Palm trees, breathtaking beaches, salty air from the ocean, and beautiful wildlife all around – what more could you ask for? For February reading week 2022, my boyfriend invited me to spend two weeks with him and his family in Long Island, Bahamas. Known as the tongue of the ocean because of its shallow and crystal clear turquoise waters, the Bahamas has been by far the most beautiful place I’ve ever been. I didn’t have to set an alarm every night, and I would wake up each day to beautiful weather and the sound of the ocean. Needless to say, it was a much-needed break and an incredible experience to share with great people.
My boyfriend and his family have been going to the Bahamas for years now. They started by renting a place near the beach and ended up loving it so much that they made the spontaneous decision to build their own house in front of the one they used to rent. The house was nicer than I could have ever imagined; there’s a porch that wraps around the entire house, which was my favourite part. It was nice to stay in a home rather than a busy hotel with lots of people. Once we arrived, nothing felt rushed or stressful. We simply took a seat on the porch, cracked open a few drinks, and enjoyed the view. My boyfriend and I went for a walk on Turtle Cove, the closest beach to their house, and I remember feeling nothing but pure joy. I kept saying that it felt like I was in a postcard – and I stand by that because even when I look back at pictures, it feels unbelievable that I was ever there. I got to watch beautiful sunsets and see the stars so clearly every night; it really felt like a dream.
When we venture outside of popular tourist areas, we get to experience the true beauty of places. Every environment is turned into a tourist attraction when staying at a resort or hotel. This isn’t necessarily bad, but it was nice to get a sense of what Bahamian culture is truly like without tourists around; it made my stay so much more authentic.
The best part about this trip was that there was no set itinerary. It didn’t feel like we had to pack so much into one day out of fear that we might miss something. I was in a stress-free environment and enjoyed beach days every day. Whether it was paddleboarding, snorkeling, or just going on long walks on the beach, there was always a new activity to explore. I snorkeled in Dean’s Blue Hole – the second deepest blue hole in the world – and saw so much sea life like stingrays, hundreds of different types of fish, and sharks swimming in the shallow waters. I discovered that my boyfriend really enjoys fishing, so we did a lot of that too (well, he did). But I got a lot of good pictures of it!
As for the food, I absolutely hated seafood until last year. I didn’t like anything about it – the texture, the smell. And I never thought I’d ever try it. Well, last year me would be shocked by how far I’ve come. I wasn’t about to go to the Bahamas and not eat seafood. So, I went with an open mind and ended up enjoying all the fish and local food. The most interesting thing I tried was Conch. My boyfriend’s stepmom’s cooking is a 10/10, adding to the great experience.
I have to admit, I was a little bit nervous about spending every day with my boyfriend for two weeks straight. We had never done anything like that before, so it was a real relationship test. We described it as the “make-it or break-it” of our relationship – something we now joke about because we’ve actually never been better. I’m so grateful to have had the opportunity to experience it all with him. We grew closer together and made unforgettable memories. One of my favourite days was when we celebrated our anniversary. It’ll be hard to top drinking champagne with a view overlooking the ocean…in the Bahamas.
Although I was stressed about being away for so long and missing some of my classes, it was so worth it. I received the opportunity to explore somewhere new, experience something different, and create memories that I’ll forever cherish. Between the private beaches and not being surrounded by tourists, I’m afraid I’ll be a little pickier about where I travel now…
Not mentioned: The sand flies. I must have gotten, like, 100 bites. Those little buggers were my only stress.