Tuesday, May 8, 2012

From Staniel Cay to Man-o-War Cay to Beaufort, NC

     Here are a few more details from our time in the Bahamas. One of our last days in Staniel Cay, we decided to see the wild pigs for ourselves. Approaching the beach in the dinghy, a fleet of seagulls escorted us in as we excitedly pointed out a small pig scavenging in the sand. As we got closer and looked for more pigs we were astounded as a monster of a pig emerged from the trees fringing the beach. Wow was it big! And I don’t mean just fat, I mean BIG! The pig started to trot and ran straight into the water to swim out to us. I have to say, it was one of the strangest and funniest sights I’ve ever seen. Two slightly smaller pigs soon followed and several little ones stayed behind on the sand. We tried to feed the big ones carrot shavings (our guidebook said they really like carrots), but they couldn’t seem to see them in front of their oversized snouts. The big one started snorting in annoyance at us and moved on to another approaching boat.

     Following Staniel Cay, we spent several overcast days in Man-o-War Cay, a very quaint and unique island community. Many of the houses have nautical decorations (old fishing nets, colourful buoys, and ocean-themed knick-knacks) artfully organized in lovely tropical gardens, and residents drive heavy-duty golf carts around the tiny path roads that turn from cement to sand in the outskirts of the small town. Docks line the waterfront along with various boat services, making it clear that the water is the main focus of this community.
     Now we are currently in Beaufort, North Carolina and enjoying the lovely amenities available here. After the remoteness of the Bahamas it feels a lot like returning to civilization. Beaufort is beautiful, quiet and interesting, with numerous well-maintained houses dating back to the late 18th century. There are many nice shops and being near large supermarkets again is convenient. Over the weekend we stayed at the Town Docks along the waterfront where an Annual Wooden Boat Show took place alongside the Annual Beaufort National Boatbuilding Challenge. Under a large tent, teams of boat builders worked quickly throughout the day to build small wooden boats to race later on in the day.
      The local museum also offered free admission and was interesting to explore with its intense focus on local boating history and an exhibit on Blackbeard, who once prowled these waters. Compounded with all this happy activity, we were all excited to have shower and laundry facilities at our disposal (silly sounding, maybe, but after weeks of bathing in the ocean and doing laundry in a bucket these become highly valued luxuries!).
     We are now anchored just off the town docks and plan to remain here until a good weather window appears to get us to the Chesapeake. So far the weather is warm and sunny, and although there is crispness in the air at night, it doesn’t feel much cooler than the Bahamas.
All the best,
Nicole.
Staniel Cay Photos


Man-o-War Cay Photos





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