Snapshots from the Bahamas

Earlier this month, we found ourselves in the Bahamas for a super fun destination wedding. When we weren’t hanging with family, we were running around New Providence and Paradise islands checking out the sights. Here are some snapshots of what we saw and enjoyed.

Baha Mar Resort & Casino — This brand-new resort was just down the beach from us and where we spent much of our time. It had so many fabulous amenities that we couldn’t stay away! Each morning, we had breakfast on the patio at the lovely, French-y Café Madeleine at the resort. Nathan tried his luck at the Blackjack tables while I checked out the upscale boutiques. On the beach and near the pools, they have a bunch of Airstream food trucks (we got Umami Burger one night, and it was incredible). They have sealife and bird sanctuaries where you can interact and learn about preservation of the species (we checked out the aviary). They also have a population of flamingoes, the Bahamian national bird, and one day, some of the flamingo keepers took them on a literal parade around the resort, and encouraged guests to follow along!

The Ocean Club — Located on Paradise Island, this private resort was the filming location of Casino Royale. We learned from our bartender that it was formerly a private residence, with much of the original structures intact, before becoming a resort in the early 1960s. In recent years, it has become a Four Seasons resort and is every bit a remarkable and serene escape. One of the jewels in its crown is the Versailles-inspired gardens complete with a stone cloister built by Augustinian monks in the twelfth- and thirteenth-centuries. It was rebuilt at this location, moved from France, in 1968.

Downtown Nassau & Fish Fry — We cabbed to downtown Nassau and walked around the shops. There were a few cruise ships in the port, so it was super busy (and a little overwhelming) so we quickly made our way back along the water towards our resort by way of the “Fish Fry.” Every cab driver we had told us we had to check it the Fish Fry, which turns into one big party on the weekends. It’s a row of food and beverage establishments, all connected by a big lawn, known for classic, Bahamian cuisine like conch fritters and conch salad. Another local favorite, we were told, was a drink “Sky Juice”: coconut water, gin, and “other local ingredients.” A bit sweet for my taste, but definitely tasted like vacation.