Anything Bahamian

Passport?  Check!

Flight Tix? Check!

“Now what else do I need to stay in the Bahamas for _____ days?” Let me guide you…

See, the beauty and the beast of the Bahamas is that its very Americanized. You can practically find everything the necessities you have in the states out there but {and this is a big booty here} where to find it and how much its going to cost is the question. No one wants to be stuck on Paradise Island with a serious case of the Runs with no Imodium in sight. Yeah you can shrug this off to common sense but its amazing how that gets thrown out the door when in panic. So take this blog entry and print it – share it with all you know who may be considering vacationing on the Country with many islands. 

1. Off!:   Yeah, don’t it twisted. Those blood suckers can sift you out through the masses. True, your resort or your hotel may accomodate for that but you got to find your way to the Hotel or Resort. And G-forbid that its raining season – sheesh!
2. Benadryl, Ibuprofen & Penicillin (exactly in that order): Because if you are like, and like to dabble into exotic food – you just might bite into something that you wouldn’t normally be allergic to {likewise add Imodium if you havent already}. I love conch (pronounced Konk) and I eat in the States any chance I could get. But Island Conch and Red Lobster Conch is not the same -doesn’t matter who prepares it. I visited during Raining Season and caught an ill sore throat. I didn’t want to speak, swallow nor spit. I just stayed mum. The swelling was intense and I could have relieved my pain with some Ibuprofen which I carry in the states like an officer carries a gun. {My hindsight is 20/20.} Penicillin or Amoxycillin – just cause. Since finding a doctor as a native Bahamian is tough/costly, I can only imagine what getting a doctor as foreign would be. Since Bahamas is strict with foreigners impeding on their livelihood, I would hate to see the bill from any hospital visit out there. Safe is always better than sorry.
3. A Map: preferably a detailed one of Bahamas. Yes its true you can travel the Island of New Providence in one hour  {we did it}, but the different neighborhoods, districts and communities is what strikes me most. Yeah, you can also drive Manhattan in one hour, {if done at 4 a.m. on a Monday morning when there’s no traffic} but you can miss the all important “being there” and experiencing Bahamas stuck in moving metal. Even moreso, a map of all the islands to better understand that the Bahamas is more than Paradise Island: there is Exuma, Eleuthera, Bimini and Freeport. How would you know about it if you didn’t have me to tell you? That’s why you’re here.
4. An Open Mind: Yeah it sounds ethereal but its true. There is sooooooooooo much to do out there that I never thought I would ever get into, but with an open mind {and a trusting heart} I totally dug. Most people want to travel to the Caribbean to continue living their status quo life while on vacation. Sit on a beach? Yeah that’s nice. Take a dip in a pool? Why when you are surrounded by Ocean , but okay that’s cool. Eat a high-priced restaurants who only fill a quarter of your plate? If you want to, but I won’t. That’s what the River Palm/Luxe Cafe/Cheesecake Factory is for. But if you’re anything like me: wants to get a deal out of every situation, mindful of their money, spends their vacation as carefree and adventurous as possible than venture beyond your hotel, the resorts and the popular tourist spots.

Hope you enjoyed the first installment of your Bahamian Packing List. Expect more tips soon. Zoom-zoom!