SATURDAY · September 24, 2005

Last night I went back to Cafe Johnny Canoe. It was the place I ate the first night I was here. They had the best food overall that I've had here, so I thought it fitting to return. In the end, it was fortunate that I did. As I was getting ready to leave, having had another heaping bowl of Conch Chowder and a BBQ Chicken Breast sandwich (just another thing they do REALLY well down here), I saw a travelling band come dancing up the street and eventually through the restaurant.

Can you guys do Mariachi?

PLEASE don't let them know the Macarena!

Underneath the mango tree, me honey and me....

But words alone, and even pictures can't do justice to how cool they were, so once again I present to you, A QUICK MOVIE

After that, I wandered the beach one last time so as to see the sky and hear the waves crash in the still of the night one last time. I really don't know if it's more serene during the day or at night. I think I could use another few years to figure that one out.

Which brings me to this morning...

Having finished my packing, I sit here now on my balcony (soon to no longer be my balcony) staring at the clear waters, hearing the waves crash and feeling the constant breeze of the trade winds.

Peaceful, no?

Again, in case that picture doesn't quite tell the story, here's a quick movie of what the balcony view is like, without the tropical-storm-force winds.

It's incredible. The breeze is cool but not cold. The sun is strong, but not oppressive. The humidity is there, but not thick. The birds chirp, and in the distance it always sounds like someone is laughing.

I will definitely miss it here, but as a wise man once said, "Even though you enjoy it here, you must leave. Because if you don't leave, you can not come back."

Indeed. Besides, I do think it's time to go home. But before I do, I think I'll walk the beach, one last time.

Taking a break for lunch in the ill-named Hurricane Cafe on the beach. Let me tell you, I couldn't have picked a more beautiful day to leave. Which is kind of a shame, because it sort of makes you miss it all the more. Too bad my suits are all packed, because today would have been a LOVELY day to hit the water.

Incredible, huh?

A BEAUTIFUL day!

Why would anyone leave?

And look, more people arriving by the boatload

Some, even by banana boat!

Of course, I couldn't leave without mentioning one of the more commercial things I've seen on the island:

That would be the BOOZE 'N CRUISE!

The Booze 'N Cruise

It's a boat the travels around like a little mini-party, picking up new partygoers and dropping off the old, all around the area. So far, though, I've only heard them play Who Let The Dogs Out and YMCA. If I were partying with them, I might just ask for my money back. Although, from the sound of it, the only thing they're missing is a cameo appearance by Spuds MacKenzie! (how's that for an old, obscure, reference to date me?)

As I look back on my week here in sunny Nassau, I think about how lucky I have been to be able to do all of this. I have been the the Carribbean before in my life, but you tend to forget how tranquil it can be down here. A true vacation from yourself and everything you are. While you may just be another American tourist down here (or wherever you are visiting from,) they do not treat you that way. You are treated as a guest, and a friend. Everyone has a smile, everyone is nice, and everyone is out to help you (whether it's with something legal or not so much.)

Our hero looks back in his 'iconic' stance!

OK, so I've rested, I've relaxed, I've walked the beach one last time, and I've sat in the sun one last time...(OK, so I will still technically see the sun when I get home, but it's different.)

In a parting game, can you guess in the picture below, which balcony was mine? When you're done, click the image below, and you will see the answer. Isn't this fun?

And so, this traveller says good-bye to the Bahamas. The sunny island which kept him this past week. He hopes he will see it someday again, knowing that he'll have to work pretty hard to top this time around.