Positioned some 50 miles off the coast of Florida, The Bahamas is a 100,000-square-mile archipelago made up of some 700 islands.
Afro-Bahamians first arrived here from Bermuda as freed slaves looking for a new life. Today, Afro-Bahamians are the largest ethnic group in the Bahamas, accounting for nearly 85 percent of the country’s population.
When you think of this lovely island chain, several major islands usually come to mind, notably Grand Bahama Island and Nassau.
Grand Bahama Island is the second most popular tourist destination in the Bahamas, where you will find long stretches of deserted clean white beaches, inviting hotels, one major casino, seasports and much more.
At the center of the island lies Freeport, where much of the action can be found, although the lack of too much action is exactly what draws visitors here. Tourists are mostly lured by the tranquil surroundings, nearly deserted beaches and luxurious hotels And for those who fancy nature, Grand Bahama is also home to one of the oldest underwater cave systems in the world, at Lucayan National Park.
One the other side of the coin is Nassau, a blend of the old and the new where most tourists flock for more exciting adventure, and where something seems to be happening day and night.
Nassau has been the centerpiece of this island nation since the shipwrecking days of Blackbeard the pirate.
Prized for its safe harbor, Nassau continues to display its Victorian mansions, cathedrals, weatherbeaten 18th-century forts, and popular Straw Market, where bargains are always at hand and where vendors refuse to take “No” for an answer.
We stayed at the Sheraton Hotel on Cable Beach, where many luxury hotels line the sandy beach and where you can stroll up and down the soft, white sand and see homes that belong to the rich and famous. Strain your eyes just a little bit more and you‘ll see Paradise Island, home of the now-famous Atlantis Hotel.
But we preferred the Cable Beach area, known for its Crystal Palace Casino, its great places to dine and super-shopping. Many of the hotels offer several dining spaces both indoors and out , which are quite good. However, one day we were told to take a short taxi ride to find some delicious native food. That’s when we ended up at Oh, Andros, an authentic island restaurant with local cuisine (and tiny prices) too good to pass up.
However, if and when you grow tired of the beach and the food — Ha! — take a stroll and discover some of what else Nassau has to offer.
Nassau is a busy hub of international commerce and finance, and probably the most cosmopolitan city in the islands.
Your sightseeing should definitely take in the great view of the island atop the hand-carved, 66-stepped Queen’s Staircase, fascinating because it was not built, but carved out of coral-based sandstone at the end of the l8th century.
Want to see more of the island’s illustrious past? Then don’t miss Fort Charlotte, the largest in the Bahamas. Built n 1788 under the governorship of Lord Dunmore, it is picture-perfect for the adventurous, featuring a moat and dungeons.
And certainly never to be overlooked is the Junkanoo Museum, dedicated to that colorful musical and infectious festival when Bahamian culture explodes in masks and sounds. If you missed the festival in December, you surely won’t want to miss the Junkanoo parades that are held in conjunction with other special celebrations such as Independence Day on July 10. So plan ahead!
