“Valli is not waking up to the sounds of the ocean anymore” - facebook

Thats one thing you suffer from when you get back from a beautiful country such as the Bahamas. Right from their logo, designed by Duffy and partners, which won an award from the AIGA in 2005, to the people, to the food, everything is very vibrant and full of spirit.

Sun and me decided to go for a 4 day vacation to the Bahamas. We both had gone through their website http://www.bahamas.com, a plenty number of times and knew what places interest us. We chose to stay at Compass Point, properties of the Island Outpost, a small boutique resort which has 12 colorful huts on the ocean. Perfectly suits our idea of vacation: private, luxury, peaceful and not to feel like a tourist.

Compass Point did not disappoint us one bit. Junkanoo colors on the outside and very chic on the inside with white linens and wicker furniture, flat screen TV, surround sound, balcony being the best part is right on the ocean. And the waters are so clear, we spotted a sting ray right from our balcony.

Day 1: We strolled around their downtown trying to get a feel of the city, lunched in the famous Italian restaurant Cafe Matisse. I had the Mahi Mahi paired with a Rum Punch (ofcourse) and Sun had Lamb Shank with Gumbe Smash. It was delish!

The place was right by a courthouse, where we saw a cop walking with a handcuffed-man like they were best of friends. Amusing. But thats exactly what we saw every where. People are very very laid back, friendly, they have a drink in their hand all day (even while driving) and everything was just fun. I like that!

Went to the straw market, bargained a bit, as I am very bad at it I ended up buying for the asking price anyway. Saw some good wood carvings and met some local craftsmen. All this is in a quick 30 minutes, because, Guys, its 98 degrees outside!! Went inside Senor Frogs, the popular Mexican chain of crazy drinking and tall margaritas. I was asked to join a drinking contest and standing on the table along with 2 other victims. Well, end of it he gave me a free drink of Rum and Tequila, which actually gave me a head ache. but hey we all know I ain’t gonna give up though.

3 drinks in, we both were tired from the heat and the walking, we decided to take a nap at our resort. Oh before that we have to rent our car from Budget. Car rental cost us $50/a day which isnt bad but the gas prices were $5.80 a gallon( July 2008).

Our resort is about 20 minutes from downtown, the ride is along the beaches so its a good drive. Its along the Cable beach, Sandyport and Caves Point. Remember to drive on the leftside though.

Its dinner time now, and we have made reservations at Mesa Grill, one of Bobby Flay’s restaurants. Cove, oh my god, is so beautiful. Everybody was taking photographs of everything. I felt it was like Vegas with tourists looking up and down and the rich dim yellow lighting is gleaming that made it tough for some hand held focusing.

We started with Margaritas ( they have a huge menu for that), I had the cactus pear margarita, which was good but not for all the twenty dollars. I got the Filet Mignon and Sun got Roasted Salmon and an appetizer of Bahamian Chicken Skewers, which was so spicy, it could barely touch the tongue. Steak and Salmon was perfect. I licked till the last bit of sauce in my dish.

Day 2: Had a lazy morning breakfast at the resort’s colorful restaurant. I had the grilled crusty French toast with bananas and strawberries. yumm.

We decided today was going to be all about good food, good drinks and good places. Started with Graycliff Inn, “…built in the 1700s by the privateer John Howard Graysmith, and established in 1844 as Nassau’s first inn, Graycliff brought the rich, the famous and the royal to Nassau and the Bahamas.”

Folks over there talk to us about their place, their history, cigar factory, etc amidst all that we also learnt that all of them were Obama supporters and the one guy was for McCain (not sure why!). We had couple of drinks here and off we go to the next place.

ooh.. I forgot to mention that we stopped at a ruin site to click some photos.

Next on line was the One & Only Ocean Club, where only the Rich & Famous go. Its also on the cabbage beach, one of 10 world’s best beaches. Place was very beautiful with lush trees and scenic driveways that take you in. Loved the interiors of O&O. I have a thing for ‘all white’ decor. Great for people watching!

Such beautiful waters every where. I am falling in love with Bahamas! For some reason I went with no expectation and I am being blown away at each stop of our trip…

ok now we are done with all the pretentious crowd, fendi swim wear and chanel beach towels. lets get down to business and eat some local food with local people.

Heading down to Arawak Cay. Two streets lined with authentic restaurants, menu ranging from $3 to $8. Stopped at Twin Brothers, where all the crowds seemed to go. Bartenders attending the Daiquiri machines were so busy, that we had to wait for a long time. The daiquiris were so strong but since its their thing we had to have it. Then came the Conch Fritters and Fish Fry. I almost cried, it was thaaaaat good.

It was so good we went again the next day to Twin Brothers and had the same thing.

This is getting too long a post now. How about a sequel to this one, as Day 3 is the highlight of our trip!

Wait up!