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We left Farmer's Cay and headed to Staniel Cay which is only a few hours North. It was sad to have Joe go home but we had a really great visit. Leaving Farmer's Cay also meant we were leaving behind all the cruisers we had been traveling with. So our three days here in Staniel Cay have been quiet and peaceful. We spent the first day walking around the island and getting some groceries. There are three grocery stores. Two of them are side by side: one pink, one blue. They are small and dark with limited supplies. They have basically the exact same things. Odd. We stocked up on what we could and returned to the boat for a quiet dinner. The dinghy dock at the Staniel Cay Yacht Club is an adventure. The dinghy floats in about three feet of crystal clear water. To get to it you must climb down a rickety ladder. All that is really no different than most marinas but in this marina the water is thick with...sharks. Yup, it's true. Not one or two sharks but many sharks. They just swim in lazy circuitous laps around the boats. Someone MUST be feeding them for so many to make this shallow, populated area their home. David took a video and hopefully when we next have good internet we will figure out how to post it. Overall, it makes it a bit daunting to get off and on the dinghy, especially with our little shark tid-bit, Ali. Our second day at Staniel we snorkeled Thunderball Cave. This cave is naturally carved out of a small island and is popular for snorkelers because it is so accessible. You do have to duck under an overhang to enter which makes it a little exciting. At the entrance you are greeted by thousands of fish. Mostly small, colorful reef fish. They are so tame they swarm all over you. They will even nibble on your fingers. It is amazing to feel like a part of their school as you glide into the cave. Inside the sun slants through a hole in the top illuminating many stalactites hanging from the roof. Some famous movies were filmed here including "Splash" and "Thunderball". Diving down deep under the water in the cave you can get a glimpse of some of the bigger fish. We snorkeled through the cave, back out the entrance and then clasping hands we meandered all the way around the tiny island. Such a sweet, blissful swim in beautiful surroundings. We headed back to the boat and prepared for the cold front due to come through late that night. The wind howled from midnight until dawn just as anticipated. We rocked safely at anchor in our protected spot. The third day, as the wind continued, we stayed aboard napping, reading, baking bread and catching up with internet. This morning, our fourth day here, the wind has calmed and we are set to return to Little Farmer's Cay as soon as the tide is right. We have a lot more exploring to do in the Exumas, in the Land and Sea Park and beyond, but due to the next big cold front coming through Saturday and our need to be in Georgetown to pick up guests we are headed South temporarily (Don't worry Bob and Janet we wouldn't miss the Park and other points North!). Our guests will start arriving on the 16th, starting with Glenda and David, then Jeanette, then possibly Susan, possibly Morgan, possibly Tom and possibly Harry. Any other possibilities? Anyone?

A few notes:
We finally downloaded Skype and naturally we haven't had sufficient internet to use it. But everyone be aware we might actually get an opportunity to call.
Also, I keep forgetting to mention that wayyyy back in Treasure Cay as we stopped for fuel David accidentally dropped a winch handle in the water. I suited up in my wetsuit and saved the day by diving down and retrieving it! For days afterwards I was addressed as Jacqueline Cousteau. Because I dove on the illusive, never before photographed, winch handle. LOL This whole tangent is notably only humorous to those of us old enough to have watched Jac Cousteau specials as children.
And finally a few weeks ago, David had some of the best bonefishing of his life. The sun angle was very low and there was chop on the water which made it almost impossible to see any of the fish except the tailers. So many fish that casting at the tailers spooked twenty to thirty other fish that were around them and out of view. David did catch some of the biggest bonefish he ever has.