Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Bahamas






















































































































On Wednesday morning we arrived at Freeport Harbour, Grand Bahama Is
aland. Right after we saw land, I gave my honey her anniversary present, a diamond necklace.

We then got ready and went downstairs for our jeep excursion. After a bit of rushing we got on the bus, which took us to Our Lucaya, http://www.ourlucaya.com/. We hung out at poolside, right along the ocean for a bit, but unfortunately, there was an overcast so we ventured to the shops.

While there, we stumbled upon Rum Runners Bar, where Steffan made Erin a Pina colada inside of a coconut. A few drinks later, we walked around and checked out the shops. Erin picked up a few butterfly dresses, a mask, and I got a shirt.

After a bit if shopping, we headed back to Our Lucaya for a lunch buffet, before going out on the jeep tour. I will say that the buffet was one of the worst parts of the trip, because it consisted of hamburgers and hot dogs, where we would have much rather have tried some island food instead that we could have had while touring the shops.

After getting together with our group for the jeep tour, we boarded what seemed like a party bus and headed to where the jeeps were located at. Upon arrival, everyone was paired up into groups of four, except for Henri and Caroline since they couldn't speak English. Erin and I rode in the back as Dee and Tony rode in the front for the first part of the ride.

Our first stop was a beach where the water was a blue-green color and there was a few kids who showed us some beautiful shells that they found.

Afterwards, we did some 'off roading' with the jeeps, where Henri and Caroline tore it up!

Next, we went to Lucayan National Park, http://www.bnt.bs/parks_lucayan.php, where we went to the Lucayan Cavern, http://bestonbahamas.com/lucayan-national-park-and-cave-tour.html, and ventured down into Ben's (Bat) Cave. After going down the winding staircase, we could see the fish and the bats on the walls. We stayed there for a little bit and took pictures before heading out.

We then took a walk across the street down a path and followed it over Gold Rock Creek to Gold Rock Beach, http://travelingluck.com/North%20America/Bahamas/Freeport/_3572326_Gold%20Rock%20Creek.html#local_map,. It was a beautiful secluded beach, with blue-green water, sand as soft as silk, and an island just off the coast. While there, our guide, Jeff, caught a white crab running through the beach sand. After a dip in the ocean, and some writing in the sand, we packed up and headed out on our way back to the jeep.

On our way back to the boat, we went passed the home of Wallace Groves, who was a visionary that saw the island as an international tourist destination for Americans. He also helped pioneer the development on Grand Bahama Island.

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Bahamas Celebration Cruise Ship and Shows



















After boarding, http://www.bahamascelebration.com/, we got settled into our our ocean view cabin, http://www.bahamascelebration.com/Cabins-Celebration-Cruise-Line.html. Nice thing is that out room, 8222, was just a short walk up the stairs to the top deck, where everything was happening. We then took a walk around the ship and had our first Bahama Mama, with many more to come. We met another couple from the Ocala area, that we kept running into everywhere we went.

For dinner, we went to Rio's, http://www.bahamascelebration.com/Dining-Celebration-Cruise-Line.html, where after our first portion, waiters came around serving us fresh cuts of various types of meat.

After dinner, we checked out the Wynmore Casino, http://www.bahamascelebration.com/Adult-Fun-Wynmore-Celebration-Cruise-Line.html, where it was mostly slot machines.

Afterwards, we stopped at the 413 Pub, where Erin had a Pomegranate Martini, http://www.martinirecipe.net/pomegranate-martini-recipe.html, which went down very smooth.

We then went over to The View, http://www.bahamascelebration.com/Adult-Fun-Celebration-Cruise-Line.html, where they had a few different shows going on that we watched.

Southwest Flight to West Palm Beach for our Bahamas Cruise












On Tuesday morning, we started off on our trek to the airport for our Southwest flight to West Palm Beach for our cruise to the Bahamas. After a few drinks at the airport, we boarded our plane for our trip eastward.


Sunday, May 8, 2011

Mother's Day - Maderia Beach



















We headed down to Aunt Barbara and Uncle Donald's house for the Mother's Day celebration, where the women were catered to for the day. They all ate dinner together, then the men did the cleaning around the kitchen for them. On the ride home, I was chauffeuring the three ladies, Erin, Grandma, and Barbara.

Afterwards, Erin and I decided to go catch a sunset at Maderia Beach.