As I sit here on a Monday morning in the bedroom of my suite with slated window louver I can hear the birds, gentle wind and rain. At the Freeport resort in Grand Bahamas, Amelia and I have a week time share that I traded in…. could be in Mountainside unit in Fairmont BC. When originally planned in mid-November….the idea was to hit her reading week from McGill and my return just from work in the arctic with some R and R and sun and water. Well I have yet this winter to hit work north but Bahamian temps in the 70s sure beats Canadian winter and snow!

The gentle rain this morning may mean a postponement of the boat and snorkeling trip but movement on a slower time pace is both what is needed on a holiday and here on the Island. BUT I know a week will be much too short.

So not in any particular order let me share some of our experiences:

Car rental, bikes and driving- although had booked a car through Avis in advance, mixed thoughts as to whether the right decision. Ran into some returning tourist from Nassau who said street were narrow crowded and often much traffic and an email to the resort said taxis available and pick up fro most activities….Still looking at the map Grand Bahamas is a larger island and a car would help getting around. Calling for Avis from the airport discovered they were located at another airport, so decided with a local company, better rates and a small jeep.

The key to all of this has been driving on the left hand side of the road, in a right hand drive vehicle and traffic circles! One finds oneself looking in the opposite direction as usual. The following signs give directions and warnings.

Yesterday I got out on one of the bikes from the resort for an hour or so, which allowed me on back paths from the resort, golf course trails, sidewalks, a chance just to observe the traffic circles and sideroads.

This Island was hit by a hurricane in September 2005 and with the downturn of the economy, as lush as the island is there is evidence of some of the more difficult times, with properties that have been foreclosed, half completed houses and this tower on the market.

I explored this one set of houses under construction and one can see the different building methods of blocks and cement.

The government and banking buildings were bright colors, lovely architecture and grounds, and here is a local police station.

Parrots and flowers; This fellow is near the entry way to the office and with a cocked head will often surprise you with a “ hello”. While for the most part vegetation is lush and green with fewer blooms being the winter season, one is surprised with many intense  and lovely colored blooms as some of my shots here.

Accomodation: Our unit is #111 on the main floor of a two storey circular complex.  The center area has small swimming pool and a hot tub …just a nice area to sit out. A one bedroom queen-size bed ( mine ) with living room and kitchen, it very much meets out needs. Amelia pulls out the couch and is under this heap of blankets. Internet connect is very sporadic so I am not sure if I will be able to down load my photos yet.

Travel: other than the panic around passport and traveler’s check and Amelia turning up by city bus at the wrong Comfort Inn Friday night in Montreal, everything else has gone surprisingly well. Didn’t bring the camera out until we landed in Nassau on the Air Canada flight at about 10 AM Saturday. A smaller airport we grabbed a meal at Wendy’s and stepped outside for abit, with frequent reminders, “ Keep an eye on your stuff, Mom! “

Flew a much smaller jet with Bahamair, a 35-minute flight to Freeport, which reminded me of similar sized travel in the Arctic. Unloaded and car rental done, head to pick up groceries at a larger warehouse center much like Costco, mostly imported produce, not much difference than what we would find at home. With having to import goods, the costs for the locals can be a strain; we have been told often relying on chicken and fish.

Amelia is a triathlete and vegetarian…so frequent small healthy meals, and currently avoiding many grains or fast foods….so we are eating healthy…no sugary fruit like drinks….but we did stop to get some local beer and wine.

The beach… well what can I say except blue, beautiful, hot and sunny and some burn spot despite lotion. Just spent two hours on Sunday, but was delightful swimming in shallow waters, salty in taste.

Amelia is hoping to get some deep-water dives and I have booked two snorkeling and boat tours, much will depend on weather….will keep you posted!

Enjoy your week, watch the Olympics and perhaps colder weather, ours will go much too quickly and it is back to work to pay the credit card expenditures!

Cheers, Bonnie