Escape

Escape. Exactly what you need after a hectic year and hectic holidays. So that is what we did, we ran away, left the tree behind, left most of the presents behind, left the wash and more importantly the cold.

Our advenutre began at 5:30 am on December 26th when the alarm went off. Kevin and I got up, ready, last minute bag checks and then got the boys going. We bundled up, loaded the car and headed to the airport-our ticket out of this cold and our path to relaxation. Alek was armed with his new DS and Maks with his Leapster in hopes that they would provide a great distraction for a day of travel. Santa did well, they loved their games and it kept them content. We met our traveling friends at the airport and headed through security with a little extra pat down thanks to one idiot's antics on a Christmas day flight. Before we knew it we were on the plane and headed towards our first stop, Ft. Lauderdale International Airport. We packed light and only carryon, so we ran outside, relished in the warm air and grabbed a taxi to our next stop, the Ft. Lauderdale executive airport. Then we hit our first snag. Our charter pilot and his plane were not there, but over at the other airport. He apparently had left me a voicemail on my office phone, despite the fact I sent him my cell. After a discussion in which he offered to put us up in a hotel for the night, which I told him was completely unacceptable and a few other words, he was on his way back to pick us up. Apparently he was a little afraid of me since I (in his words), "chewed his head off". I personally dont think I was bad, just adament that nothing was stopping us from getting to our escape THAT DAY!

So there was our charter plane, small, interesting, wondering if it looked like it would make the 20 minute flight? Nervousness was abound in our group, but as for myself, God Bless Ativan, love how much it takes the edge off. Though I will admit, when I saw them loading luggage in the wings my stomach flipflopped a bit! We all climbed aboard and took off. It really wasn't bad and it was actually great when we could see the beautiful blue water and our island escape. Bimini, there it was right below us, the "island in the stream" of Hemingway fame, was there, just waiting for us to settle in and chill. I have to say, landing in those small planes is a dream, that was the smoothest landing I ever felt and they stop so quickly too! So we gave Captain Ray or RayRay as he was known at the airport, his props, our thanks and my apologies and we headed off to next leg. You land on South Bimini, so we had to take a 5 minute taxi ride to the water and then we climbed aboard a water taxi to cross to North Bimini. The ride was another 5 minutes. The dock on North Bimini is right by the site where they filmed the last scene of Silence of the Lambs ("I'm having an old friend for dinner..."). We then jumped in another taxi and headed towards our resort, Bimini Bay. We checked in and then were taken to our house, which was perfect. it was beautiful, clean and very new and 2700 sq feet was perfect for 8 people.

Once we explored resort we came to the conclusion that while yes you can walk, you can't walk into town and really explore, so we rented a golf cart for the week. We enjoyed our first sunset and settled in to relax and unwind, they were our only goals for the week.

The next morning we set out for the pool, we decided on the infinity pool as it was so beautiful with its endless view into the blue ocean. One problem, the water was freezing, but the kids stilled played and we enjoyed a great lunch at the grille. The kids loved the playground as well and we made several visits there throughout the week. We explored the beach close to the pool it was interesting that there was this giant wall blocking the sea from the resort it seemed. You walked down steps to the beach, lots of beautiful large rocks and reefs. The water was warm and gorgeous and we noticed that you could easily snorkel right off that beach.

We found the other pool near the marina and near our house. Again it was gorgeous, yet cold. But there was a long skinny hot tub type pool, that was perfect for the kids and us. We spent most of the week there. We also found the beach at the end of the resort that was absolutely gorgeous, The further you drove down the road, the more secluded and natural the beach became. There were tidal pools surrounded by coral and there were conch shells everywhere. It was truly paradise.

The week was spent relaxing at the pool or the beach. The guys made friends with a family who was staying on their rather large boat. The boys went fishing for the day while the wife and 3 girls hung with us. They were wonderful people, so nice and a lot of fun. We consider them our new friends in Sarasota and hope to see them again. The boys deep sea fishing was not successful in terms of actual fish but they had a great time. T and W did get a day in of bone fishing with a famous boat maker and bonefisherman named Ancill Saunders. He used to take Martin Luther King Jr out on his boat and apparently MKL wrote his Nobel Peace Prize speech on his boat along with the speech to the striking machinist's right before his assination. Pretty amazing the history. We loved exploring the island, it is very small, two roads (the low road and the high road). The history is fascinating, the people who spent alot of time there, from Hemingway, to MLK, to Jimmy Buffett and countless other. It is a unique place. The guys always seemed to experience some adventure or meet someone crazy while they were out. The people are so friendly and nothing seems to bother them. Along with that attitude is the fact they dont rush to do anything and nothing starts on time. While that would be absolutely annoying to most of us, I have to say for a week it was refreshing, no wonder they are happy!

New Years Eve we made a dinner reservation for the resort restaurant. There was a big party going on but none of us wanted to pay the extra price for it. So we got the kids settled in and headed out for what we hoped was a fabulous dinner. Well, they decided to close the restaurant early, never though to mention it to the people who had reservations after that point. The manager albeit nice was not helpful at all. So my friend and I left the guys, who were cranky, hungry and angry hanging out there, and we headed up to the main office. After several nice but unhelpful staffers, we were guided to the new general manager of the resort. He immediately apologized and invited us all in, free of charge to the tent party. So we went. It was very nice. While we had to wait in line for buffett, the food was amazing!! The drinks were great and the people watching even better. The boys decided to bail on us after dinner since they were going fishing early the next morning, such losers! So R and I hung out and realized that everyone seemed to know each other? We met a very nice man who informed us, yes most people here are related to the owner of the resort or were friends. He said most of them were cuban american's from Miami area and they all had been coming here for years. We also got to watch performance of a latin grammy winner, Fonzi, I think that is what he was called. He was good, we didn't understand any of the songs, but he was obviously very popular. We did know Feliz Navidad, so that was fun! We ran in the new year on the dance floor, watching some funny drunk people. It was a great night, despite not having the hubbies there.

One of the highlights for all of us was seeing a junkanoo band. The first we saw was during a parade for Boxing Day. It was supposed to start at 8, but didn't start til 9. Alek and Maks made friends with a little boy from town, and they had a blast, running around and play hide and seek while we were waiting. The band was so amazing. The costumes and the drums were incredible. The drums were the coolest. The kids loved it, we all did and it was fun to be sharing with the people in town, not just other tourists. We got an extra treat on New Years Day when the band paraded through the resort.

It was a wonderful and relaxing week. We all loved Bimini, the history, the people, the food, the sun and the beaches. I know we will definitely return. We loved that it wasn't touristy, it was small and it was so laid back. Our kind of island for sure!

Unfortunately we had to return to reality and it was a cold reality at that, temps in the 20's? Not fun at all. At least the boys had fun returning home to all the Christmas presents they had left behind. As for me, I bundled up and day dreamed about the sun and sand and wondering what we could plan for our next escape.

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