South Andros

Just returning from a few days of serious R&R in the Bahamas - Driggs Hill, South Andros to be exact - no phone, no computer, no watch - just a perfect blend of adventure and poolside chilling, stirred briskly with some great food and fine island beverages. Shout out to bonefish, blue holes, the ladies who run the liquor store in CongoTown (Magnum with Vigorton and Ginger wine are tops) and family; as well as special thanks to Jerry and Diane Blotcher, and Nancy from the Hungry Trout, who are exceptional hosts. 

Goombay punch - the official pineapple-flavored bubbly drink of the Bahamas - celebrates tasteful minimalism and fun with its packaging design.

If you need a tour guide on South Andros, you've got to call Barbara. This is her leading Carrie and I into a cave full of bats (note the one flying behind her head - and all the block dots on the back wall - those are all bats too), right before we go to the best swimming hole I've ever had the privilege to enjoy. A 15 ft jump off a natural limestone bridge formation landed you in the middle of this glorious "blue hole" as they are known locally, brackish water that comes from a mix of fresh water spring and ocean tides. 

Barbara at the southwest end of the best swimming hole ever.

A detail of the bar counter in front of Ezrena's restaurant, where we had the most amazing Bahamian feast ever, cooked by Ezrena, and topped off by some homemade papaya and habanero-based hot sauce.

The aforementioned feast included cracked conch (fried in a light, crispy batter), lobster tails, grouper, steamed veggies, coleslaw and rice with pigeon peas. The feast opened with the finest bowl of conch chowder ever (it would be among the best chowders I've ever eaten as well), and closed with some locally made coconut ice-cream.

These became fresh conch salad right before our eyes at a roadside conch stall/sports bar.

Getting a quick demo from the owner Roddie (sp?)