Bahamasair inFlight Magazine - 'The Family Islands' Apr-Jun 2023

Gordon’s Beach Long Island, Bahamas

CONDO- HOTEL TAX NEW!

Here’s How It Works

Shoreline Luxury Resort and Residences (SLRR ) is a condo-hotel with 24 units. SLRR made a payment of $964,000 to DIR representing net VAT for the units within this pool that participated in its rental program during 2022.

Linda, Henry and Oscar each own units at SLRR and have all received assessments from DIR in December 2022 being charged at the standard condo-hotel rate, applying 75% of the rate applicable to residential properties under the Real Property Tax Act (currently 0.625%).

LINDA

VALUE $9.2M ASSESSED TAX $43,125

The portion of the net VAT received from SLRR that was attributed to Linda amounted to $48,342.60

Linda’s net VAT paid exceeds the amount of the Condo-Hotel Tax. She is exempt from paying the tax.

HENRY

VALUE $16.5M ASSESSED TAX $77,343.75

The portion of the net VAT received from SLRR that was attributed to Henry amounted to $54,972.36

Because Henry’s net VAT paid is less than the Condo-Hotel Tax amount, he will pay the difference of $22,371.39

OSCAR

VALUE $32.4M

ASSESSED TAX $150,000*

*The actual amount at the rate of 0.46875% is $151,875. So Oscar is being charged at the threshold.

Oscar’s unit was not rented during 2022.

CAN I GET A PAYMENT PLAN?

Yes, payment plans can be setup at The Department of Inland Revenue based upon your ability to pay. (Current & Future bills).

Taxpayers will need to provide proof of income, expenses, assets, and liabilities accompanied by a financial questionnaire provided by a DIR official that will help to calculate your available income to pay the debt.

YOU MUST: Maintain your agreed payment arrangement, file ALL tax returns on time, and stay up to date with your tax payments as they are issued. Failure to do so will result in the cancellation of the arrangement along with legal action to recover your debt.

STICK TO THE PLAN

Not maintaining or having a payment plan in place can lead to...

• Denial of Tax Compliance Certificate, The Renewal of Business License and other matters such as your credit and bonding.

• Legal action such as garnishment of income sources, bank deposits, trade receivables and seizure and sales of assets.

• Bearing the cost of legal action, interest surcharges, penalties, and external agency fees.

MESSAGE FROM

DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER OF THE BAHAMAS AND MINISTER OF TOURISM, INVESTMENTS & AVIATION

THE HONOURABLE I. CHESTER COOPER, M.P.

Revel in the variations of culinary delights, fruits, wildlife, historic attractions, and landscapes as you journey from island to island.

Welcome to paradise.

Welcome to The Islands of The Bahamas.

We are delighted that you’re en route to The Islands of The Bahamas, and equally delighted that you chose to fly with us, Bahamasair, the national flag carrier of The Bahamas. For over 50 years, we have had the pleasure of connecting The Bahamas to the outside world and interconnecting the many island destinations within our extensive archipelago.

The Bahamas is a chain of 700 islands located just 50 miles southeast of Florida. Comprised of sixteen unique Island destinations, The Bahamas is home to a population of upwards of 390,000—a people whose legendary hospitality has earned our country renown as one of the world’s friendliest vacation destinations.

Bahamasair takes pleasure in getting you to and from The Bahamas, and is pleased to offer you Up and Away, our inflight magazine, to introduce you to the wide range of experiences to be enjoyed on your visit to our destination. For advice on shopping, eco adventures, historical sites, beaches, entertainment, culture and much more, Up and Away is your trusted guide to the full array of what to see, do and experience in The Bahamas.

This issue of Up and Away highlights five of our islands—Abaco, Berry Islands, Bimini, Exuma and Long Island—taking you on an adventure of the sights, scenes, experiences and snapshots that distinguish the personality of each of these island gems. Revel in the variations of culinary delights, fruits, wildlife, historic attractions, and landscapes as you journey from island to island. Along the way, discover the excitement of regatta sailing, the national sport of The Bahamas; listen in for yoga tips from our contributing yogi; and enjoy the one-of-a-kind creations of a Bahamian visual artist, culinary artist, filmmaker, and photographer.

In The Islands of The Bahamas, you are genuinely welcome. Enjoy your stay with us and come back soon to see more of our beautiful country.

The Honourable I. Chester Cooper, Deputy Prime Minister of The Bahamas and Minister of Tourism, Investments & Aviation

—Honourable I. Chester Cooper, M.P.

Photo Courtesy of Bahamas Information Services (BIS)

The Honourable I. Chester Cooper, Deputy Prime Minister of The Bahamas and Minister of Tourism, Investments & Aviation

This year marks 50 joyous years of independence for The Bahamas. Celebrate our Golden Anniversary—and everything that makes us uniquely and proudly Bahamian—on any one of our 16 islands.

Plan your getaway at bahamas.com

THE ABACOS ACKLINS & CROOKED ISLAND ANDROS THE BERRY ISLANDS BIMINI CAT ISLAND ELEUTHERA & HARBOUR ISLAND THE EXUMAS GRAND BAHAMA ISLAND INAGUA LONG ISLAND MAYAGUANA NASSAU & PARADISE ISLAND RAGGED ISLAND RUM CAY SAN SALVADOR

MESSAGE FROM BAHAMASAIR CHAIRMAN

With over 700 untouched, scarcely populated islands and cays, we can boast deserted beaches, natural wonders, and quiet sanctuaries...

Sit back, relax and enjoy!

It is our pleasure to have you flying with us.

With great enthusiasm, I am honoured to welcome you to The Islands of The Bahamas. To both our tourists and our residents alike, I thank you for choosing our national flag carrier, Bahamasair, for your trip.

This quarter’s Up and Away magazine focuses on the culinary fusion culture of our Family Islands, some of which I truly hope you will have the opportunity to experience and enjoy.

The Out Islands, a term which, since the 1970s, has been changed to the Family Islands, are the islands that make up The Bahamas with the exception of New Providence Island, where the capital and largest city, Nassau, is located, and Grand Bahama Island, where Freeport, the second city, is located.

Fun fact! There are approximately 700 Family Islands, however, only a few of them are inhabited.

With over 700 untouched, scarcely populated islands and cays, we can boast deserted beaches, natural wonders, and quiet sanctuaries for exotic wildlife. Just miles of tropical beauty coloured in a thousand shades of blue. It’s amazing out here.

In my opinion, so much more than any of the other Caribbean islands, The Bahamas’ Family Islands are absolute beach-lovers’ and water-lovers’ paradises and offer unparalleled collections of the region’s best beaches, snorkelling and diving. In addition, fishing, kayaking, boating and sailing, birdwatching, and ecotravel are other available activities.

We are excited that you are here and whatever you choose to do in The Bahamas, we are sure you’ll have a wonderful time! I wish to extend a warm welcome home to our residents and an equally warm welcome to our tourists.

Keep in touch with us on our website and our social media pages for the latest news, updates and tips for this and upcoming trips!

All the very best,

Anthony Kikivarakis Sr., Chairman of Bahamasair

—Chairman Anthony Kikivarakis Sr.

Photo Courtesy of Mario Nixon Photography

Chairman Anthony Kikivarakis Sr.

MESSAGE FROM THE PUBLISHER

Photo by Torrell Glinton

The Bahamas is a tourist’s most exotic dream come to life.

—Capt. L. Roscoe Dames II, JP, Publisher

Welcome To Our Family Islands … Welcome Home!

NASA Astronaut Scott Kelly famously called The Bahamas “the most beautiful place from space”. The Bahamas is a tourist’s most exotic dream come to life. Beautiful white and pink sand beaches enveloped by incredibly transparent waters in multiple shades of blue from deep blue to turquoise, 100,000 square miles of 700 islands and cays—that’s barely scraping the surface of what The Bahamas has to offer!

In this issue of Up and Away, you’ll get to know some of our team members a bit more intimately with their stories about unforgettable experiences to the Family Islands of Abaco, Berry Islands, Bimini, Exuma and Eleuthera. Explore our Family Islands, feel the diversity and variety of culinary twists, bite into juicy Bahamian fruits and let the sweet juices flow. Sail onto the clear blue Bahamian seas into the national sport of The Bahamas. Get to know some of our amazing Bahamian visual artists, filmmakers, and photographers. Stretch out, relieve tension, and focus on your wellness with ‘Bahayogi’. Come join us down by the Fish Fry in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Go down south to Cuba and meet The Bordón Family of artists.

Then, jump up north to the land of the free and the home of the brave—the United States of America—but we’ll stay in the Florida area. First, we’ll take you from Miami and journey to Palm Beach stopping along the way to enjoy the street-art scene. From there, we travel back to Fort Lauderdale where we’ll show you why it’s the Yachting Capital of the World and explore the waterways. Our final stop will be greeted with a warm welcome in Orlando where you’ll find neighbourhoods that are weaved with a colourful tapestry of culture and history.

But the best part of all these destinations we share with you in this Family Islands issue is that you can travel to all of them on the very airline you are flying. As you read this magazine, consider this issue as your personal guide.

Buckle up, sit back and enjoy the ride! Think of the crisp pages of this magazine as a free Bahamian souvenir. Take it with you. That way, you’ll have a piece of The Bahamas with you everywhere you go, no matter where you travel to next!

”

Capt. L. Roscoe Dames

APRIL - JUNE 2023

PUBLISHED BY IVORY GLOBAL MANAGEMENT LTD. FOR ADVERTISING AND EDITORIAL’S CONTACT

PHONE: 242.427.9871

EMAIL: igmmagazinepublishing@gmail.com

WEBSITE: ivoryglobalmanagement.com

PUBLISHER Capt. L. Roscoe Dames

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT OFFICER Tara Gordon

COPY EDITOR Nasia R. Colebrooke

ART DIRECTOR Lourdes Guerra

BAHAMAS | USA SALES Ivory Global Management Ltd

TURKS AND CAICOS SALES Deandrea Hamilton

BAHAMASAIR Tracy Cooper

inFlight Magazine is published quarterly by IVORY GLOBAL MANAGEMENT LTD., for BAHAMASAIR, the National Flag Carrier of The Bahamas. All rights are reserved and reproduction in part or in whole is prohibited without the express written consent of IVORY GLOBAL MANAGEMENT LTD. All opinions expressed in UP and AWAY are solely those of the contributors. Every reasonable care has been taken neither UP and AWAY or its agents accept liability for loss or damage to photographs and material submitted to this magazine. Copyright 2023 by IVORY GLOBAL MANAGEMENT LTD.

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EXUMA: Bang Bang shrimp

BIMINI: Grilled Cheese Sandwich

CREATIVE CUISINE: Prepare to be Seduced

By Shavaughn Moss

Photographs Courtesy Of Shavaughn Moss

One of the best parts of exploring any destination is the food experience. Overall, island cuisine is culinary tradition worth discovering, particularly distinctive cultural fare. Set aside your preconceived notions about dining in the Out Islands. Prepare for your senses to be seduced by the imaginative and creative. Unique gastronomic creations, abound.

While New Providence (Nassau) and Paradise Island are as cosmopolitan as they come, and you can find almost any cuisine that suits your fancy, when you venture out into the Out Islands, which natives also refer to as the Family Islands (because we are one family, after all), be prepared to find culinary experiences worth exploring.

So, while you shirk off big city hustle for island time with thoughts of chill, laid back and slow uppermost in your thoughts, suffice it to say there is nothing laid back about the cuisine to be had in the Family Islands. Think imaginative reinterpretations, elements of fusion, and the best The Bahamas has to offer—and that is the culinary experience that you can find in the Family Islands.

I took a turn through five of The Bahamas’ inhabited 16 island—Exuma, Bimini, Eleuthera and Harbour Island and Abaco—with a view of discovering what talented chefs are serving around the islands. I wanted my dining experiences to deliver more than just a meal … but memories.

In the Exumas, known for its stunningly brilliant sapphire-blue waters, as well as the home of those world-famous swimming pigs, I discovered Grand Isle Resort & Residences offering exquisite dining and where every meal is a feast with fresh seafood, local ingredients, fragrant herbs, and rich island spices, elevating their Bahamian-fusion cuisine. The culinary team prides itself on guests experiencing the elevated flavours of the Caribbean, putting your senses on overload with the savoury flavours of Bahamian cuisine prepared with local ingredients.

Pulling up to a table at Palapa Restaurant for lunch, I discovered Bang Bang Shrimp, which has quickly risen in popularity throughout the world, with its distinct

BIMINI:TheCaribbeanPlantain

BIMINI: Five-Spice crusted Snapper

sweet and spicy flavour, intermingling on the menu with everything from Cajun to Argentinian flavours with Bahamian fusion. While at The Grill House, inventive items like Bloody Mary Toasts are featured alongside Rock Shrimp Mac & Cheese. Hopping over to Bimini, the island known as Hemingway’s favourite retreat, located just 50 miles off Florida’s coast, expect to savour an array of tantalizing flavours at Resorts World Bimini’s restaurants, bars, and cafés. Their four diverse venues cater to all tastes, offering a selection of dishes from around the world.

At Hemingway’s Gourmet Burger & Wings Sports Bar, I opted for the super simplistic Grilled Cheese Sandwich on Bimini Bread, (if you’ve never had grilled cheese sandwich done right, you’re missing out), to which I added lobster for that decadent uptake on a classic homey staple.

I also took a turn at the sushi bar to check out the offerings and came across a surprising sushi roll combination—the Caribbean Plantain—deep fried plantain, crabstick, cream cheese, spicy mayo and eel sauce. Huh! Who would have thought!

I never in my wildest dream would have anticipated finding plantain in a sushi roll, but it added a sweetness that changed the flavour profile and texture of any sushi roll I have ever had. That was ingenious to say the least.

At The Tides, the Five-Spice-crusted Snapper with fava beans, new potatoes, tarragon and mushroom broth is a sensory overload. I loved the look, flavour, and textures of this dish—delicate, yet sweet and smooth fish meat in a flavourful and light broth with just the right hint of texture from the starches is one of those dishes that must be had.

While Eleuthera and Harbour Island are famed for many natural wonders, including their pink sand beaches, there are also delightful meals to be had.

At Harbour Pointe at Cape Eleuthera Resort and Marina, the dining is described as island fresh and Bahamian-inspired. While many people may think a fish taco is just a fish taco, I found Harbour Pointe’s fish tacos with guacamole, salsa and coleslaw, which are offered fried or grilled, as items not to be missed. These tacos had it all—crispy and creamy, and most important—flavourful.

‘Family Island dining experiences that deliver more than just a meal … but memories.’

ELEUTHERA: Seafood Pepper Pot

ELEUTHERA: Harbour Pointe’s Fish Tacos

ABACO: Corn-fried tomato and grilled lobster tail

ABACO: Herb-infused waffle and lobster tail

Tacos are humble offerings, but, when done right, like these, they are bliss-inducing. You will probably return again and again just for these tacos. (Actually, let me book my next flight, right now, just so I can have some.)

And if you happen to hit the high seas on a fishing trip while there, take your catch to the restaurant and they will cook it for you.

Traveling north on Eleuthera, I hopped a ferry over to Harbour Island—which lies just northwest of Eleuthera—to check out The Dunmore, where casual fine dining meets retro coastal chic at their 60s-era dining room The Clubhouse. With a dinner menu that is as varied as it could possibly be, the Seafood Pepper Pot, they say, is a must-have, and is considered an unofficial signature item. A flavourful stewed meat dish, The Dunmore’s pepper pot showcased lobster, local catch, shrimp, bok choy, Jasmine rice, and coconut red curry.

