Bimini

I had no idea what to expect.  I sit here with the noises of my first Junkanoo in the background and can't help but grin.  We arrived on Wednesday and quickly settled in.  Our three boats seem to do exceptionally well with each other and we've kept each other company doing one thing or another over the past two days.

We've been to the Batelco office and acquired our new Bahamian phone numbers then walked the streets of Alice Town.  I just love being in simple places.  No frills, no fuss, just simple living.  The people are friendly, drive crazy and take everything else slow.  The public school is tiny and all ages, the average business is held in a small shack.  Restaurants usually seat only a couple people, if that, and  everyone serves conch.

We walked by a local bakery and met Nate, the Bimini Bread man and bought a delicious loaf of coconut rolls - something worth coming to Bimini for in itself!  Little mini loaves pressed together into one large loaf with local coconut, sugar and nuts baked inside like cinnamon bread.  This stuff is yummy!  And Nate doesn't just say hello when you walk in the door - it's arms held wide and a smile and a hug!  (Rob did get a handshake . . . !)

On our way back to the boat, we walked up a hill and along the oceanfront which was so enticing I couldn't stay away.  I found my way down an embankment and immediately found softly rounded pieces of sea glass in every shape and color.  I wasn't dressed for beaching it so we headed back to the boat to make that small adjustment.

Stuart and I headed straight back to the beach and spent several hours combing the sand for little treasures and swimming in the crystal clear water before Chuck showed up to join us.  We stopped by for another Kalik before heading home, enjoying the cold beer on the back deck of small shack right on the beach.  Man - can this get any better?!

Well, YES!  Today we did more adventuring, going on on the dinghies and seeing other areas of the island and then grabbed our snorkeling gear and headed back to the beach.  Rob and I have done snorkeling before but this was our best experience yet and it was just on a batch of rocks off the beach!  We saw hundreds of colorful fish and several curious barracudas and enjoyed every minute of the fun.  Stuart and I swam further down the beach and found even more to see before we headed back to clean up for the evening.

When we got back to the marina, a local boat had pulled in filled with conch and lobster and Rick bought the main course for tonight's get together - 12 lobster tails (and get this . . . for $30)!  With that in mind, we all busily prepared side dishes and gathered again for another amazing feast!  This group sure knows how to do it right!

To top off two amazing days, tonight happened to treat us to our first Junkanoo.  This is an island "thing" usually seen on the day after Christmas and New Years.  It appears that that's not enough for the folks here in Alice Town, however, and they apparently add the first Friday of each month to the mix (lucky for us!).  So after dinner we waited to hear the drums and headed out to the street to experience the local fun.  Junkanoo entails about 1/2 block parade of dancing, drums, whistles and horns - noise and smiles and fun!  Loved it!!!

So we've got another day here before heading out across the Great Bahama Bank to the Berry Islands on Sunday.  I can't help but feel there's no disappointments ahead . . .