September “Sip-Sip ™”
September brings back-to-school for island children, along with seasonal closings for many hotel properties throughout the Out Islands. This is a traditional time for maintenance, refurbishing, visits to relatives in the U.S. and England, and shopping of supplies for the winter season influx of visitors. ♦
New fast ferry to connect Abaco, Eleuthera, Grand Bahama Island and Nassau: The Government of The Bahamas, and Bahamas Fast Ferries are in active discussions on the startup of service that will connect the Island of Grand Bahama, Abaco, Eleuthera and New Providence.
Prime Minister, the Rt Hon. Perry Christie was in Grand Bahama to meet with the chairman of Bahamas Fast Ferries, Bahamian businessman, Mr. Craig Symonette, to discuss the project which will be situated on land near the former U.S. Missile Base docking facility at Gold Rock Creek. The land is owned by The Bahamas Government.
Chairman Symonette told the media that his company intends to develop the area in accordance with plans from the Bahamas Government to establish a port, “A local port, but eventually lead to the opening up of the northeast Bahamas. By that I mean direct service to Sandy Point, Abaco; North Eleuthera, and by opening up that quadrangle, we would open up the tourist facilities and the transmission of industrial progress.” With regards to a startup point for the project, Mr. Symonette said that from Bahamas Ferries point of view they could start tomorrow, noting they have the ships and manpower to do so. Mr. Symonette said his company will promptly submit drawings on the project to the Government, saying they will work with all the government agencies to make it happen as fast as possible.
The project will see passengers and cargo being taken to Sandy Point, Abaco with a quick turnaround and onto North Eleuthera and then Nassau.
On the subject of a timeline for the project the nation’s leader said that ‘They are going to come, and they are going to sit, and we are going to work out exactly how we go about making this a real destination and where people would be able to come from Freeport with their cars, or from Abaco to the Fast Ferry in Sandy Point and come over and move back and forth.” ♦
In general news, the Bahamas Billfish Championship folks, now has 40 years of BBC tournaments and lay-day parties’ with over 2,000 photos on DVD available for order through their website. The DVD has five ‘chapters’ so you can select the time frame you wish to view. Or, if you prefer, savior the memories from 1973 thru 2013 as a one-hour, forty-five minute show. Proceeds go to the BBC Scholarship Fund. ♦
Charter by the Seat, a/k/a Pioneer Airways, with flights to the Abacos and Bimini out of FXE (Fort Lauderdale Executive), has a new phone number for reservations: (954) 271-1210. ♦
THE ABACOS
Hopetown
Brigette Bower Carey, one of this quaint settlement esteemed, award winning artists, is giving a much sought after water color workshop this coming November. Here are the details: November 11, 12, and 13 (Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday) from 10 am to 4 pm. at Hummingbird Cottage Art Centre in Hope Town. Make your arrangements now as Mrs.Carey’s classes are extremely popular and sell out quickly. Her e-mail is: bowyerart@gmail.com. ♦
Gary the Explorer, Richardson, (Conch Salad TV), is back at Hopetown’s Harbour Lodge, Reef Bar. His larger than life smile is ready to serve up your favorites. (Gary will be working Tuesday through Saturday) Tel: (242) 366-0095. ♦
ANDROS
North
The proposed Agricultural and Marine Science Institute at The College of The Bahamas, slated to open in August 2014, will be located at the North Andros Campus. BAMSI, will help to promote food security in The Bahamas, with the establishment of a ‘tutorial commercial’ farm which will provide teaching, skills training, professional development, research, and extension work in the fields of agriculture and marine science; it is one of several Centers of Excellence that will mark the coming University of The Bahamas in 2015. The institute will provide academic training and extensive hands on orientation in crop and livestock production, farm management, environment conservation and agri-business. It will offer certificate, diploma and Associate degrees in collaboration with additional partners including The Bahamas Agricultural and Industrial Corporation (BAIC). College of The Bahamas Professor Olivia Saunders, Team Leader, University Transition Secretariat (UTS), said “The Bahamas imports over $1 billion worth of food each year, and it is time for us as Bahamians to reduce our reliance on others to feed us. The vision for The Bahamas Agriculture and Marine Science Institute is to significantly improve the capacity of Bahamians to feed themselves and manage their own resources. In addition to deepening the capacity of a people to become more self-reliant, national development also means a broader economic base and local ownership of the wealth generating engines of the economy. This Institute embodies these ideals and there is no more appropriate place for it to be situated than the national university. Also, there is no better time than now,” she said. ♦
BERRY ISLANDS
Chub Cay
