We pinch ourselves. We have talked about going to the Bahamas under our own steam, for years. We are here. Again we will be here for awhile as several weather patterns pass around us. Winds, thunderstorms, clocking winds are following us everywhere but we are in paradise now. Safely tucked into the marina in South Bimini we want to explore the north and south of this island. The north island of Bimini is the major hub of town. A ferry, literally a 30 ft pontoon boat, takes you across the passage to the north side. It’s $3.00 each way. Golf carts, scooters, bicycles are abundant with some cars as we travel the one lane Queen’s Highway to the end of the 3 mile island.
On Sunday most of the conveniences are closed so after making a trek in yesterday we now know where the stores are that we have to visit. First is the Sim card for the phone. A data plan of 250 gig, throttled at 125 gig, for $90 is our monthly plan. There is one that is unlimited for $140 per month. Then the hardware store so the boys know how well stocked it actually is.
We were taught at Joe’s Conch Shack how to shuk conch and the life here in the islands. The conch are literally making the island larger as they through the conch shells on top of each other and create mounds of shell along the shoreline. A conch is usually harvested around 5 years old. They lay a lot of eggs making this the main staple for the people who live here. The conch live off the seagrass in shallow waters all over these islands. Conch has the texture of rubber. We are not keen on it but in a ceviche it is tolerable. I will have to learn to cook this delicacy as food is so expensive, especially proteins.
On our way back to the marina we stop at the shipwreck of the Gallant Lady. The once small freighter sailed out of Belize City and was smashed up on shore during Hurricane Mitch in 1997. At least that’s what the legend says. In 24 years the once proud ship has been reduced to a rusty mass, barely recognizable as a lady of the sea. The relentless waves have slowly destroyed the ship, eating away at its steel like a hungry shark.
We head back to the marina and the pool for a dip. The tennis court now has pickleball lines thanks to Scott and his florescent orange duct tape. Games of pickleball with Alcyone, Todd and Patti, are a nightly staple.
