For many people renting an island is the first step towards island ownership. However when on a private island rental it is hard to shake the feeling of ownership. Recently New York Times Journalist David Carr ventured with his wife to an uninhabitat Bahamian island with his wife for six days of mostly off the grid living. Here is what he had to say.

Once there, there would be no daily list of activities, sightseeing trips to knock out, television or business centers I might use to “check in” at work. Instead, just a solar-powered house, two small beaches and a few walking paths measured in feet, not miles. There was only one thing on the island that might interrupt the seance of serenity and relaxation. Me.

After four days, I had to take to the boat to Long Island to buy more supplies. Although the people there were hilariously friendly and all seemed to share the same last name (Cartwright), I could not wait to get back to a place where there were no cars. I didn’t really anticipate how luxurious it would feel to see no one. The beach at Cancun is great and all, but not having to spend your vacation asking permission, directions or help is a freedom that cannot be underestimated.

With just the two of us, the house and the island became characters, engaging us with their own rituals. When the photovoltaic lights on the deck came on, we knew the last bits of sun were about to disappear. The direction of the breeze told us which room to sleep in, and the expanse of the sky would convey whether the rain was just passing over or would be hanging around for a bit.

If you are at all interested in renting an island it’s a great read and quite informative. To read the full article click here.