| My family has been visiting Spanish Wells, Bahamas | | | | Spanish Wells is already developed, many of the |
| since 1999. To arrive to this fabulous slice of | | | | newer homes are being built in Russell Island by the |
| paradise, we fly into the the North Eleuthera, | | | | younger Bahamian generation, or by foreigners |
| Bahamas airport (ELH), and then take a ground taxi | | | | moving in. |
| to the North Eleuthera dock, called Gene's Bay. From | | | | Russell Island is still fairly quiet, as it is a larger area |
| there we board a five-minute ferry in anticipation of | | | | than Spanish Wells, and many of the homes are |
| our arrival to the Spanish Wells town dock. While | | | | sparsely scattered as it is in its early development |
| riding in the ferry, I am always enamoured by the | | | | stage. As you are traveling through some of the |
| sparkling turquoise sea as I approach the unique | | | | roads here, it is fun to watch the goats that are |
| fishing village with the pastel colored homes and | | | | fenced in, as you pass them by in your rented golf |
| fishing boats. I am amazed at the size and beauty of | | | | cart. Russell Island is home to many different kinds of |
| some of these fishing boats at the dock. Lobster | | | | fruit trees such as bananas, sour oranges, breadfruit, |
| fishing is the primary industry of the locals here, and | | | | coconut trees and more. There is great birdwatching |
| Spanish Wells is known as the "lobster capital" of the | | | | here, and the sunsets are spectacular, too. |
| Bahamas. Although the fishermen here are | | | | The population of the Spanish Wells/Russell Island |
| prosperous, it is very hard work. | | | | area is about 1,800 people. Many of the Bahamian |
| Spanish Wells is the town of the St. George's Cay | | | | locals here share the same common last name such |
| Island (about a one-by-three mile area), a charming | | | | as Pinder, Higgs, etc. You will find that the locals are |
| tropical village with all the modern conveniences. | | | | very hard-working people, and many multi-talented. |
| Spanish Wells is where all of the commercial | | | | This is a close-knit, family-oriented and religious |
| development is located (the restaurants, grocery | | | | community. Many of the businesses are closed on |
| stores etc.), most of which are located near the | | | | Sunday. |
| dock or on Main Street. The surrounding homes in | | | | The main mode of transportation for tourists is golf |
| Spanish Wells are artistically painted with bright and | | | | carts. Golf carts can be rented at the dock. |
| pastel tropical colors, which are offset by the | | | | The locals generally own either a car, pick-up truck or |
| beautiful Caribbean floral landscaping. Spanish Wells | | | | golf cart. Driving is on the left side of the road. Many |
| also is home to some favorite beach spots. | | | | of the locals are very friendly and welcoming, and it |
| Nearby Russell Island is an approximately | | | | is very common for them to wave to tourists as |
| two-by-four-mile island that connects to Spanish | | | | they pass them by on the streets. |
| Wells by a small bridge. As much of the town of | | | | |