'The
perfect beach holiday'
There are over 700 islands in The Bahamas, lying southeastward from
the coast of Florida, several of them have escaped
the notice of tourists. The islands offer sandy beaches and clear
warm water. All the larger islands offer a high standard of accommodation,
leisure and tourist facilities. Diving, sunbathing, fishing and
boating are the main daytime amusements.
The capital of The Bahamas, Nassau, is located
on New Providence Island. In the capital, tourists can shop in the
bustling ‘straw market’, where local vendors create
exceptional straw goods on the spot. The Water Tower is the highest
point on the island, 85 metres (216 feet) above sea level. An elevator
takes visitors to an observation deck for panoramic views.
Freeport, the 2nd city located on Grand Bahama,
is brilliant for golf and diving. Long Island
certainly lives up to its name, being almost 100 kilometres (60
miles) in length but rarely more than 5 kilometres (3 miles) wide.
The landscape consists of rugged headlands dropping sharply down
to the sea, rolling hills, fertile pastureland and sandy beaches
washed by surf.
At Conception Island, divers can
explore over 30 shipwrecks, and tours are arranged from the Stella
Maris resort complex which is at the north end of the island. Blue
Lagoon Island features an exotic
lagoon where visitors can take pleasure in experiencing close encounters
with friendly bottle nosed dolphins. Local delicacies include grouper
cutlets, conch, baked crab and red snapper fillets in anchovy sauce.
Local drinks are generally rum based and the local liqueur is called
Nassau Royal. Beach parties and
discos are organised frequently by hotels. Live entertainment includes
goombay music, calypso and limbo dancing. |
