Bahamas FAM Trip 2010 - Saturday 8-28-10

Today we (my roommate and I) were both up again before the sun…and headed out into the cool morning to see if we could find a few good shots of the sun rising, sadly…we couldn’t see anything over the buildings and trees. But we did get to see something that many on our trip didn't, we got to see the resort when it was at total peace. You couldn't hear a thing...it was complete silence and it was amazing.

Unable to see the sun rise, and before we got eaten to death by the mosquitoes, they seemed to have smelt our blood and were quick to rise and attack up. We headed back to the room and got ready, pack up and meet everyone for breakfast at 7:30, although this time we were not the first ones…we did pull in a close 2nd.  During breakfast we had an overview of the days activates including flying to George Town, Exuma.  

Being that this was my first time in the Bahamas since I was knee high to a boll weevil I considered this my first time. I remember things, bits and pieces from before, but this time, i will remember forever.Through out the whole trip Guillaume, our pilot, had kept telling me…just wait until you see Exuma…you will love it, it is beautiful there....blah blah blah. And of course, I had loved everything so far, so I wasn’t expecting much. I figured it was just another beautiful island that would make me stand back and think...I am never taking another one of my vacation back in the  mid-west :)

We took the ferry and the taxi back to the airport, and I swear it went quicker heading back. Our group was the first to get to the airport, and one of the first to take off. I was excited again, until Guillaume scared the living crap out of me. As we were taking off, he said to us, "I am going to do a low take off so they can get some good pictures of us." I was cool with that, but what he didn’t tell us was that he was suddenly going to bank to the left! I screamed…thankfully my headset wasn’t by my mouth or I may have deafened everyone in the plane! It was great…better than a rollercoaster ride, once my stomach finally stopped spinning.

 

After takeoff we made a pit stop in Marsh Harbor where we fueled up before the longer leg of the flight.

This time we did formation flying with a Piper and this time he did a LOT more turns and dives then before…by the time we landed I was ready to fall over…was fun as hell, but it had been hot and I may…or may not have been a little bit hung over.

We were meet by Rhonda Ingraham and loaded onto buses and taken to Palm Bay Resort.  And I must say…Guillaume didn’t lie, Exuma was beautiful! . It seemed that the Grand Bahamas Ministry of Tourism had saved the best for last. The ocean looked like a Photoshop magazine spread. You could hardly tell where the teal ocean met the cloudless blue sky. Everyone was already anticipating the cool ocean water after the hot flight.

Walking up to the Palm Bay Resort did not do them justice; it was not until you walked out the back and headed for the villa that you realized the true beauty of the location. The Resort faced east and the sun sent its reflection running over the motionless ocean.  Everyone was pulled between the idea of lunch and the idea of a dip in the waters. Sadly, at Palm Bay Resort, my roommate and I got split up because the AC in our room and broken, so we each ended up with our own villa’s. Ok, maybe it wasn’t so sad…I rather enjoyed it! I had the BIGGEST bed. If I could have taken that home with me, I would have.  And the rooms were amazing, and I would love to go back oneday.

We all dropped our stuff off and we were loaded back onto a bus as then caught ferry’s out to Stocking Island. Pulling up to Stocking Island made you want to stay and never leave. It was a true Caribbean location and feel. The Grand Bahamas Ministry of Tourism had a winner stopping at that island and not a single person in the group wanted to leave when the time came.
We had lunch at Chat N’ Chill where I had the best hot sauce every.  I should have bough some to bring back with me! While on Stocking Island, we got to watch them make Conch Salad, go snorkeling, and even feed and pet sting rays. I so touched a sting ray! It was awesome!!! hehe

*Yes Yes I know that is how that crazy Australian dude died…but really…if you had the opportunity to do it…wouldn’t you??

By 4:30 we were heading back to the resort where we had time before dinner to relax. A lot of people took naps or relaxed, but most of us hit up the pool and bar. A few of the pilots who had won bottle of Fire in the Hole busted them out and we all got a nice buzz going on before dinner.

At 7 Lisa and I went back and got ready for dinner at Splash (the resort bar and restaurant) and the evening activates. The dinner was delicious and after dinner the Grand Bahamas Tourist office pressed awards (yah me!! I got one..ok, yes I am a dork) and jackets to the Flying Ambassadors.

Being that it was Guillaume & Pete’s birthday…2 cakes were brought out for everyone.

 

After dinner a few of us decided to take advantage of our last night and spend it in the pool but exhaustion and constant running soon took the best of me, and I was off to bed for the early departure home the next day.

And again…even though I was in a new place and a new bed…I slept great!!!


I must admit that this was one of the best trips I have been on in a while. I meet some of the most amazing people and truly enjoyed myself. I did so many things that I had never done before that heading back into the office on Monday made me want to cry!