January 9, 2004
Allen's Cay

Bahamian Rock Iguana was staring at me with some expression on it's face I couldn't quite read yet. It's large, dry head tilted a little bit now was immobile for a while. To encourage the fellow I stretched my hand forward with some crumbs in it. Iguana's brown body was immediately propelled by it's weird legs, it's movement giving the impression of some ugly toy dragged by some kid on the string. It was early morning. I got up as usually before Johannes looking for something I could do without disturbing him yet. The beach was a short distance away and I was eager to take some shots of those lizards getting early start on sunbathing.

The dinghy we have picked up from the Keys is a riot. It has a little sail, dagger board and rudder and it's 9 feet of pure fun. Our friend Randy, who let us use it on this trip couldn't bless us more. This poor dinghy is pretty fragile and I dread the day I'll show it to Randy. But it's so much fun and an ideal way to zip around the shallow banks of the cays, bays, rocks, reefs and small islands. We also used it to get to the reef where we were treated to some magnificent view of sea life as well as getting some fish for dinner. Water so clear you can see barracuda from some 60 feet away starring at you with it's cold eyes of the murderer seemingly guarding more pretty inhabitants of the reef. It's almost heart wrenching to spear those beautiful, relaxed fish. In a few hours however my conscience will be put at ease as soon as onions would hit the frying pan. Nothing tastes better than a freshly caught... whatever they call THIS fish.

Let me see where is a good place to pitch a tent. This island is uninhibited and seems like strong Northeaster would make his number tonight. And don't worry about iguanas too much, although we've met someone who got her finger bit, they are complete herbivores and I don't think they are very social at night either way. Now Bahamian Boa Constrictor.... but that's another bed time story:)

(M)