Michelle's Entry

Devin and I arrived Monday morning. Compared to Toronto the weather was beautiful. It was a very comfortable 24 degrees. Everyone was complaining it was too cold. They don't realize how good they have it here. I am amazed by the little (or should I say big) community of "cruisers" as they call themselves, traveling around from place to place. The first question anyone asks is "where are you from?"; surprisingly for Americans, they really do know where Toronto is.

Devin has been great considering he would not even remember his grandparents; he was only 11 months when they left. He loves riding in the dinghy but just not having Grandmamma putting him in. He also loves the ocean and the beaches. He runs back and forth from the waves. He doesn't always like it when I go too far into the water without him. He has been a real charmer with all the new people that he has met. Walking in March Harbour, we were often approached by strangers who remember him at Great Guana Cay for the Barefoot Man concert.

Our vacation started slowly, due to an extended frontal system that came through and stayed. We never did actually leave Marsh Harbour on Perce-Neige. I think Grandmamma was worried too much for our safety. I personally would have liked to see this "tug" heal a bit.

I was really surprised at how safe I felt walking through the downtown areas, even by myself with Devin. I had only been to Jamaica before this, and there you do not venture out of the resort complexes alone. In the Bahamas, I was very comfortable.

We took a ferry to the other Cays. My favorite was Hope Town. I think when Chris and I can afford it I will bring my family to the Hope Town Harbour Inn. It has a great beach and pool area and is relatively safe for children. The view of the ocean was absolutely amazing while having lunch at the top of the sand dune. We could see the ocean in front and the pool behind you, and the prices for lunch weren't too bad either. That's the one thing about the Bahamas, the high prices of things, especially dining out. Grocery shopping was always an adventure in itself. You never knew if they would have what you needed. A word to the wise; don't expect more than the absolute basics as things are not always available when you want them.

Well my little vacation has been great, especially seeing my parents. I thought, when I was coming down here, that they would be home in a month or so, but now it looks like they have changed their plans again and won't be home until the fall. Now I'm really happy I brought Devin down, just sorry that my husband Chris wasn't here to experience this. We both needed our little escape to paradise.

Michelle

On the 25th, Michelle left for home and we were left to ride out another cold front before heading westward through the Abacos to Florida.