Eleuthera Bahamas, a personal journey

Eleuthera Bahamas- An Island Made For Pretty Photos

I recently took a 5 day trip to the Bahamas with my friend Michelle (before she moves away- insert sad face). I wanted a tropical place to relax, enjoy nature and take beautiful photos. My conditions for the location were that we would find blue clear water and white sand. Well, we did (and then some- we actually found pink sand too)! We spoke to some people, we “consulted” Pinterest and we settled on Eleuthera, Bahamas. Now, what is remarkable about this island is how thin is it. You can literally walk across the narrow side in 10 min in certain places. We stayed on the Caribbean side but went to the Atlantic shore beaches (where the nice sand was). Another interesting fact to mention (which baffled me) is that when it was windy on one side, it was calm on the other…so you could pick what you wanted to experience that day: windy or still…fascinating place! We rented a car (couldn’t have done without) and traveled mainly in the top half of the island. My friend drove the entire time. I guess I was too coward to dare to take on the left side driving.

The Accommodations: AIRBNB

We didn’t want to stay in a resort, we wanted to get a feel for what it’s like to live in the Bahamas, not just what it’s like to visit. We scoured AIRBNB and found the place that fit us best- a perfect two people studio in Governor’s Harbor (the capital of Eleuthera). We had the whole “house” to ourselves, a spectacular view, indoor and outdoor shower and most importantly, access to the most gorgeous rock cliffs, with a platform from which we could jump in the water to swim and snorkel. The owners had adorable parrots which made sure to visit us each morning as we sipped our tea looking over the beautiful water of the Atlantic ocean and “beg” for their morsel of apple.

 

Our Favorite Beaches

The closest beach to our AirBnB was Hut Pointe and it was in walking distance. At 5-10 minute driving distance was the best beach we visited the whole time: French Leave Beach. I have to admit that I have a very vivid memory of walking up for the first time to the Hut Pointe beach. My heart was pounding, I was so excited…and it was an appropriate reaction:  this was the most perfect beach I had ever visited: private (we saw 5 people total in the 5 days we were there), white-pinkish sand and incredibly clear blue water with no debris.

   

Michelle and I visited this beach every day. Sometimes at sunset, other-times at sunrise. It was “our beach”.

French Leave Beach

Oh, hello pink paradise! This beach is one of the most famous beaches in the Bahamas and it has earned it’s reputation. It’s not as private as Hut Pointe but it does have the pinkest sand we found in the Bahamas…Michelle and I could not stop taking photos (we even brought some of the pink sand with us home)…it’s just such a unique experience to be in such a special place). We even met a stingray here…

    

Alabaster Beach

If you’re in Eleuthera and you want medium size sea shells you can actually take with you then check out Alabaster Beach. We visited at sunset and enjoyed the pretty view and picked sea shells for ourselves. I took some photos here for a client who makes incredible mala jewelry (check her out) 

  

The Food

There were plenty of restaurants that had American food but we only ate out at Bahamian places (which didn’t always get us the most welcoming glances). We cooked the rest of the time. We of course had try the conch salad which is a Bahamian traditional food (chopped tomato, cucumber, pepper, onion and conch with lemon juice). We also loved attending the customary fish fry on Friday nights downtown Governor’s Harbor- music, dancing, amazing food! The owner’s of the AirBnB joined as well 🙂 We drank either Rum Babas (delicious) or Kalik, the local Bahamian beer. Also, I ate 4-5 peanut cakes (peanuts, caramel, ginger made into a patty) and brought those home as souvenirs (yes, my friends really like me now).

Glass Window Bridge

Spending time here was certainly one of the brightest highlights of our trip. We were reckless enough to lower down across the sharp rock shore into the Caribbean waters. It was a risk that paid off. We had an incredible experience of still bright turquoise clear water. We were so filled with awe and peace we simply sat in the water by each other in silence.

Queen’s Bath

We almost didn’t stop by Queen’s bath and what a loss that would have been. It took our breath away…imagine insanely powerful waves crashing into sharp cliffs making spays as tall as a three tall building, all the while harboring quiet, still puddles of water…Yep…that cool!

 

Photographer Sidenote

I am pretty sure The Bahamas is where God plays with color…in the sky, in the water…in your soul. I am forever impacted by the intensity and beauty of the nuances of blue I witnessed here. Thank you Bahamas!