Diving with a turtle on Andros, Bahamas!

This little guy was so great on our dive last week! Ever been diving with sea turtles? Where was it?

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Feild trip to Abaco

Last week our fearless leader, Jeff Birch, and Divemaster Fede went to see an old Small Hope friend Brian Kakuk. Brian lives on Abaco and is a world-renowned cave diver and explorer. Brian was coming to Small Hope for a week to do some diving in some of Andros' blue holes and also to have a romantic getaway with his lovely wife Michelle. 

So Fede and Jeff decided to fly Jeff's plane to Abaco and pick Brian up. But while they were there . . . the Abacos of the Bahamas are known for having some of the most beautiful and extensive blue hole cave dives in the world. And neither Jeff or Fede would ever pass up the opportunity for a REALLY cool dive! So the three guys got their equipment and headed to Dan's Cave.

Here is Fede's video of the day . . .

Also check out Brian Kakuk's website for more information about cave diving in the Bahamas! Pin It Now!

Memories at Small Hope and Cereal in Trees

Something that I've really enjoyed about interning here is how often people ask me how it is that I ended up in the Bahamas, particularly Small Hope. When I answer 'Actually, I've been here before. I was about four years old the first time I visited,' the expressions on everyone's faces goes into an exciting state of shock and joy. It's pleasant to see so many families come here with their children and when I watch the kids jump around the beach and games room I so often think 'Wow, that was me some time ago...that's pretty wild.' A number of guests have asked me to tell stories about my former experiences and they also ask how much things have changed here. And what's nice to say is that things don't really change all that much around Small Hope, and most of the grounds look just the way they did a year ago, 13 years ago and 17 years ago.

My sister and I c. 1995

Coming back always yields a great amount of nostalgia and when I walk down the line of cabins a lot of memories crop up. This morning when I was walking to breakfast, I glanced over at some of the cabins (cabin 1 and 2) and remembered some moments as I noticed a particular tree whose trunk bears an unusual shape. This tree has a large limb that was cut off  a long time ago, which makes for a pretty comfortable seat and is probably something that goes unnoticed. What's funny is that it was there 13 years ago (a lot longer than 13 years probably) and my older sister and I had quite a bit of fun with it back then. 

Back in the day, Small Hope used to have those small cereal boxes at the breakfast buffet--you know, those ones that are great for roadtrips and have a mixture of children's favorites like Fruit Loops and the not so favorites like Raisin Bran. Well, we had the brilliant idea of taking them from the buffet, along with soda cans from the coolers, and actually sell them to guests. We went to the tree whose funny trunk makes a great stand, and set up shop with a sign, Mardi Gras beads and all sorts of decorative shells. We sat around and waited, waited while shouting at passersby and actually made a profit from selling Small Hope's breakfast supply! Granted, it was marginal and probably 77 cents or something like that, but it was an exciting entrepreneurial endeavor to take on as a 9 year old. It's fun to walk by that tree and think about how cool I felt when I was little to revamp the notion of a lemonade stand and sell packaged goods in a tree. Maybe I'll take Kaliks out there some day and try to sell them to guests when the boss ain't lookin!

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Return Guest T-shirt Contest!

We're looking to have a new design for the shirts we give to our return guests and want everybody's input! So to combat this quest, we're holding a design contest and would love to have as many participants as possible. Fun, quirky, fishy designs are always great and anything that you feel suits the experiences you've had at Small Hope Bay Lodge. Think water, fish, diving, relaxing, hammocking, family, food, or whatever else comes to mind when you think of Small Hope. Our current shirt has a Small Hope logo on the front side with a large design on the back sharing a quote from Dick Birch.

Some examples of former T-shirt designs include lists of quotes, birds, funny underwater pictures and others.

We're accepting submissions and the only thing you need to make sure is that your images are saved at a minimum resolution of 300 dpi (pixels per inch). Please email your submissions to shbmktandros@gmail.com  and let's get this contest rolling! Get creative! We love quirky and fun!