It’s been quite awhile since there’s been an update out of the Chub Cay Club and Marina. Friends of mine, aboard a motor yacht, stopped by a few weeks ago on their way to Lyford Cay. The bar is open and fully operational, with long-time, personality plus, barkeeps; Remedy & Charlie serving guests in their inimitable style—always remembering names of yesteryear visitors. The marina was busy with yachts of varying sizes, the fuel dock has gas, and the Bellingham Docks are in good shape, the airstrip has been newly paved to accommodate business jets, and there’s now a tiny bar at the airports’ arrival/departure lounge (great spot for sunset). September is a good month for yellowtails, red hind, and triggerfish. Reservations for slips may be made at the Chub Cay Marina online, or by calling the island at (242) 325-1490, or, (954) 634-7496. Good Stuff. ♦
BIMINI
North
Exciting news—Tropic Ocean Airways’, 9 passenger Caravan floatplane is now in service. Round trip charters are available from Fort Lauderdale to Bimini via Sheltair Aviation, and in Miami at the historic Watson Island seaplane base. According to CEO, Rob Ceravolo, in the fall, there will be an additional 9 passenger Caravan on offer for charter, with executive seating. In the meantime, the scheduled aircraft with Tropic’s signature blue and white logo you now see flying in and out of Bimini’s seaplane base (NSB) will continue. Your exotic seaplane adventure begins here! ♦
Step back in time…for new visitors to Bimini; you may not be aware of some excellent historical offerings this little island has. You’ll find the Ashley Saunders, narrated, Historical Walking Tour of the island, a delightful, fascinating, excursion. Ashley, local historian, author, inspired environmental- enthusiast, former schoolteacher, and owner/designer of a masterpiece of hand-hewn craftsmanship known as the Dolphin House, knows all the interesting sights like the back of his hand —ruins of the Bimini Rod and Gun Club, Bimini Marlin & Tuna Club, the Bimini Museum, the site of the first Big Game Club, historic cemeteries, the first telephony station building — while offering personal history to your tour; what an added plus! Ashley may be reached on island: (242) 347-3201 or (best bet) for advance reservations through the Bimini Tourism Office at (242) 347-3529. ♦
The Bimini Big Game Club has added a new watering hole to its complex—the Shark Bar, which overlooks the Bimini Bull Run attraction. Future enhancements include a closed circuit camera allowing patrons to view nearby underwater scenes, especially when swimmers are in the cage system attached to the resort’s docks. Visit www.biggameclubbimini.com for details. ♦
South
Leave it to the champion of forward thinking, CEO of Bimini Sands Resort and Marina, Frank Cooney, Sr. to come up with something extra special for visitors to the tropical, nature island-paradise of South Bimini. In addition to the resorts’ popular all-inclusive packages (including all meals and adult beverages), during the fall and winter season, Mr. Cooney has announced a special private pilot rebate up to $75, to aviators who fly into Bimini International Airport (BIM) and stay a minimum of two nights at the resort—just 5 minutes from the airport. This rebate is intended to help cover the new processing fee of $50 to $75 for private pilots entering the Bahamas, which went into effect on July 1, 2013. Upon presentation of a valid pilot’s license and proof of payment of the processing fee, Bimini Sands will deduct the fee from the pilot’s final resort bill. Mr. Cooney says, “Most private pilots enjoyed paying zero fees upon landing at Bimini Airport until now. This rebate offer is our way of defraying the new fee and making a visit Bimini Sands and the Bimini Islands more affordable for those who want to fly here on their own.”
Just 50 miles east of Miami, Bimini has been a popular, convenient, destination of private pilots for numerous years, in particular, those departing from Florida. The flight usually takes less than an hour from most FBO’s and major airports in South Florida, offering fabulous views of the Florida Coast, the Gulf Stream, and on approach, Bimini’s famous, amazing, crystal clear gradients of cerulean waters. Bimini’s International Airport (BIM), has a 5,409-foot runway; fast and friendly on-site customs/immigration service; private aircraft parking/easily available space. (BIM) is currently undergoing improvements that will expand the runway and aircraft space even further.
Way to go Mr. Cooney! ♦
ELEUTHERA
Gregory Town
The new, luxury resort property—The Cove Eleuthera, has really stepped up the move toward specific resort/destination private air transportation approach. The Cove-Express Air package is taking off with guests who want to arrive at the Caribbean paradise in just 45 minutes from South Florida.
Since launching a July and August television advertising campaign in South Florida, 30 charter flights are booked, and flights for September and October are filling up. Cove, Eleuthera owner Sidney D. Torres, IV expanded the service to include a fleet of three 9-seat Cessna Caravans. The “Cove Express” flies to North Eleuthera airport (ELH) on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from Ft. Lauderdale Executive Airport (FXE). “By relying on an expanded fleet of planes we achieve a passenger volume that makes these direct flights affordable,” Torres said. “The Cove-Express eliminates the delays and hassles of layovers. Once our guests arrive in Ft. Lauderdale or Miami, we can make arrangements to book them on a short 45 minute flight.” Torres joined hands with Trend Air to guarantee three flights a week on the Cove-Express and expects to add a fourth plane to the fleet, a Falcon 50 (Sidney’s private plane), in coming weeks. The Falcon 50, may also be chartered privately.
