Last stop: Bimini
This was the only new stop for our family
and we were excited to explore here!
We hired a guide, Max, to take us around the island.
We were with another group of five.
It was GREAT!
Getting off the ship in Bimini is NOT great.
There's a SUPER long line to get on the tram.
It took quite a while and we held up the rest of the
tour mates who were going with us. Oops.
Check out that water!
First, Max took us to a conch shack.
The man there showed us how he harvests conch.
Trevor got to help.
That's what it looks like when you pull it out of the shell!
Mind blown.
We all got to eat fresh conch.
My first time trying it.
It was pretty good.
This is the front side of the shack where you could order conch.
Look at all those dollar bills everywhere!
Our tour included a little sample of conch salad.
The citrus was STRONG, but it was pretty good.
LOOK AT ALL THOSE CONCH SHELLS!!!
WALLS OF THEM!
How are there any left in the ocean???
Incredible.
Here we are by the walls of conch!
We stopped by a local bakery and we got
to try freshly baked coconut bread.
Delicious!!
There are a couple different islands in Bimini.
We took a little ferry across to the south island.
And there, Max introduced us to
this beautiful little piece of paradise.
I can't find a name for this beach.
But it's on the west coast, toward the south
of the south island.
Isn't it gorgeous???
Perfect place for some photos.
Gotta get the jumping pic.
Our whole crew
Caroline and Julia taking in the beauty.
And I also have to make C do some tricks for me. :)
While on the south island, we
stopped by the purported Fountain of Youth!
We washed our hands and faces with the water.
I don't think it helped my crow's feet one little bit...
Last stop: The Dolphin House Museum
It was back on the north island, where we had ported in.
Y'all.
Where do I start?
This is a picture of the outside of the Dolphin House.
When we walked up, there was a homeless-looking
man sleeping under that front porch.
It turned out HE was the artist and our tour guide
through the house! Wha?!
I introduce you to Sir Ashley Saunders.
He was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 2022!
Mind. blown.
He is a very passionate man.
He told stories with lots of yelling involved.
I wish I could remember all of them.
I seem to recall him telling us that he was swimming
in the ocean and some dolphins swam by him and
gave him the inspiration to build this house.
He's done all the work himself,
mostly with reclaimed materials from the island.
It is a sight to behold.
I think he said there are license plates from all 50 states
scattered throughout. We found NC!
Sir Ashley is also an author.
Here's one of his books.
There are lots of mosaics.
Another book, this one of poems.
Cool little staircase leading up to the roof.
It's still a work in progress.
Notice all the conch shells along the wall.
Check out that view!!!
There's also a small lighthouse up there...
I'm pretty sure...
Max had drinks for us on the drive back
to the port. Caroline enjoyed trying a
local soda--Bahamas Goombay Punch.
She said it was good!
And thus ended our heavenly week with the Pools in paradise.
We LOVED vacationing with Trevor, Heather, and Julia. It was the perfect balance of having friends to hang out with, but we also had plenty of time to ourselves. Caroline and Julia got along so well and loved having each other along for the adventure. As soon as the trip was over, I texted Trevor and Heather and told them I wanted to reserve them for Spring Break 2026. They informed me that Heather is going back to school to be a Nurse Practitioner and Trevor and Julia are going to Europe with the big school trip, so they will NOT be available to vacay with us again. Boo. Well, it was sure fun while it lasted!
