Warm Days at Staniel Cay

Yesterday was the first day warm enough to swim comfortably. We got on our bathing suits and climbed down the ladder on our swim platform. Now that's what being in the Bahamas is supposed to be all about!

We've been back and forth between 2 anchorages - one near Staniel Cay and a second about an hour south (by slow sailboat) near the Black Point settlement. From both, we've dinghied to shore, visited the local small grocery stores and hung out at the Internet cafes. We've talked to sailors that we met earlier along the ICW and others that we've newly met. Everyone is friendly and full of information about what's what in the area and best spots to explore. We've dinghied to nearby beaches and walked along the sand and we've had a quick look at the wild pigs on the beach at Big Majors.


Our friends, Glen and Janet flew in yesterday from Nassau - they came for an overnight stay at one of the cottages at Staniel Cay. We borrowed bikes from the yacht club and went over to the tip of the cay where we could walk out to look at Exuma Sound on one side and the Bahama Bank waters on the other. We hit all 3 grocery stores along the way to see what new supplies had been brought in by the mail boat that day. Glen and Janet kindly brought us some veggies and fruit from Nassau and we added more vegetables and fruit as well as eggs, several milk tetra packs and even some meat. We're set for a while.

Today along with the Wilsons, we returned to "pig beach", this time with carrots, and watched the pigs swim out for a snack. They are "wild" pigs - turned loose on the cay by someone long ago. Glen is skeptical. The shelter built for them beyond the beach gave weight to his conviction that they are meant as a tourist attraction and are not "wild" at all. After feeding the pigs, we set out on a small rented Boston Whaler, and did a little exploring in shallow waters near by.

When we arrived here, we came through this cut.

Looking out at Exuma Sound from Staniel Cay on a very calm day - the water was much more exciting when we arrived!

Glen and Janet

So this is the EXUMAS -a capital place - sparkling clear water in brilliant almost neon blues and greens. Few stores - no banks (a cash society for the most part) - challenging provisioning - friendly people - warm sunny skies - kicking back - lazy days - fun times with good friends.

Sunset seen from Sea Change at anchor at Big Majors: an anchorage near Staniel Cay