Colourful and quirky Matlacha

Tuesday
We decided to have a change today and visited the neighbouring island of Pine Island - as the pelican flies it is only 3-4 miles away, but a long way round by car - across the bridge to Fort Myers, then across another bridge to Cape Coral, then across another smaller bridge to Pine Island, via the little community of Matlacha, home to artists and fishermen. We stopped there for a coffee, and a stroll along the colourful houses and storefronts, taking photographs, then continued on to Pine Island proper, which at about 17 miles long, is the largest of the Gulf barrier islands, but unique in having no beaches - it is surrounded by mangroves. Consequently it hasn't seen the same development as Sanibel and Captiva for example, and remains somewhat laid back and sleepy. Much of the island is given over to tropical fruit farms and palm tree nurseries. We found a nice place for lunch, by one of the waterways, where we seemed in the minority arriving by car - it seemed that most clients were arriving by boat! Having driven the length of the island and walked a nature trail, we headed back to Sanibel about mid-afternoon, and I went for a refreshing swim in the pool!