Cocodimama Eleuthera

... for a quick bite at Johnny Rockets before Mom and I met for our spa manicure/pedicure appointment. That was Mom&#8217;s birthday gift to me, even though it was her birthday today! It was really nice though and felt good to get done. Mom went to meet Andy after that, who was relaxing on the deck waiting for her, while I went to play bingo. I spent $32 and won $25. That&#8217;ll do. <br><br>While I was at the spa Dan and the kids played in the arcade and went shopping ...

... aquamarine water... we were also greeted by the local stingray..... and a little historical tour of the island..... and a moment on a sandbar.... This is privately owned cay (pronounced as key) ... 44 of them owned by one person. <br><br>I would say this is one real Bahamas......

On our way to the island tour, we were welcomed by a friendly stingray and gave us the experience of being suctioned by its mouth as we tried to feed him. But then, he realized that we don't have any food for him so eventually, he left but gave us the knowledge of not fearing them. They are gentle creatures of the sea.

A different kind of experience... feeding shark in broad daylight.....shoreside.....<br><br>Free port has one at Pier One, but you are like so high above the waters and in the evening. So all you are seeing are but splashes made by the shark as they feed. <br><br>Here, you will see the entire length of the shark under the very crystal clear waters, just one meter high.<br><br>

... Island but we decided to stay on board and catch a few rays. Today we've docked at Nassau and we've ventured off the boat to have a little look around! From the ship we can see the Atlantis hotel - but we've already visited the Dubai version so its not that special!<br><br>Overnight we're sailing to Great Stirrup Cay which is a beach privately owned by the cruise line.<br><br>Anyway, we're off to enjoy the sunshine.<br><br>Ta da!<br><br>K &amp; D<br><br>

After few hours of sailing, we arrived at the port of Harbour Island. We rented a golf cart for 50 dollars ovenight with full gas without having to worry about insurance and returning the cart with full gas. The instruction to us is to just leave the cart at the port with it's key in it when we leave.<br><br>This ain ...

... pushy. We declined to buy anything and tipped them. We purchased a weeks use of the spa, which included use of the steam, dry and mineral saunas. Also, there was an area with heated lounge beds made of tile. The beds were really relaxing and we used them everyday. We were given a robe and towel each time we checked-in to use the spa. <br><br>Our time at the Princess Cays aboard the ship was a wonderful start for what would be a very memorable and exciting cruise.

... also spent some time on Paradise Island, exploring the giant Atlantis Hotel, and sprawling out on Cabbage Beach (no cabbages to be seen!). After 2 days we got a fast ferry to another Bahamian island, Eleuthera. This island was very different to the capital island- very serene, and a much slower pace of life. We inhabited a little apartment by the sea which had lovely colourful gardens where we often sat out, and even saw a hummingbird buzz by on one ...

We had an awesome first full day of the cruise. Woke up early so we could get over to the beach for a full day of snorkeling and we weren't let down. Bought a few packs of fish food and we had feeding frenzys around us. Unfortunately we didn't take the camera ashore.

... entrepreneurial Bahamian lady offered to bring us there and pick us up after our adventure. We boarded another ferry and took most of the day exploring the island, very touristy and colonial but with a cool vibe, colorful architecture and pink sandy beaches. All in all a fab experience on a relaxed, low key island. We already decided next winter we'll be back to explore the southern half of the island.