Continuing my jaunt through the islands, it was off to the Abacos, a 120-mile chain of islands—known as the Boating Capital of The Bahamas—to The Sandpiper Inn & Cottages at Schooner Bay where simple, local, fresh, well-seasoned, and perfectly prepared is the cuisine you will find.

To their credit, this dining outpost in South Abaco takes advantage of the fact that they have the benefit of fresh seafood nearly year-round, complemented by lovely and organic local produce. They, too, feature a pepper pot on the menu with lobster, shrimp, hogfish and herb sausage in a mild-spiced tomato cream and coconut broth with steamed Jasmine rice. And a seafood gumbo unlike any gumbo you’ve ever had with shrimp, lobster, conch, Bahamian crab, sausage, corn on the cob and potato in a mild-spiced seafood and tomato broth.

A hogfish chowder enhanced with wonderful nutty, spicy, dry sherry and whipped cream and corn-fried tomato is paired with sweet grilled lobster tail; hogfish, a mild meat that has flavour reminiscent of scallops; and lobster that shows up in a potato and pepper hash; as well as on their egg benedict—for even more decadent offerings.

ABACO: Pepper Pot with lobster, shrimp, hogfish and herb sausage

The Bistro at the Abaco Beach Resort and Boat Harbour Marina is a chic, modern space with a menu to match the ambiance and cuisine referred to as modern world fusion and where, surprisingly, I had the best spicy tuna and crispy rice—bar none—with lump fish caviar, jalapeño, and a sweet soy glaze.

It’s also here where a bit of southern American indulgence makes an appearance hanging out with Caribbean spices in their fantastic jerk shrimp and grits with pork belly, stone ground grits, charred Brussels, and au jus. The mac & cheese with creamy bechamel made with assorted cheese is a creamy dream. The guava crumble cheesecake is one of those mind-blowing desserts and the stuff happy endings are made of. It’s dishes like these that memories are made of.

Dinner at the Green Turtle Club Resort & Marina is another one of those culinary experiences not to be missed with a menu that offers something for everyone, encompassing casual dining and creative cuisine for a more elevated gourmet experience.

The Black and White Tuna—sesame-crusted, sushi grade tuna—is served rare with Jasmine rice tri-colour pepper sauté and wakame seaweed with a wasabi aioli. I’ve still got thoughts of this dish on my mind. Mild, slightly sweet tuna, with a “meaty”, firm, buttery texture, is encrusted with black and white sesame seeds to add texture, nuttiness, and Asian flair. They also pair amazingly tender cracked (battered and fried) lobster bites with a sweet and spicy Asian chili sauce that is another one of those dishes that you will eat time and again during your visit.

Then, there’s the exclusive Kamalame Cay, a barrier island off the coast of Andros Island, accessible only by flights into Andros, or helicopters and seaplanes direct to the cay, where they are known for their signature blend of laid-back, chic and fine dining, and imaginative, ever-changing menus of seasonal, Asian-accented Bahamian and gourmet cuisine. This private island resort and residence’s culinary program is centred on fresh regional ingredients and epicurean flair.

ABACO:Guavacrumblecheesecake

ABACO: The Black and White Tuna

Menus change daily and feature local seafood and fowl, top-tier imported game, and farm-fresh produce. Homemade pastries and breads are baked on site. Kamalame serves only mature, in-season seafood.

I was privileged to pull up a seat for lunch at The Grove, where the classic flavours of the far east were given a modern spin and the menus at the al fresco, palm grove restaurant focused on the classic flavours of the Orient and served family-style on shared platters.

People from around the world travel to The Bahamas to experience what locals like me take for granted—temperate weather, white (and pink) powder-soft sand beaches, and beautiful turquoise waters. As a native of the capital, New Providence (Nassau), I have been branching out experiencing the wonders of my Family Islands—because inasmuch as we are all one people, we also are uniquely different across the islands.

And I have found that I can explore every nook and cranny of these islands and find culinary satisfaction and indulge in upscale dining. UA

KAMALAME: Pumpkin bisque

PHOTO CAPTIONS:

EXUMA

1. Bang Bang shrimp with spice red chili aioli at Palapa Restaurant at Grand Isle Resort & Residences.

BIMINI

2. Grilled Cheese Sandwich on Bimini Bread with lobster and a side salad at Hemingway’s Gourmet Burger & Sports Bar at Resorts World Bimini

3. The Caribbean Plantain—deep fried plantain, crabstick, cream cheese, spicy mayo and eel sauce—at the sushi bar at Resorts World Bimini.

4. Five-Spice-crusted Snapper with Fava Beans, New Potatoes, Tarragon and Mushroom Broth at The Tides at Resorts World Bimini.

ELEUTHERA

5. Seafood Pepper Pot at The Dunmore on Harbour Island.

6. Harbour Pointe’s Fish Tacos with Guacamole and Salsa and Coleslaw at Cape Eleuthera Resort.

ABACO

7. Corn-fried tomato and grilled lobster tail at The Sandpiper Inn at Schooner Bay, Abaco, served with roasted garlic and tomato dressing and cherry tomatoes.

8. Herb-infused waffle and lobster tail with lobster tail and coconut-infused white balsamic dressing at The Sandpiper Inn at Schooner Bay, Abaco.

9. Pepper Pot with lobster, shrimp, hogfish and herb sausage in a mild-spiced tomato cream and coconut broth with steamed Jasmine rice at The Sandpiper Inn at Schooner Bay, Abaco.

10. Guava crumble cheesecake at The Bistro at the Abaco Beach Resort and Boat Harbour Marina.

11. The Black and White Tuna—sesame crusted, sushi grade tuna served rare with Jasmine rice tri-colour pepper saute and wakame seaweed with a wasabi aioli sauce at the Green Turtle Club Resort & Marina.

KAMALAME CAY

12. Pumpkin bisque.

SEE THE COLORFUL SIDE OF SOUTH FLORIDA SEE THE COLORFUL SIDE OF SOUTH FLORIDA

By Tina Walsh

SStreet art abounds in South Florida. From Miami-Dade County through Broward County, and Palm Beach County, artists, county governments and municipalities are embracing Street Art. With its roots in defiant graffiti, today’s Street Art goes beyond spray paint and incorporates mosaics, stencil art, and LED art into artistic designs. Building walls become the canvas. Often these building are vacant. By embracing Street Art, communities become safer, brighter, inspiring and much more colourful.

MIAMI

The Wynwood Arts District is in north Miami. It is the grandfather of Street Art in South Florida. This 50 square block, formerly abandoned, industrial area is a giant outdoor gallery with more than 200 murals. At the centre of this eclectic display of contemporary art is the Wynwood Walls Outdoor Museum, located at 2516 NW 2nd Ave. Here you will gain insight into the artistic discipline of Street Art, learn the history of the Wynwood Art District, and see pieces of the early artwork.

To get the full Wynwood Art experience, simply wander up and down the streets surrounding the Wynwood Walls Museum, where funky traditional art galleries and shops will beckon you in, as you pass by hundreds of Street Art Murals. Wynwood ArtWalks and Golf Cart Tours are available daily. You may want to visit the indoor Museum of Graffiti, especially if it is raining.

The centre square of the district is home to food trucks serving up an array of international flavours and providing live music. Some of the local favourite brick and mortar eateries include, The Salty Donut, Panther Coffee, and Wynwood Kitchen and Bar. For more information on visiting the Wynwood Arts District visit wynwoodmiami.com.

Photographs Courtesy Of Tina Walsh

Miami – The Wynwood Arts District

Miami – The Wynwood Arts District

HOLLYWOOD

To the north of Miami is Hollywood Florida, with its wide sandy beaches and lengthy promenade. In a step to attract more art related businesses, activities and events, Hollywood has embraced the Downtown Mural Project. Within the 30 square blocks of their inland, downtown area, Hollywood has encouraged outdoor, contemporary murals. These 31 vibrant works of art adorn the sides of building throughout the downtown district. This is the largest walkable mural project in Broward County. You can download a map of the mural locations at hollywoodCRA.org. On the 3rd Saturday of each month visitors are treated to a free ArtWalk, Artisan Market and live music from 6pm to 11pm.

FORT LAUDERDALE

North Fort Lauderdale is home to three eclectic neighbourhoods that welcome street art. FATVillage, MASS District and Wilton Manor. The FAT (Flagler, Art, Technology) District is located in a historic warehouse section between North Andrew Street and the railroad tracks, NW 6th St and NW 5th St. There is a network of restaurants, cafes, shops, studios, galleries and apartments in this area. The mission statement for the FATVillage is to “create and exhibit challenging work outside the realm of commercial galleries.” They embrace non-traditional media, made evident by the work that can be seen painted on the

buildings in this area. There are multiple, stunning examples of Street Art. The FATVillage is currently undergoing a redevelopment, so their monthly ArtWalk has been moved.

The MASS (Music Arts, South of Sunrise) District is the current home of the last Saturday FATVillage ArtWalk and Artisan Market. The MASS District is just north of the FATVillage between Flagler, Sunrise and NE 9th Ave. Buildings throughout this area are decorated with the vibrant colours of Street Art. Besides the last Saturday ArtWalk, which aims to bring “interactive and memory making artistic experience through a collaboration of art, music, food vendors and local businesses.” There are also art classes and a monthly Sunday Green Market complete with more than 90 vendors, food trucks and art displays. While you are in the area drop into Glitch for an adult beverage and some free 1970s arcade games, or a bite to eat at Poke LoLo.

Just east of the MASS District is the historic neighbourhood of Wilton Manor and the urban oasis referred to as The YARD, located at 2430 NE 13th Ave. This area is shaded with lush Rainbow Eucalyptus trees. Surrounded by cafes, shops and restaurants, there is an intriguing display of Street Art in the centre of this garden-like complex. It is a lovely place to enjoy the visual riot of colour in Street Art while sipping a coffee or icy libation.

POMPANO BEACH

Just north of Fort Lauderdale is the seaside town of Pompano Beach. Start your tour of Street Art in Old Town Pompano at the Bailey Contemporary Arts Building, 135 NE 1st Street. This area is seeing a resurgence with construction of apartments, shops and restaurants. The Bailey Building and several other buildings in the area are decorated with colourful murals, including pieces by local street artist Carlos Gonzales. His vivid colours depict Pompano Beach through the decades.

Head east to the Pompano Pier Park for a look at some aquatic themed Street Art. The front and southeast stairwell of the newly renovated Pompano Pier Park Garage are vividly decorated with scenes from the sea. These brightly coloured designs beautifully reflect the largest tourist attraction in Pompano Beach, the Atlantic Ocean.

Hollywood – The Downtown Mural Project

Ft. Lauderdale – FATVillage – Street Art Mural Display

Ft. Lauderdale – The YARD – Street Art Mural Display

Pompano Beach – Street Art Mural

DELRAY BEACH

Named the “Most Fun Small Town in America” by Rand McNally, Delray Beach has a thriving arts scene. Galleries and Street Art are scattered all throughout the town. Start your explorations in the Pineapple Grove Arts District, just north of Main Street. The Delay Arts Warehouse and Arts Garages are located at 313 NE 3rd St. The surrounding area is adorned with Street Art. This is a great place to park and head out to view the more than 40 outdoor murals throughout Delray Beach. Download a map of the Art Trail at delrayarttrail.com.

LAKE WORTH BEACH

Downtown Lake Worth Beach is truly an Outdoor Museum of Street Art, thanks to the CANVAS Festival in 2017. To view pieces created by this event, start at 1121 Lucerne Ave. at the vividly decorated Hatch 1121 building. Meander east along Lucerne and Lake Avenues to enjoy a wide array of Street Art. You can pop into one of the many locally owned cafes and restaurants for a refreshment. Lake Worth Beach is also home to an annual Sidewalk Art Festival each winter. You will find not only are the walls works of art, but there are works of art on the sidewalks as well.

WEST PALM BEACH

West Palm Beach is another city in Palm Beach County that has created an outdoor art gallery on the walls of their downtown buildings. Start your exploration in the Warehouse District in the 1500 and 1600 blocks of Elizabeth and Clare Avenues. On Clare Ave., there are a series of repurposed warehouses that are decorated with richly coloured Street Art. Then walk over to the Grandview

Public Market where the Street Art takes on a tropical flavour. There are shops, cafes, restaurants, breweries and tasting rooms in and around the Grandview Market. Enjoy a cup of coffee or a cocktail on their patio, surrounded by the tropical vibe of their Street Art.

Just a few blocks to the north and east in downtown West Palm Beach is the Clematis Entertainment area. Wander up and down the streets on either side of Clematis and you will be treated to Street Art created by local and world-renowned artists. You can download a map of all the public art displays in downtown West Palm Beach at palmbeachculture.com/explore. West Palm Beach has placards by most of the outdoor art installations giving visitors information on the piece and the artist.

As you travel more outside of downtown West Palm Beach to the south, the Boynton Beach Arts District has a grouping of Artist Garages/Studios that are decorated with funky Street Art. If you are visiting in May, plan to attend their annual ArtWalk and artisan market. Heading north from downtown West Palm Beach is the historic Northwood neighbourhood, with its decorated buildings and railroad containers. This neighbourhood is full of locally owned shops, restaurants and cafes. From November to May, they host a lively Art Night Out with live music and artistic style cuisine on the last Friday of each month.

Wherever you are headed in South Florida, there is vibrant Street Art waiting to greet you. If you are planning on taking photographs try to arrive early, as many of these places can get very crowded especially on the weekend. UA

Delray Beach – Street Art Mural

Lake Worth Beach – Street Art Mural

West Palm Beach – Street Art Mural

8. West Palm Beach – Street Art Mural

Bourne to Bake:

Meet Tessa Lightbourne of ‘Bourne Sweet’

By Nikia Wells

Tessa Lightbourne had an unconventional path to culinary entrepreneurship. She started her career as an award-winning fashion model turned radio personality. However, even during her days posing in front of the camera, food was always something that she was passionate about. “I always tell people, there are three things that are important to me—food, fashion and family.”

Even as a little girl, Tessa said she always loved sweets. At family dinners, she would head directly to the dessert section with her uncle who shared her sweet tooth. And she started baking along with two of her aunts who had a natural talent for cakes, cookies, and other treats.

Tessa, who is entirely self-taught, initially started offering a small assortment of baked goods while working at a radio station. At first, she just wanted to create rich, moist and decadent cakes and pastries to satisfy her own desire for quality desserts, but she soon found that interest in her passion project was quickly growing momentum.

“It took me a long time to actually say, ‘Oh, I’ll do it for money,’ since I had no formal training and everything that I knew was learnt through a lot of trial and error. But I have family recipes ones that my aunts and my grammy used to bake. They were passed on to me, and, over time, I tweaked what had been handed down, and did lots of research. Over the years, and with a lot of practice, I eventually developed my own style.”

Though she had been baking and honing her talents for years, Tessa didn’t become a full-time culinary artist until 2018. Since then, Tessa has become a respected name in the Bahamian food scene, having worked as the executive pastry chef at The Ocean Club, A Four Seasons Resort, Bahamas, in addition to creating stunningly beautiful wedding, birthday and special occasion desserts.

Tessa has also become well known for her fondant work and her unique buttercream recipe, but when asked what her personal favourite desserts are, she didn’t have to hesitate.

“Profiteroles and éclairs,” she confessed. “I also really like a good chocolate cake with mousse.” UA

Bourne Sweet is an artisan cake and dessert studio specializing in custom designs and fresh flavors

Photographs Courtesy Of Lyndah Wells Photography and Tessa Lightbourne

Bourne Sweet Creation

Bourne Sweet Creation

PHOTOGRAPHER

The Story of Alfred Anderson

By Yolanda Hanna

Photographs Courtesy Of Alfred Anderson Photography

There is something magical about Alfred Anderson. Photographer. Creative Director. Videographer. Editor. The Brand. Alfred wears multiple hats in his creative universe; a space he elegantly manoeuvres in silence with a rare combination of talent, humility and genius. Visit the TikTok and Instagram pages of Alfred Anderson Photography and explore the world he has crafted within his brilliant mind.

