June 2016

BAHAMAS HONEYMOON

We’re in the Bahamas. And I’m keen on remembering this feeling. Salty, sun kissed, and utterly not caring. I have to remember I can be this person. Sure, there’s something about the air here. It’s sticky and heavy with gusts from the ocean. The perpetual breeze. The teal, aqua waters. But it's this untouched land, this dreamlike house, being on our honeymoon. There’s something about us both accepting there are no rules. About us both being on the same page, being married.

When Will and I arrived in Nassau it was hot, humid, and dizzying. We hopped on a puddle jumper—Southern Air—to Dead Man’s Cay, and then the ten minute flight to Stella Marris.

Once we navigated to the Rainbow House, we were blown away. There's a full view of the ocean once you walk in. Below the back patio is a saltwater infinity pool.

A rainbow, from the back deck of the Rainbow House

It is undoubtedly paradise. After settling in, we grabbed Kalik beers sat overlooking the ocean, hearing the waves crash.

Wednesday morning we woke up eager to explore. I made tropical smoothies for for us with breakfast. Once we got our bearings, we drove to Cape Santa Maria, an upscale oceanfront resort. We signed up for snorkeling the following day, then went to the bar. Will got a Pina Colada and I got a Bahama Mama—I was keen on trying one. We brought our drinks down to the water.

The sand was white and the water was perfectly warm and clear. I picked up some shells, we held hands. I sipped my too sweet drink with three kinds of rum that went right to my head. I ran into the water and turned around, to find Will follow. We were the only ones on the entire beach.

Thursday morning was an adventure day. We headed back to Cape Santa Maria to go snorkeling. It was fantastic. We were among coral reefs, which I had never seen up close. We saw caves, a sting ray, hundreds of tri color fish. I squeezed Will’s hand under water. After, we sat outside, along the clear, teal water. We each ordered Pina Coladas this time.

I got the fresh fish tacos for lunch. The fish tacos were so fresh. They quickly became my go-to order whenever we ate out.

When I recreated fish tacos at home, I made them slightly differently. I breaded and baked them in Panko bread crumbs, which are lighter and crisper than traditional bread crumbs. I’ve made them with an egg wash, so the bread crumbs will adhere. But also, with Dijon mustard. When I was out of eggs once, the mustard locked in moisture, and served as the same sort of binding agent. After adding egg or mustard, dip in bread crumbs and place the fish on a prepared baking sheet. Fish tacos are a quick homemade dinner, or even better in the Bahamas.

After lunch, we stopped by a small home, which sold freshly baked bread. The woman running the shop told us about the 21 years she spent as a guard in a federal prison. About how she likes Long Island for the dearth of people. She said, if you worked in a prison, you wouldn’t like people either. She explained the downside of Long Island was that they only receive one shipment a week to the general store. By day two, vegetables are sold out. She said their shop was a place to get everything. Her husband looked at the truck, and said one of the tires needed a plug. We walked away with a fresh load of bread, a single cinnamon roll, a new tire. Quite successful excursion.

Once the sun started to set, we went on a run. It was still super humid. We started out slow. It was nearly a dirt road, uneven pavement. The sea was to our right. I closed my eyes, and ran. I took a deep breath. The air was hot and sticky. It smelled like salt. Will glistened. I opened up my stride. We promptly jumped in the pool back at the house.

Saturday was our last adventure day. We had to go to the Regatta, that much was clear. We were told to walk around Long Island’s Capital, Clarence Town, and check out Dean’s Blue Hole, which is the world’s deepest underwater sinkhole due to the surrounding caves.

Posing in the shallower water at Dean's Hole

We were advised that we'll need cash for the regatta, but there are only two ATMs on the entire island, and they may be stripped of cash. Moreover, it's unlikely you can use a credit card for gas.

We set off, and lucked out that one of the ATMs had cash after all. Clarence Town consisted of a cigar store, a place to get fishing bate, and a restaurant. Regardless, it was on the water. I got the fish tacos, with fresh Wahoo, which was caught that day. The grilled fish was so delicious. It tasted like a hearty white fish, it’s often compared to mackerel. We then headed to Dean’s Blue Hole. We picked up a young boy, since hitchhiking is common and even encouraged. When he tapped the roof, it's a signal to let him out. Once we reached the Regatta, it’s not that we were underwhelmed, but apparently people from the Bahamas don’t go during the day when it’s that hot. They come to party at night. We weren’t hungry yet, but I wanted to try some cuisine from the Bahamas. There was a grill that smelled amazing so we got some barbecue “local pulled pork” to bring home for dinner.

On our last night, for dinner that night, Will's aunt and uncle gave us a gift certificate for dinner at the restaurant, and a bottle of champagne.

Will struggling with the champagne - he ultimately won

When we sat out there, we chatted about everything. Living in the moment. Being present. It’s strange being here, how all I can think about is the next couple hours ahead. It’s a lesson in restraint, really. Trying not to over plan, overthink. To pinpoint the feeling of being anxious. It’s truly a skill, to learn to be present. It’s something I’ll continue to work on, but this was a good first start.

At dinner and started with the stuffed local crabs. Stuffed with breadcrumbs, butter, celery, onion, and seasonings. I got the fresh fish, which was delicious. We got back late, and I was pretty woozy in a good way, from all the bubbles. It was an awesome last night.

Monday morning, we headed to the airport. We were told we can drive there—it’s only a mile up the road—and we leave our car with the keys in the ignition, and someone will drive it back. The airport is essentially a hut. We’re supposed to be taking a nine seat puddle jumper to Nassau, which simply did not show up. Nearly three hours later, a different mini plane shows up. Naturally, we missed the flight when we get to Nassau, but are able to get on a connecting flight through Houston an hour later. It felt nice to be home. Even listening to the cars, rather than the ocean, seemed comforting. No, Route 50 isn’t the Caribbean Sea from our bedroom window. But, it’s our home. And coming back it felt like our home. I felt giddy at the thought of starting our lives together. Married.

FISH TACOS WITH SESAME GINGER SLAW

Serves: 2

Fish Tacos Ingredients

1 lb. tilapia, sliced
1 egg, whisked
1 cup panko breadcrumbs
1 tsp paprika
1 thyme
1/2 tsp cayenne
salt and pepper
1 lemon
10 small corn tortillas

Sesame Ginger Slaw Ingredients

2 cups shredded green cabbage
1 small orange carrot, shredded
2 tbsp. pickled ginger, thinly sliced
1 sprig Thai basil (12-14 leaves)
2 tbsp. sesame seeds
1 heaping tbsp. tahini
Juice of 1/2 lime
1 tsp. sesame oil
1 tsp. tamari
1 tsp. agave nectar

Method

Preheat oven 425 degrees
Rinse tilapia fillets and slice into 2 inch pieces
Salt and pepper fish
Pour egg over fish in bowl and ensure every piece is coated with egg wash
In large Ziploc bag, mix panko and spices
Place egg-coated fish in the Ziploc bag, seal, and shake well
Once fish is coated in panko, bake for 12 to 15 minutes
Heat tortillas on a baking sheet for 2 minutes
To make the slaw, in a small bowl, whisk juice 1/4 lime, plain yogurt, 1 tbsp. tahini, 1 tbsp. tamari, 2 tsp. agave, set aside
To assemble the tacos, add a the fish on each tortilla
Top with slaw evenly, serve with additional lime wedges
*Recipe adapted from Jess Dang, Cup of Jo (2014)