For this year's trip, we hadn't landed on a destination until May. Our criteria were a new country for Lizzy (her eighth), a place Tommy could dive, and somewhere with a Hilton. Once we mapped it out, Bimini rose to the top of our list, so we booked it. We were quite excited to spend a week in the sun!
July 22, 2018
As always, we began with an early wake-up, and said goodbye to Doofus.
July 22, 2018
As always, we began with an early wake-up, and said goodbye to Doofus.
A few months ago, Lizzy had asked us if she would ever have a chance to fly first class. We decided to use one of Tommy's companion tickets this time around, putting her on his reservation, meaning if he got upgraded, she would too. They both ended up in first on all 4 Delta legs of the trip. Needless to say, she enjoyed First Class!
For the ATL-MIA leg, she chose the window seat. I was passing notes up to her from coach, via the Flight Attendants.
After landing in Miami, we grabbed an Uber and headed to our lunch reservation. What else should you have in Miami other than Cuban food? We had a reservation at a highly rated Cuban place on South Beach, so we were excited for a yummy meal before heading to catch our seaplane flight.
Havana 1957 was an absolute delight! Our server Giedy took great care of us, bringing Lizzy sugar cane for her to try for the first time, and tons of plantain chips. The food and drinks were great (Lizzy loved her kids steak, which was huge for a kids meal!), and it was a great start to our adventures.
Havana 1957 was an absolute delight! Our server Giedy took great care of us, bringing Lizzy sugar cane for her to try for the first time, and tons of plantain chips. The food and drinks were great (Lizzy loved her kids steak, which was huge for a kids meal!), and it was a great start to our adventures.
After we finished our meal, we had about 10 minutes before we needed to catch our Uber to our Seaplane, so Lizzy's tour of the World's Most Famous Beaches continued with a quick run across Ocean Drive to South Beach. Check!
While we were there, I pointed out to her than in less than an hour, we would be basically due East of where we were standing, in Bimini!
While we were there, I pointed out to her than in less than an hour, we would be basically due East of where we were standing, in Bimini!
After we ran back to the restaurant from our brief beach jaunt, we summoned our Uber, and headed to the Seaplace base. This tiny little airport ended up being so much fun! We were greeted by our Tropic Ocean Airways host, Raymond. He checked us in and weighed our bags, and then since we were early, and the only ones on the flight, we were able to take as much time as we wanted to explore the plane, take photos, ask questions, and basically decide when we were ready to board and take off. The BEST airport experience we've ever had!
We got to walk around, touch the plane and propeller, and Raymond took some photos for us.
We got to walk around, touch the plane and propeller, and Raymond took some photos for us.
With the wonderful Raymond. We can't say enough about what a wonderful experience he provided for us!
We eventually decided it was time to board our flight. Private plane? Yes, please!
We took off, right by the cruise ships at the Miami Cruise Terminal, which was a really cool experience. The takeoff in the water was even smoother than taking off on tarmac at an airport. Before we knew it, we were aloft, watching Miami Beach pass by below us.
The flight from Miami to Bimini took just 23 minutes, as Bimini is only 50 minutes due East of Miami.
The flight from Miami to Bimini took just 23 minutes, as Bimini is only 50 minutes due East of Miami.
The flight was so much fun, and we chatted with the captain and first officer throughout. As we approached Bimini, they took us on a little scenic tour, including heading just South off the Bimini coast to give us a view of the famous shipwreck the Sapona. When they banked to turn, we really got a full understanding of how mind blowingly clear the water in Bimini really is.
We came in for a beautifully smooth landing, in the water.
After landing, we "docked" the plane at the customs and immigration office. The first officer hopped out of his seat to exit out the back, and stand on the float to help tie up the plane.
Once tied up, we deplaned. We had to get a photo with our Captain!
He was kind enough to give us all a set of Tropic Ocean Airways wings.
Congrats on eight countries, Liz!
Bye beautiful seaplane. Thanks for the wonderful journey!