The Cove, Express Package starts with a double occupancy requirement, and includes round-trip transportation from Ft. Lauderdale to Eleuthera and 3 nights of accommodations. For pricing and to reserve, contact the Cove, Eleuthera at (888-) 776-3901 or (242) 335-5142 or book online at www.thecoveeleuthera.com. ♦
EXUMA
Emerald Bay
Gordon “Butch” Stewart, International Chairman of Sandals Resorts, recently announced the acquisition of an additional 50 acres adjacent to the Emerald Bay property. In deciding to go public with this latest information, Mr. Stewart said he was responding to inquiries from multiple sources locally and elsewhere about the company’s plans. He also said, “It’s no secret that we’d “love” to open a Beaches Resort there”– (family all-inclusive.) Mr. Stewart further commented, “Whilst it’s in the very early days, we believe this acquisition will provide us with wonderful expansion opportunities in the future.” …at this stage we are simply thinking and talking, not planning.” ♦
In other Sandals-Emerald Bay news: In late July, the first ever fleet of 22 boats pulled into Sandals’ Marina at Emerald Bay to a rousing reception held in conjunction with the Ministry of Tourism (MOT). The flotilla’s stop in Exuma was part of a 12-day tour of the Bahamas arranged by Patrick Galipeau of InterMarine in Miami. Mr. Galipeau said he began these “escapades” after he realized many boat owners were nervous about making the crossing from Florida to the Bahamas alone. He said many of his customers have been interested in sailing to the Bahamas, but did not want to make the journey by themselves.
“After they experience the Bahamas, they would rather take their two-week vacation and use the boat (they keep in) in Florida because the weather is always cooperative and the water is so beautiful and the Bahamas is so close we can always enjoy that,” Mr. Galipeau said during the MOT reception. Sandals’ and the MOT hosted the sailing families with food, drink and music. Mr. Galipeau said he was delighted by the reception. “This reception… the welcome… we came here with 22 boats and it was professional, courteous, and easy,” he said. “We couldn’t believe the reception that we had and we are thankful. We will be back.” Dale Westin, general manager of Sandals’ Marina, said he intends to have more groups like the InterMarine escapade come to Exuma, adding that Mr. Galipeau’s group will be bigger in 2014.
“This is the first group that we had come down and it’s my intention to get a number of these groups to visit Exuma,” said Mr. Westin. “We had 120 people in attendance (at the reception). I’m really happy about that.” Mr. Galipeau’s flotilla comprised boats 35 to 72 feet, most carrying families from Europe, Venezuela, Nicaragua, Canada and the US. Their tour took them through Chub Cay to Nassau, then down to Staniel Cay and Great Exuma. The group then went back to Nassau and Paradise Island and then on to Bimini and back to Miami. “People want to enjoy life and the Bahamas is really a part of that for sure,” he said. ♦
Lee Stocking Island
A new business will soon be opened, due to government assistance, Exuma entrepreneur Daron “Big D” Tucker, said. Mr. Tucker, the proprietor of Big D’s Conch Shack at Steventon, said the government has made two and a half acres of land available to him to open another location of his popular eatery. In addition, he will use a “conch tour” to teach Bahamians and visitors about the popular Bahamian food, all due to the government’s assistance. “That has allowed me to have my own business, my own spot to do what I want to do – to do the conch tour, to attract more tourists to venture out into the Stocking Island area,” Mr. Tucker said. “What I have noticed over the years gone by since Sandals came here, most of their people like to go across the water (to Stocking Island). So at my other business in Steventon, people were not trafficking down there that much.”
Mr. Tucker said the small businesses in Exuma are also getting assistance with marketing. The Tourist Office on the island is actively promoting them with media and other high-profile visitors. The local Exuma Tourist Office has been working with a lot of young entrepreneurs right now to get them out there on the market on the worldwide scene,” he said. “When people come here, once they get on the site they see (recommendations) to check this place or that place.” Mr. Tucker said his goal is to promote the sustainability of conch as a food source. His conch tour will explain how long it takes for conch to reach maturity and when they should be harvested. He got the idea for the tour due to constant questions that visitors to the island had about conch. Contact “Big D” through the Exuma Ministry of Tourism: Tel: (242) 336-2430 Fax: (242) 336-2431. ♦
‘Til next time, more islands, and new discoveries…may all good things be yours.
She reach…
~Sandra
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