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Pleasure island A taste of the tropics, long stretches of beaches, casinos and the warmth of the locals make the Bahamas an ideal holiday spot, writes
Kiran Soni Gupta
Less than 100 miles off the east coast of Florida, blessed with the perfect location, perfect climate, averaging 75 degrees, and the perfect surroundings, crystal clear turquoise blue waters and pearly white beaches, the Bahamas consist of over 700 islands and cays. Covering over 100,000 sq miles of the Atlantic Ocean, they are the perfect destination for the next escape, honeymoon, or family vacation. The winter break propelling us from the snowy Syracuse to tropical Orlando and then onwards to enjoy the warm Bahamian reception and the idyllic climate made it an ideal holiday destination. From West Palm Beach, it is accessible by plane or boat, with many airlines flying out of Fort Lauderdale and Miami airports to the recently refurbished Freeport Airport, making it a popular vacation spot for visitors looking for a taste of the tropics. It was the famous six-hour Discovery Cruise from Port Everglades, which took us to the islands under the care of a former Indian Navy officer working aboard. The short journey had surprise offers, giving us a true everlasting Bahamian friend, Mr Gibbs, a retired teacher. Each of the islands of the Bahamas is unique with its individual character and charm. The peace loving Lucayan Indians were the original settlers in the 10th century who fled the Lesser Antilles to avoid a clash with the Caribbean Indians. Christopher Columbus arrived in 1492 on the island of San Salvador (Cat Island) and named the largest island Gran Bajamar, Great Shallows, a name that evolved into Grand Bahamas. Long stretches of deserted clean-white beaches, inviting hotels, casinos, night-time entertainment and world-class scuba diving facilities and land and sea sports make Freeport a resort centre full of fun and action. On the eastern and western ends of the island are serene and quaint settings and easy hideaway spots. The famed recluse, Howard Hughes, made his home in the penthouse suite of Xanadu Resort to enjoy this sun-rich region. Lucaya, the capital city and the second largest, is one of the best-known destinations. Specifically designed for the tourist trade, the picturesque marketplace features terrific duty-free shopping, a golf resort and many other attractions to keep visitors entertained and enthralled. This six-acre complex is a great place to spend an evening exploring the shops or eating at a popular restaurant. The 10-acre international bazaar in downtown, with sections representing different parts of the world, has its own collection of shops and restaurants. We spent a day exploring the bazaar, rediscovering treasures from around the world and running out of money. The Bahamian casino, Isle of Capri, came handy. The gaming action at the casinos rolls on virtually non-stop, featuring craps, blackjack, roulette, mini-baccarat, and the latest slot machines. After sunset, the night comes alive with entertainment and spectacle. After a fill of partying and playing the odds, the cozy bar on the beach in the moonlight skipping across the ocean is an unforgettable refreshing retreat. On New Year’s day, with offices closed, we were fortunate to witness the grand colourful parade, Junkanoo. For nature lovers, submarine, hydro flora gardens and the botanical gardens at Garden of the Groves, an 11-acre park filled with cascading waterfalls and tropical birds, is the best offer. The experience of the major habitats comes alive in the 40-acre Lucayan National Park, famous for its limestone caves. Water sports of all kinds, from cruises deep-sea fishing, swimming with dolphins, snorkeling, and scuba diving to exploring some of the world’s loveliest coral reefs, are all there. With its impressive combination of ecological wonders and manmade attractions, the island generously offers something for everyone, including two or three vacations in one. The challenge is deciding which to try first. The visitor’s choice to stay seems endless, from a charming waterfront hotel to a modern resort. From our Lucaya Beach and Golf Resort’s luxurious modern atmosphere to Paradise Cove’s apartment rooms with full kitchens, there are accommodations to suit every taste. The world-class Westin and Sheraton with five-star facilities, 14 restaurants and a convention centre is one of the island’s largest hotels. The refurbished Grand Bahama Beach Hotel is another good offer. Pinder’s Point and Smith’s Point are some of the sleepy settlements off the beaten path that offer a quieter atmosphere. The innovative programmes of the Ministry of Tourism like the Bahamas host programme and the new infrastructure are ready to take the economy to new heights. The container port is the largest and most modern in the Caribbean. As a member of the British Commonwealth with parliamentary democracy, the Bahamas attained independence from Great Britain on July 10, 1973. It has prospered through tourism, international banking and investment management. The Bahamas has no taxes — income, corporate, capital gains — except a stamp tax of 7 per cent on goods imported for business, which is the main source of revenue for the government. Certain items are imported for sale duty-free, offering incredible bargains to tourists. There are offshore holding companies and secret bank accounts. With the Bahamas’ stable government and excellent tax policy, it is the place to do business in. It is relatively simple to gain permanent residency status with the expenditure of $500,000 on real estate. Employment is offered to Bahamians rather than foreigners, which keeps unemployment low. Real estate is booming in the Bahamas, as thousands of Americans, Europeans, and Asians are discovering Bahamas as the best place to buy their second oceanfront home which offers them not only the pride of ownership but also a great vehicle for reaping profits on sale. This is the most lucrative investment in light of the Hawksbill Creek Agreement that stipulates no real estate taxes until 2015. Private property is easy to acquire and protect with an advanced and efficient legal system based on English common law. After the hurricanes, this city is now poised for success with its immense potential for growth. |
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