Today we finally decided to bite the bullet and hire a car to explore the further reaches of the island of Grand Bahama. We were picked up by the rental car company, taken to their office and given a smashing little Toyota Yaris. After being told several times by several different people that West End was amazing and should not be missed we headed that way, travelling past the Lucaya harbor, through what looks like the Bronx on a tropical island and finally to the very tip of the road to find nothing more than slums, half completed buildings or buildings damaged and just abandoned. We finally stopped at Paradise Cove (Deadmans Reef) on the way back to do some snorkeling as that was supposed to be great as well (and since the tour companies take people there it must be good). Firstly they charged $3 per person to use the beach, go figure! but we decided to anyway as the snorkeling was rather disappointing by the hotel. We waded out across the shallow cove to deeper water where we managed to spot a few colourful fish here and there but nothing worth writing home about, got bashed around on coral heads by the breaking surf over the reef and decided we had enough which was sad but hey we didn't pay $35 like those on the tour. Before leaving we walked along the beach to find the wreck of 'Suzy Q' which looked to be around a 28' yacht washed up on shore, stripped bare and left to rot. We left her to rest in peace, headed back to the hotel and shortly after were invited to another feast put on by the yachties in the marina. What a great bunch they are and we can't thank them enough for their hospitality. Many rums and games of pool later we retired to bed for another day.
West End
Today we finally decided to bite the bullet and hire a car to explore the further reaches of the island of Grand Bahama. We were picked up by the rental car company, taken to their office and given a smashing little Toyota Yaris. After being told several times by several different people that West End was amazing and should not be missed we headed that way, travelling past the Lucaya harbor, through what looks like the Bronx on a tropical island and finally to the very tip of the road to find nothing more than slums, half completed buildings or buildings damaged and just abandoned. We finally stopped at Paradise Cove (Deadmans Reef) on the way back to do some snorkeling as that was supposed to be great as well (and since the tour companies take people there it must be good). Firstly they charged $3 per person to use the beach, go figure! but we decided to anyway as the snorkeling was rather disappointing by the hotel. We waded out across the shallow cove to deeper water where we managed to spot a few colourful fish here and there but nothing worth writing home about, got bashed around on coral heads by the breaking surf over the reef and decided we had enough which was sad but hey we didn't pay $35 like those on the tour. Before leaving we walked along the beach to find the wreck of 'Suzy Q' which looked to be around a 28' yacht washed up on shore, stripped bare and left to rot. We left her to rest in peace, headed back to the hotel and shortly after were invited to another feast put on by the yachties in the marina. What a great bunch they are and we can't thank them enough for their hospitality. Many rums and games of pool later we retired to bed for another day.
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