We went to town to provision and get water and fuel. We found the bakery today. We had seen the spot yesterday but because it was closed, it was not obviously the bakery. It is a shelter where the bakery moves in and sets up. We got a small banana blueberry bread.
We went to both groceries, Burke’s and the Pink Pearl. We were able to find a few things. We got some iceberg lettuce, found milk, oatmeal, cold cuts and some fruit. Chickens and chicks were enjoying the compost pile at the Pink Pearl. We walked by a sailing club with sunfish. Local kids learn to sail at these clubs.
We then headed back to the boat. After some chores, we decided to move over to the next anchorage. There was less current there and we had decided not to go back to the grotto or the yacht club. Alice spoke highly of the other anchorage and Crusiser’s Beach.
We headed around the corner at mid tide. It was no problem getting there. The island there is actually Big Major Island. We anchored off the rocks between Cruiser’s Beach and Pig Beach.
It is called Pig Beach because there are wild pigs on that part of the island. They were perhaps left there by sailors, perhaps survived a shipwreck or were more likely moved there from Staniel because they were a bit stinky as their numbers increased on the island. While this is the most plausible explanation, the more exciting origins are much more fun to consider. People come from all over to swim with the pigs and the swimming pig is one of the most recognizable symbols of the Bahamas.
The pigs are cared for by tour companies and locals who give them food and water and shelter and also healthcare. Some even have names and social media personalities. We had never planned to go to see them but since we were right there, we could not miss the opportunity.
We could see a large pig on the beach from the anchorage but no one else was on the beach. We approached from the far end of the beach. The pigs are known to run out to boats expecting to be fed fruits and vegetables. Sometimes they will claw at a dinghy or try to climb in. We wanted to avoid all of that.
As we approached, pigs started coming toward us down the beach. I mistakenly had my camera in slo-mo mode but a pig was heading toward us with her piglet. She stopped and sniffed me but once she realized I did not have food, walked away. We were greeted by more pigs as we walked down the island.
A dinghy approached the other end of the island and several pigs swam out to it. It was fun to see them swim. Another dinghy came and had food. They landed on the beach with food and children. The pigs scared the kids initially. The mother told them to hold up their hands to show no food. This helped.
One pig came running toward me, she sniffed me and then lay down beside me. I petted her for a bit. I was feeling some serious blt remorse.
We did not get close to the group of piglets but they were very cute.
We later went over to Cruisers Beach. We hiked and swam and I saw a turtle swimming. Befriending a pig, swimming with a turtle, a complete day!