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Bahamian Night Conch Salad

Conch Salad

yield 1-5 servings

5 Fresh conch, skinned & cleaned, cut up small

2 Onions, diced (small)

4 Tomatoes diced (small) 

5 Cucumbers diced (small)
3 Sweet pepper diced (small)
3 pcs Celery diced (small)
3 Fresh lime juice
3. Orange Juice
3 T. Salt, as needed
1/8 t. Pepper sauce


1.      Cut up everything as directed, and mix together.
2.      Add limejuice, orange juice, salt and pepper.
3.      Mix well, taste and adjust seasoning as necessary.

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Viva la Coconut!

They're everywhere!

In recent years, I've noticed quite a trend in the production of bottled coconut water--where grocery store shelves are lined with the small pouches of 'nature's medicine'. The hype seems to be growing and growing, and lots of new brands are coming out with their own versions of 'pure coconut water'. It's extremely hydrating, rich in potassium and magnesium, aids digestion, reduces stress while providing energy, and bears antiviral properties (sounds like quite the elixir!). While it's nice that people are acknowledging a seemingly healthier alternative to energy drinks and turning to natural options like coconut water, it's really wonderful to have the opportunity to have real water from the fresh coconuts here on the island.

In researching the health benefits of the coconut, it's delightful to learn how far back in history and different cultures these benefits are recognized. They've been used for energy and hydration in areas where water quality is poor and food scarce--offering some bits of nutrients and sugars to keep going. In fact, the Sanskrit for coconut palm, kalpa vrishka,  translates as 'the tree that provides all the necessities of life.' So hey, if that doesn't sum up the multifaceted advantages of the coconut, I'm not sure what will.

Fresh coconut water in my room

Considering these wonderful health attributes and also what I think to be a delicious beverage, I'm surprised how few people who stay here take interest in trying fresh coconuts. Maybe it's not something that directly comes to mind as something to try since some of the trees are so tall and as they say--out of sight out of mind. But this place is teeming with fallen coconuts--all laying on the ground or rolling into large piles as seen behind the cabins. So they're really not out of our sight at all! In the month(ish) that I've been here, I can only think of three guests who have plucked a green coconut from the palm and asked someone to cut it open to try the 'nectar'. This seems like a very small number of people to me, and I hope more are curious because they're really tasty, and as we have already established--very healthful. I personally have made a pleasant habit of having a couple fresh coconuts a week, eating the jelly as a dessert...mmm. 

If you're coming to stay here for any length of time, I highly recommend at least trying one of the coconuts. After all, we have a special coconut machete for hacking away at the shell. Or you can even taking one to the bar and having Tony make you a super-fresh 'Sky Breeze'....a delicious rum drink with fresh coconuts. But if you don't care to try any, that's okay too....because that leaves for coconuts for me! 

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Reese's Peanut Butter Cup Pie

In the past week I've had the pleasure to feast on the Reese's Peanut Butter Pie several times for dessert (several times in a week! wow!! I feel so spoiled). And as promised to Spencer and co., here's the recipe to make back home with your famous chocolate sauce.

Reese’s Peanut Butter Pie Makes 8-16 portions
Crust:
1 ½ cups Graham Cracker crumbs
2 tbsp Sugar ¼ cup cocoa powder
3 tbsp. Butter, melted
Filling:
1 cup creamy peanut butter
1/3 cup powdered sugar
1 egg yolk
1 ½ cup Whipped topping
1 packages instant chocolate pudding 4 serving size (or any flavor)
2 cups milk

1. Combine graham cracker crumbs, sugar, cocoa powder and butter.
2. Mix well and press into pan.
3. Bake at 350F for 10 minutes.
4. Cool completely.
5. Blend peanut butter, and powdered sugar, until smooth; blend in egg yolk.
6. Fold in whipped topping.
7. Spread this mixture into crust.
8. Mix the milk with the pudding and blend until it thickens and of proper consistency.
9. Spread evenly on peanut butter mixture.
10. Refrigerate for 3 to 4 hours or until set.

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