Bahamas Getaway: Sun, Sand, and Beatles Memories!
October 7-14, 2023: An Island Escape
Dreaming of turquoise waters and endless sunshine? We just got back from an amazing week in the Bahamas, and let me tell you, it was incredible! The Bahamas, an archipelago paradise in the Caribbean Sea, boasts consistently warm and humid weather. Nassau is the vibrant capital, and fun fact: it's super close to Miami, sharing the same time zone as Florida (3 hours ahead of California). Keep in mind they drive on the left side of the road!
Grand Bahama Island: Our Home Base
We spent our week at the Taino Beach Resort in Freeport, Grand Bahama Island – a quick 45-minute flight from Nassau. This resort is seriously cool!
- 157 Units for Ultimate Comfort
- A HUGE 20,000 sq ft Pool Winding Throughout the Resort!
- Artificial Caves & A Thrilling 103-Foot Water Slide!
- Swim-Up Bar Hidden Inside the Largest Cave - Need I Say More?
- Private Beach Access & Beachfront Restaurant - Paradise Found!
Just a short 3-minute walk from Taino Beach Resort is the ferry dock, whisking you away to Port Lucaya, the island's central hub for shopping and delicious food.
Memorable Moments in Paradise
- Sunset Dinner Cruise: Picture this – amazing food, live music, dancing under the stars with 50 new friends!
- Swimming with Pigs Excursion: This was hilarious! Snapping photos with adorable pigs of all sizes splashing around in the ocean. A truly unique experience!
- Relaxation Mode: The rest of our days were spent soaking up the sun at the resort's pool, enjoying the private beach, and indulging in the fantastic restaurants. Bliss!
Paradise Island: A Beatles Pilgrimage
Before heading back to California, we squeezed in a 3-hour adventure on Paradise Island. My husband, a die-hard Beatles fan, had one mission: to visit The French Cloister at Versailles Gardens, the iconic location where The Beatles filmed "Help!" back in 1965.
The French Cloister has an incredible history! Originally built in France in the 13th century, it was dismantled and brought to the US in the 1920s by William Randolph Hearst. Years later, Huntington Hartford purchased it and reconstructed it in the beautiful Versailles Garden.
We encountered a slight hiccup when we arrived. The Ocean Club Four Seasons Resort staff informed us that Versailles Garden is now private property, accessible only to hotel guests. However, they were kind enough to let us snap a few quick photos. My husband even got to sit on the steps where The Beatles sat 58 years ago, strumming his guitar and singing about five Beatles classics!
Our taxi driver was awesome and took us to other spots on Paradise Island connected to The Beatles, including Cafe Martinique (formerly at the Atlantic Resort), another filming location from "Help!"
Our final stop was the historic Graycliff Restaurant, dating back to 1726. This place is legendary, having hosted royalty, dignitaries, and countless celebrities. Upon entering, my husband was moved to serenade the restaurant with a few Bee Gees tunes, inspired by their name on the guest list!
Graycliff's Star-Studded Guest List: Caroline of Monaco, King Constantine of Greece, Prince Fahd of Saudi Arabia, Curt Jurgens, Michael Goulandris, Sheikh Khashoggi, Kenny Rogers, Burgess Meredith, The Beatles, Coretta Scott King, Dr. Flick, Luciano Pavarotti, Sheika Dena Al-Fassi, Tony Curtis, David Hartman, Peter Allen, Ringo Starr, The Bee Gees, Margaret Trudeau, Alain Delon, Prince Said, King Olav, Carl Lewis, Brooke Shields, Sean Connery, Eddie Murphy, Nelson Mandela, Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, Shag, Lee Greenwood, Dwane Wade, Wayne Gretksky, Michael Messier, Brett Hull, Richard-Harris, Elle McPherson, Nas The Rapper, Beyonce Knowles, Jay-Z, Margaret Thatcher, Prince Albert of Monaco, Robert De Niro, Pat Sajak, Frank & Kathy Lee Gifford, Rick Dees, Bruce Willis, Matt Dillon, Jane Seymour, Billy Dee Williams, Prince Edward, Prince Andrew, Princess Anne, Moses Malone, Patrick Ewing, Alonzo Mourning, Spud Webb, B.B. Winans, Ron White "Tater Salad", Jada Pinkett Smith, Will Smith, Shakira, Ray Charles, Michael Bolton, Pink, Chris Tucker, Sylvester Stallone, Anne Dickerson, L.L.Cool J, Laurence Fishburne, Sir Richard Branson, Mariah Carey, Marc Anthony, Jason Taylor, LeBron James, Michael Johnson, Chris Paul, The Archbishop of Canterbury, Sir Sidney Poitier.
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