Since the plane parked at the customs and immigration building, and we were the only ones entering, the whole process of entering the Bahamas took about 5 minutes total. Once we had cleared, we were greeted by the Hilton Bimini shuttle, which was there waiting for us.
We hopped aboard, and rode for the 2 minutes it took to reach the Hilton. Once there, we checked in, were greeted with lovely welcome cocktails, and we headed to our room. We got settled, decided to visit the pool since it was late afternoon, and decided to skip a big dinner since we were all still full from our big lunch in Miami. We had some light snacks in the Executive Lounge, then had a nice restful night, ready to start our big week in Bimini!
July 23, 2018
We all had a lovely night of rest, and woke refreshed and ready for our day's adventures. First was breakfast in the hotel buffet.
We hopped aboard, and rode for the 2 minutes it took to reach the Hilton. Once there, we checked in, were greeted with lovely welcome cocktails, and we headed to our room. We got settled, decided to visit the pool since it was late afternoon, and decided to skip a big dinner since we were all still full from our big lunch in Miami. We had some light snacks in the Executive Lounge, then had a nice restful night, ready to start our big week in Bimini!
July 23, 2018
We all had a lovely night of rest, and woke refreshed and ready for our day's adventures. First was breakfast in the hotel buffet.
After breakfast, we had a 9:00 appointment to meet Ambrose, who had our golf cart for the week. We walked out and, right on time, he was there to pick us up and take us to where the golf cart was. We had our wheels for the week!
Once we had our keys, we decided to venture out to the southernmost point of the island, where I had read there was a nice area. This little spot, along with a nearby beach, because our favorite places all week. We were delighted to find tidepools, the first ones Lizzy and I had ever seen.
Once we had our keys, we decided to venture out to the southernmost point of the island, where I had read there was a nice area. This little spot, along with a nearby beach, because our favorite places all week. We were delighted to find tidepools, the first ones Lizzy and I had ever seen.
A 30 second walk north from the tidepools, is a legitimate shipwreck, right there by the beach.
We stayed here, exploring for about an hour, before we decided to head onward.
We ventured north up the road a bit, to the straw market. We found a lot of geckos around.
We ventured north up the road a bit, to the straw market. We found a lot of geckos around.
ur next stop was Radio Beach, which ended up being our favorite beach throughout the duration of our stay. It's very much a locals beach, with a friendly cast of characters around to ensure you have a lovely time. A young man named Philip introduced himself to us, and for the rest of the week, whenever we were there, he took care of our beach chairs, umbrellas, food, drinks, water hammocks, and ensured we had a wonderful time. This beach was unspoiled, pristine, and utterly lovely.
The water was the clearest I have EVER seen in my entire life. There were shades of blue we didn't know were possible. It was warm, gentle, and incredible.
Lizzy, the consummate beach girl, was in Heaven.
The water was the clearest I have EVER seen in my entire life. There were shades of blue we didn't know were possible. It was warm, gentle, and incredible.
Lizzy, the consummate beach girl, was in Heaven.
After several hours at Radio Beach, we decided to go to Stuart's Conch Stand to get some of their famous conch salad. It did NOT disappoint, and Lizzy discovered a love for conch salad.
After getting our fill of deliciousness, we headed back to Radio Beach for more hours of fun in the sun.
We stayed at Radio Beach until early evening, when we decided to hop on the cart and head to find some dinner. We found a local place and had some food, and then headed back to the hotel. Hooray for chocolates on the pillows.
July 24, 2018
After a deep night of sleep...
After a deep night of sleep...
we awoke for our next day of adventures. We had breakfast in the lounge, then hopped the golf cart to head down to the tidepools again, since we'd had such fun there the prior day.
Then we headed to the dive shop to check in for our stingray snorkel/dive. We were a little early, so after checking in, we chilled for a bit.
We had a lovely 45 minute boat ride from North Bimini to Honeymoon Harbor, which is where the stingrays congregate.
