Eleuthera Truly is Freedom

After visiting Maui, Cozumel and Grand Cayman, we have discovered that the ocean really does come in more colors than the murky green we grew up with in California. Sand can be any color from the purest white to the blackest black. It was like blinders had been lifted from our eyes. We caught the snorkeling bug on those trips.

Yearning for another sun-soaked holiday on sand and sea, our own piece of paradise awaited us on Eleuthera, in the Out Islands of the Bahamas. Several thousand miles separated us from landlocked restlessness and tropical nirvana. Now I have to admit, my coastline craving is more severe than my husband's, but we're both equally hooked on the snorkel experience.

Flying over the alluring archipelago of the Bahamas was breathtaking. My husband and I stepped off the plane with my brother and sister-in-law. I felt an instant euphoria I cannot describe. We found simplicity, warm water, lots of sun, snorkeling perfection and above all, privacy and relaxation. The sleepy, laid-back Eleuthera is quite noticeably untouched by modern development. This skinny strip of land, measures approximately 100 miles long and is only 2 miles at the widest point. It's fairly undeveloped by most tropical resort standards. The island offers the simple, authentic flavors of the real Bahamas.

Arriving at our beach house, we ran straight out to the private beach and jumped into the crystal clear water. Stunned by the beauty and warmth of the ocean, we walked on sand that seemed like cool pink baby powder. The water ranged from baby blue, aqua, teal and the deepest azure.

We affectionately named an adorable stray dog that adopted us for the week, Sea Biscuit. Mongrels here are called "potcakes" a term unique to the Bahamas.

Every languid afternoon was spent snorkeling and shell hunting on deserted beaches. One long and rough trek brought us to Preacher's Cave, where a small band of English pilgrims seeking religious freedom, landed on the island some 300 years ago. They named it Eleuthera, or "Freedom" in Greek.