Reentry and Christmas in Spanish Wells

On December 19, the family (including the dog) began making our way back to the Eleuthra Islands. Prior to Covid, the plan was for the grandparents to take possession of “Kitty the dog” on Christmas Day and to take her south for the winter. Because of Covid, however, Don and Flav remain semi-quarantined in Florida, opting to forego travel north for the holidays. Before we can leave the US, therefore, we had to deliver the dog to them in Fort Myers. Without question, being away from our 5-year-old boxer “puppy” will be the most difficult part of this experience.

On December 21, and after 20 hours on the road, the family underwent rapid PCR Covid tests at MyTest Diagnostics in Fort Myers, which provided same day results. Like before, test results were uploaded to the Bahamian Health Ministry and all four travel visas were granted within a few hours. We had clearance from the tower.

We spent a few days with the grandparents, celebrating Papa’s birthday, then started the trip back to the Olivia Grace. A rental car from Fort Myers to Miami; flight from Miami to Eleuthra; taxi to Jeans Bay at the northwest tip of Eleuthra; ferry to Spanish Wells; and finally, golf cart to the “staging cottage” we rented. 

Wishing to  avoid a hard transition to life on the OG, we rented a small, historically charming cottage within a short walk from the marina in which the Olivia Grace was moored. Built in 1920, the “Palm Cottage” is simple and rustic, with few comforts to which the kids are accustomed—perfect to temper expectations.

We arrived at the cottage by 3:00 pm and were enjoying rum drinks ocean side by 4:30. We finished the evening on the porch, admiring the Christmas decorations adorning the house directly opposite of ours.

Christmas, however, was a different story. A strong “norther” moved through the area starting right after morning coffee, bringing a cold 40-50 knt wind for the remainder of the day. We unpacked and situated ourselves, went for a long walk and tried to hear each other against the deafening wind. To salvage the day, we jumped in the golf cart and sped around the island singing Christmas carols, enjoying the significant effort that the residents of Spanish Wells put into their decorations.

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We finished the evening with dinner at Buddha’s Snack Shack for conch fritters and grouper. We’ll be in Spanish Wells for a couple weeks and then consider our options.