Glad you were able to join me for the adventure with the swimming pigs. We are up at the crack of dawn
trying to squeeze in this latest escapade in time to be able to still get to Georgetown before dark. We pile
into the dinghy and head a bit North to Pig Beach at Big Major Cay. Now I really wanted to swim with the pigs but somone forwarned us that just a week ago a tourist got bit in the ass by one of the pigs so we decided to play it safe and stay aboard. We approach the beach...not a pig in site..back and forth and back and forth we go...maybe we don't have the right beach !! We go a little further North and see another boat and ask where the pigs are ...they direct us back to where we were. Apparently the pigs are a bit precocious..we hadn't brought food with us to coax them out..maybe this time will splash the water and make a bit of noise outwitting them . Sure enough..we spot one.!!

The pig

He is very well camouflaged amongst the trees and sand. No wonder we didnt see him the first time.
yeah!! Here's another   and oops..I mistook the first pig for a he but  its a she..must have a young litter about ..that side view helped...

Pig number 2

 

 

 

 

  The pigs are not swimming to us..we have no food...I spot an old ear of corn up the beach and decide
to brave the warning and jump out of the boat ..get the corn ..back in the boat ..without any mishaps..maybe now they'll swim out to us..Guess what ...it worked!!  The female couldnt resist...here she comes!!!

About halfway out to us ..she's no fool..she realizes thats a pretty old ear of corn and turns her back on us..
Oh well..we got a taste of the swimming pigs..crank up the motor and back to Viento for the final leg of the trip. We arrive at our destination Stocking Island just across from Georgetown , the most Southern part of the Exumas.  This is much more developed and doesn't have the feel of the idyllic little spots we had along the way.  Over the next couple of days , Doug makes arrangements for a mooring till he returns in Janaury , the rest of us prepare the catamaran for departure ..cleaning, laundry, polishing etc.. so she is tidy for the next guests arriving for the New Year .

 Time to move on ..back to reality...our  families await us for Thanksgiving !!

Exuma Land and Sea Park

Bye Viento!!!!!!

Another beautiful day in paradise aboard the Viento. The winds are looking very favorable  for us to be able to sail. Everyone is up bright and early .  After breakfast , Doug surprises us with a video clip he had taken in the park . You'll truly be able to experience the abundant marine life in this protected treasure. 

 What a nice way to document our underwater experiences. ! Thank you Doug !!!
Looking at the navigational charts looks like we will be spending tonight in Staniel Cay . We are very excited as this cay has alot to offer . Along the way we hear the fishing reel spin out ZZZZZZZZZZZ..what do we have on the hook ??? It seemed like forever to reel it in OH!OH!  ..looks like a Barracuda....I think we better cut the line with that set of razor sharp teeth..no fish for supper tonight..!

BARRACUDA!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our overnight mooring at Staniel Cay .

As we approach Staniel we see a very picturesque harbor ..lots of choices for a very scenic mooring.
We are trying to get close to  Thunderball Cave which is a recommended snorkeling site . The best time to attempt this is  at low tide which just gives you enough clearance to swim into an underground cave.
Otherwise you take a hugh breathe and swim like hell to clear the wall and pop up on the inside . HMMMM!! Courtney and I opt for the low tide . Doug  heads out right when we get there at high tide  and
tackles the challenge successfully .

Entrance to Thunderball Cave

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 A few hours later the tide is just right for us to enter the cave. Scott, Courtney and I motor over in the dinghy and gear up. Splash over the side and we approach the cave. Our heads barely clear the top of the cave mouth and we are in. The sunrays are pouring in thru a hole in the ceiling and bounce off the water
bursting into hundreds of crystal prisms . It is a sight to behold. An incredible array of tropical fish are swimming about ! Assorted sizes of angel fish, large parrot fish, schools of stripped zebra danios  so many
I don't know the names for...The  iridescent colors of the coral span the rainbow . I hear giggling underwater
and then a gasp...I quickly turn to see whats going on and the sounds are emanating from Courtney thru her mask. She is in the middle of a huge school of fish and cannot contain herself . I swim over to be sure shes ok and she gives me the high sign..The fish are so unafraid  obviously from years of being feed ..you are able to get very very close. As we exit the cave , the timing couldn't have been more perfect..an adventure charter
is just pulling up filled with folks..we smile knowing we just had the entire cave to ourselves !!! Again Doug
outdid himself and presented us with another video ..it gives you a complete 360 degree view .

   Back to the boat.. evening is approaching . We decide to spend some time on shore and have a
few happy hour drinks at the Staniel Yacht Club as only an island yacht club should be ...open walls
breeze blowing thru , reggae music filling the air and the Bahama Mamas are yummy. After chatting with 
a few folks , I find out there's one more thing we need to see before we depart for Georgetown in the morning...swimming pigs..yes thats right swimming pigs...Stay tuned!!
 

 After sampling our Rock Lobster and coming up with several more recipe ideas , Doug decided to
go explore with his spear gun and see if he could get us more for the next several days. He dropped
us off on Allen's Cay just around the corner for a bit of sunbathing and exploring. Just as he motored away
iguanas of all sizes came creeping out of the rocks and vegetation . It was a bit unnerving to say the least. They were not frightened of us  but a bit aggressive probably from years of  associating humans the fact that we may have food.  Well ..luckily Scott with his booming voice got them to  scatter  a bit . Our excitement for exploring was a bit dampened and we anxiously awaited Doug's return .

Iguana Cay

Surrounded by yachts

 Later in the day several more large motor
yachts joined us . There are quite a few cruisers in the area all of which seem to dwarf us . This particular vessel was in excess of 80 feet complete with a 24 foot Boston Whaler which was used to tender some of the guests to the shore . The boat tender was formally dressed in a starched white shirt with gold bars on the shoulder and navy blue pants .
The yacht hailed from Australia. Much to our dismay  we were not invited over for cocktails

National Park

For the next couple of days , we moored in the
channel at Warderick Wells one of the cays that make up the Exuma Cays Land and Sea park, truly a national gem. This park consists of 15 major cays set aside in a National Trust  for the preservation of this beautiful natural area. Warderick Wells has several hiking trails to different secluded beaches and over 8 snorkeling sites. The waters are crystal clear so much so that I was able to photograph
marine life with my camera .

Tropical fish

Baby ray 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

View from the park office

 It was a treat to  just leisurely explore this little gem. With lunch packed ,fins and snorkel gear in hand, we headed to the other side of the island to a beautiful secluded beach on the back side for an afternoon of swimming and relaxing . The winds were favorable for Doug to get his kiting gear out .  He made it look so easy but the control and finesse he exhibited demonstrated the fact that he had years of experience behind him.                          .

Head of the hiking trail

Dinghy dock at park with mailbox 

  The young couple staffing the park office are from Vermont. They have been here for almost four years.
A huge bay window in the office takes full advantage of th emillion dollar views of the harbor. Notice the mailbox on the post at the end of the dock. What an address !! I hated to leave this idyllic spot but Georgetown awaits , our final destination.