun was had by all!!  We want to sincerely thank Troop 22 from Bloomfield, NJ for a week we will never forget!!  You guys went above

Another power packed day with our second Sandy Cay Reef dive.  Everyone was in awe of this dive.  Ask Dan about the barracuda.  Then another sailing tacking into the wind.  We ended up at Linyard Cay to hike around the south end of the island at low tide.  Because the tide was so low the

Boy Scout Troop 22 from Bloomfield, NJ sailing on Ciganka this week showed up with such a ground work of discipline, respect, and “get the job done right” attitude that we are kicking it into high gear!!  We are amazed at how they go above and beyond the call of duty at every task.  You

Thanks Girls ~  Love ya

Congratulations to our “Conch Award of Excellence” recipient Jesse!

A great morning sail, a fantastic ocean reef snorkel, homemade pizza from Miss Lovely for dinner and a beautiful closing ceremony.  What a gift.  And we thank each and every one of YOU ~  Oh and thanks for the Girls Scout Thin Mints cookies!!!

Galley Crew made a delicious breakfast of French toast, hot cinnamon apples, sausage, cut up apples and oranges, and orange juice!  This morning we had little to no wind so we motored to our snorkel spot.  But along the way the Captain gave a knot tying lesson.  They learned the clove hitch and bowline.  Good

After a great first snorkel and a delicious dinner, we got to celebrate Jesse’s 16th birthday!!  She got to celebrate with her good friends on a 78 ft. sailing ship in the Bahamas with a chocolate birthday cake!  Happy Birthday Jesse.  Captain Thomas helped people get their hammocks secured and ready for a good nights

Congratulations to Gabe our “Conch Award of Excellence” recipient!

Congratulations to Troop 7 who made the most of their week on board Ciganka!  And a heartfelt thank you from “Admiral” Linda for taking such good care of Captain Thomas while she had to fly home to Ohio for a family funeral.  “I am sorry I missed our week together but Captain Thomas said they are

Captain Thomas and I, along with the whole Wayfaring Band Crew congratulates Jeff for being awarded the “Conch Award of Excellence!  Jeff always (seriously always) has a helpful, kind, generous, honest, loving attitude towards everyone.  He truly is an inspiration!

What a gift you are to us ~

We literally had no wind all week long which made for great snorkeling but no sailing…..until…..finally Wednesday morning the Wayfaring Band hoisted all 4 sails getting Ciganka under full sail.  Great job Crew!  Look at us now ~

Cracked Conch, Fresh Grilled Fish, Bahamian Mac N’ Cheese, Cheeseburger in Paradise along with a lot of laughs was served!