We weren’t really concious of the celebration of Cinco de Mayo until we were well south on this trip. It’s a Mexican/American fiesta commemorating what is described by Wikepedia as the Mexican army’s “…unlikely victory over French forces at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862, under the leadership of General Ignacio Zaragoza Seguín.”

We’ve learned that nowadays it’s an opportunity to celebrate Mexican culture, which seems to be what’s happening here at Staniel Cay Yacht Club today. The bar is festooned with Mexican lanterns, inflatable cactii and “Fiesta!” streamers. Some of the staff are wearing sombreros.

Starting at 4pm, it’s Mexican Happy Hour, which means cheap sangria and Margaritas (note to self – stay away from the tequila…did I tell you about those Coco Locos????). Update…it’s now 5:55 and we’re well into the happy hour….

There’s some latin music playing, something we haven’t heard since Puerto Rico, so I’m having fun people watching, chatting with fellow travellers and doing this post.

Anyhow, back to the story. We went snorkelling at “Thunderball Grotto” today. Its name derives from the fact that the James Bond movies, Thunderball and Never Say Never Again, were filmed here.

We were about an hour and a half past slack tide, but we didn’t have any trouble swimming through the grotto entrances (if you’re not a strong swimmer, the best time to visit is at slack, low tide so that there is no current or need to swim underwater to enter).

Here are some photos from our visit, but it’s the video that does better justice…

The wind has been weirdly from the west the last few days – not a lot of comfortable anchorages in the vicinity for the conditions (except the one we’re currently in). We’ll stay ’til the weather improves…

‘Til the next good wifi…