I WAS TERRIFIED OF THE STINGRAYS, LIKE I HAVE NEVER FELT TERROR BEFORE. Complete, irrational fear, which precluded me from maximizing the experience.
Lizzy, however, loved the stingrays. While Daddy dove with the rays and lots of nurse sharks, we both fed them, touched them, and interacted with them from the beach. I couldn't really bring myself to get into the water and truly swim with them, sadly enough, but Lizzy did much moreso than I did.
Lizzy, however, loved the stingrays. While Daddy dove with the rays and lots of nurse sharks, we both fed them, touched them, and interacted with them from the beach. I couldn't really bring myself to get into the water and truly swim with them, sadly enough, but Lizzy did much moreso than I did.
(photo credit, Tommy)
After about an hour of feeding squid chunks to stingrays, we headed back to the boat. While we were swimming back, we swam over tons of stingrays and nurse sharks. They were super gentle and just swam around like we weren't even there.
After about an hour of feeding squid chunks to stingrays, we headed back to the boat. While we were swimming back, we swam over tons of stingrays and nurse sharks. They were super gentle and just swam around like we weren't even there.
Once all were aboard, we headed back to North Bimini, passing by the Sapona on the way. This is the wreck the seaplane flew over on our arrival day.
Exhausted.
Once we were back ashore, we were greeted by Captain Neal's pup, who likes to use coconuts as a ball.
We were super hungry, so on our way back to the hotel we decided to try the famous lobster pizza from Edith's Pizza. Yummy!
We ended the day with a dip in the rooftop infinity pool, which we had completely to ourselves. What a great way to end a memorable day.
July 25, 2018
Tommy had a shark dive in the morning, so Lizzy and I had breakfast in the lounge, then took the hotel shuttle over to Luna Beach, since he had the golf cart.
Luna Beach is another gorgeous beach on Bimini, although it is the exclusive beach of the resort (North) end of the island, so it's slightly more developed feeling than Radio Beach (which we preferred.) Nonetheless, she and I had a wonderful morning, swimming and playing.
While we were swimming out a ways from shore, I glanced over and saw a beautiful moon jellyfish about 5 feet away. While beautiful and peaceful, it brought us closer to shore for the duration of our day :)
Tommy had a shark dive in the morning, so Lizzy and I had breakfast in the lounge, then took the hotel shuttle over to Luna Beach, since he had the golf cart.
Luna Beach is another gorgeous beach on Bimini, although it is the exclusive beach of the resort (North) end of the island, so it's slightly more developed feeling than Radio Beach (which we preferred.) Nonetheless, she and I had a wonderful morning, swimming and playing.
While we were swimming out a ways from shore, I glanced over and saw a beautiful moon jellyfish about 5 feet away. While beautiful and peaceful, it brought us closer to shore for the duration of our day :)
At lunch time, she and I ate at the restaurant at Luna Beach. Daddy had finished his shark dive, and he joined us there. We were all amused by this sign.
The day prior, while we were with the stingrays at Honeymoon Harbor, Lizzy had made a sand sculpture of a stingray, and when we turned around, the largest stingray of all had turned up. She was convinced she had summoned him.
This afternoon, at Luna Beach, she decided to make another stingray sand sculpture:
This afternoon, at Luna Beach, she decided to make another stingray sand sculpture:
Less than 3 minutes later, we turned around and spotted a huge stingray just peacefully swimming along in the water. She seems to be able to make stingrays appear at will!
She was very proud of her collection of shells from this beach day.
She was very proud of her collection of shells from this beach day.
Having been at the beach the majority of the day, by late afternoon we determined it was best to pack up and head onward to a new adventure. We loaded up in the golf cart, and headed to Dolphin House.
Dolphin House is a large home built by a local man, Ashley Saunders. He begun construction in the early 90s after having a spiritual experience while swimming with a pod of dolphins. He has built the house entirely out of materials he has found washed up from the ocean, and it continues to be work in progress. His life's work, dedicated to dolphins and other sea life.
