Cautious Climbing at Eleuthera's Queen's Baths
Baths are my favorite method of relaxation, sitting in warm water always soothes away stress and fatigue. Climbing through the craggy hills and coves to reach Eleuthera's Queen's Baths , I felt both of these sentiments without so much soothing.
The Queens Baths are small, natural, tidal pools surrounded by miles of uneven coral and oolitic limestone. Yes, I had an informal geology lesson while scaling the formations. Oolitic limestone is composed of calcium carbonate "oolites", which are small spheres formed by the precipitation of calcium carbonate on sand grains or shell fragments. In other words, deep grooves covered the formations as you can see above. In order to make it to the Baths, you need steady feet, good balance and sturdy- soled shoes. Of course, I had none of these. Fortunately, I made it by walking slowly and carefully.
I wasn't about to climb down the curvy rocks that lead into the pools in my sandals but the water rippled enticingly. The pools are only about two feet deep and are replenished by water from the Atlantic which is warmed by the sun to about 85 degrees.
A large cavern cut by centuries of waves washing over it, sits behind the Baths. The Queens Baths deliver fantastic views and the surrounding limestone formations expand in a glorious stretch for hundreds of feet. Just don't expect the kind of relaxation you get from your usual bath.
Comments
That's 100% true.
Thank god for the jacuzzi in my building that provides a similar feeling of relaxation.
On a serious note, though, those rocks do look perilous. You were brave. I loved the natural enclosures and in Cuba we have many, although I hasten to add, the ones I have visited don't require so much climbing.
Great post, I enjoyed those views a lot. And 85? I feel jealous. It's a chilly morning here in GB.
Greetings from London.
Catherine, the Baths are beautiful, I just wish they were easier to walk on.
Eileen, I didn't have sturdy shoes, steady feet or blance! It was truly a hard trek for me.
Amanda, your husband propobably would. My husband kept insisting that I should wear hiking boots and doesn't understand why hiking boots and swimsuits don't go together!
Bathroom trade, thanks for dropping by!
Cubano,yes, the Baths are 85 and perilous but you get to go to Malaysia so nothing to be jealous of!
Mary, I've seen those shoes, I was actually approached to review a pair. THe problem is, we weren't told we would need sturdy shoes, we had just come from snorkling.
Eden, couldn't quite sit on the rocks because they were so craggy but the views were beautiful. Thanks for stopping by.
I just love exploring those kinds of places.