ROUGHING IT IN PARADISE Camping On Picturesque Rose Island Campsite on Rose Island
By Nikia Wells Photographs courtesy of Nikia Wells
Imagine… The sweet smell of gooey marshmallows caramelizing on an open flame, as the crisp spray of the ocean dances in the air. A group of strangers-turned-camping-buddies tell stories, adding bits and pieces to an unfolding tale around the warm orange and blue hues of the fire. By the end of the improvised fairytale, a biggity magical mermaid is saved from the clutches of a charming ogre via the power of friendship ... and brownies. The group is content, laughing, and full, from a fresh fish dinner, caught that same day, no doubt, that is surrounded by onions, sweet peppers, plantains, and lime juice all cooked in foil atop an open fire. There are no tables, but the ocean is just feet away from the campsite, and a magenta sunset serves as a backdrop. Before turning in for the evening, tired from an unforgettable trek up a winding, rocky cliff, the group takes in a cheeky game of Crimes Against Humanity. They are then lulled to sleep by the sounds of the calm ocean caressing the powdery sand shore...
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Campfire
amping isn’t usually synonymous with “Bahamian living”. While many men, women, children and even babies, from around the country, grew up playing games like ‘bat and ball’, while running barefoot, fishing with a simple line and hook, catching massive land crabs with their bare hands, cooking delicious meals on an outdoor grill, and navigating the tallest mango tree if it meant getting the ripest, juiciest and sweetest fruit, not many would jump at the chance to sleep in the rugged outdoors. For an adventurous few, those who often take to the beach or pine forest with just a tent, flashlight and a few essentials, they understand the pure joy of disconnecting from the world around them, looking to the starry night’s sky while telling scary stories, and waking up to the golden rays of a quiet sunrise. The sense of adventure that comes with ditching the distractions of electronics and smartphones, indoor plumbing, and the concrete walls of a traditional home can be both thrilling and freeing. However, giving up all comfort amenities is a daunting and frightening prospect, for some. Thankfully, camping has evolved over the years. Groups like Island Adventure Experiences are providing Bahamians and visitors alike with a taste of the outdoors, along with certain creature comforts. The camping tour, which departs from Montague Beach, provides campers with a scenic 30-minute boat ride to a Rose
july 2022
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