Grand Bahama Island

(March 1 - 6)

Life is good here.  The town of West End is only about 1.5 miles from the marina and is quite an eye opener.  Discarded conch shells line the water front through out town; thousands of shells just dumped on the edge of the road or just in the water.  Evidently they are no good for anything.  Some of the girls did pick some nicer, undamaged ones and have spent the last couple of days cleaning them and trying to shine them up.  We were able to purchase some cheap rum; $8.15 for some local, very tasty stuff.  Captain Morgan's was only $11 for  litre.

All 16 of us here in the group rented 2 vans and went to the market at Port Lucaya.  The stage in the centre square had continous entertainment and with the cold beer, the girls could shop hassle free.  Some of the group spent the time at the casino which is just across the street from the market.  It was a fun side trip.

The pool has become part of our daily routine, kind of a pre Happy Hour get together.  Then Happy Hour and then some form of Potluck or dinner together.  We have eaten at Bonefish Folley's here at the resort (not bad) and tonight we are going to a local person's home for a home cooked meal of cracked conch and cracked lobster.  Of course at sunset, there is the blowing of the conch.  Bruce is very good at it.

These two locals came to the marina at 11:30 one morning with this boat of just picked conch.  For $2 each or 14 for $20, they cleaned them right there for you.  Linda and I split with another couple and had a fresh conch salad within an hour of being cleaned.  Very, very good.  These guys said that it only took 30 minutes to pick their boat load that you see.  It was interesting to watch him clean them.  They came back later with some fresh lobster.  For $5 you could get a spiny lobster cleaned for you.  We have some in the freezer; I can't wait to try them. 

Pina colada party tonight before we go out to dinner.