we just returned from a spoiled rotten week in the bahamas.\u00a0 we’ve got gorgeous tans and wonderful memories of an amazing week to prove it.\u00a0<\/p>\n
we left raleigh last saturday for grand bahama island.\u00a0 we arrived on the island a little after 12 noon and headed for our hotel.\u00a0 our taxi driver was a talker and recommended some restaurants and things to see while on the island.\u00a0 he dropped us off at our resort and we scurried in hoping for an early check-in.\u00a0 however, the hotel had their procedures down to a science and quickly quashed our hopes of getting into swimsuits just yet.\u00a0 they stored our luggage and gave us some sales pitches for activities and tours that we quickly vetoed.\u00a0 we headed for the sea-side restaurant.\u00a0 the beach was crystal clear and amazingly gorgeous.\u00a0 we tried some local fare and headed for the seaside lounge chairs while we waited for our room to be ready.\u00a0<\/p>\n
when 4pm rolled around we were at the desk with room keys in hand and heading for our room.\u00a0 we got in and did a quick change so we could run back out to the beach.\u00a0 by then the sands had cleared and most people were preparing for dinner, so we had the beach to ourselves.\u00a0 we laid out for hours just talking and listening to the sounds of the waves crashing on the shore.\u00a0 later that evening we headed (by ferry boat) across the marina to port lucaya, where all of the restaurants were located.\u00a0 we saw a huge crowd outside of agave (latin fusion) and decided the margaritas were too refreshing to pass up.\u00a0 we opted for a table on the patio and settled in for some amazing drinks and dinner.\u00a0 everything was delicious!\u00a0 after dinner we ferried back to the resort and almost fell asleep on the walk back to the room.\u00a0 the 4am wake up time that morning was finally kicking in.<\/p>\n
the next day we woke and headed straight for the ocean – we suited up and spent time at the pool and in the ocean with the gorgeous weather.\u00a0 the week flew by with more days of the same – relaxing, enjoying pina coladas & bahama mamas, swimming, and catching some sun.\u00a0 we tried out many amazing restaurants and had our anniversary dinner at china beach overlooking the ocean.\u00a0 all of the food was amazing, but our favorite experience was the conch salad and fried conch at billy joe’s conch stand on the beach.\u00a0 everything is freshly prepared right on the spot and the view is unforgettable!\u00a0<\/p>\n
we tried to get on a sunset catamaran sailing trip one night, but due to the weather (and we suppose the lack of interest) they were not running any of these outings without the snorkeling involved.\u00a0 friday will talked me into para-sailing.\u00a0 i was nervous at first, but once he convinced me to go i was set.\u00a0 we went to a little blue hut on the beach and a fella told us to sign our names and fork out the cash and someone would be over to pick us up soon.\u00a0 we waited for a few moments, were given life vests, and then were picked up by three fellas in a little boat.\u00a0 they quickly drove us out to a make shift boat dock in the middle of the ocean.\u00a0 they explained to us how to prepare for the take off and landing and then hooked us up to a harness and before we knew it our feet were running off the dock and we were in the air.\u00a0 the view was unbelievable.\u00a0 you could see the entire island from up there.\u00a0 while flying around we noticed tons of sting rays swimming in the water, as well as one HUGE turtle.\u00a0 i told the fella when we landed that it must have been 500 pounds, and he agreed that there were some huge ones out there!\u00a0 the driver of the boat took us up and then went around in a large circle in the water, as we got out to the furthest point he let the rope lag and we fell down dipping our toes in the water – then he was off again and did the same thing when we got closest to the shore – it definitely added to the excitement!\u00a0 i was so glad i let will talk me into it, and will definitely try it again soon!<\/p>\n
there were some odd characters everywhere you went.\u00a0 if people were not trying to braid your hair they were trying to trick you into accepting a free lunch to sell you a time share.\u00a0 one day while in the pool we were greeted by the “magic man”.\u00a0 he walked up to the edge of the pool and proclaimed he was the “magic man”!\u00a0 i chuckled and kept swimming.\u00a0 he said no, seriously, i for real – am the “magic man”!\u00a0 again, i chuckled, and will and i just looked at each other.\u00a0 then the “magic man” said – no bull shit man – i serious, i got the shrooms, ya know whatever ya need for the magic!\u00a0 we were so thankful we were surrounded by thousands of gallons of water and just laughed so he went on his way.\u00a0 the next day we found ourselves in another pool by the ocean and were greeted by a fella with a silver starfish on his head trying to sell tourists fresh starfish – how he thought we’d get those back through customs i have no idea…\u00a0 we also noticed that this was a very popular tourist destination for the parisians, and they have very different swimsuit preferences.\u00a0 we saw many thongs – even on 12 year old twin girls, as well as quite a few speedos on their male counterparts.\u00a0 very interesting indeed.<\/p>\n
will and i dodged hurricane anna and bill – (how fitting?)\u00a0– while we were on the island and had a much needed week of restful relaxation.\u00a0 we enjoyed our many trips to the swim-up bars, lazily laying in the sun, toes in the sand,\u00a0and just being with each other.\u00a0 we can’t wait to do something as wonderful next year around this time!<\/p>\n
enjoy the photos!<\/p>\n\n\t\t