Today would be my last day in the Bahamas. I woke up around 8 AM feeling absolutely dreadful. Pulling back the curtains, I saw a thick blanket of clouds outside—not exactly inspiring. Deciding to prioritize sleep, I crawled back into bed and aimed for a late checkout around 10:50 AM. The tour would have to wait, but honestly, with the limited time and gloomy weather, I didn’t mind skipping it.
Another Travel Day
After resetting all my alarms, I crawled back into bed for a bit more rest. By 10:10 AM, I finally woke up and got moving. I packed my small bag, brushed my teeth, and, on a last-minute whim, decided to take another shower—might as well make use of the two fresh towels waiting in the bathroom!
At 10:55 AM, I made my way to the lobby for checkout. Thankfully, everything was in order with the bill (shoutout to my credit card for taking the hit, haha). Those two nights were pricey, no doubt, but totally worth it. I needed a relaxing escape, even if the jet lag tried its best to ruin the vibe.
After grabbing Subway, I decided to lounge by the pool for a while. With the ferry scheduled to depart at 7 PM, I had plenty of time to kill and planned to head to the port around 5:30 PM. When my laptop battery started running low, I relocated to the lobby and found a cozy sofa conveniently positioned next to a power socket. Perfect spot to recharge—both myself and my laptop!
Skype in the Lobby
While relaxing in the lobby, I caught up on Game of Thrones and chipped away at some writing. The best part of the afternoon, though, was a Skype call with my older brother—it had been over six months since we last chatted! To top it off, I got to see my little niece on the webcam. She’d grown so much in the past few months—it was incredible to see how quickly time flies.
Around 4:30 PM, I headed to Subway for another sandwich, figuring it would be cheaper than grabbing something on the ferry—and I was right. With no other affordable food options nearby, it was the best choice. Back at the hotel, I prepared for the taxi ride to the port, bracing myself for the $27 fare. But the bellhop had other plans. When I told him where I was headed, he arranged a shared cab with a family, cutting my cost down to just $10. That little act of kindness was a much-appreciated surprise!
More Game of Thrones
During the crossing, I kept myself busy with Game of Thrones and some writing, though sleep eluded me completely. By 9:45 PM, we arrived at Port Everglades. Before disembarking, I approached two friendly crew members to ask about affordable transport options. They mentioned that the train wasn’t running at this hour. Thankfully, one of their colleagues stepped in with a helpful suggestion and gave me the number of a taxi service that would charge $50 to Miami Beach—a much better deal than the usual $120 fare.
I was the very last person to leave the boat—so late they were already preparing to lift the bridge. Once inside the terminal, I was eager to call Jaoã, but phone use wasn’t allowed indoors, so I had to wait until I got outside. The immigration process was painfully slow. There were two lines: one for Americans and another for foreigners. As luck would have it, I ended up waiting 40 minutes, and being the last person in line didn’t help my patience.
Cab Drivers being Cab Drivers
Once I was outside, I called the taxi and got lucky—the driver was just about to head home. He told me I needed to go to the Walgreens on Eisenhower Street (or lane or avenue). I asked for directions at the terminal, and they pointed me to a gate that should lead me there, but it was locked. I had to walk all the way around the port area to reach the Walgreens, which they assured me was just around the corner.
As I was walking, a cab left the terminal and pulled up next to me, offering me a ride. I asked if he knew where Walgreens was, and he told me it would be a 20-minute walk around the port. He offered to take me there for $10. I shot him a look that said, “Are you serious?” and firmly refused, knowing that price was ridiculous. I was annoyed beyond belief with the cab drivers at that point. When he asked where I was headed next, I told him Miami Beach, and his expression shifted to one of disbelief at the potential fare he’d lose out on. I didn’t hold back and told him to take a hike.
The area around Terminal 1 at Port Everglades was completely fenced off, and there was extensive roadwork taking place. I called the driver again, and he told me to meet him at the Chevron gas station instead. I left the port and made my way to the gas station, where I finally met him after about five calls. He explained that he wasn’t allowed to enter the port since he didn’t have the proper license.
Finally on my way to Miami
Just as the guy on the ferry had mentioned, the ride was $50, and I was relieved it was that affordable. If you’re looking for a reliable and budget-friendly option, I recommend this cab driver. For anyone in Miami, Fort Lauderdale, or West Palm Beach, consider calling Florida Shuttle at (954) 479-6867—it might save you some money.
I arrived at the hostel around midnight and unpacked my bag right away. By 1 am, I was finally ready to sleep, with my alarm set for 7 am.
