Ocean Hole

Published on by troybook Category: Attractions, To Do

Ocean Hole

Ocean Hole Eleuthera.
Ocean Hole Eleuthera.

Was something that we totally took for granted growing up. It was simply the local swimming hole. Some of the local fishermen had put a few local fish in the hole, which do very well and have become themselves an attraction.  The come it seems to the sound of foot steps on the steps leading down to the water. Many people bring old bread or other scraps along to cast to the fish competing for as much as they can get. It was my thinking that the tourists came to see the fish, not realizing the greatness of the ocean hole itself.

The attached video offers a great view of the ocean hole and the surrounding village.

Local Lore

Of course surrounding such a dark mysterious hole in the centre of the village stories and legends abound.

We all knew for example that Ocean Hole had no bottom, and there were very large animals living in it’s depths. These legends were almost confirmed when scuba diving legend Jacques Cousteau and his team made an attempt to pierce it’s depths. They were met with darkness so great that as I remember it they made it to only 65 feet before being forced to abort the dive.

Swimming

Each time we went swimming in ocean hole we would begin to challenge each other to make the swim across to the other side. We would eventually venture out into the depths with our hearts pounding in our chests swimming on top of what seems like an endlessly deep ink black depth. It felt as if we were paring into space itself. The really weird part is that the water is crystal clear on the top, and you can see light shafts disappearing into nothing. It makes me feel really small.

When you visit this great location, you must make the swim out into the depths, let us know what your impressions are.

Disconnect In Eleuthera

Published on by troybook Category: Accommodations

Disconnect

Need a break but can’t really disconnect? Want to get your kids off the couch and out of doors without a fight? Eleuthera is the perfect place to disconnect. Sun, sand, and crystal clear sea will draw the kids out side and away from the electronics.

 

Eleuthera

Is a great choice of a get-a-way. It is easy to get to. It is not overrun by people. It is gorgeous. The beaches of Eleuthera are consistently voted among the best in the world.  Not only are the beaches

North Side Beach on Eleuthera, Bahamas.
North Side Beach on Eleuthera, Bahamas.

outstanding, you may see one or two other beach goers in a day. A beach feels crowded if there are more than 10 people on it!

Homes

The best way hands down to take advantage of Eleuthera is to rent a beach front home. There are a number of homes that have been purpose built as vacation rentals. Many of them are built with on suit rooms so that couples or families can share a house for the week while keeping privacy. The homes are generally designed around large living rooms and kitchens to make passing what little time you will spend indoors in comfort. Click here for Vacation Homes.

Things To Bring

Normally there is a list of fishing gear etc., but I am going to give a few tips that you may not get elsewhere but will definitely improve the vacation experience on the island.

Meat is probably the most difficult thing to buy on the island. I would suggest that you take any beef, chicken or pork that you intend to consume while on here. Most experienced Eleuthera travelers will buy and freeze the meat they intend to eat while here. Buy a 30 quart cooler from your favorite home store and pack your meat in the cooler before going to the airport. Duck-tape the lid shut and keep the roll of tape in your carry on incase someone needs to look in the cooler. The cooler will come in handy while on the beach or driving around Eleuthera. Seafood is not something you want to bring, as there are places that you can get fresh fish daily, or you can catch your own.

The next thing that I definitely recommend is a bug repellant device Like the one pictured below. k2-_f5d4ac20-409d-4cc7-a747-4efa4af1302e.v1 The bugs on the island near and after sundown make life miserable out side. Pack the devise and the butane cartridges in your checked baggage. We will take this device and put it up wind or under a table we may be sitting around. These devices will clear out the bugs for twenty feet around them. Being on Eleuthera on cloudless nights is totally breath taking, not to be missed.

Blue Lagoon Island

Published on by troybook Category: Points of Interest Attractions

Explore_The_Island_header1Is one of my favorite places to take visiting friends. Nassau can seem like a lot of hustle and bustle, yet a short boat ride away all the world melts away to the beauty of Bahamian waters and beaches.

Boat Ride

Blue Lagoon Island operates a ferry from Paradise Island to the island. To be able to take advantage of a full day on the island the boat leaves Paradise Island at 8:30 a.m. A short ride through Nassau’s historical harbour and about a mile outside the harbour is the beautiful Blue Lagoon Island (Salt Cay).

Activities

Besides the beautiful beaches other activities include:BeachDay_Header-1

  • Snorkeling
  • Ocean Kayacing
  • Water Bikes
  • Paddle Boards
  • Volley Ball
  • Ping Pong

There are hammocks and picnic tables located under a canopy of palm trees. The island is set up for total enjoyment.

Lunch

There is a grilled lunch provided. As you can see all bases are covered. The menu includes both American and Bahamian cuisine for your enjoyment. The menu includes hamburgers, hotdogs, grilled chicken, veggie burgers, peas n rice and more.

Who Is This Activity For

The people that I have taken to Blue Lagoon Island are a divers bunch ranging from those who can’t stand being with out some activity going to those who would rather curl up in a corner with a book. Of all of them not one has had a bad day on Blue lagoon Island. There is enough to keep the busy person busy, and hammocks enough to satisfy the person who’d rather sit. Kids I can tell you have a blast. The Lagoon is so calm and tranquil that they become quickly comfortable with the water.

You can visit the official web site here

Dive Bahamas for fun

Published on by troybook Category: Attractions, Uncategorized

 

2015 Reader’s Choice Awards: Top 100 Gold List

For the Top 100 Gold List, our readers voted on their favorite dive operators, liveaboards, dive bars, cheeseburgers in paradise and more, regardless of location. Results were determined by popular vote and ranked based on category.

