After we got through customs, we met Mr. Pinder, from whom
we rented a great car, a Mazda SUV with Kilometers, not Miles per hour, so
while I was driving on the left side
of the road, I thought I was a speed-demon, doing 60 mph, when in fact, it
would 60 kilometers per hour, more like 40 mph.
It was funny.
There is one main highway, the Queen’s highway, that runs
the length of the island. As we were driving south, we were met by the most beautiful
water, a turquoise color on our right, a deeper blue to our left, the glass
window bridge, the narrow manmade bridge that replaced a natural rock formation
after a hurricane took it out. Here, the Caribbean meets the Atlantic, and as
my son Christopher said, “It’s like oil and water.” The waters touch, but they
keep their color. We changed clothes on the side of the road, dropping our
jeans for shorts and sandals.
As we drove through James Cistern, we saw two young Bahamian
girls in Catholic-school uniforms, their hair in braids, holding hands, and
skipping down the narrow road which is laden with unmarked speed bumps. I think
eleven.
Just a few miles north of Governor’s Harbour’s airport, we
spotted Captain Kirby’s bar, restaurant, and jet-ski rental. A very eclectic,
cool place with its flag poles made from sticks and fishing poles. Bahamian,
British, U. S., and Cubs flags flying. We had drinks at the bar, a Bahamian
Sands beer for Danny, fresh pineapple juice for Chrissy, and I had vodka and cranberry.
(I am allergic to pineapple, but I had a sip.) When I told Captain Kirby that Christopher
didn’t like fish or conch, but that he liked rice and beans, he said, “I have a
batch of pumpkin rice I just made.” It was SO good, and of course they had the
universal language of French fries.
After Captain Kirby’s, we made our way to Governor’s
Harbour, a crystal blue harbor. We drove uphill to our rental house.
Later at dusk, we walked in search of Bacchus Fine Foods,
but they were out of the wine I like. They were also out of bread. Friday is
the day that supplies come to the island. They bake bread at Island Farm on
Tuesdays and Fridays so we’re going there tomorrow. Then, we went in search of
a liquor store, but it closed, just missed it. We found a little market, no
booze, but got milk and some rolls and Cadbury chocolate (love that stuff), and
then we went to the Buccaneer restaurant and bar for drinks. The town at sunset
is magnificent. Our bartender was Chrystal with a Ch. She’s lived here her
whole life. Then, we met Patricia, who’s older. Children weren’t in her cards.
We had some good stiff drinks before walking home to have dinner with
Chrissy.
A great day!
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