April 2023- Nassau

Living on the east coast with intl airports a few hours away has changed my air alerts. Now, I get alerts for all kinds of places I have never considered being within our range! If roundtrip tix are under $300 a person, I'll look a little closer. If the destination is in a close or the same time zone, I might follow it. If we got a little extra from me teaching a class, and Matt finishing a Smith&Smith project, and some points or free hotel nights set to expire, I'm totally hitting purchase! 😂

Good example: back in April we spent 4 days in Nassau, Bahamas. It was beautiful! Can't go wrong being so close to water. Hues and shades of blue for miles and miles. 

The airbnb had a well stocked kitchen and there was lots to do within walking distance.  It was our first time doing a cultural walk and food tour. Our tour guide was fun and welcoming! We visited 5 places, she told us story after story about people and families and traditions and so much history!!!

 I was dumbfounded to learn that when Columbus raided the islands he took everyone! Every single native inhabitant was forcibly removed, enslaved, or sold. And then the islands sat with nature taking over for over a hundred years. Then pirates came along, hiding in the coves. And the island began to become a center for commerce again. And that was just one small story that opened the floodgates of questions and educational moments for us. 

We did a sailing tour with two guys who were partners and best friends. It was mostly unplanned and felt like we were tagging along on a family island hopping picnic to see marine wild life and go swimming. They gave great recommendations for other places to see and eat.

We walked through the ginormous atlantis resort. It was the best and closest atm. And the Junkanoo was neat to experience. The restaurants tho were severely overpriced and there were lots of cruise ship day folx not on their best behavior. It was wonderful to go back to our little home. 

I was really excited to visit the National Art Gallery of the Bahamas. We put a lot of planning in, student prices were only available on certain days at certain times and only a handful of those options lined up with getting a ferry versus a taxi over the bridge, our packed lunch versus eating out, and if it was a beach weather day or a good overcast day for indoor fun. The overthinking and analyzing that goes on in my head is a little ridiculous. Anyway, we made it! And then they didn't charge us because whoever was supposed to open was running late. Security just waved us through! The art was beautiful and the gardens were lovely.

We spent most of our time on the sand and in the water. Had to laugh, on the first day, we walked to the beach to see how far it was and the kids were going to dip their toes in the water. Soon, they were full on swimming and playing in the waves, fully clothed. 

We had conch five different ways. And ate plates of peas and rice (or was it rice and peas?). And so much fish! And plain spaghetti and mac n cheese and pbjs from the grocery store. And rum cake. Yummmmm.

It feels so long ago, and looking at the pics takes me right back.