You will be mesmerized by the breath-taking moments he captures through the lens of his camera. Alfred Anderson has an obvious ability to make models feel sexy, brides feel beautiful, and grooms feel like the luckiest man in the world.

Born and raised in Freeport, Grand Bahama, Alfred Anderson Lewis began manifesting the thoughts that would one day become his reality when he was just eight years old.

Smart and imaginative with a mind bursting with ideas, his talents were unlocked the day his mother gifted him with his first professional camera.

“When I was eight years old, I would use a string to hang white and black sheets in my bedroom. I pretended the sheets were curtains as I acted out the scenarios that I had in my mind. When my mom bought me my very first camera, an Olympus Point and Shoot, I was able to capture photos and record videos. I would spend hours looking at the images and playing the videos over and over again.”

That camera opened Alfred’s mind to the world of media. He seized every opportunity to sharpen his photography skills by becoming more focused, more creative, and more expressive with his projects.

He started to realize that the creative space he now occupied could give him the opportunity to do the things he loved to do and everything he imagined when he was eight years old. He could travel the world, take beautiful pictures, meet interesting people, and create interesting stories he acted out in his bedroom.

“I didn’t know what I could become until I saw other artists capturing and creating the images I saw in my head. I remember watching the television show ‘America’s Next Top Model’ for the first time. I was in the seventh grade and that show was a revelation for me because I learned that it was the photographer who created the imaginary and captured the stories through his camera.”

Alfred felt a connection to photography, but he also felt pressured by the expectations of those around him who wanted him to choose a more traditional career.

“I was smart. I always had perfect grades. When I graduated, I had the highest-grade point average in the school. All my life, I felt the pressure of everyone’s expectations for me to become a doctor or a lawyer. I knew that if I wanted to be a doctor or a lawyer, I could be, but I didn’t feel a connection to those careers. I didn’t feel the same as when I had my camera in my hand. My camera gave me the ability to create what I saw inside of my head.”

Following graduation, he enrolled in a college in Missouri, selecting computer information systems as a major. It was while Alfred was in college that his life took a different turn.

He decided to transfer to a nearby university and although he was accepted, he soon learned that the financial assistance he applied for in The Bahamas was no longer available and he would have to return home.

Alfred fell into a deep state of depression. He felt like he failed the high expectations of his family and all the people in his life.

“When I enrolled in college, I selected computer information systems as my major because everyone said I should choose a practical career. A friend suggested that I take a course in mass communications, and I loved it! I wanted to change my environment, so I applied to a university nearby and I got accepted.

AfroPlane Photographer André Musgrove Model Alannah Vellacott

“Time is an illusion.” - Alfred Anderson

Art Photography – Model Beyonce

When I was preparing to go to my new school, I learned that I didn’t get the grant I needed to cover my tuition. My parents couldn’t afford to pay for my tuition alone, so I couldn’t go back to school. I fell into a state of depression for three months. I didn’t eat. I wouldn’t come out of my room. I felt like I let everyone down and I didn’t know what I was going to do. A friend recommended that I read a book called ‘The Secret’ by Rhonda Byrne. I started to read it and I started operating the principle of my thoughts becoming things. I decided to try it because my maxim has always been ‘imagination before reality’, so what could I possibly lose?”

By operating the principles, he learned in “The Secret”, Alfred got the inspiration to create Alfred Anderson, which was a more evolved, creatively focused company than the company he created in high school, Allie Boy Productions.

“I felt like I needed to ‘kill’ Allie Boy Productions because I wasn’t that person anymore. I wasn’t that smart, educated kid that everyone expected me to be. I wanted to get rid of that image. That version of Alfred Lewis or Allie lived in a depressive state in the past. So, I created something new. I combined my first name and my middle name, and I became Alfred Anderson. My dad’s name is Anderson Lewis, so I combined who my dad is and who I am because we share a similar story. My father had to leave school early, too, so I wanted to merge the two worlds in Alfred Anderson.”

Rising out of depression, with the full support of his family, Alfred Anderson began his new journey as a fashion photographer based on Grand Bahama. He quickly realized that opportunities for a fashion photographer were limited in Freeport. He began booking commercial photography jobs that eventually led to the reintroduction of a skill he had discovered when he was eight years old, videography.

“I studied digital film while I was in college. When I started receiving offers to shoot commercial photography, a corporate company offered me a job to produce my first commercial video. It was an easy job for me, but the client was surprised that I could do that kind of work because I was only known for photography at the time.”

It has been over 15 years since Alfred Lewis created Alfred Anderson. Today, Alfred Anderson is a multi-tiered brand that consists of Alfred Anderson Photography, Alfred Anderson Weddings, Signature Portraits, ACOM Commercial Photography and Videography, in addition to its most recent project, a YouTube Series called, “The A Team”, which was created by the Anderson Group. What’s next on the agenda for the creative genius? Keep looking into his universe to find out. UA

Art Photography – Model Julia

Commercial Photography

Wedding Photography

Wedding Photography

Wedding Photography

LLavado Stubbs is an international filmmaker who has directed documentaries, commercials for global brands, and music videos for international recording artists like Baha Men. However, this Bahamian director, writer and producer had an unconventional path to filmmaking. He notes that his parents’ unwavering support and encouragement nurtured a spirit of wonder and creativity that has resulted in an impressive and far-reaching career, filled with imaginative visual storytelling.

Up and Away: Can you walk us through a little bit about how you started your filmmaking career?

I started off as a visual artist when I was in high school. I did watercolour painting. But, when I was in the ninth or tenth grade, there was this United Nations video competition. Back then, we didn’t have YouTube, digital cameras and DSLRs. That didn’t exist. It was the video camcorder days, and this was a big competition. I was super proud to get honourable mention. And, a few years later, I went to Toronto, Canada, for university.

At the time, my major was sociology. I did not go straight into film at all, but Toronto is a very film-heavy place with really good incentives for filmmakers from around the world. There were big movies filming in the city all the time. A friend who was in a filmmaking program brought me on set for the first time. And, from there, I discovered that film was what I wanted to do.

After that, it became an obsession. I couldn’t do anything other than think about film. I was still a sociology major, but I also became an intern at a few production companies in Toronto. After a few workshops, I realized that I needed to focus on one aspect of filmmaking, and I eventually decided that I wanted to be a director. When I graduated from university in Toronto, I directed my first professional music video (for the artist KJ-Repeat, who now goes by the stage name Keita Juma), and that music video did wonders for my career. At the very end of the video, you also see a conch shell. That all started Conchboy Films.

ENDLESS POSSIBILITIES: The Evolution of Bahamian Filmmaker Lavado Stubbs

By Nikia Wells

After that, I decided that I still wanted to learn more of the technical aspects of filmmaking and wanted to be around other filmmakers, since everything that I had done so far was self-taught. So, I then went off to film school before moving to L.A. for a bit.

Up and Away: Who were some of the filmmakers, directors and producers that inspired your love for filmmaking?

There’s so many! (He says with a laugh) But, I think my filmmaking is fuelled and inspired by a combination of family, culture and the veterans that came before me.

I am a Spike Lee fan, and I think I’m heavily influenced by his work. He really tunes into his culture, and you see it in his films. That’s one of the things that I really respect about him. His style and the way he has made an impact on filmmaking and cinema, not only for filmmakers, but for Black people as a whole. He doesn’t care what anybody says—he’s going to create his films, the way he wants to.

I’m also influenced by Sidney Poitier. He’s obviously known as an actor, but he also became a director later in his career. I greatly respect his work, but just knowing that he was someone from The Bahamas, from an island, made his work that much more powerful. He was this Bahamian, an island boy, that took over the world stage in cinema, but didn’t forget his roots.

My grandfather, Maxwell Stubbs, was also a big influence. He was a photographer—one of the Bahamian pioneer photographers. There weren’t a lot of Black photographers in his era. When he came from Cat Island and moved to Nassau, he was able to tell me his story.

My parents also encouraged me to be whatever I wanted to be. I think that was so important. I have to really commend my parents, Philip and Sharlamae Stubbs, for that.

Photographs Courtesy Of Darren Beckles and Lavado Stubbs

Lavado Stubbs On Location

Up and Away: You speak with great pride about your Bahamian culture. Can you tell us a bit about how that has influenced your work?

No matter where I’m doing a film—it could be in the U.S., Canada or Europe—I put myself, where I’m from, and my cultural influences in it. My company is called Conchboy, and I try to put a conch shell in almost every piece that I do, as a signature. That is a part of me. No matter where I am, my dialect never changes.

I feel like Bahamians are natural storytellers, and our culture is filled with so many vibrant colours. All that influences my work.

Up and Away: Where did the name Conchboy Films come from?

A few foreign friends used to tease me and some of the Bahamians and call us the Conchboys – that was the nickname that they gave us, and it stuck with me.

Up and Away: Can you tell me about what you have been working on recently?

I recently did a short film called Training Wheels, which has done really well at several film festivals. It’s about a Black father, his six-year-old son and a simple bike

ride in their suburban neighbourhood which turns into a life-changing lesson for the boy. I wrote this film when I became a father for the first time. Fatherhood is treating me good, and it has motivated me on a different level.

I wanted to showcase the father, because a lot of times you don’t see [positive depictions of] Black fathers in film. You always see Black fathers in jail or in a negative light. So, I wanted to change that. I wanted to show a father, like me. I wanted to show a strong relationship like the one that I’m building with my son.

Up and Away: What’s next for you and Conchboy Films?

I’m moving into the narrative film stage of my life, and closer towards having a feature film debut. I am working on something that is “Bahamian”. Can’t share too much right now, but I will say that I want to explore more human stories—our behaviour, our culture.

Up and Away: One last question... If you could give other young Bahamian filmmakers one piece of advice, what would it be?

I always go by this philosophy: take the word “impossible” out of your vocabulary. Don’t think that because you are in The Bahamas, that you can’t influence the world. UA

Lavado Stubbs On Set

Lavado Stubbs At Work

VISUAL ARTIST

Interdisciplinary Artist Jemonique Barnabie

By Yolanda Hanna

The Bahamas on the ‘Road to 50’. Anticipation of the country’s 50th year of independence on July 10, 2023, grows daily, as the nation approaches its Golden Jubilee.

A milestone of this magnitude would be diminished without an in-depth look at the evolution of the Bahamian people post-independence. The long list of diverse, talented, creative Bahamian men and women who have accomplished notable achievements is astounding.

And while the country marches on toward the next 50 years, there’s another name on the horizon who is well on her way to joining that list of notable creative Bahamians, Interdisciplinary Artist Jemonique Barnabie.

At first glance, her unassuming nature, serene demeanour, effervescent smile, and soft voice will quickly make you forget that this brilliant artist gained over one million likes on TikTok during the pandemic.

In 2020, Jemonique posted a video of herself doing an art challenge, in which she had to draw a picture in eleven seconds, using one continuous line without removing her pencil off the page.

She accomplished the challenge in twenty seconds by drawing a very realistic-looking eye in a viral video that racked up over one million likes, 13,000 saves, 673 comments and nearly 2,000 shares.

She got all this attention from drawing an eye!

Clearly, TikTok users were enamoured by Jemonique’s artistic skills, and she continues to use the social media platform to share her artwork with her 45,000 followers.

“The video was a fun art challenge I did during the lockdown. I didn’t think it would go viral,” Jemonique said with a laugh. “TikTok really grew during the pandemic. I was new to the platform and a friend suggested that I start posting videos. The first video I posted got 100 views. I was encouraged by that, so I kept making videos. The art challenge video attracted people to my platform. The digital space has given me an opportunity to share my art with the world and introduce people to my aesthetic.”

Born and raised on Grand Bahama, Jemonique describes her aesthetic as “a dash of realism”. Her work consists of realistic pencil portraits of Black women who have inspired her and landscape paintings that depict the beauty of nature.

Photographs Courtesy Of Jemonique Barnabie

“Breathe” Portrait of Normani Hamilton - graphite pencil on paper

Jemonique Barnabie

“They walked, so we can run.” - Jemonique Barnabie

“The landscapes in my paintings highlight the beauty that’s around us every day, and what beauty is to me,” she said.

“My subjects in my portraits are strong Black women who I admire. I want people to look at my drawings and feel that I’ve captured the essence of the person.”

And what is the essence of the Bahamian woman?

According to Jemonique, “The essence of the Bahamian woman is power. We make our presence known whenever we walk into a room. We carry ourselves differently and I’m so blessed to be in a culture that is unique.”

The 23-year-old art and music teacher spends her days teaching at a school in Freeport. Many of her students follow her on TikTok. They are motivated by Jemonique’s artwork and her work ethic, and they relate to her youthfulness.

“The students love me, and I must constantly remind them that I’m their teacher! I think that they’re more willing to open up to me because they feel I can relate to whatever they’re going through at that age. I can talk to them on their level because I’m not that far removed from their age group,” she explained.

“They see me on TikTok, drawing and painting, selling my art online, and they realize that art can be a career. I had teachers that encouraged me and assisted me in developing my talent. I love that I’m able to teach and pay it forward.”

And as The Bahamas moves towards celebrating its 50th year of independence, Jemonique proudly appreciates her Bahamian culture and the talented Bahamian artists who paved the way for her and others.

“They walked, so we could run,” she said. “Living and growing up in The Bahamas is all I know. I’m a first-generation Bahamian, this is my culture and, to me, it’s a big deal that we are celebrating our 50th independence in my lifetime. I’m excited to see how we celebrate this milestone as a nation.” UA

“Memories”- The 4th installation of my “Travel” series - acrylic on canvas.

Portrait of Ariana Fletcher - graphite pencil on paper

“Wave After Wave” acrylic on canvas

Portrait of Marsai Martin graphite pencil on paper

Tyrone Fitzgerald

EXUMA ELIXIR: Visions of Space Travel, Indigo Waters, and the Obeah Man

By Tyrone L. E. Fitzgerald Photographs Courtesy Of Steven Miller and L. Roscoe Dames II

Exuma was a planet that once lit Mars

I’ve got the voices of many in my throat

The teeth of a frog and the tail of a goat…

I’ve sailed with Charon, day and night

I’ve walked with Houngaman, Hector Hyppolite

I drank the water from the fiery sea.

I’m Exuma.

Excerpt By: Tony “the Obeah Man” McKay

3 Sisters Rocks Beach

Ionce travelled in space—not to the moon, Mars, or Mercury, but to the beautiful, pristine, 365 islands and cays that make up the magical, almost mythical, Exumas in The Bahamas.

Peering down the miniature window of my imaginary, gold, blue, and white-coloured space shuttle, known to many local visitors and tourists as Bahamasair, our national flag carrier, I could see clearly what retired NASA astronaut Scott Kelly saw and tweeted during his mission, “Exuma was a refreshing sight and the most beautiful place from space.”

As I disembarked my forty-minute “space flight” from Nassau, the nation’s capital, to Georgetown, Exuma, with my overpacked weekend bag filled with far too many swim trunks, flip flops, unread books, a straw hat, multiple sunglasses, and loads of sunscreen, on my shoulder, I hurried through the small airport to cross the street to get a juicy, conchy conch burger with fries and a cold Kalik from Kermit’s Airport Lounge, the friendly, native “go-to spot”.

