We just got back from our annual trip to Eleuthera, Bahamas. This year we spent the entire week on Harbour Island, in a beautiful house we rented,
Chatterbox. I love HI more each time, because I learn a little bit more, and I meet new people each time we go.
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Home of Friendly People. This sign didn't survive last year's hurricane :(
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| Welcoming pineapples |
We had the good fortune of bringing several friends with us this time. I feel privileged to be able to show a place I love to fresh eyes, and I think I can report that everyone had a great time. Steve, our frustrated chef, made sure we ate well even when we weren't eating conch from the shacks by the water, or in sophisticated restaurants like
Rock House or
The Landing. He bonded with the fisherman, who hooked us up with fresh trigger fish and snapper. The local grocery depot, the Pigly Wigly, supplied the rest.
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Not affiliated with the chain stores...
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| View to the harbour from next to the house |
We hired a boat, and a wonderful captain, Duke, to take us on a ride around the island, and to the neighbouring settlement of Spanish Wells. First off, Duke took us to see amazing starfish and turtles, which swim much faster than I would have imagined! Duke is a Brilander, and had lots of inside information on where to go, and even gave us a tour of some billionaires' houses at the north of the island (well, from the water).
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| Duke, our captain and guide |
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| Entrance to Chatterbox |
Chatterbox was a really lovely house, and ridiculously well situated. Literally 10 seconds from the porch to the Pigly Wigly. Go the other way, and we were 30 seconds from the Harbour. It was a whole 6 minute walk to the Pink Sand Beach, however ;)
And a word about the Bahamas: Some ignorant types seem to think the entire place is one big Atlantis resort. Well, it's not. The Bahamas is made up of 700 islands. The Out Islands are known as the Family Islands, and it's easy to see why. Bahamians live there, raise families, and entertain visitors. If you think the Bahamas are "white bread", and you're too cool to step foot there, that's fine. The Friendly People on Harbour Island and elsewhere won't miss you or your negativity, and the rest of us will have a much better time without the sneering posers anyway. Friendly people rule, whether in the Bahamas or at home.
