in theirmouths, andwordhasapparently
gottenoutamong thesharkcommunityof
herspecial talents.
“Thesharks learn,”shesays. “They
communicate.Wedon’tknowhow they
communicate,but theydo.”
Oneof themostrecentsharksCristina
operatedonwasa“wideandslowold lady”
whohadbeenblinded inoneeye,most
likelyduringmating, aviolentritual that
often leaves the femalewithbitewounds
andgashes.Theeyewasasblackascoal
andshedidn’t like tobe touched.Thenone
day, sheshowedupwithahookandwire
dangling fromhermouthandbumped
Cristinaas if tosay, “Hey, canyouhelpme
outhere?”
Cristinasays it tookonlyabout30
minutes toremove thehook, andwhen it
wasdone,FoggyEyeslappedher in the
facewithher tail andswamaway.Now
FoggyEye isaregularatSharkJunction,
UNEXSO’sunofficialunderwatercafé.
“Shewent from ‘Donot touchme’ to
alwayshere,”saysCristina. “She’s the
sharkIalwayswantedasachild. She
nudgesmeand justdrops.”
Idesperatelywant tosee thismodern-
daysharkwhisperer inaction,butfirst
Ihave to lowermyselfon thedive line,
TAKEABITEOUTOF
THEBAHAMAS
GrandBahama Island is 55miles off the
coast of Florida and is known for its pris-
tinebeaches andunique adventures, such
as divingwithmany species of sharks.
STAY
PelicanBayHotel
is aboutique retreat in
theheart of Freeport withinwalkingdistance
of restaurants and shops at thePort Lucaya
Marketplace. Rates start at $132.
Pelicanbayhotel.com
TheGrandLucayan
(below) is anall-
inclusive resort onagorgeousmile-long
stretchof beach.Activities includenon-
motorizedwater sports, an 18-hole champi-
onshipgolf courseanda spa. Rates start at
$140per night per person.
Grandlucayan.com
MemoriesGrandBahamaBeach&Casino
Resort
is an all-inclusive family-friendly
resort occupying ahalf-mileof beach across
from the strawmarket inFreeport. Rates
start at $309per night per person.
Memoriesresorts.com
EAT
For a true tasteof the island’s flavor,
Wednesdaynight FishFry at
Smith’sPoint
is the local go-to for fresh conch and fried
snapper.Also try their famousGullyWash,
amixtureof gin, coconut water and con-
densedmilk.
Bahamas.com
Theoceanfront
PierOne
restaurant serves
fresh lobster (when in season), shrimp, stone
crab and conch.A few times anight, the
staff throws chum in thewater to attract
lurking sharks.Consider it dinner and a
show.
Pieronebahamas.com
PLAY
AtUNEXSO, located in theheart of Free-
port, you can arrange to kiss adolphin, take
a swimwith them in a lagoonor feed sharks
on a scubadive. If the thought of kissing a
dolphindoesn’t suit you, there’s kayaking,
cavediving and snorkeling too.
Unexso.com
76
NOVEMBER2015
AMERICANWAY
After sharkdiving,
get your blood
pressureback to
normal by lounging
on thebeach.
PHOTOS
GAI L MOONEY/CORB I S
