Pine Cay, even after 10 years, continues to surprise me! I have wandered the beaches endlessly, toes in the fine sand, breeze on my skin, ocean waves lapping at my feet - utterly entranced for hours. The spectacular colours of sea and sky brighten my life and this special island holds me close. Yet last week I had my eyes opened wide by the simplest afternoon on my friend's dock in the channel. It was a scene not always associated with the Caribbean, as there was no beach in sight! We decamped from the house deck down to the dock on the channel in style, with cold drinks, towels, hats, books, snorkels and snacks, ready for a few hours of relaxation and fun....and it was fabulous! I had forgotten the amazing sensation of sitting on a dock, dangling your feet and watching the teeny fish dart about. I had forgotten the gentle slap, slap and gurgle as waves bump against a dock - so different a sound from the roar and rumble of ocean waves. I had forgotten the coolness of lying over the water with the wind a fresh cool touch coming up through the bench. This indeed was a delightful change from the sand of the beach! We slipped on snorkels and fins and floated out over the shoreline, with the baby corals and infant sea life busy below us, an intent and busy undersea world, impressive in another way entirely from the bright big coralheads on the along reef. The current of the changing tide carried us back to the dock when we turned about to head home, like a river lifting us along! Lying on the warm planks and drying off in the sun, I truly realized that enjoying the Caribbean is not just about the beach.The simple pleasure of being on the water with a comfortable dock, kayaks alongside ready to adventure was fabulous. The intimacy created on the sheltered channel, on a private dock with a few friends, laughing and passing the afternoon together was a great pleasure to share. Indeed, my eyes opened wide to a very alternative Caribbean home retreat, and another of Pine Cay's treasures.