There are 52 weeks in a year. I bust my butt for 51 of 'em to be able to get a change in latitude and head to the islands once a year. In the old days I could do this 3 or 4 times a year, but if 1 is all I can get I'll take it!
This year was especially good because I went back to one of my favorite places in the whole world, Harbour Island in the Bahamas. Located off the tip of North Eleuthera, Harbour Island is a small island only 3 miles long and 1/2 mile wide. Only way to get there is by boat, sea plane or helicopter. Since I don't have a yacht, sea plane or helicopter I flew into North Eleuthera and took a water taxi over. Five bucks and five minutes.
Papa Grant takes real good care of us on the water taxi and his grandson's load and unload your luggage for a mere $1 tip. (However, we tip more!) His young men have been taught well and I'm sure one day will continue his legacy on the harbour waters.
This year I went with 3 fabulous ladies from the Greensboro area. None of them had visited the island before and I was excited to see if they would love it as much as I do. Due to them flying directly out of Greensboro I was left alone to fly out of Myrtle Beach for my first solo trip in a long time. Took me 3 airplanes and a water taxi to get there. My flight out of Charlotte to Nassau was a real experience, as there were only about 7 people on a good sized jet. Gave me the opportunity to kick back and enjoy the ride.
Once in Nassau I took a puddle jumper over to North Eleuthera. Always full....always fun. And you always get to meet your captain. Everybody on the plane is excited to get to Harbour Island.
I like to travel by myself...y'all know I'm weird. I like to meet new people and talk about something new. On the trip over I met two fabulous guys going to Harbour Island for their first time. They were full of questions when they found out I was also going to the island and had been there many times. I felt like the "old wise one" and filled 'em in on the beauty and character of Briland. We rode the water taxi over with no other passengers. I knew it wouldn't be goodbye, so I left 'em with "see you around the island". And, yes, we DID run into each other several times.
My partners in good times had arrived several hours before me and met me at the dock on our golf cart to pick me and my bags up. I was anxious to hear their first impressions when they got there, knowing not very much about the island. I had tried to "school" them for several months that this was not a fancy place....no high rises....90% golf cart transportation....and about as low key as you can get. The houses in Dunmore Town were all built in the 1700's and early 1800's. Ours was a new one, built in 1848.
It was half a block from the harbour, one block to the grocery & licquor store and a short walk to where my favorite local owned little bars, grills and shops are located. The golf cart was for exploring the island and getting to the beautiful sand beach about 8 blocks away.
So began a great week of sun, fun and friendship. We bought enough groceries and libations to sustain us for the week, while taking most of our meals and a few cocktails at the many friendly establishments on Harbour Island. It was all about relaxation, the beautiful water...and the fabulous local folks. Nobody over-ate....nobody over-drank. There wasn't a schedule and everybody was free to go where they wanted to...when they wanted to. We split up and went our merry way.
Being with some island newbies I partook of a few "touristy" activities offered and enjoyed riding horses on the pink sand beach and snorkeling. Thoroughly enjoyed both adventures.
All in all...It was a GREAT week. I only had a couple of ADD meltdowns and met a lot of nice folks. I got a little sun...Weather was perfect...In the mid to high 80's every day. I returned to my 51 weeks a year paradise, Ocean Drive, with a new lease on life. Ahhhhhhh.
Don't worry....Be Happy. Didn't worry about a thing at home, as I knew Lulu had my job taken care of and a dear friend had Mr. Brady and Miss BayBay taken care of. Tony sent me photos of the "kids" and kept me filled in via text as to their adventures. I'm not sure but from what I heard they were havin' a ball. Tony took 'em on golf cart rides, to the beach and played endless games of fetch. Everybody needs a friend like Tony. The "kids" loved him so much they were torn between welcomin' me home and fear that he would be leavin'. But once we all settled down I got some poodle kisses and hugs that seemed like they'd never end.
I'm back in the daily grind....And savin' up for week #52 next year. Eleuthera will be my change in latitude and attitude once again...The main island IS my favorite place.
Now that I'm home we're back to dancin'...It seems to take the stress outta all our problems the other 51 weeks. Let's do it! Miss BayBay...Cut the music on!
Thanks for droppin' in....While you're here, won't you leave a comment?
