Well hello there! If you follow our journey, you know that after a year in Costa Rica, we gave up our apartment keys and headed back to the states to unpack, work a bit, re-pack and get ready for our next adventure. What’s the next adventure? It turned out to be an unexpected one! Imagine sitting at a casual dinner when the joke of cruising to the Bahamas on your brother’s boat, quickly turns into an unforgettable water ride across a section of the Atlantic Ocean!
Our adventure began at Jake’s, Matt’s brother’s, house in South Florida. As we were visiting and catching up over none other than our homemade tacos, Jake casually asked, “What do you guys want to do this week?” Jokingly, Matt said, “Let’s go to The Bahamas!” To our surprise, he took the sarcastic suggestion seriously, and within moments, our passports were unpacked. The next two days were a whirlwind of preparation, excitement, and a little bit of momma nerves in Erika’s corner. This would be her first journey across open waters (with no land in sight) on a boat smaller than a ship… and with a five-year-old!
We loaded up the boat with all the essentials for an early morning departure. The energy was almost comical at the dock as we prepped to set sail. Erika was still a little nervous and Matt was super pumped with his camera in hand. As captain Jake, (Matts brother) gave a briefing, his wife (also Erika) got everything tied down and ready to set sail… well, even tho there were no sails. The rest of the family consisted of two tired teenagers and a hyper 5-year-old ready for the snacks.
The boat ride from Florida to The Bahamas was nothing short of entertaining. As we set off, the sun was rising, casting a golden glow over the water, or “sparkleys”, if you ask Shanti. Matts brother, a fire captain and experienced boat man, took the drivers seat while the rest of us settled in for the ride. The bumpy ride!
As we cruised through the open water, we experienced a mix of weather conditions. At times, the sea was calm and peaceful, while other moments brought dark clouds, choppy waves and an increased heart rate. Despite catching air a few times, and Erika’s full bladder, the thrill of the journey was fabulous and hit high with the sight of the islands coming into view.
After about three hours heading east, the sight of the turquoise water and white sandy beaches was breathtaking. We docked at a gorgeous harbor, where we were greeted with warm hospitality and a much-needed toilet for Erika.
The beautiful thing about short trips, is the natural desire to pack in as many memories as possible. This was definitely the case for our 24 hours in the vibrant Bahamas! From paddle boarding along the clear watered coast, to dancing our way behind the local parade, every moment was a new adventure. We even got to capture incredible footage (thanks to Matt’s drone) of dolphins playing just off shore that will be cherished forever.
One of the best parts of this weekend was the quality time we got to spend together as a family. Being on the boat was like our own little floating family reunion. We laughed, swapped stories, and watched Shanti grow closer to her family. Harper, now 16, taught Matt about fishing which was super cool and a little hilarious. Who knew his teen nephew would school him on something other than video games?! Just one more event that reminds us why these adventures are so important and keeps our travels unforgettable!
As we wrapped up our time in The Bahamas, we had already planned our next big trip. Tomorrow, we fly out to Doha! You guys, Doha Qatar!We are dreaming of the content that we’ll get in such an unfamiliar place with new food, uncharted roads, and a culture none of us have ever experienced.
We hope our adventures inspire you to embrace spontaneity and cherish the moments spent with loved ones. Don’t forget to subscribe to our YouTube channel and follow us on social media for more travel stories and tips.
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Here’s the Tico Ceviche Recipe Matt promised in our video!
This is the Tico Ceviche Recipe we learned living in Costa Rica! This will surly impress any of your friends and it is actually really easy to make! Everyone like theirs different, and all the portions can be changed to taste. Some people like it more soupy by adding more of ginger ale, and some people like us enjoy it more like a pico de gallo.
White Fish like Tilapia, Mahi Mahi, Yellow Tail, or Snapper as an example
Lots of limes!
Tomato
1 Red onion
1 red bell pepper
2 bundles cilantro
Salt
Pepper
And the secret ingredient – Ginger Ale!
You can also add some mango in there if you’d like! But we prefer the more sharp fresh test without it.
Instructions
Cut fish into small pieces. About the size of a dime or less and put into a large bowl. Then juice the limes over the fish until the fish is mostly covered with lime juice. Mix together to insure the lime juice is coating the fish evenly.
Then cut up all the other veggies and start to pile on top of the fish without mixing it in.
Wait about 30-60 min for the lime juice to cook the fish. Then add the ginger ale (about 1 to 4 cups depending on taste) and mix it all up! Add salt and pepper to taste and enjoy with a soup or chips!
