Health & Safety
A troubling outbreak of malaria on Great Exuma Island was reported in July of 2006, with 16 people testing positive for the potentially fatal disease. The Bahamas ministry of tourism reports that the Ministry of Health is investigating the outbreak and has increased surveillance and mosquito control measures such as the spraying of the airport area at Georgetown, the capital. Travelers heading for the Exumas should consult their doctor beforehand and consider taking along prophylactic chloroquine, an antimalarial medication, as a preventive measure. Travelers are also advised to use mosquito repellants containing 30 to 50 percent DEET. For the latest information, contact the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (www.cdc.gov/travel).
Planning a Trip
Since most scenes of that mega-hit, Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest, starring Johnny Depp as Capt. Jack Sparrow, were shot in The Bahamas, especially White Cay and Grand Bahama Island, entrepreneurs are trying to cash in on the epic. Surf the web or consult a travel agent for all the deals being offered as "pirate packages." For example, Pelican Bay at Lucaya is featuring a three-night deal called "The Swashbuckling Family Package." The Viva Wyndham Fortuna Beach, also on Grand Bahama Island, is attracting kids, offering them an eye patch, a pirate figurine, a telescope, and a pirate hat.
Even restaurants are getting in on the renewed fascination with pirates. As you dine around, your tropical rum punch is now called Captain Morgan's Pirate Punch, and your standard meal is referred to as "buccaneer dining." Regrettably, the so-called "gold coins" served are made of chocolate.
Nassau/Cable Beach
Yachties who favor the Nassau Harbour Club, E. Bay St. (tel. 242/393-0771; www.nassauharborclub.com), will be happy to learn that it's been renovated and is better than ever. The 50 bedrooms have been brightened with all new furniture, new satellite TVs and free Wi-Fi. Work desks have also been added, so business travelers can appreciate this central address even more.
Bimini
In 2006 a fire destroyed the former "writing headquarters" of Ernest Hemingway. The Compleat Angler is gone, and so is its owner, Julian Brown, who dashed into the burning building to help any remaining guests. The American novelist lived here in the mid-to late 1930s, and even wrote To Have and Have Not here. There was a treasure trove of memorabilia at the hotel, which was once one of the popular tourist attractions on island. Lost in the fire were autographed books by Hemingway and original photographs, even a replica of his old fishing boat. The local press reported that islanders were "devastated" at the loss of one of their treasures.
Paradise Island
Not to be outdone by planned major developments for Cable Beach, Nassau, the sprawling waterworld Atlantis, Casino Dr. (tel. 242/363-3000; www.atlantis.com), is moving ahead with ambitious plans as well. Atlantis is conducting a $600 million expansion to be completed by Christmas 2006, which will include 1,200 new rooms to be situated at Pirate's Cove; additional water-themed attractions including a new dolphin encounter attraction, subject to environmental approvals; four new restaurants and more than 200,000 square feet of retail space around the Atlantis Marina; three new luxury villas to the One&Only Ocean Club; 120 two-bedroom suites in Harborside, Atlantis; a timeshare project adjacent to Atlantis; and, upon environmental approval, a new 18-hole golf course on Athol Island which lies east of Paradise Island.
In the vast Atlantis compound is Marina Village, a marketplace with three main plazas, offering an array of new places to eat, including Carmine's and Johnny Rockets. Seafire is a moderrn steakhouse with a traditional butcher, serving spit-roasted prime rib; Bimini Road, with its Junkanoo décor, serves up island specialties. At long last, Paradise Island has a Starbucks, except this one serves a guava duff tartlet with a guava duff sauce. There's also Jamba Juice, offering smoothies and freshly squeezed juices.
Opening early in 2007 will be the highly anticipated Bobby Flay's Mesa Grill, the signature dining spot of the all new 600-room luxury suite hotel going up near the main Atlantis resort. Bobby Flay is known for innovative Southern cuisine, except this one is given a Bahamian twist.
Grand Bahama Island
More and more travelers are discovering the hottest bar on island, Margaritavilla Sand Bar at Mather Town Beach (tel. 242/373-4525). It's just a one-room shack, but it's become to the place to be. Its weekly bonfire is staged from 6:30 to 9:30pm on Tuesday, with a one-hour open bar and a fish or steak dinner. The chef makes the best conch fritters on the island. Cracked conch with fries is another favorite, as are the freshly made sandwiches and salads. But most patrons come here for the convivial crowd and the two-fisted drinks. The bar lies off "Millionaire's Row," a 15-minute drive southeast of Lucaya. It is closed on Monday.
Green Turtle Cay (Abacos)
Off the eastern coast of Great Abaco, Bluff House Beach Hotel (tel. 242/365-4247; www.bluffhouse.com) has just finished a multi-million dollar construction of a 45-slip marina, with a Texaco fueling stop and a new Jolly Roger bar for yachties. The chic enclave also offers brand new three-bedroom Yachtman's Cottages, in addition to its other beautiful accommodations, which range from comfortable split-level suites to luxurious two-bedroom marina villas.
Harbour Island
Reports reaching us indicate that the once popular Angela's Starfish Restaurant, Dunmore and Grant Sts. (tel. 242/333-2253), has fallen in standards and is no longer a viable address for Bahamian cuisine, as it was in the past. 'Tis a shame. It used to be so good.
The Exumas
Sampson Cay Club (tel. 877/633-0305; www.sampsoncayclub.com) has gone through a complete renovation. It no longer has the dive operation it had in the late 90s, but offers all new docks and a full service marina. The restaurant and bar were completely torn down and redone. The 10 renovated bedrooms (five of which are singles) are in two houses, with two units right on the beach. All the accommodations have showers, although some are outdoors. The resort rents 13' and 17' whalers as well as Hobie Cats and Aqua fins.