Once I collected my Kia SUV from Thompson’s Car Rental nearby, I was on my way to check into my quaint oceanside villa at Hideaways at Palm Bay for my weekend island getaway!

I took an afternoon “dip” in the hotel pool whilst sipping an iced cold, homemade Switcha (our Bahamian version of limeade), then swam and sunbathed on the beach for a few hours with my new book, “The Water Dancer”, by Ta-Nehesi Coates—heavy reading for a light summer day, as the Exuma sun carefully baked and broiled my caramel brown skin to near Bahamian Christmas turkey perfection!

Since the conchy conch burger was not enough for a Bahamian “grabalicious” foodie like me, I changed into my funky island-print T-shirt, khaki “Dad shorts”, and flip flops, and walked to the Saturday Night Seaside Fish Fry, which was a brisk ten-minute walk from Hideaways.

There, I got a mouth-watering blackened grouper dinner with peas ‘n’ rice, macaroni, coleslaw, and lots of plantain. My sweet-mouth was graciously satisfied

Chat And Chill

Directional Sign

with a sumptuous native guava duff brimming with a creamy rum sauce and a cold Gully Wash (coconut water, sweet cream, and gin)—“fully leaded”.

The rest of the night was spent chatting with locals and tourists about my ever-expanding “Things to Do on Exuma in Two Short Days Bucket List”, playing dominoes on the beach, and dancing to the local DJ who played Bahamian, soca, reggae, and calypso songs, whilst the Fish Fry became “jam-packed” with locals and tourists from every settlement, it seemed, on Great Exuma, before the end of the night.

Sunday morning was greeted with an early morning meditative walk on the beach, complete with my Android phone, Gregory Porter playlist, and a legion of mosquitos who seemed more painfully attracted to itching skin than brutally annihilated by my expensive, designer-brand insect repellent.

Exuma “the Obeah Man” descending the sky on a roughshod lightning bolt (no joke!). I rubbed my eyes twice, shook my head, and thought about that after-dinner rum punch that seemed to have had more rum than punch. Hmmmn, maybe its slowly creeping, potent power was now taking over the better of me and my senses. After all, this must just be a night vision.

Maybe.

Then again, I was the one who travelled to the Exumas just two days ago on a makeshift space shuttle, only to travel back home and tweet of the wonders of this beautiful, mythical place, like NASA astronaut Scott Kelly, and the many would-be Bahamian astronauts like myself, who would travel to these 365 islands and cays that make up the Exumas, and marvel at their splendour, thousands of feet way up in the air, at only forty minutes away from this wonderfully sweet paradise! UA

Chat And Chill Boutique

Sunday afternoon, after a “light” Sunday dinner of steamed conch, peas ‘n’ grits, potato salad, and macaroni, I boarded a water taxi to Stocking Island to visit the world-famous Chat & Chill, a boater’s party paradise, complete with a pig roast, drinks, food, music, dominoes, volleyball, playful stingrays, and an awesome local and touristic crowd.

The clear, turquoise, indigo-changing waters that splashed against the water taxi on our way to Stocking Island could only be compared to the sea blue skies hovering over our watercraft, and a glistening bright yellow Exuma sun, welcoming unsuspecting, partying beachcombers without their SPF50 sunscreen.

After having some fresh conch salad with lots of lime and pepper, and a cold Kalik beer, I strolled around Stocking Island to explore its many attractions and to chat with the revelling boaters who lined its shores in their overly crowded boats, blasting rock, rap, dancehall, and Bahamian music to a dancing crowd ashore.

It was certainly Sunday Fun Day in the Exumas.

After a long day at Chat & Chill, I headed back to George Town and prepared for my “last supper” before my early flight back to Nassau in the morning.

The dinner did not disappoint – more fish, more peas ‘n’ rice, more coleslaw, lots of potato salad, and several refills of freshly squeezed Switcha (the bartender at Hideaways was now my “plug” by the end of the weekend). It’s funny, food seemed to be the openly secret theme of my Exuma getaway weekend.

Struggling to rise from the restaurant table after a brief spell of ethnic fatigue set in, I took an evening stroll on the beach, texting friends, checking emails, posting on social media, and avoiding those incoming calls too untimely for this last night in Great Exuma.

As I sat awhile on one of the orange-coloured beach chairs gazing upward towards the brightly lit stars that adorned the Exuma sky, I suddenly thought I saw

St. Mary Magdalene Anglican Church, Williams Town, Little Exuma

Welcome to Orlando!

‘Venture Beyond the Theme Parks to Discover Hidden Treasures’

By Kirsten Harrington

Orlando is famous for heart-pumping roller coasters and family-friendly attractions, naming it “Theme Park Capital of the World”. But did you know there is so much more to see?

With vibrant art museums, lush gardens, and eclectic retail districts, Orlando’s neighbourhoods weave a colourful tapestry of culture and history. Take a day or two on your visit to check out some of our favourite areas, all less than a 30-minute drive from downtown. It’s here where you will discover why locals call Orlando “The City Beautiful”.

Downtown Orlando

Orlando’s history starts in the early 1800s with the Second Seminole War. The U.S. Army built Fort Gatlin near the current downtown as a strategic outpost in the battle. After the war, Central Florida drew farmers and ranchers due to its fertile land. Cattle, cotton, and the citrus industry flourished. The downtown area thrived during this population boom.

Downtown Orlando is still the heart of the city and home to the financial district. You’ll find Church Street Station, where citrus and other goods were shipped by train across the state. This historic Victorian-style train depot is now a thriving entertainment and retail complex.

Lake Eola is the focal point of downtown with a beautiful view of the surrounding skyline. A 0.9-mile walking path surrounds the lake where you can view multiple sculptures, feed the resident swans, and spot red-bellied turtles. For an energetic outing, rent a swan-shaped paddle boat and cruise the lake, getting a close view of the fountain in the centre.

Just a few blocks away, you’ll find the Orange County Regional History Centre with its iconic alligator sculpture out front. Here, you can learn about Central Florida’s long role in aviation history (check out the replica B-17 bomber) and learn about how Orlando’s pioneers lived – from sleeping on moss mattresses to churning butter.

Winter Park

Developed as a winter haven for wealthy north easterners looking to escape the cold, what was originally a resort community north of downtown is now

a highly regarded academic and arts community. Rollins College anchors the south end of Winter Park with the Morse Museum of American Art holding down the north end. Holding the largest collection of stained-glass work by Louis Comfort Tiffany, the Morse Museum is a must-see on your visit.

Park Avenue, a charming cobblestone and tree-lined main street, is a lively spot with outdoor cafés and upscale boutiques reminiscent of a European village. Central Park, an 11-acre oasis with fountains and flowering planters, runs through the heart of the town.

The Scenic Boat Tour is an off-the-beat path attraction that offers an hour-long narrated cruise through surrounding lakes and canals. Views of dazzling mansions, swaying palm trees, lush foliage in the canals and the wildlife on Lake Osceola make this an enjoyable outing. Keep your eyes open for alligators and watch for osprey swooping in for fish. The boat dock is a five-minute walk from Park Avenue.

Of course, all this sightseeing will make you hungry; a few local favourite restaurants are Prato for stylish Italian, The Briar Patch for brunch and Bosphorus for authentic Turkish cuisine.

Photographs Courtesy Of Leu Gardens, The Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art, Winter Park, Fl, Zac Alfson, Paul Koester and Kirsten Harrington

Lake Eola

Downtown Orlando Church Street Station

Mills 50

Did you know Orlando has thriving Asian and Pacific Islander cultures? The area surrounding the intersection of Highway 50 and Mills Avenue is called Mills 50 and is populated with Chinese and Vietnamese grocery stores, bubble tea shops, noodle restaurants, Korean Barbecue and even a Chinese medicine shop.

After the end of the Vietnam War, a flow of Vietnamese immigrants to Central Florida contributed to the revitalization of this area. They started businesses, built homes and churches, and, before long, a vibrant community was formed. Over time, Chinese, Japanese, Laotian, Thai, and Indian businesses moved in. When locals crave Asian food, they head to Chuan Lu Garden for Chinese, Sticky Rice for Laotian, Chi-Kin for Korean fried chicken, and Pho Huong Lan for Vietnamese pho soup with freshly made rice noodles.

Another reason to visit this area is for the large collection of eye-popping professionally painted murals. Look for them up and down Mills Avenue, on dumpsters, and even storm drains. At the north end of Mills Avenue, you’ll find the Orlando Museum of Art. It’s no wonder that this fusion of art and Asian influence is called the “intersection of creativity and culture” by locals.

Audubon Park Garden District

Fifteen minutes north of downtown, Audubon Park gets its green thumb reputation from the many parks and green spaces in the area. Palmer’s Nursery is a fun place for plant lovers to browse while sipping a glass of wine. Harry P. Leu Gardens has 50 acres of tropical plants and butterfly gardens waiting to be explored. You could spend hours on a self-guided tour listening to the bamboo rustle or stopping to smell the roses at Florida’s largest collection. Rest awhile in a rocking chair, soaking up the views of Lake Rowena.

Ready for some shopping? Head to Corrine Drive where you’ll find one-of-akind shops like The Lovely Boutique Market nestled next to Park Ave CDs where you can browse for new and used records. Vintage fans can head to The Owl’s Attic to shop for vintage apparel and home décor. Don’t miss East End Market for artisan gifts, locally roasted coffee and award-winning restaurants.

Milk District

If you want to experience Orlando like a local, head to the Milk District. This progressive hub of diverse dining, music venues and art get its name from the T.G. Lee Dairy farm started in 1925. You’ll see the giant, colourful dairy-inspired mural on Bumby Avenue, a reminder of Orlando’s bountiful cattle farming history.

If your visit includes time for lunch or dinner, A la Cart offers some of the best street food in Orlando gathered in an open-air pavilion of food trucks. Beefy King is a neighbourhood institution serving up their famous steamed roast beef sandwiches for over 50 years. People flock from all over Central Florida to Stasio’s Italian Deli for Italian cheeses, pastries, meatballs, and sandwiches. One bite of a Cannoli and you’ll see why. If you’re in the mood for an “adult beverage”, check out Sideward Brewing (and grab some boiled peanuts) or The Milkhouse, a multi-outlet venue where you can pick up a beer, ice cream, coffee, or some good eats.

If entertainment is on your agenda, visit The Plaza Live, offering everything from music and comedy to live cooking shows. For a more active adventure, The Milk District is home to Orlando Skate Park, which sells daily passes and has a limited number of skateboards for rent.

Now that you have the inside scoop on Orlando’s exciting neighbourhoods, where will you start? With so many museums, parks, restaurants, and activities waiting to be discovered, Orlando will have you returning time and time again! UA

Winter Park Scenic Boat Tour

Chapel Baptistery

Carefree Wonder Roses In Bloom

Run Forest Mural At Tako Cheena Restaurant in Mills 50 – Artist Danny Rock

Mural At T. G. Lee Dairy

Cia Monet

The Scent of All Things Natural

By Keesha Claudia Bethell

Photographs Courtesy Of Donald Knowles and Patricia Chatti

There is no doubt that the relationship between a mother and her daughter can be a close-knit bond. At the same time, perhaps, that relationship could be the most complex family dynamic—the emotions are all mixed up like conch salad.

On the other hand, when mother-daughter duos share a passion for a business and creating, they could be unstoppably successful. That other hand describes Patricia Chatti and her daughter Syngluar Journee. The duo have always loved working on projects.

A vacation project in 2017 tightened their bond and led to the creation of a lucrative business—Cia Monet Candles, Soaps & Scents.

Cia Monet Couture clients became her first Cia Monet Candles, Soaps & Scents customers. The candles and scents received a positive response encouraging them to develop a line of vegan soaps. Eventually, the line added soaps. All of Cia Monet’s products are made from raw ingredients, and its processes are as kind to the environment as they are to your skin.

As of the time this article was written, Cia Monet Candles, Soaps & Scents has grown to include 50 candles, 30 soaps, 10 shower steamers & 20 bath bombs.

Syngular Journee, now 17 years old, heads the operation. Patricia said the walk from the beginning to the present has made her daughter into a focused, independent businesswoman.

“My daughter is my best friend,” said Patricia. “I’ve taught her to approach things like me. Any time I do something, I always think outside the box. If I’m going to do something, I’m going to do it completely differently or I’ll do it several layers up from my competitors.”

Cia Monet Candles, Soaps & Scents products are now available on the islands of New Providence, Grand Bahama, Exuma, San Salvador, Harbour Island on Eleuthera and Cat Island.

While they have expanded quite a bit, Patricia said there is still more to come.

“We will be everywhere,” she quipped, while sipping on a glass of a mimosa. “Just watch and make sure you keep up.” UA

“We were on vacation in Florida,” Patricia explained. “Syngular Journee wanted to sign up for a candle making class just to do something different. During that class, a light bulb went off in my head. I’ve styled Bahamian socialites for years and there was a common want among all of them—all-natural products. I filled that void.”

Patricia and Syngular Journee went on to create candles that were 100% soy, cruelty-free and environmentally friendly. Cia Monet candles also double as massage oil thanks to a secret ingredient.

The first candles were labelled “The Generation”. This consisted of four candles, each representing the strong women in their family. Vintage Bourbon for Patricia’s grandmother, Eucalyptus and Mint for her mother and Orchid represented Singular Journee. As for Patricia, the candle scent of Mimosa embodied her.

For more information on the brand and its products, visit: Web: ciamonetcandlesoapscents.com

Facebook: ciamonetcandlesoapscents

Instagram: ciamonetcandlesoapscents

Syngular Journee and Patricia Chatti

Trade Show – Soy Candles

Cactus Flower – Soy Candle

Private Label Abaco Coconut Soy Candle

Cia Monet Soaps

BiminiGatewayToTheBahamasSign LAYING LOW IN BIMINI

By Keesha Claudia Bethell

Photographs Courtesy Of Stephen Gay and L. Roscoe Dames II

There is a Bahamian song called “Lay Low in Bimini”, which simply exudes the definition of “chill”. I decided to do just that—chill with friends. It was my first time on Bimini and boy was I in for some surprises!

When I got off the plane, my friends weren’t there to greet me. I pulled out my cell phone and called them. They swore they were waiting for me. My thing was I didn’t see them at the airport. That’s when they told me they were waiting for me at the dock … in North Bimini. It didn’t register until about two minutes later that Bimini had two islands: South Bimini where the airport is, a small number of the population live, and where there is a boutique resort. Then, there is North Bimini, accessible only by boat and where everything that isn’t on South Bimini can be found—such as the majority of the population and my friends waiting for me on the dock.

When I got to North Bimini, I saw my friends but they were in a golf cart instead of a car. That’s when I learned that not many people drive cars. It wasn’t long before I figured out why—the corners were only as wide as sidewalks. A car would have to squeeze through and, well, a jeep or truck would have no luck passing through—at least not comfortably.

I had the best conch salad in the world at a spot called Stuart’s Conch Salad Stand. It was set up like a bar and extended into the shallow shores of the ocean. I have never had a conch salad with crawfish and boiled conch bubby,

seasoned with salt, garlic powder and goat pepper. Eating that salad with a cold Kalik—or two or three or four—while the breeze blew on my face is probably the closest, I’ve come to heaven so far.

I packed a bathing suit in my suitcase to show off my summer body but all of the local eateries I visited had fresh fish and seafood. Don’t get me started on the bread. I’d like to take a moment to say there is no bread like Bimini bread and the carbs are totally worth it. Needless to say, my summer body was postponed to winter.

At night, we went onto the back road. I saw the beautiful glare of lights that seemed to sit atop the calm Bimini waters. It was one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen. Turns out, those lights were Miami, Florida. Yep! You read that correctly—only about 50 miles of ocean separate the Bahamian island of Bimini and the southernmost tip of the United States of America.

