Queen’s Baths

The first time I experienced this wonder was a mere few hours before my continually delayed flight back to mainland New Providence. Friends who were also visiting the island at the time stressed that I must go – and so eager to make the introduction I followed them to the inconspicuous entrance lining the Queen’s Highway. Stepping out of my rental car, in the most inappropriate sandals for such an expedition, we headed east towards the jagged honeycomb limestone. Here I could hear the roar of the Atlantic Ocean before seeing it, the view obscured by layers upon layers of weather worn limestone. Heading northeast in the footsteps of friends, carefully navigating the precipice of the ironshore – every step more strategic than the last – our descent brought in to focus panoramic views of nature-made tidal pools and etched-limestone caves. Each filled with final remnants of the ocean before she made her shift out to sea. Unable to take advantage of the private sun-warmed baths, for neither was I appropriately dressed, I anticipated my return to Eleuthera even before the departure of my afternoon flight.

I envisioned outstretched arms, floating somewhere between not a care in the world and time that seems to go by no clock.