Back in the Bahamas

Just when I thought I could not possibly write another article about The Bahamas, here I am 😉 Our family of 4 has the amazing opportunity to go to Paradise Island with my parents every other year. Our children have been going since before they could walk. My brother and I first visited the island in 1991. And, R has to be nearing double digits on his Bahamas passport stamp status. It was C’s first visit, and it was so much fun to have her there with us!

First, A Recap

One of our favorite activities that does not seem to get old is walking on Cabbage Beach and by the golf course to search the tide pools. This year, we also brought our own snorkel gear… and saw a barracuda! (Some of us slowly backed away while others ran toward the slow moving dark patch in the water.) Although difficult to imagine when you start out, the sand just gets softer and softer and the water clearer and clearer as you stroll.

Another place we look forward to visiting every year is the Cloisters. It only took 101 attempts to get a decent family picture but thanks to the LIVE version hack that my SIL taught me, I think we may have a Christmas card photo. Thank goodness!

We also enjoy walking down to Atlantis to check out the yachts, people, and fish. There are several restaurants from which to choose. This time, we got pizza slices at the Marina Pizzeria and sandwiches/salads inside at Plato’s.

Something Old, Something New

When I was 11 years old, my grandmother and I had lunch together at The Graycliff, which is over the bridge in Nassau. Many, many years later, my parents treated my brother and I and our significant others to our first dinner out at The Graycliff.

The Graycliff has a rich history. The cliff notes version… An Anglican Church built by the governor in 1666 was at Graycliff. It was destroyed by the Spaniards in 1703 but some of the ruins remain. The mansion is believed to have been originally built in 1740 by a famous Caribbean pirate. In 1776, the American Navy captured Nassau and set up at The Graycliff. In 1844, The Graycliff became Nassau’s first inn. In 1920, a close companion of Al Capone took ownership and it became a place for the rich and famous. In the 1940s, a Canadian couple bought The Graycliff and renovated the mansion, adding the pool and surrounding grounds. In 1966, English royalty purchased the property, adding English flair, and hosting guests such as Sir Winston Churchill. Enrico and Anna Maria Garzaroli purchased private residence in 1973 opening it up to the public and creating the distinguished hotel and restaurant that we were able to visit on this trip. Graycliff is on the National Register of Historic Places.

Dining at The Graycliff was a wonderful experience and you could feel the grandeur of it all upon entering through the short door and walking up the steps to the traditional pink Bahamian porched establishment complete with a gorgeous chandelier in the entry. The four of us had a lovely dinner.

Afterward, we were chatting with the cigar roller and the man sitting next to him. The man asked if we had been to the wine cellar and if we would like to go. We absolutely wanted to go and were given a private tour. The Graycliff wine cellar inventory includes around 250,000 bottles of wine, including the oldest (1727) and one of the most expensive bottles in the world. Upon finishing the tour, the man asked us if we had seen the gardens. Again, we had not, but definitely wanted to explore. We were allowed to wander through the enchanting outdoor spaces at leisure. We then found out that the nice gentleman who had allowed us such a wonderful after dinner stroll was the owner of The Graycliff. There was an obvious and admirable pride (well deserved!) with which he had offered these extras.

Another New Activity

R, I, and our children decided to go out for a fishing adventure one Monday afternoon. It was a lovely opportunity to be out on a boat and see parts of the island that I had not seen in years. When we first started coming to Paradise Island, we were able to access almost all of the island. Slowly, with larger developments, certain areas have more restricted access. It was fun to be able to see these areas via boat on our way out of the harbor. While the water is transparent and turquoise by the beaches, it is very clear and the most vibrant blue farther out on the water.

One of the best parts of the fishing excursion was our guides. It was a grandfather-son-grandson operation and they treated us like family too. We had a great afternoon on the water listening to famous people/fishing stories, reeling in the lines, and soaking up some sun. We went home with plenty of fish for dinner, too!

Until Next Time

It is always sad when it is time to leave paradise, but we are excited to head back in a couple of years, to revisit old activities and maybe to even try some new ones (We heard that there is now an opportunity to swim with the pigs at an island not too far from us. Dolphins could be nice(r) too ;).

In case you missed past posts, you can find them below.

A Guide to Paradise Island, Bahamas

007 in The Bahamas

Where to Eat When Visiting Paradise Island

The Cloisters on Paradise Island