Return to Paradise

This week has been a winter wonderland, with lots of snow, making for stress-filled, slow commutes. Frigid temperatures have made me want to stay warm indoors  with a hot chocolate.  What a change from last week.  I was in the Bahamas, visiting my Dad where there was lots of sunshine, lazing around a pool or beach and just relaxing.  It was two different worlds and I know where I would like to be right now (hint: I am not a winter person).

This was not my first time to the Bahamas, as I lived there for two years, when I was in middle school.  Yes, I went to school, and lived a normal lifestyle.  I didn’t go to the beach every day.

I have been back a couple of times since to visit.  I hadn’t been in over five years, and some areas I would have previously recognized looked much different.  New hotels are being built and roads are being expanded.
Over the course of my five-day vacation, I had lunches or dinners at restaurants that were family favourites many years ago, such as Luciano’s of Chicago (Italian); The Poop Deck (traditional Bahamian dishes) and the Cricket Club (British Pub with local flare).  I also tried some new restaurants, all which offered waterfront views and delicious food/drink.
I was fortunate to spend a day with my Mom at the Atlantis Resort and Casino to use the pools/water-park and have access to the amazing beach.  To begin the morning, I met for coffee with a classmate I went to school with while living on the island, who is now in the event planning department at the hotel.  As you can imagine, we had lots to talk about, since we hadn’t seen one another in over 15 years.

The remainder of the day, I enjoyed lounging poolside, sipping a delicious (but expensive) strawberry daiquiri.  I also took a ride on The Current – a not so lazy river.  For lunch, I treated Mom to an upscale buffet at Mosiac.  To conclude the day we walked through The Dig (marine life exhibits), peeked into some of the hotel shops and picked up some souvenirs.  Great day, but can’t afford to stay there, as everything is extremely over-priced.

Also during my short visit, I enjoyed the beach (turquoise waters and soft, white sand), did some shopping downtown (if you like jewellery you are in the right place) and met with some long-time friends.

Stay tuned for my next adventure.