Source: 2015 Reader’s Choice Awards: Top 100 Gold List

Here’s a good reason to plan your next trip to the Bahamas. I had a buddy come to visit me from a distant land who had always wanted to dive, but just never took the plunge.

We booked a trip and off we went. He had never even really snorkelled, but with in a little they had my buddy confident enough to dive in. We spent the day on two shallow dives and he tells me he will never forget that day.

Come on down and “dive” in.

Being bahamian though I’d like to say don’t do the live aboard thing. They are not bahamian and don’t really give you the best dive experience of the Bahamas.

Boutique hotel to open early 2015

Published on by troybook Category: Hotels, Uncategorized

The Holowesko family’s 30-room boutique hotel, under construction in western New Providence, is progressing smoothly towards an early 2015 opening, says project manager Lauren Holowesko.

Source: Boutique hotel to open early 2015

Looking for a true getaway to the Bahamas. Intimate is the word. No large crowds competing for the good lounge chairs around the pool. No crowded beaches. Come to Nassau and unwind with a real vacation in paradise.

View Contact Information.

Checkers Cafe, Local Bahamian Food

Published on by troybook Category: Restaurants

Bahamian food is such a diverse rich experience. It would be a real shame to visit the Bahamas and not experience the food of the locals.

The unfortunate thing is that the main restaurants in Nassau do not pay tribute to the local palate.

The fortunate thing is Checkers Cafe serves many local dishes the way locals like them at the price that locals like.

Because Checkers Cafe caters to the local people, it is a little off the beaten path. To get there a taxi ride will be in order. Bahama John is a local taxi driver who is recommended by many as a good driver with good knowledge of the island.

Checkers Cafe servers the dishes that most bahamians grew up on in the more rural parts such as the other inhabited islands of the Bahamas.

Lots of the food has it’s roots in the Cajun parts of the USA. There are foods that resemble such things as Gumbo. One of my favourites is called Stew Conch. It is a bahamian gumbo cooked with the meat of Conch. They will serve other things such as “Steamed Pork Chops,” Peas-n-rice,” “Steamed Chicken…” The Steam food is not at all steamed as you would think, but is cooked in a rich tomato gravy sometimes with potatoes and carrots as well as the meat. I suppose it is more like a stew.

Breakfast is also rich. Bahamians don’t traditionally eat eggs and bacon. Rather things like “Stew Fish” or “Steam Fish and Grits” There is even one called “Fire Engine.” I have taught many friends from different countries how to cook this traditional breakfast, and years later they cook it more than I do.

So please step out and experience a little of the Bahamas while in Nassau. Check out Checkers Cafe.

Hundreds join in carnival parade | The Tribune

Published on by troybook Category: Attractions, Uncategorized

HUNDREDS of people lined the streets on Saturday to watch the Bahamas‘ first Junkanoo Carnival Road Fever parade.

Source: Hundreds join in carnival parade | The Tribune

Juncanoo Carnival is a new thing to the Bahamas. It is born amidst much local controversy, being greatly anticipated by some, and loathed by others crying cultural foul.

Never the less the party will go on. This is a great excuse to fly to the Bahamas to let your hair down, join the locals and have a good time to the rhythm of the goat skin drums.

Airlifts from eight US cities to boost tourism | The Tribune

Published on by troybook Category: Tourism News, Uncategorized

GRAND Bahama is anticipating continued growth in visitor arrivals over the second quarter of 2015, with airlifts starting from eight US cities on May 21 and continuing to October 26.

Source: Airlifts from eight US cities to boost Grand Bahama tourism | The Tribune

One of the great challenges for visitors to the Bahamas has always been available flights to the Bahama Islands. This has been the cause of two challenges for potential vacationers.

The first challenge is the cost of flying in to the Bahamian islands has been kept high. Making it more attractive to vacation in other locations.

The second challenge has been the limited number of available seats, at times it is almost impossible to get a seat, much less an affordable seats. The added number of aircraft coming in to Freeport should have a great effect on cost effective travel to the Bahamas both raising the number of available seats and lowering cost of travel to the Bahamas at the same time.

Grand Bahama has so much to offer visitors, from casino gambling, to power white sand beaches, great scuba diving, golf… The list goes on and on.

The second challenge has as

Peas n Rice Bahamian Food

Published on by troybook Category: Recipes

Peas N Rice is to bahamians what potatoes are to most americans. A meal is not a meal with out peas n rice. Bahamian food is a fusion of many cultures and quite unique. Enjoy!

Ingredients

1/2 lb bacon chopped

1 small onion chopped

1/2 green pepper chopped

2 stalks celery chopped

1 tsp black pepper

1/2 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)

1/2 tsp thyme leaves

Salt to taste

1 can of kidney beans (drained) You can substitute any bean you like.

6 oz can tomato paste

3 3/4 Cups water

2 Cups long grain rice

Method

Reduce the bacon in a large pot medium low heat. When the bacon is crispy add the onion, green pepper, and celery, salt a little. Continue with the low heat until the mixture is tender.

Add the tomato paste and stir in. Add the beans. Add the water, stir, season with salt to taste and add the thyme and black pepper. Turn heat to high. When the pot reaches a boil add the rice and stir.

Top the pot with a proper fitting lid and reduce the heat to low. Set your kitchen timer for 25 mins.

After 25 mins check the rice, if done turn off the heat and let the pot sit for a further 15 minutes.