Aside from the food, the most unforgettable thing about Bimini for me was the water. The term “crystal blue waters” is off the scales when it comes to the beauty of the ocean surrounding Bimini, in my opinion.

Here’s the funny thing—this Bimini experience I’m sharing with you happened 12 years ago. But my experience is on replay in my memory. Now that I’m writing this article, I do need another “lay low” trip. Heck, I think I’ll stop procrastinating and make Bimini my first trip in 2023. I think I’m long overdue for a visit. UA

View From Atop Resorts World

Keesha Claudia Bethell On The Beach Bimini History Sign

The Healing Power of Yoga in Nature

By Alexandra ‘Bahayogi’ Kaufmann

Photographs Courtesy Of Alexandra Kaufmann

Yoga has played a monumental role in my life over the last ten years. My practice started in a small area of my apartment where I practised daily, but, eventually, I felt called to take my intentions outside. This switch of scenery was a game changer. And ever since, I have been a massive promoter of yoga in nature and its benefits. What made this change so monumental? And why does it work so well? Well, yoga, at its deepest core, is about connection. Yoga connects you with the natural and spiritual world and to self. Yoga also unites the body, mind and breath through movement, meditation and reflection, all of which come together for a transformative experience. One of yoga’s (many) benefits is it can be practised anywhere. And in nature, your practice enhances differently in comparison to other places. A recent Swedish study found that viewing nature, especially fractals (the organically occurring patterns in palm fronds or sand dunes, for example), increased wakeful relaxation and internal focus—two essential components of a rewarding yoga practice. Yoga and nature are meant to co-exist.

Let’s dive deeper.

Yoga is an ancient practice that has been used for thousands of years to promote physical, mental, and spiritual well-being. Yoga has numerous benefits, including reducing stress, improving flexibility, increasing strength, and enhancing overall health. These benefits are amplified when yoga is practised in nature, making the practice even more powerful and metamorphic.

One of the key benefits of practising outside is that it provides a peaceful and serene environment, which is essential for reducing stress and promoting relaxation. Once outside, your breath takes a new significance. Your senses heighten. You take in new smells, temperatures, and sounds. This elevation creates a deeper connection to your experience and allows you to remain present. The sounds of birds singing, leaves rustling in the wind, and water cascading in a nearby stream can all help to soothe the mind and create a sense of calm. This peaceful environment can help practitioners focus on their breath, their movements, and the present moment, which is essential for yoga practice.

In addition to providing a peaceful environment, practising yoga in different settings also has physical benefits. The natural surroundings offer a greater degree of challenge for physical movements, making the practice more dynamic and engaging. For example, practising yoga on the beach can be challenging because of the uneven sand surface, which requires more significant focus, balance, and core stability. This increased physical challenge can help improve flexibility, strength, and overall fitness.

Furthermore, practising yoga in nature can also profoundly impact mental and emotional well-being. The natural environment provides a sense of connection to the greater universe, and this sense of connectedness can be incredibly powerful and uplifting. By practising yoga in nature, practitioners can develop a greater appreciation for the natural world and become more mindful and attuned to their surroundings. This connection to nature can help to reduce stress, increase happiness, and promote overall mental and emotional health.

Taking your practice outside is an excellent way to enhance the benefits of your experience. The peaceful environment, increased physical challenge, and the sense of connection to the natural world all work together to create a powerful and transformative experience. Whether you are a seasoned yogi or a newcomer, practising yoga in nature is an experience that is not to be missed.

Spirituality is brought together as one experience, one soul.

More than that, on a scientific level, we are made of the same matter that cycled through time and space. The famous astrophysicist, Carl Sagan, has said, “We’re made of star-stuff. We are a way for the cosmos to know itself.”

Sometimes, we forget that being human is also a part of nature. Our well-being depends heavily on our understanding of our own nature and how we connect to the elements around us. This connection can influence our emotional, spiritual, mental and physical well-being.

When we learn how to connect through yoga, we’re as much connecting and balancing rhythms with ourselves as the world around us. It’s all nature. So, the next time you head to your mat—take it outside. Take a moment to connect, breathe, observe and simply be in nature.

Try this grounding flow:

1A Easy Pose, Sukhasana

1. Start from a seated position. Sit on a yoga mat, blanket or bare floor with your legs extended outward.

2. Cross your legs. Slowly cross the legs at the shins, with one leg on top of the other.

3. Widen your knees. Then position each foot beneath the opposite knee (cross-legged).

4. Relax your arms. Place your hands on the knees with your palms down or bring your hands together at your heart centre.

5. Straighten your back. Balance your body weight across the sit bones and press the buttocks into the floor, mat or blanket.

6. Soften the neck and gaze ahead.

1B Breathwork, Pranayama

1. Start in a seated posture. Bring one hand to your stomach and the other to your chest.

2. Settle in. Soften your face and lower your shoulders. Sit up tall and root your sit bones into your mat.

3. Close your eyes. Take a deep breath into your nose and count to four. Hold for a four count. Exhale through the nose for a count of four. Continue for four rounds.

2A and 2B Cat/Cow Pose Marjaryasana/Bitilasana

1. Start from a tabletop position. Come to your hands and knees with your wrists directly under your shoulders and your knees under your hips. Point your fingertips to the top of your mat. Place your shins and knees hip-width apart.

2. Inhale. Lower your stomach to your mat as you lift your chin and chest, and gaze up toward the ceiling. Broaden across your shoulder blades and draw your shoulders away from your ears.

3. Exhale. Draw your belly to your spine and round your back toward the ceiling. Spread your shoulder blades across your upper back. Release the crown of your head to your mat.

4 Puppy Pose, Uttana Shishosana

1. Start in child’s pose or tabletop and bring your knees together.

2. Walk forward with your fingertips and bring your chest onto the mat.

3. Lift your hips high toward the ceiling, open the chest and bend the back. Aim to stack hips over your knees.

3 Child’s Pose, Balasana

1. Start from a tabletop position. Reach your hips to your heels and extend your arms in front of you.

2. Rest. Rest your forehead on your yoga mat and relax your neck. For added comfort, consider placing a blanket, bolster, pillow or your hands beneath your forehead. Close your eyes and relax your jaw.

5 Sphynx Pose, Salamba Bhujangasana

1. Lie on your stomach. Place your elbows directly underneath your shoulder blades.

2. Press firmly into the legs. Root the tops of your feet into the mat and engage your kneecaps and quadriceps.

3. Lift the upper body. Press firmly into the palms of your hands and forearms and lift your upper body. Create space between your neck and shoulders and reach forward through the heart. Keep your gaze neutral and press yourself up to your comfort level.

6 Low Cobra, Bhujangasana

1. Lie on your stomach. Extend your legs and firmly root through the tops of your feet. Bring your legs to a hip-width distance.

2. Bring your hands underneath the shoulder blades. Hug your elbows into your sides. Prepare to lift your upper body and head.

3. Begin to lift your upper body. Press through the hands to lift the upper body and first come into a low cobra. Ensure that you are not pressing too much weight in your hands because you want to focus on strengthening the lower back muscles to lift gently.

4. Look slightly forward and up. Keep your gaze neutral but slightly facing up. Ensure the back of your neck is long to ensure proper spinal alignment.

7 Downward Facing Dog, Adho Mukha Svanasana

1. Start in tabletop. Walk the palms just out in front of the shoulders. Spread your fingers and root the backs of your knuckles and the circumference of your palms into your mat.

2. Raise up and back. Ground down into the palms, raise your knees off the mat while shifting the stomach toward the thighs. Lift the hips high as the legs straighten. Keep toes pointing forward. Create an inverted V posture with your body.

3. Keep a slight bend to the knees. When you’re ready, you can begin to straighten out your legs but do not lock out your knees.

4. Look towards your navel or gaze to your kneecaps.

9 Mountain Pose, Tadasana

1. Start standing. Place your feet parallel to each other; big toes come to touch with a sliver of space between your heels. Root through the four corners of your feet.

2. Stand tall. Draw your shoulders down and back. Shine through the crown of your head.

3. Bring your hands to heart centre. Close your eyes and settle in. UA

8 Ragdoll Pose, Baddha Hasta Uttanasana

1. Stand with your feet hip-width apart, toes pointing forward.

2. Inhale, bring your hands to your hips.

3. Exhale, micro bend your knees and hinge forward from the hips with a flat back.

4. Cross your arms and hold onto opposite elbows.ecaps up and hugging your thigh muscles to the bone.

5. Sway gently from side to side as you allow your torso to hang heavy.

AT HOME IN THE BERRY ISLANDS!

…. A Sweet Cluster of Gems in The Northern Bahamas

By Nikia Wells

Photographs Courtesy Of Nikia Wells

Beach Club

TheShallowShoresOf ShellingBeach Breakfast At The

This is a first-person account of Up and Away writer, Nikia Wells, on her very first visit to Great Harbour Cay in the Berry Islands.

For years, I’d heard that The Berry Islands were a little piece of paradise—peaceful and beautiful. So, in search of a much-needed break, I decided to take a quick weekend getaway to Great Harbour Cay, for the very first time.

After a 15-minute skip across the turquoise and cerulean hued waters between New Providence and Great Harbour Cay, we landed at a brand-new airport. Upon exiting the plane, I was greeted by a crisp, clean and refreshing breeze and every single person that I interacted with was genuinely kind and hospitable. The residents were warm and welcoming—even by Bahamian standards, and without hesitation offered to help my travel companions get into contact with the car rental company that we had booked for the trip.

It was instantly evident that this was a close-knit community, where everyone knows each other. The roads were quiet, and after a short laid-back drive, we dropped our bags off at a quaint villa called 5 Bay’s of Pirates. Like everyone that we had met prior, Lana (the owner of the resort) was warm, welcoming and made us feel like we were at home. The villa had a bonefish pond as its backdrop, elements of Bahamian culture woven into the decor, and even a small gazebo to watch the sun rise and set over the mangrove.

After driving around for a bit, we got a craving for some fresh conch salad. Each island has its own spin on this classic dish, so we asked a kind gentleman where we could find a bowl at 11:30am. He directed us to a man named Steve —who was also his cousin. As luck would have it, as we hopped over to the marina, we spotted a man getting a cluster of fresh conchs from a boat. Sure enough, it was Steve, prepping to head over to his stand at the Government Dock.

As Steve unpacked, we all struck up a lively conversation. He told us about a stingray who had made the waters around the dock its home, his time living in New Providence, and a bit about the island itself. He took meticulous pride in his prep, noting that he is a chef by trade, but had worked in various fields over the years. We asked him for his specialty, and he laughed and said he was “sweet mouth” so he would make sure we were well taken care of.

After pulling the super fresh conch out of the salt water, he cracked it out of its shell, cleaned it and went about making his version of a “sweet mouth” conch salad. He even gave us the pistol and horn to eat while he worked. For an added special touch and a bit of texture, he mixed in a bit of boiled conch.

While the people of Great Harbour Cay made the experience a special one, the island’s stunning beauty cannot be overlooked. From the Sugar Beach Caves

Steve’s Conch Salad

to the unsullied ripples of sand and crystal-clear waters of Shelling Beach, the island is in a word - breathtaking.

While on Shelling Beach, we saw a friendly little shark who playfully swam near us. And, like the name suggests, an assortment of shiny shells dotted the shallow shores. There was even an occasional sea fan, sponge, and starfish along the powder fine sand.

There are several restaurants on the island, including the Beach Club, Hammerheads, CoolieMae’s, as well as a no-frills restaurant directly beside the island’s police station that serves up delicious Bahamian cuisine (this restaurant didn’t have a sign, but it’s not hard to spot.) However, during longer stays in Great Harbour Cay, it is best to ask around for recommendations for local home cooks who may be able to cater a Bahamian feast during your visit.

While we only had a short stay on the island, residents highly recommended arranging a boating trip for the day to cay-hop, or a day trip to Coco Cay (which requires reservations at least 72 hours in advance.) UA

Steve’s Conch stand

A Great Harbour Cay Breakfast Of Pig Ear Souse

The Sugar Beach Cave

TURKS AND CAICOS

Ten Years of Island Fish

Photographs

Fry, the Ultimate Cultural Experience in Provo

By Deandrea Hamilton

On any given Thursday evening, you will find that visitors and islanders in Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI), are bound by a superbly singular thought for an exceptional cultural cause—all roads lead to, and all able-bodied people head over to, the Island Fish Fry.

January 2023 marked a decade since a handful of culture enthusiasts mustered the momentum for the idea, which is now iconic and fully supported by the TCI Ministry of Tourism.

“I have to give a shout-out to Ralph Higgs, who was our director of tourism at the time,” said Dave Fenimore, founding organiser of the weekly event.

“We collaborated on it, and he said, ‘Dave, I task you with making it happen.’ A little more than ten years, when you think about putting it together, but here we are ten years later, and it is just fantastic.”

Fenimore is a TCI tourism ambassador to the core, growing up in an indigenous family which pioneered in the hotel industry on the island of Grand Turk. Fenimore eventually became the TCI representative for tourism in South Florida and, once at home, devoted himself to the development of the now-iconic Island Fish Fry.

“We started with twelve restaurants, the Edward Gartland Youth Center, and the Turks and Caicos National Trust; we now have forty-two vendors, so we have done a lot in the past ten years,” said Fenimore.

“It has been such a helping hand to so many people, so many Mom-and-Pop-type businesses, and it turned out better than we could have ever expected.”

A native explosion, Island Fish Fry has drawn the likes of A-list celebrities like Shaquille O’Neal, Beenie Man, Drake, and the Kardashians to its down-home setting, and has given birth to some of the most creative, indigenous products to fuel the islands’ orange economy.

“The artisans actually came out as a result of this, because they saw that there was now a place that they could display their wares,” said Fenimore, who was amongst those donning the attractive tenth anniversary T-shirt.

Hamilton

“The local stores said now I have an avenue and I can do something, and that is exactly what we were going for and it is exactly what happened. We have a waiting list so long that we could double this right now.”

The award-winning TCI Tourist Board, then under the leadership of Ralph Higgs in 2013, agreed to host the extravaganza. It started at the Bight Park, a relatively small but picturesque spot in Lower Bight on the island of Providenciales (Provo), flanking the world’s #1 Grace Bay Beach.

At the time, there were not many vendors but the ones who showed up for the inaugural open market brought with them the authentic deliciousness of TCI cuisine and undeniable creativity with a hearty helping of native charm.

Soon, the free festivity, which opens at 5:30pm every Thursday, would become the talk of the town and there were traffic jams, as taxi drivers lined the strip to ensure guests got to dine like an islander, dance like an islander, and shop with and mingle with the islanders for experiential tourism at its best.

Ten-Year Celebration Of The Fish Fry

Courtesy Of TCI Tourist Board and Deandrea

Junkanoo At The Fish Fry

Josephine Connolly is the TCI’s minister of tourism, and she is every bit as passionate about the event as the founders of it; on the tenth anniversary, her presence and pride were electrifying.

“It was a great night and I heard from everyone tonight that they all had a good time,” she explained. She noted that walking around and mingling with guests and vendors helped her to understand further the multifaceted value of Island Fish Fry.

“The vendors were very happy about tonight and they made some good money. You know, when we first started Island Fish Fry on January 31, 2013, there were only a few vendors. I am hoping that I can make it even bigger for the next ten years and give everybody that opportunity to sell their stuff and show off their entrepreneurial skills.

“What you see out here is talent; you saw TCI culture at its best and I am very happy!”