When we arrived to visit, we were so happy to see him come out to greet us. He gave us a personal tour of the building, and shared his tales of his construction of the building.
Dolphin House is a large home built by a local man, Ashley Saunders. He begun construction in the early 90s after having a spiritual experience while swimming with a pod of dolphins. He has built the house entirely out of materials he has found washed up from the ocean, and it continues to be work in progress. His life's work, dedicated to dolphins and other sea life.
When we arrived to visit, we were so happy to see him come out to greet us. He gave us a personal tour of the building, and shared his tales of his construction of the building.
After our tour, the most beautiful thing happened. Lizzy had found a gorgeous large green chunk of sea glass at Luna Beach earlier that day, and we had it with us. She wanted to give it to Mr. Saunders for him to add to Dolphin House.
He, without hesitation, asked her if she wanted to add it herself. He immediately mixed up some mortar, and let her choose where to place the pieces (it had broken in two.) She chose to put the pieces on either side of the entry way. We are so grateful to him, that he let her leave her mark on his beautiful construction. This is such a special memory to us.
For the rest of the week, whenever we drove past, we would slow down to spot her glass and wave at Mr. Saunders. It is wonderful to know that a small part of our family is always in Bimini.
He, without hesitation, asked her if she wanted to add it herself. He immediately mixed up some mortar, and let her choose where to place the pieces (it had broken in two.) She chose to put the pieces on either side of the entry way. We are so grateful to him, that he let her leave her mark on his beautiful construction. This is such a special memory to us.
For the rest of the week, whenever we drove past, we would slow down to spot her glass and wave at Mr. Saunders. It is wonderful to know that a small part of our family is always in Bimini.
After yet another wonderful day on this beautiful island, we headed back to our hotel to wind down. We had a yummy sushi dinner on site, and headed to bed to rest up for another big day of adventure to come.
July 26, 2018
After another yummy breakfast at the hotel restaurant, we were ready for our dolphin swim day.
July 26, 2018
After another yummy breakfast at the hotel restaurant, we were ready for our dolphin swim day.
We headed to Radio Beach for a few hours, and Philip got our beach chairs and umbrellas all taken care of. Around 12:30, we left to head to the dive shop to get ready for the experience of swimming with wild dolphins.
It took us about an hour, but we came across a pod of 20 - 30 spotted dolphins. They were in a traveling mode, so didn't want to stop and play, but we were able to drop in 5 times with them over the course of the next 2 hours. It was a surreal experience to be in the water and see dolphins swimming right under your feet.
All smiles after dolphin time!
All that swimming and sunshine is hard work. Nap time!
There's our hotel!
Many thanks to Captain Neal and this incredible crew for our amazing experiences in Bimini this week.
It was very funny, because we were in Bimini during Discovery's Shark Week, which featured Shaquille O'Neal in a show, in which he overcame his fear of sharks. On that show, the boat he was on was our very own Bimini Blue, captained by Neal. So while everyone was at home watching shark week with Shaq, we were living our very own shark week, on Shaq's same boat.
It was very funny, because we were in Bimini during Discovery's Shark Week, which featured Shaquille O'Neal in a show, in which he overcame his fear of sharks. On that show, the boat he was on was our very own Bimini Blue, captained by Neal. So while everyone was at home watching shark week with Shaq, we were living our very own shark week, on Shaq's same boat.
Lizzy loved finding gecko friends everywhere we went.
Dinner this night was at Big John's, where we had yummy food, but we also became the yummy food of hundreds of mosquitoes. Yikes!
July 27, 2018
Daddy had another dive schedule for this morning, so Liz and I went to the pool for awhile after a light lounge breakfast. She's so good at vacationing.
July 27, 2018
Daddy had another dive schedule for this morning, so Liz and I went to the pool for awhile after a light lounge breakfast. She's so good at vacationing.
Once Dad got back from his dive in the early afternoon, we hopped on the golf cart and headed back to Stuart's for some more wonderful conch salad. Except this time, Lizzy inquired if they would just make her a bowl of lobster meat with lime and seasoning. They delivered, and she ate every morsel.
