Staniel Cay is home to only 80 people during most of the year and about 30 more residents during the winter season. The quintessential Bahamas that Northerners dream about with brightly painted yellow, red, blue, green, and purple trimmed houses were surrounded by brightly colored blossomed flowers allowed to grow bushy thus giving the whole area a natural wild look.
The few stores weren't hard to find, "Just look for the yellow or purple house!" we were directed and easily found the laundry place, the bakery and the depleted of stock, marine store.
The school was a small house that had just 6 students who eagerly attended, showing up at 8:30 to wait for their teacher to arrive at 9:00. Exploring the island with Linda and Huen interfered with returning when the teacher was present so Beth and I left a bag full of toys for them before we departed.
Renting a boat we launched to see the "Swimming Pigs". One of the sailboaters told us that "It's just a bunch of pigs on the beach. Not worth the trip, really." He was so wrong! We sat a short distance from the shore and when the girls took out some carrots a big 500 lb sow swam out to the boat and opened her gaping mouth for the girls to throw in a few carrots. Beaching the boat, the girls took the food ashore to feed the baby pigs. It was fun and seemed safe enough, but as I was taking pictures I noticed a picture with a warning of the same sow who swam out to the boat. She has a history of biting! Although I informed Beth, she assured me they seemed tame enough and growing up on a farm she could handle them......All went well until Beth ran out of carrots and decided to give momma pig something that is apparently more desirable then carrots...BREAD! The sow wanted more and pushed forward, Beth turned around......and the next thing I heard was OUCH!! as the pig bit her on the Ass!
Needless to say the jokes started flying.
"I hope you don't get pigitis!" was the first, followed by occasional low volume growling grunts and curly tail jokes, but the best was the next morning during our coffee. Beth caught me staring at her and asked, "What are you thinking? Why are you looking at my face?"
"Nothing." I responded fighting back a growing laugh
" Yes you are, You are trying not to laugh!"
" I was just checking to see if you were growing a snout" I busted out. My arm is still sore from that punch!
Thunderball Grotto was the scene in a James Bond movie, so we went there next. Warned that slack tide was the best time to go if you aren't a strong swimmer, I hesitated. We were told that you had to exit underwater in a different direction because of the strong current. Linda went in first and came out the same entrance saying the current wasn't that strong, so I followed her, with Beth trailing behind me. Multi colored parrot fish, blue tangs, and snapper hung around the rocks and looking up there was a beautiful arched dome pierced by 3 foot wide openings that streamed light into the grotto, highlighting the rock structures and the fish. Circling around I came across a white statue of the Madonna someone had planted on the bottom. The atmosphere was serene. With Beth's and Linda's help I conquered some of my fear of swimming and we all delighted in the beauty of the grotto.
Next was Huen and Linda's attempt at conching! It seemed crazy but assured by Huen that this was something he had done before, I watched as he knotted and looped up a line, attached it to the boat and told me to drive over the coral heads as he and Linda looked into the water through their snorkeling masks. They trailed behind and when they spotted something, simply let go of the rope the momentum making it easy for them to dive to the bottom and pick up whatever they saw...no conch but they did come up with a couple of amazing star fish. We placed it back in since Beth won't take anything live out of their environment.
Having some video downloading issues with the internet here. Will post when back to the states.
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