The consensus on that point is the anniversary night, every Thursday night, is an undeniable hit, but not just with the visitors; locals, too, are drawn to Island Fish Fry. It offers the kind of venue which has now enhanced the night-time happenings for the island of Provo.

“We lacked a cultural connection and I think this is the bridge that is bringing it back and that’s the feeling we have each week,” said Fenimore, looking onto the swarms of people delighting in the festivities.

“It’s not a hokey-pokey tourist thing. You look out here tonight, it’s a mix of tourists and a mix of locals and everyone is having a good time.”

The fragrance of seasoned fried fish cooking on an open flame; deep-fried conch fritters; the spicy, freshly prepared conch salad; and other favourites like grilled lobster, Froggie’s Lobster Mac, minced fish, rice n’ peas and baked macaroni waft on the wind and pull everyone in for the once-a-week experience.

It has become legendary, getting global attention for its innovativeness as one gets this rustic, earthy thrill amidst an uber luxurious vacation destination in the Caribbean. Dancing children from Blue Hills, who are known nationally as the Breezy Beach Dancers will plait the maypole; the colourfully clad bellers, drummers, horn and whistle blowers of the We Funk Junkanoo group bring that pulsating musical finale; and once upon a time, the official mascot of TCI, Henry the Conch, would come out of his shell to play and pose for unforgettable selfies.

A rich experience that packed the venue and demanded a larger space.

COVID-19 has the dubious reputation of being the only thing, other than inclement weather, which caused Island Fish Fry to shut down. But as with so many things we view in retrospect, the pandemic, which outlawed public gatherings in the name of public safety, was also a blessing.

Island Fish Fry now has a new location, still in the Bight, but relocated to the Stubbs Diamond Plaza parking lot. It is a space that is even closer to the Grace Bay resort strip and is at least three times the size—which means more vendors, more seating, more room for fun and more time to enjoy the entertainment line-up including the random sound of rip-saw music happily provided by “Mr. Wendall Rigby”.

On the night of the ten-year anniversary, there was the return of many of the original components including a live performance by V6, one of the country’s most sought after bands.

With the magical leadership of MC, Sweet Micky, the Island Fish Fry stretched for an extra hour to 10:30pm, but no one was ready to go home, especially not after fireworks blazed across the night sky—a spectacle that was seen and enjoyed for miles.

“I have been here for ten years, minus the two years when there has been the pandemic, but since April 2013, I have been here,” said Michaela “Sweet Micky” Clare, who has proven her versatility as the comical, edgy host of Island Fish Fry.

“From ‘Shaq’ taking over the DJ booth and other celebrities who have come out to Island Fish Fry and wanted to take over the mic, we’ve had ten years and I just want to see it grow more, making it to 50 years.”

The thought is this: when you make plans to visit TCI, ensure there is at least one Thursday within your travel date. Promoters of the destination will stand by the opinion that there is no adventure you can take or excursion you will have that

gives you the Island Fish Fry experience. It remains incomparably the most fantastic place to purchase those authentically, handcrafted and often boutique-styled souvenirs; to sip on island cocktails stuffed into coconuts, pineapples, tea bags, coffee grounds, rum bottles, and a wide array of island beers in icy-cold cans. You can order up a fresh off the fire dinner for two, four, six, ten or an entire bridal party; served in biodegradable containers piled high for a belly-full of mouth-watering island cuisine made by talented chefs and home cooks.

Onsite, there’s even island-flavoured ice cream, super cool toys, and a big screen to see the happenings or see yourself and hundreds of others.

The Ministry of Tourism in tandem with the TCI Tourist Board is admittedly formulating a plan to return Island Fish Fry to the island of Grand Turk, which is a mecca for cruise visitors, and which will build similar experiences in the twin islands of North and Middle Caicos. But for now, the original Island Fish Fry is in Provo. It is hosted by the TCI Tourist Board on Thursdays from 5:30-9:30pm. Entry is free and it is the ideal happening to both support and immerse yourself in the local culture. UA

For The Love Of The Fish Fry

Jewellery Artisan At The Fish Fry

Fish Frying On An Open Flame

ANIMALS ACROSS THE ARCHIPELAGO

A look at native and endemic Bahamian fauna throughout The Bahamas

By Scott Johnson Photographs Courtesy Of Scott Johnson of Wild Bahamas

Covering an area of 300,000 km2 and consisting of 29 islands, 661 cays, and 2,387 rocks, the Bahama archipelago offers visitors a range of marine and terrestrial ecosystems to enjoy and explore. From a biogeographical standpoint, our islands can be divided into groups based on which bank they are situated in. The Bahama islands rest on three large and several smaller bank systems. These include Little Bahama Bank, Great Bahama Bank, Cay Sal Bank, and islands on their own banks.

Some animals are unique to each of the various bank systems. For example, islands on Little Bahama Bank are the only places in The Bahamas where you can find birds such as the endangered and endemic Bahama warbler, the olive-capped warbler, and the Bahama nuthatch. The Bahama nuthatch, a critically endangered endemic Bahamian bird, was only found on Grand Bahama but, sadly, is presumed to be extinct due in part to major natural disturbances such as Hurricane Dorian, which devastated the island in 2019. Likewise, the Bahama warbler and olive-capped warbler might have shared a similar fate on Grand Bahama due to Hurricane Dorian. Since the horrific storm, both species have only been seen on Abaco.

Reptiles, such as the Abaco boa, one of the smallest West Indian boa species, are native to Abaco.

Great Bahama Bank is the largest bank system in The Bahamas and is where most of the major Bahamian island groups are situated. Not surprisingly, this bank is home to the largest diversity of native Bahamian animals, many of whom are found only on the islands on this bank. For example, birds such as the endangered Bahama oriole are found only on Andros. Other bird species, such as the Great-lizard cuckoo, are only found on Andros and Eleuthera. In addition, reptiles such as the Bahamian boa, Bahama anole, and Northern Bahamas rock iguanas (inclusive of the Andros iguana, Exuma iguana, and Allan’s Cay iguana) are found exclusively on islands and cays of Great Bahama Bank. Cay Sal Bank is the westernmost bank system in The Bahamas and is the only place you can find the Cay Sal Bank green anole.

Islands that reside on their own banks are where you can find a high count of diverse Bahamian species. Examples include the Crooked-Acklins Island boa, Crooked-Acklins green anole, the endangered Mayaguana geckolet, and the San Salvador threadsnake. Great and Little Inagua have the highest diversity of single-island vertebrates in The Bahamas. Animals native to the Inagua group include:

Allan’s Cay, Exuma - Rock Iguana

Inagua – Trope

Long Island - Bahama Flatheaded Frog

Inagua – Curlytail Female

Bahama Anole

Abaco - Olive-capped Warbler

• The Inagua woodstar

• Inagua geckolet (the smallest reptile in The Bahamas)

• Inagua curlytail lizard

• Inagua whiptail lizard

• Inagua croaking gecko

• Inagua trope

• Inagua blindsnake

Regarding its indigenous species diversity, Inagua is truly The Bahamas’ “best-kept secret”.

The Bahamas contains a wealth of natural treasures in the form of our flora and fauna. For many species, however, their restricted range puts them at risk of extinction. One catastrophic event, such as a major hurricane, a development, or the introduction of non-native animals such as rats, raccoons, and housecats, can decimate the entire population of a sensitive species. Proper research and conservation practices are needed to ensure our single-island native species with limited distributions can survive well into the future.

No matter what island you choose to visit and explore, you can always find at least one Bahamian animal to add to your life list. UA

Andros – Bahama Oriole

Inagua – Whiptail Lizard Long Island – Bahama Boa

Great-lizard Cuckoo

INFLIGHT MEDICAL EMERGENCIES

By Dr. Burnell Cardron Photographs and Images Courtesy Of Pro-headshots and Island Queen Marketing

How would you deal with a medical emergency when flying? Most times when we fly, it is usually uneventful, but there may also be times when emergencies arise. How we handle them can be potentially lifesaving. Air travel is associated with an array of potential stressors on the physical and psychological well-being of travellers. Altitude changes, particularly fluctuations in cabin pressure, can affect susceptible airline passengers. Research shows that one in every 600 flights result in a medical emergency of some sort.

The more common emergencies we see in order of frequency are light-headedness or fainting, respiratory issues, nausea or vomiting, cardiac symptoms and seizures. The least common are lacerations, cardiac arrest, ear pain, obstetrical or gynaecological symptoms, and headaches. Even though emergencies like cardiac arrest and obstetric problems are less common, these are usually emergencies that would likely result in the plane diverting or changing course to facilitate the urgent transfer of that person to the nearest hospital.

Who usually responds to a medical crisis inflight?

Studies have shown that one in three medical emergencies is usually resolved while still inflight. This is most likely since, in a lot of cases, there may be medical personnel onboard who can assist persons who fall ill. Most times, physician passengers respond to inflight crisis, next are nurse passengers and least commonly may be EMT passengers, if present. Physicians who decide to volunteer should have knowledge about the most common inflight medical incidents, know what is available in onboard emergency medical kits, be able to coordinate their therapy with the flight crew and remote resources, and provide care within their scope of practice. However, if no medical personnel are present in critical situations, the most qualified person may be the one who decided to take up that Basic Life Support or CPR course.

Who can be affected when flying at certain altitudes?

Recent decades have seen an increase in the ease and accessibility of air travel, resulting in the rise and diversity of aircraft passengers. Typically, the average person is usually able to ascend to a height of 7,800 feet without difficulty. However, persons with cardiac or pulmonary co-morbidities are more

vulnerable to changes in altitude and are at a considerably higher risk of developing symptoms resulting from low levels of oxygen in their bodies when climbing to higher altitudes. On observation, they may appear to have shortness of breath at rest, cough, weakness, drowsiness, anxiety, or agitation, or even develop bluish discolorations. Persons with chronic medical conditions should be screened by their primary care providers prior to air travel to determine their ability to endure the flight environment. Those with significant pulmonary or cardiovascular disease should be counselled to avoid air travel when possible or travel with supplemental oxygen that may be recommended by their physician.

When inflight medical incidents occur, emergency physicians are ideally suited to respond given the breadth of their training, knowledge, and leadership experience. While there are no studies on pre-flight medical screening of passengers, many sources advise primary care providers to screen patients for these disorders and provide advice prior to commercial air travel.

What should be available for use in an emergency?

Ideally, airlines, especially larger aircrafts, should be equipped with an automatic external defibrillator (AED) and an enhanced emergency medical kit. The use of an external defibrillator and CPR can be lifesaving for someone suffering a cardiac arrest. Flight attendants should be AED and CPR certified every two years. AED use within a commercial flight environment has been validated as safe and effective. There should also be access to certain medications used in the emergency treatment of a patient inflight, which should be included in the standard emergency medical kit.

Finally, always remember to contact emergency medical personnel on the ground, so they can ensure a team is awaiting the arrival of the aircraft to transport any ill passengers to the nearest available medical facility. UA

Pompey Medical is located at #85 Robinson Road, Nassau, Bahamas, open Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturdays 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. We cater to well and sick visits, COVID-19 Rapid Antigen and RT-PCR testing, IV treatments, minor surgical procedures and consultations to name a few. We also accept major insurances and National Health Insurance (NHI) to all qualified persons.

BAHAMIAN DIGITIZATION Gets the Gold

By Keesha Claudia Bethell

Photographs Courtesy Of Open Systems Technologies International (Bahamas) Limited

When I think of the word gold, high quality comes to mind. What if I told you that there is a digitization company right here in The Bahamas?

Open Systems Technologies International (Bahamas) Limited, located on the island of New Providence, is a Gold Partner listed on the DocuWare website providing solutions for document management.

Open Systems Technologies International President Peter Bridgewater proudly displays that plaque awarded in 2006, which reads, “Diamond Club Partner from DocuWare—In recognition of your commitment to developing Integrated Document Management Solutions based on DocuWare”.

According to Bridgewater, getting the 2023 Gold Partner Award was no easy journey, but it is a feather in the cap to attest to how dedicated the company is to providing top-notch, world-class solutions to our customers.

“The Gold Partner Award achievement is based on our sales, performance and customer support over the past year,” he explained.

“Every DocuWare partner around the world is mandated to maintain the DocuWare certifications. Successfully completing the certifications annually is mandated to continue as an Authorized DocuWare Partner.”

According to its website, “DocuWare is an on-premise and cloud-based software as a service provider. DocuWare software provides document management, repository, and workflow automation functions.”

Diamond is the highest rank on DocuWare right above the Gold Partner Award. Bridgewater said receiving the Gold Partner Award was satisfactory for him, considering the COVID-19 environment but, come 2024, he’s determined to secure a Diamond Partner Award plaque again.

In addition to DocuWare services, Open Systems offers Shufti Pro.

Shufti Pro provides “award-winning biometric ID verification solutions for customer onboarding that go beyond standard KYC (Know Your Customer) and AML (Anti-Money Laundering) and checks to help organizations reduce fraud, and stay compliant globally.”

When you consider that DocuWare is based on customer support, it’s understandable why Bridgewater chose to add The Qmatic (Queue Management Systems & Customer Journey Solutions) to his services.

That software manages over two billion customer journeys every year, on more than 65,000 systems, in over 120 countries and across several sectors including finance, healthcare, retail and public services. The mobile-based program gives customers access to services they need from anywhere in the world.

An example of a Qmatic customer is a popular car rental brand with upwards of 5,450 offices in more than 165 countries. In a review of Qmatic, wrote, “Thanks to this system, the customers are recognizing that they are being treated fairly and employees can focus on service without having to worry about whose turn it is next.”

Another recent venture of Open Systems is a partnership with Kaseya—a leading provider of unified Information Technology (IT) and security management solutions for managed service providers (MSPs) and mid-market enterprises (MMEs).

With the combination of Shufti Pro, Qmatic, Kaseya and Datto, Open Systems Technologies International, a local business, will have the solutions and infrastructure to satisfy the global requirements for businesses to acquire

cybersecurity insurance to protect their companies from ransomware and other cybersecurity attacks.

“Open Systems will have the necessary tools needed to satisfy the 24/7 monitoring for cybersecurity insurance,” added Bridgewater.

Overall, Bridgewater said he has invested into what Open Systems currently offers and will continue adding to his company’s growth. His injections have garnered huge returns including the ability to offer services globally. According to Bridgewater that means Open Systems can tailor services to meet the requirements for cyber security and cyber insurance for any company utilizing the Kaysea cybersecurity solutions.

It’s been nearly 25 years since Bridgewater opened the doors of Open Systems Technologies International. Yes, one of his goals is a bit cliché—to evolve with technology. But his underlying motivation is quite unique—to highlight that global standard solutions can be offered from a country that can easily go undetected on the world map—The Bahamas.

“It is important for foreign direct investors to know that this type of technology can be provided in The Bahamas.. They can do business here and be assured that access to their projects and companies is possible from anywhere in the world and protected from cybersecurity disruptions.”

Open Systems Technologies International provides IT solutions tailored to each business. Those services include an array of professionally managed services: content management, cloud backup storage solutions, biometric identity verification, cybersecurity, disaster recovery and teleworker solutions.

For more information, visit https://www.opensystems-bs.com UA

Shufti Pro Biometric Identity Verification

Peter C. Bridgewater, President/CEO

At Cancer Treatment Centers of America® (CTCA), Comprehensive Cancer Care Network we understand that cancer is a complex disease, requiring you to navigate insurance coverage, travel arrangements, medical records and other unanticipated needs. Our international team is committed to helping you handle these logistics so you can focus on what’s important to you—your health.

EXPERT CANCER CARE FOR BAHAMAS PATIENTS

at

If you or someone you love has cancer, please call toll-free 242-601-0006 to speak with an International Oncology Information Specialist, available 24 hours per day, or visit cancercenter.com/international for more information.