Then we decided to find some Bimini Bread, so we went to a local bakery and got a loaf, as well as some other treats (rum cakes and cream cheese cookies.)
We finished our evening with a swim in the rooftop pool, followed by some light dinner the hamburger bar at the hotel.
July 28, 2018
We decided to spend the whole day at Luna Beach, close to the hotel. We had made arrangements for a cabana rental for the entirety of the day, and we made the most of it! It was a gorgeous day. We didn't take too many photos, as we were too busy playing in the water and relaxing.
We decided to spend the whole day at Luna Beach, close to the hotel. We had made arrangements for a cabana rental for the entirety of the day, and we made the most of it! It was a gorgeous day. We didn't take too many photos, as we were too busy playing in the water and relaxing.
July 29, 2018
It was our last full day in Bimini, and we knew we had to make the most of it. I'd say we delivered! After breakfast, we started with a visit to our beloved tidepools.
It was our last full day in Bimini, and we knew we had to make the most of it. I'd say we delivered! After breakfast, we started with a visit to our beloved tidepools.
Then onward for a few hours at our favorite, Radio Beach.
Lizzy found lots of cool shells, including two conch that made a heart when placed together, and we had a ton of fun in the water hammock.
Eventually it became time to say goodbye to our friend Philip, who had made Radio Beach so wonderful for us. If you're ever in Bimini, make it a point to find him, and tell him his favorite family ever sent you ;)
All week long, as we'd driven by these hand chairs, Lizzy and I wanted to stop and sit in them. We weren't about to miss our last chance.
Then onward to Stuart's, for our third and final conch salad of the week. Lizzy could not get it in her mouth fast enough.
Each time we were at Stuart's, while waiting for our food, Lizzy took it upon herself to clean up the ocean. We picked up dozens of bottle caps, beer bottles, and other items that do not belong there. While she was cleaning, she came across this conch. While he had a hole in his shell, he was still very much alive within!
Back at the hotel, showing some love to our fun little golf cart.
Pool time for Liz and Dad, while Mama went to the casino.
Dinner was lounge snacks and bimini bread and treats, as we were still pretty full from Stuart's. Time to get packed up before leaving tomorrow.
July 30, 2018
July 30, 2018
After a last delicious and filling breakfast, we showered, dressed, and finished packing. We were to meet Ambrose at the Seaplane base at 10:30 to drop off our golf cart, and he was right there as we were. We took some photos while we waited to board our flight back to Miami.
While we were walking around, we saw some very spiny black sea urchins around the docks. Yikes!
While we were walking around, we saw some very spiny black sea urchins around the docks. Yikes!
Right on time, we were led to our seaplane, and prepared to say goodbye to the Bahamas.
Since Liz was flying with Dad on every leg of this journey, she had asked if she and I could sit together on the flight back to Miami. She was pretty happy to see a bench seat for two configuration right behind the pilots on this flight.
Very soon, we had left the dock, and were preparing to take off from in front of our hotel.
There's our balcony. Bye, room!
Once again, takeoff was super fun, and it was really cool to see on the radar how close we were to Miami this whole time.
Before we knew it, we were upon Miami, and landed back at the Miami Seaplane Base, where our adventure had began the week before.
We grabbed our Uber to Miami Airport, and after a short while, boarded our flight. Lizzy had a nice snooze, cozy in her jacked she had chosen to buy at Miami airport.
She eventually woke up in time to admire the view.
We arrived in Detroit, and had plenty of time to have dinner at P.F. Chang's before boarding our last flight of the day, the short hop from DTW to IND.
Lizzy has ranked Bimini as her third favorite destination ever, behind Jamaica and Hawaii. I'd say that's pretty good company for this tiny little island, just off the Florida coast!
We made tons of great memories, swam a ton, ate great food, got really tan, and would love to return.
We made tons of great memories, swam a ton, ate great food, got really tan, and would love to return.