I’ll be honest. When Jeff and I decided to spend months on end in the Bahamas this winter, I was apprehensive. Previous Bahamian experiences had left a bitter taste on my tongue.

 

My first exposure to The Bahamas was over 30 years ago, “celebrating” my first wedding anniversary with my first husband, trying to repair a marriage-gone-wrong. We were on Paradise Island, off of Nassau, and while he spent his time between the bar and casino, I walked the beach pondering my future.

In the end, I threw in the beach-towel.

Alone, I left Paradise Island.

And my marriage.

Several years later, I visited the Bahamas again, a travel agent on a free familiarization trip, on a mission to embellish the perfect bright, shiny ambiance of a new all-inclusive resort–my definition of Hell.

The next time was on a chartered sailboat with Jeff and Neil, our dear friend. A vast improvement over previous trips, we still had only a week in which to sail between islands in the Abaco chain, never fully realizing the true beauty of the area.

Now we are here for as long as we like, in our floating home, surrounded by our belongings and beloved dogs. Our only schedule is determined by weather and the arrival of visiting friends.

Given the luxury of time, we are able to explore as we like. A quick hike up to “Boo-Boo Hill” or a leisurely stroll on Honeymoon Beach. If we get bored, we can move on to another island. If we enjoy a certain place, we can bring visitors back to share it with them.

Each Island has its own personality. Some are flat and arid, others have hills covered in trees, still others are criss-crossed by hiking trails. Some are inhabited, others not. Often there is an unexpected surprise where you least expect it. Like swings on the beach.

But all are surrounded by the bluest blues and turquoise waters. The sea is transparent, and what looks like a shallow bottom is actually 15 feet below us. This makes it easy to spot the life under the water-fish, turtles, rays and the occasional shark.

I’m greatful I got another chance to experience the Bahamas. The previous times, I couldn’t see the forest for the trees. Trees like slot-machines, swim-up bars and time schedules stood in the way of all this beauty.

At the end of the day, we hop off the back of the boat to bathe in the sea (not when the sharks are present). We are so fortunate to share in this wonderland of riches.