When you choose one of our five U.S.-based hospitals, we guide you and your family every step of the way, starting with a 3-5 day initial evaluation to develop your personalized cancer treatment plan. A team of clinicians will work together to provide treatments combined with evidence-informed supportive cancer care therapies designed to help manage side effects, boost your energy and keep you strong during treatment. Your plan may include treatments like chemotherapy, surgery and radiation with supportive therapies like pain management, physical therapy, nutritional counseling, naturopathic and spiritual support.

“I enjoyed being around the doctors

Cancer Treatment Centers of America because, not only do they educate you, but they give you a sense of hope. They focus on mind, body and spirit.”

Pamela R. Breast Cancer Patient

LONG ISLAND’S Secret Menus

By Bianca

Somewhere in the southern turquoise archipelago of islands known as The Bahamas is a glistening gem called Long Island. Just imagine driving down a secluded sandy road and, as you peak the hill, there’s a breath-taking scene of sparkling diamond-blue waters awaiting you.

A pleasant surprise when you least expect one. This, my friendly readers, is the experience of the “Out Island life”, “the Family Island life”. Always an adventure, discovery awaits at every turn!

On your journey through my favourite island in the sun, undoubtedly, Long Island will become your favourite island, too!

As you drive around the island, hair blowing in the wind as the sweet island breeze brushes across your face, you may just stumble across an unexpected “rum bar”. Or even have chats with locals to hear about some “to die for” food that you are not going to find at any local restaurants anywhere on the island. While you may hear of these secret menus, you will just have to find the secret off the beaten path, foodie hub, which will have you pre-ordering your food for your next island visit. Or perhaps even take it on your return flight back home.

The food scene on Long Island has evolved over the last few years, exploding with new food options, apart from the traditional favourite dishes. While the “baked macaroni” is the showstopper of every plated meal, significantly so for Sunday family dinner, it is the conch salad and conch fritters which are by far the “bucket list food” which are a must-try. It is a kind of, “don’t leave for home” unless you have experienced one or both.

While your favourite Bahamian food is very much always a “bite” away, the foodie culture has subtly transformed the local food atmosphere.

With a combination of a few bright minds and knowledge of different food cultures, practice in the authentic preparations of unique food styles lends to the “party in your mouth” type of feel. It’s the transformation from the everyday “boring” yet down-home favourites to new and exciting foods that one doesn’t have to catch a flight or boat to enjoy but can feast on with the “art of yummy” right here on Long Island.

Thanks to the talented food creators emerging on the Long Island Bahamas food scene. There is definitely no shortage of great cooks throughout the island, but when you find that special food that hits your spot, it is sure to bring you back for more.

Once you’ve made your way to this skinny stretch of land, be sure not to miss a chance to experience the off the beaten path food and drink crawl. Hit up some of the off the chains, home-based businesses.

Hungry? No need to wait, there are so many food tips to choose from here on Long Island. From the favourites like American, Italian, French, Mexican, Chinese, Tex Mex, Japanese, German, Jamaican, Philippines, Greek and Guyanese. But the trick is finding these secret food places. You won’t find these chefs cooped up in a restaurant’s kitchen. They are at home or at the little roadside hut, “cheffing up” the most amazing taste-thrilling food that you won’t find here at any dining establishment.

On Long Island, these micro-small home-based businesses “out taste” the well-known restaurants, providing such good service, even food delivery—yes, you read correctly. Long Island even has our very own version of “Uber Eats/Door Dash”. Don’t want to drive to pick up? Unfamiliar with the island? Therein lies the solution.

Well, enough of keeping these menus a secret—let’s reveal some of these food trappings for your tummy’s pleasure!

Landing at Deadman’s Cay airport after a very long flight can make you extra thirsty, so be sure to drop in by Bling Bling Bar and have a seat under the big guinep tree. Cool off and sip on a beer whilst the food cooks on the open outdoor fire. Kendal Hanna, proprietor, “chefs up” authentic Bahamian foods, like fried fish, crab ‘n’ dough, grilled pork, okra soup and more. Chef Hanna is a big, hearty fellow with an even bigger heart for his customers. Stop by and take a sip under the big tree.

Preparing for a road trip? Of course, you are! Because every day is a road trip here on Long Island, to any and everywhere! While on your drive, there’s a little spot right on the side of the road in a quiet village called, “The Bight”. Here, you will meet Blanche “Letta” Fox and George Fox, the husband-and-wife duo who operates a down-home-style bar and restaurant, Letta’s. The pair opened their roadside establishment in June of 2019. Serving up a variety of foods like

Major

Photographs Courtesy Of Ellie Sushi, Nikita’s Kitchen, The Glazing Board, Letta’s Bar and Bianca Major

The Glazing Place

The Glazing Board

Ellie Sushi Island Heat

Ellie Sushi Sushi Platter

Bahama Mamas Pizza

American favourites burgers and fries, and Bahamian favourites chicken wings, Letta’s also offers a decent selection of beer and rum to excite the buds. You may just end up singing a karaoke tune or two while sharing stories with some locals.

Greece, yes, you read it right. Greek culture is alive and well here on Long Island. Our special blend of native Bahamas and Greece intertwined within our community, family, and food life.

Warning: Be prepared to be “yummified” with Greek goodies by The Grazing Place. This home-based business is headed by a gorgeous Bahamian-Greek goddess, Demetria Constantakis. Specializing in charcuterie and custom grazing boards and boxes, this stop is perfect for any party or treat. Located in the small community of Petty’s. Established a little over one year ago, this appetizing food option has something for everyone. A variety board/box with meats, cheeses, wines, and fruits – it’s your choice. Get your favourite sipa and desserts as well. From baklava to hummus dips, The Grazing Place can surely satisfy your palate, with the Greek inspiration.

Japanese-Greek-Bahamian infusion makes for fireworks in your mouth! Once again, the food scene on Long Island is evolving to meet the rest of the world. Introducing … Ellie Sushi. It’s no longer the mundane peas ‘n’ rice and chicken only anymore. Long Island has options now, food options, that is. Coming from Long Island and Greek heritage, Vangalis Constantakis, a fisherman by trade, decided to create a home-based business showcasing and preparing sushi. Vangalis, inspired by the Japanese food art, introduced the world of sushi to Long Island. With the help of his family and partner, Ellie Sushi (named after his daughter), which was once named Rellie’s Sushi, has brought a new food delight to the island.

A little taste of Italy! Italian Food at Bahama Mama’s. You won’t just find “the best pizza in town” at Bahama Mama’s Daiquiri Bar • Pizzas • Grill. A well-known home-based business serving up Italian food every day, Bahama Mama’s even offers pizza delivery services across the entire island! Along with pasta, daiquiris, and smoothies. But wait…there’s more!

While Italian is on the menu every day, you can get a little taste of food from around the world. You may find some Mexican and Tex Mex food, too, along with tacos, fajitas, quesadillas, and margaritas! Maybe it’s a Sri Lanka, Jamaica, Guyana or Trinidad foodie feel day where you can get your curry goat or chicken, doubles and roti, or some good hot jerk pork or chicken. Yes, Bahama Mama’s even cooks up a true Cajun menu straight out of New Orleans, Louisiana! Sweet treats like King Cake, mouth-watering crab and seafood boils, shrimp and crawfish étouffée, jambalaya, and gumbo. Bahama Mama’s Daiquiri Bar & Pizzas in Buckley’s is owned and operated by Bianca Major. So, be sure to stop by for your piña colada or green smoothie!

Nikita’s Kitchen, located in Burnt Ground, serves up Bahamian food and healthy eating alternatives. Nikita Pratt has a love for food and prepares her menu daily and offers delivery. Nikita’s Kitchen offers customers a clean eating menu with mouth-watering salads and fruit-infused teas. While there is no shortage of good food throughout Long Island, Nikita’s Kitchen is a treat. You can also find Nikita’s Kitchen at pop-ups and island cookouts and other events.

Rose’s Take-away, also in Burnt Ground, is owned and operated by Mrs. Rose Adderley from her home. This food is so good! Authentic Bahamian food favourites are always on the menu. You can indulge in grouper fingers, peas ‘n’ rice, snacks, burgers and more. Mrs. Rose has been in business for quite a few years and has a strong work ethic. With the help of her husband, they have been running a successful small home-based food business.

The best secret is finding all these extraordinarily home-made and home-based good food spots off the beaten path, since, like we said at the start, you won’t find them in the local restaurants.

It’s not just a standard, flat-tasting food routine, like you get from the “regular spot”. The food is bold, beautiful, and tasty!

But no matter where you go or what’s on the menu, remember these three tips: Explore! Be open-minded, bold and expand your taste buds. And take a bite out of Long Island! UA

The Glazing Place The Glazing Board Platter

Bahama Mamas Coconut Pumpkin Bisque

Bahama Mamas Native Crab Soup

Nikita’s Kitchen Crack Lobster

Bahama Mamas Hot Beef Patties

Nikita’s Kitchen Fruit & Nuts Salad

Letta’s Bar

“Love in Action”

Home Construction Project Justice. Compassion. Love.

The Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) Bahamas is the national office of the humanitarian arm of the Seventh-day Adventist Church incorporated and registered in The Bahamas. We deliver relief and development assistance to individuals, regardless of their ethnicity, political affiliation, gender, or religious association. By partnering with local and international communities, we implement developmental projects and activities that foster positive sustainable change.

The Love in Action Project has successfully seen the completion of twenty-five housing structures in less than twelve months throughout Great Abaco and has an aim to continue these efforts to aid in the return of families affected by Hurricane Dorian through the loss of their homes. Over 75,000 persons were impacted, and thousands displaced from Abaco alone. Many persons are still displaced, living either in tents, with families, or on other islands. With the continued threat of a hurricane or other natural disaster, permanent storm-resistant and safe shelters for vulnerable community households are urgently needed. We have a growing list of over 100 families awaiting assistance, so it is our hope to provide a stable shelter environment that meets hurricane standards and mitigates future harm and damage.

When you donate towards this project, YOU, too, become a humanitarian in showing love through your actions – be it with your time, monetary donations or in-kind gifts!

Contact details:

Website: www.adra.bs

E-mail: contact@adra.bs

Telephone: 1-242-361-ADRA (2372)

Whatsapp: 1-242-812-ADRA (2372)

Marsh Harbour, Abaco – Airport

Guana Cay Beach

RELEASE YOUR WOES IN THE ABACOS

By Alexandra ‘Bahayogi’ Kaufmann Photographs Courtesy Of Alexandra Kaufmann

Pack your bags; you’re going on an adventure! Make sure you bring a swimsuit, hat, sunglasses, and plenty of sunscreen. Then, catch that early Bahamasair flight around 7am and land at your destination on time, ready to seize the day.

Welcome to the Abacos, the boating capital of The Bahamas. This chain of islands and cays, divided into Central, North and South, spans over 120 miles. However, naturally, the adventure begins on Great Abaco, the main and largest island.

Once you land at Leonard M. Thompson International Airport in Marsh Harbour, take a few minutes to get your bag from baggage claim and head straight to the front exit where my favourite driver, Jeff, awaits in Taxi #11. But, of course, you can only start an adventure with a nourishing breakfast. And what better way to nourish than with a steamy bowl of boiled fish and freshly baked Johnny cake coated in melted butter? The first stop is at Colours restaurant to fill your belly, then promptly head to The Crossings ferry dock to catch the 10:30am boat to Guana Cay.

As I said before, the Abacos are a chain of islands and cays, and to truly experience the Abacos, you must also venture beyond the mainland. So, on this trip, over three days, you’ll make it to Great Guana Cay, Nunjack Cay, No Name Cay, Green Turtle Cay, then right back to mainland Marsh Harbour.

All aboard the G&L ferry! This $20 roundtrip ride takes us cruising through cerulean waters, and in about forty-five minutes, you’ll reach your destination. About eight miles from Marsh Harbour, nestled in the centre of the Abaco islands, is Great Guana Cay. With nearly 200 residents on seven miles of long, narrow land, this cay boasts reputedly one of the most beautiful beaches in all the Abacos. This pink and white sand beach is bathed in waters of every shade of blue, aquamarine and turquoise and has about a five-mile stretch of untouched beauty.

Once you get off the ferry, there’s no need for wheels here in the settlement. You’ll be fine walking, or you can rent a cart from Dive Guana should you want to venture beyond. At the end of the dock, take a right and head to Nippers Beach Bar & Grill. Settle in for a bite to eat. I recommend the famous chicken in da’ bag and even more famous (and feared) frozen delight, a Nipper, to wash it down -- if you dare! While you eat, take in the views of the Atlantic Ocean and, afterwards, walk down to the beach for a dip. Feel the soft powdery sand between your toes and comb the area for small shells, colourful sea glass and even some sea beans. Depending on the time of year, with not many people living on the island, you’ll find primarily seagulls and ghost crabs accompanying you along your walk.

After you bathe in the sun, maybe another Nipper? That’ll loosen up your bones to jam some tunes from Barefoot Man and Jimmy Buffett to Bob Marley. Find your groove, meet some new friends, and create some memories. Then, it’s time to follow the crowd over to Grabbers! Down the dirt path, take a left, walk past the ferry dock, and make your way towards the end of the settlement. Grabbers is the spot for some of the best sunset views on the island. Equipped with a pool, hammocks, and two bars -- this is an epic place to unwind for the rest of the night. So, have a few drinks and catch the kitchen before it closes to sample some of the best Bahamian food in town. Finally, end the night in one of the many oceanfront cottage rentals on Guana Cay and get some rest for tomorrow—it’s a boat day!

Now, you can’t come to the boating capital of The Bahamas and not indulge in a boat trip. So, hop on board one of the many boat rentals from Dive Guana and explore the southern cays. Then, with the best captain, you’ll cruise through the Whale Cut Passage, which can be daunting as this is where the mighty Atlantic Ocean meets the Sea of Abaco, but it makes for an exhilarating ride that a pod of dolphins may sometimes accompany. Finally, after about thirty minutes of cruising, feast your eyes on Nunjack Cay—a beautiful, protected cove filled with sharks, stingrays, turtles and lots of fish. This area is well known to those around as a pitstop to feed the animals. As soon as your boat pulls into the bay, turtles and stingrays will begin to flock. If the tide is right and your captain allows, hop off and head to shore, and with some squid (your boat captain will provide, of course), you can feed the stingrays at the shoreline. I like to place the squid between my toes and feel as the stingrays swim over to graze with the gentlest tickles. However, if you prefer to stay in the boat, throw some pieces to the nurse sharks and turtles that await. They will be forever grateful!

Ready for lunch? Next stop: Pineapples on Green Turtle Cay. This spot is home to some of the most tender cracked conch I have ever had! Pineapples—a popular place to hang out with a small dock and pool – is perfect for a mid-day lounge and nosh. Have a drink or two, take some photos, then head to the day’s last spot.

Pigs At Big O’s

While everything so far will make for an amazing time, an Abaco boat trip is only complete if you have experienced a swim with the pigs. So, pull up to No Name Cay and watch as the pigs swim towards you. It is a fantastic sight to see! Only in The Bahamas do pigs’ swim! Make your way off the boat with your treats in hand – for the piggies, of course. They love carrots, celery, apples, and corn. As you wade towards the shore, keep your hands high and your eyes alert, as the older pigs can be pretty assertive. But when you’re ready to share the love, take your time and feed them one at a time. Adorable, though they may be, the pigs on No Name Cay are wild animals. Let me repeat. Wild. Animals. So, proceed with caution. Further, on shore, you’ll see a beautiful stand of Casuarina trees and Big O’s restaurant, which is another excellent spot to settle in for a bite and a little something to wet your throat. If you’re looking for a fresh conch salad, there’s a stand on the dock, and it’s some of the freshest I’ve ever had.

