Barreterre
Ambler Isle
V and S
Thu 5 May 2011 11:34
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We seldom go to Barreterre, but always enjoy the small
settlement 40 miles north of Georgetown. We hopped into the dinghy
and went the 5 miles across the bank, tying off at the rickety government
dock. First stop, That Same Ole Place restaurant, owners Vincent
and Von. We received a surprise phone call from Vincent last year,
inquiring if we'd be coming to see them that year. They were glad to see
us today. The restrooms were freshly scrubbed, our table set up in the
middle of the open dining room. We ordered conch burgers, barracuda, and
fries. Vincent was going to Georgetown and said we could go along for the
ride if we wanted. We hopped into his van and were off. Touring the
island is always fun. We drove thru settlements we'd boated past
before. Roker is where weatherman Al Roker from the Today Show was
born. Thompson is where the tomatoes are grown. There is a section
of older tourists resorts. Everything was different by car. We made
several stops along the way: the airport, the bank, the government offices, the
hardware store, the liquor store, and the grocery. It seemed odd being
back in Georgetown. Only a few boats remained in the harbour. Our
favorite produce man, Jerry, was in town with fresh homegrown tomatoes and
papaya. We also bought a few provisions for the trip north.
Back in Barreterre, Vincent helped us unload our booty at the dock. He
wanted us to go fishing with him sometime. Then we went back to a
tamerind tree we'd spotted earlier and picked a bag of the sour fruit. I
would peel it, boil it down to get the seeds out, strain it, and make a side
dish for fish. Many older Bahamian have told us they have fond
memories of their mothers making a kind of pudding of tamarinds, but no one eats
it here anymore. We appear to be the only people in the Bahamas who
do. Back aboard the Amber Isle, we were tired, hot, but
happy. A nice swim off the back platform was a nice ending the
day.
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