Lazy days

We opt for pizza for our first night. Marina pizza is
located a stones throw from the marina where
excessive yachts are moored. The village has a
variety of over priced shops selling a variety of
wares, including two jewellery stores selling diamonds and precious gems. John and I chuckle, as we cannot afford the yachts it’s unlikely we will be buying diamonds. We loved watching the yachts and the pretty people, munching on our pizza slices, we imagine that life.

All food and drink regardless of fast food,
self service or in person dining has an included tip
of 15% and a VAT of 10% adding 25% to everything.
We did prepay for food and beverage which
provided 30% to our money thus making the 25%
not as much a factor. Still, the prices were high. The
$6 water had us opting for the metallic tasting tap
water. Atlantis provided two lovely metal water
bottles and there were many water stations located around the resort where we could refill.
The water if heavily iced became tolerable.

We had stopped at both a liquor store and a grocery
store before arriving at the resort, buying some
food and drink to offset costs. The prices at the resort in some cases are insane, a small alcohol drink $17.50USD and large $30.00USD. It makes some sense as there are many children present. Folks aren’t getting drunk at these prices and the only folks that could afford the prices are chilling on their yachts, not sitting by the public pool or local restaurant.

We knew the place was pricey though the worst is the lack of any sort of service. A line of 2 or 3 people could take upwards of an hour, as the unknown, illogical system included one task being completed before another commenced. It was painful to watch. There was no urgency as the tip had already been collected.

Our days became predictable. Wake, have our
coffee on the deck overlooking the Caribbean Sea.
Dress, have breakfast, collect our green and white
striped towels and stake out our spot by the water.
We had our regular place for our belongings.

How much fun we have trying all the slides, some very steep, some with an audience where the race for the best time was the challenge, some required a tube. Exciting ones had us darting through a tube where sharks swam above us, adding to the excitement. There were no lines for any choice. We soon learn that the resort is at 30% occupancy due to covid. We have the huge resort to ourselves. It’s difficult to wrap our head around the fact that an area with no one visible is not closed or undesirable. The lazy river is a 30 minute ride through rapids and up and over conveyor belts. It’s another way around the resort without having to walk.

All the pools close at 1700, heralded by a whistle.
Within seconds the pools are empty, seemingly minutes later, discarded towels are picked up and the chairs are lined up perfectly, ready for tomorrow. We muse that this system should be shared with the food and drink service.

We make our way back to our room and sort out our plans for dinner. The options for dinner, pre pandemic require a reservation though no reservations are needed now. We have choice of what is open. Restaurants are on a rotating open schedule to funnel the business.

We venture away from the resort to see Bahamas
proper. We walk up a steep bridge and check out
the marina where we see many sunken boats. The
crystal clear water reveals all.
There is a collection of pop up restaurants under the bridge, serving a variety of seafoods. The locals gather at the small picnic tables and enjoy fresh seafood. There are many conch options and the beautiful pink shells dry by the establishments.
Overfishing in recent years has caused a shortage, though likely with the pandemic and lack of tourists, the conch have been able to make a comeback. Silver lining for the conch.

We find a local liquor store a stones throw from the resort where Radlers are $1.00, we stock up. Most of the small shops around the marina are closed and the buildings are gradually returning to the earth. Bahamas relies heavily on tourism and the pandemic has decimated livelihoods. Locals are happy to see us, opening doors for us. Perhaps like the conch they will recover too.

We return to the resort and find a sheltered cove and lounging chairs complete with a sun cover where we can sit back, relax and listen to the surf. How we have missed this! The sand between our toes, the heat of the sun in February, a cool drink and time stretching into oblivion where all we need to do is enjoy this moment and then the next.

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