Once you’ve had your fill of feeding adorable pigs, head on back to Guana Cay. Feel free to end the day with sunset views at Grabber’s or head in for the night and fall asleep to the sound of the waves.

What a magnificent two-day adventure in the Abacos! And this barely scratches the surface of all the cool things to experience in this enchanting chain of islands. We may have to plan another trip. What do you think? UA

Guana Cay Birds

May I suggest Cuba for your next family vacation? I hope your answer is yes. Especially if you are one of those travellers who always returns home with art in the form of paintings, sculptures, souvenirs, the works. I have a treat for you that will make your next trip to Cuba “The Arts Paradise”, because, this time, you will return home after having had the great opportunity to “Meet the Artists”.

Let’s start this trip on your “right foot”. First step: Book your tickets to Havana, Cuba on Bahamasair. Once in Havana, there is a family of artists that you must meet: La Familia Bordón. The Bordón family has a father whose contemporary paintings are in galleries in almost every continent; a mother, who I call “The Queen of Installations”; a son who is a professional photographer; and a daughter whose major is art history. Literally, meeting this family is like a dream come true for art lovers. What a treat for art connoisseurs!

CUBA Meet the Artists

By Myru Hernandez Photographs

Courtesy Of Pablo Bordón

Camagüey City

Prof. Edel Bordón At Work

Prof. Yamilé Pardo

Pablo Bordón

CUBA: MEET THE ARTISTS

Just imagine yourself visiting the artists in their own studio and sharing with them in their living room as you discover that their home has become a museum of contemporary art, known as “Espacio 106”. In the Bordón family home, you will find paintings, installations, sculptures, and artistic photographs. You will meet the artists and discover new art trends, as they recommend the best places you must include when you book an art tour in Havana—an experience like no other!

During the “meet the artists” experience, visitors, as special guests, also learn about new community projects and places where art lovers can acquire art pieces for all budgets. What an adventure! Autographs, recommendations … you’ll design the perfect Havana art tour.

You may wonder why this family is considered one of the icons of contemporary art in Cuba. Well, I’ll tell you. Some of them educate artists at the most prestigious higher education art school in Cuba, San Alejandro Fine Art School.

The Father: Edel Bordón. As a member of the National League of Writers and Artists of Cuba (UNEAC), the artist’s work has been displayed in over twenty individual exhibitions in various countries including Cuba, Brazil, Germany, Mexico, The Bahamas, USA, and Switzerland.

The Mother: Yamilé Pardo. Skilled in both painting and sculpture, Pardo is currently the director of the Department of Sculpture at San Alejandro School of Art. As an artist, she explores nature, form, material and the original function of objects found in the most unimaginable places. Many of her pieces and installations focus on the role women in Cuba play in the domestic sphere.

The Son: Pablo Bordón, Professor of Photography at the Highest Institute of Arts known as ISA. Prof. Pablo Bordón’s work focuses on photography, painting, and new media. His work explores the ever-deflected concept of “intimacy” by way of redefining photographs. Pablo uses oil paints to recreate classic images of famous photographs that are considered part of history.

The Daughter: Lucia Bordón, specializes in art history. She’s the piece of the puzzle that provides visitors with a fresh approach to art then and art today. While visiting the Bordón’s studio workshop, the youngest of the family allows visitors to travel back in time and return with a greater appreciation of today’s art trends.

In The Bahamas, the Bordón family has collaborated with Antonius Roberts, John Cox, and others. University of The Bahamas has also welcomed Edel Bordón and Yamilé Pardo as professors who have shared their techniques with up-and-coming artists.

I asked Professor Pardo where are some of the places she would suggest to art lovers who want to learn about real Cuban art.

She responded, “We all know that we can visit museums, galleries and artists’ studios, but the real visual arts can be found at events such as the Havana Biennial, the Visual Arts Study Centre, and at artists’ personal spaces like this one.”

Read the next issue of Up and Away and you will see a list of places where you can MEET MORE ARTISTS. I will give you details, the address and names of Famous Cuban Artists Personal Studios. Are you in? UA

Prof. Edel Bordón

Prof. Edel Bordón

Prof. Yamilé Pardo And Lucia Bordón Art Exhibition at ESPACIO 106 (Bordón Family Studio)

Explore Fort Lauderdale by Water W

ith more than twenty-four miles of golden sandy coastline and over 300 miles of inland waterways, one of the best ways to explore Fort Lauderdale is by boat. Known as the “Yachting Capital of the World”, this beach town logs over 3,000 hours of sunshine per year, making it an excellent place to be on the water. For visitors, a budget-friendly way to explore the waterways of Fort Lauderdale is by water taxi. During your ride, along the rivers, canals and intracoastal waterway, live commentary informs you about all the sights, history, and ecosystem of the area you are visiting. The “hop on, hop off” feature lets you jump off and visit anything that piques your curiosity along the way.

Water taxis operate seven days a week from 10am to 10pm. There are eleven stops on the main route plus an optional Hollywood Express Route that runs every two hours from the Hilton Hotel and Convention Center in Fort Lauderdale to the Margaritaville Beach Resort in Hollywood. There is also a water trolley

By Tina Walsh

that runs from the Riverside Hotel in the Las Olas area along the Riverwalk in downtown Fort Lauderdale. All these routes are included in the unlimited rides price of $35 for adults with discounts for children, seniors, and military. There is an after 5:00pm price of $20 which is great for viewing holiday lights if you visit Fort Lauderdale in December. Visit watertaxi.com to purchase tickets and plan your adventure, making sure you check the list of “Cruise and Save” partners. These restaurants, attractions and shops offer discounts to patrons that show their water taxi ticket.

The intracoastal waterway is directly connected to the Everglades through a series of canals. It is part of the fragile ecosystem that acts as a birthing ground and nursery for porpoises, manatees, sea turtles, sting rays and multiple species of fish. On days when the boat traffic is quiet, you may see some of these creatures on your voyage. The Everglades provides most of the drinking water for South Florida, thus extra care is taken to protect this natural resource.

Photographs Courtesy Of Tina Walsh

Ft. Lauderdale Riverwalk

Lauderdale Marina From A Water Taxi

Double Decker Water Taxi

SOUTH ELEUTHERA, BAHAMAS DEVELOPMENT

Photographs courtesy of Brent

STOPS

Stop number one is at the Riverside Hotel and historic Stranahan House, just off Las Olas Boulevard. At the Stranahan House, you will learn more about the history of Fort Lauderdale which dates to the late 1800s when Governor Broward dredged some canals to drain part of the Everglades, creating farmlands and residential areas to support the growing new city of Fort Lauderdale. Frank Stranahan was one of the founding fathers of Fort Lauderdale. He built a trading post and ferry service on the site where he ultimately built the house you see standing directly behind this water taxi stop. You can transfer to the water trolley route from this stop.

Margaritaville Beach Resort where you can wander down the Hollywood Beach boardwalk, enjoy a casual meal at Landshark Bar & Grill, the 5 o’Clock Somewhere Bar & Grill, or indulge in a splurge dinner at JWB Prime Steak House. Return boats leave Hollywood every two hours between 10am and 10pm.

Heading north to stop number five, you have a prime view of some of Fort Lauderdale’s most stunning, waterfront homes and mega yachts. The water taxi crew will entertain you with stories of their owners. The south end of Bahia Mar and the Doubletree Hotel are located at this stop. This is the first of the beach access stops. Simply walk across A1A to enjoy the sandy shore of the Atlantic Ocean.

Just north of stop five is stop six. Also on Fort Lauderdale Beach, this stop is closest to Beach Place. A multi-storey complex, it offers restaurants, shops,

Stop number two is three blocks east of the first stop. This stop gives you access to large public parking lots along SE 9th Ave. From this stop, it is a short walk to Las Olas Boulevard. Las Olas has a wide variety of restaurants at all price points and some of the best shopping in South Florida.

Cruising east along the New River, then south in the intracoastal, takes you to stop number three at 15th Street Fisheries Restaurant in the Lauderdale Marina. You will cruise by stunning multi-million-dollar mansions and the Lauderdale Yacht Club to reach this stop. If you are interested in fresh fish for lunch or dinner, this makes a great stop.

The southernmost stop on the main route is the Hilton Marina & Convention Center. This stop gives you panoramic views of Port Everglades and her massive cruise ships. This is where you pick up the Hollywood Express Route vessel. It leaves every two hours, between 9:00am and 9:00pm. The route ends at the

entertainment, and cocktail lounges. After taking a swim in the ocean, you can enjoy some time there before hopping on the next bright yellow water taxi and heading farther north.

Seville Street is a whistle stop. For pickup here, you must call the office and request a stop. On busy weekends, the water taxis almost always stop here. This stop is the closest stop to Las Olas Beach. This is the iconic beach with bath houses, restrooms, and a paved promenade.

Continuing north is the Gallery One Doubletree stop seven. If you are interested in shopping, this is your stop. The Galleria Mall is attached to the Doubletree. You can walk straight through the lobby to one of the best shopping venues in Fort Lauderdale.

Continuing north to stop number eight is Hugh Taylor Birch State Park. This peaceful sanctuary gives you a natural Florida experience. Bird watchers

Ft. Lauderdale Bahia Mar Sunrise Blvd. Bridge

Las Olas Bridge Hugh Taylor Birch State Park

can view more than 200 species of birds. Hikers may see turtles, snakes, and possums. There are bike rentals and canoe rentals on the fresh water inland lagoon. Across A1A, you will find 1.5 miles of pristine beaches and a walk-up snack bar.

The two northernmost stops will appeal to the foodies in your group. Stop nine is Shooters Waterfront Restaurant. With waterfront views and a diverse menu, this eatery has something for everyone. If you are interested in exploring the International Swimming Hall of Fame, this is the stop. You can check out the swimming memorabilia in the front building, then head out to the Olympic-size swimming pool and the newly installed diving platform. The diving platform is one of the largest in the world.

Bokampers Sports Bar & Grill is stop number ten. This upscale sports bar offers delicious bites for lunch and dinner as well as brunch on the weekends. There is indoor and outdoor dining with views of the intracoastal and giant TVs, in case you want to catch a sporting event on television.

After the Bokampers, the water taxi heads south and makes the stops in reverse order. You are treated to views and commentary about the celebrities and captains of industry that own the incredible structures along the intracoastal also known as Millionaires Row. The water taxis all have a snack bar that offers beer, wine, cocktails, water, and soft drinks. You can sip on an icy libation and watch the mega yachts glide by as you return to your starting point.

There are multiple tour companies that run cruises along the intracoastal in Fort Lauderdale. None of them are as economical or offer the “hop on, hop off” feature that water taxis offer. Without making any shore trips, the entire loop takes about three hours to complete. Add in a couple stops for sightseeing, shopping, a beach visit, or a meal, and you can enjoy an entire day on the water. UA

Millionaire’s Row

Ft. Lauderdale Skyline From The New River

AN UNCOMMON FAITH & FAITHFULNESS

Sittin’ on da Porch with Reverend Monsignor John Thomas Johnson, St. Gregory’s Catholic Church, Gregory Town, Eleuthera

By Tyrone L. E. Fitzgerald

Travelling speedily but steadily down a steep yet small hill just half a mile within the Eleuthera settlement of Gregory Town, a small, statuesque frame of a man sits on an island blue front porch, gazing curiously outwards to the many incoming interlopers to this cove-enclaved paradise of freedom, faith, and family.

His demeanour is not that of a frightening, overprotective “guardian at the gate”, but of a sweet, calm, peaceful, and omnipresent uncle greeting you at family Sunday dinner or Sunday Catholic mass.

Father John Johnson (or Father Johnson as he is affectionately known) is the familiar face, radiant personality, and infectious smile that greets you as you enter this magnificent settlement of Gregory Town, and local folklore has it that no one who enters or leaves this almost-mythical settlement escapes his gravitating energy, captivating essence, or multi-panoramic gaze.

He has been and continues to be the embodiment of a strong Christian faith, unwavering faithfulness, and charitable communal spirit that has demonstrated over time the powerful tenacity of the strength, resilience, and cooperativeness of a thriving island community for more than seven decades since his birth on the 26th of June 1948.

Born to Ida (née Levarity) and Prince Johnson, local Gregory Town farmers, Father Johnson grew up as the youngest of three children in the settlement, although he also had family ties in the nearby settlement of Hatchet Bay to the south of Gregory Town.

He was an adventurous, hard-working young boy who helped raise his family’s sheep and goat; harvest local fruits and vegetables such as pineapples, tomatoes, and corn; shoot marbles; tote water; chop wood; and swim in “The Coe” (the v is colloquially dropped when pronounced locally), a semi-deep, blue-hued, translucent island cove where ships sailed and docked daily, bringing valuable goods and wares from Nassau, the nation’s capital, and other parts of Eleuthera.

Father Johnson admitted that his family was poor by modern-day economic standards but rich in unity, Christian values, and a strong work ethic. They were

a very close-knit family who were an integral part of a wider island community where, in his words, “everyone lived together and shared as one”.

He attended the Gregory Town Public School and, by all accounts, Father Johnson was a model student who loved learning and using that knowledge to understand the people with whom he lived and the world in which he lived.

In his memory, Gregory Town, in the late 40s and 50s, and much the same in present day, was a bustling tourist retreat, agricultural pioneer in pineapple and tomato farming and distribution, blueprint for successful co-operative economics, and a symbol of shared communal living.

Whilst sitting in the artfully decorated Unca Gene’s Seafood Restaurant, which was the old family homestead that his uncle, Eugene Johnson, a hardworking businessman—whom Father Johnson also credits with instilling in him a strong

Photographs Courtesy Of Steven I. Miller

Fr. Johnson

St. Gregory’s Roman Catholic Church

Fr. Johnson At St. Gregory’s

work ethic—transformed into a local eatery, and is now a popular tourist and local food haven of freshly prepared, sumptuous native dishes—Father Johnson leaned in closely to tell me of his favourite food, as a child and still as an adult, the eponymous, Bahamian “peas soup ‘n’ dough”, complete with fresh salt beef, sweet potato, cassava, “Lutra” conch, and all the fixings.

I laughed and admitted to Father Johnson that it was also my favourite food. We both laughed and wondered where we could find some peas soup ‘n’ dough this late in the afternoon and seriously contemplated scouring Gregory Town for a generous, heavy-handed neighbour to appease our afternoon craving.

Reflecting on his time in the priesthood, Father Johnson has had a varied and interesting journey. Since there was no high school in Gregory Town at the time, he left the settlement in 1967 to attend St. Augustine’s College in Nassau. Upon graduation in 1970, with fellow classmates the Honourable Frederick Mitchell, Sir Michael L. Barnett, Sonia Knowles, Dr. Tyrone Olander, Gus Roberts, and Michael Weech, Father Johnson began working for the Ministry of Education in the Personnel Department.

Father Johnson left the Ministry of Education on study leave to study for the priesthood in Tunapuna, Trinidad, in 1974, having been motivated to join the priesthood by his family’s ongoing work with local priests back in Gregory Town during his childhood and teenage years. Father Johnson later attended St. John’s University in Collegeville, Minnesota, where he obtained both a Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts in Religious Studies.

Father Johnson was ordained by Archbishop Sam Carter, the archbishop of Jamaica, on August 8, 1980, and has been an ordained Catholic priest for the past forty-two years, twenty-four of which have been spent as priest in Gregory Town where he returned in 1999, upon selecting one of two openings on Abaco and in Gregory Town offered by Archbishop Lawrence Burke.

To Father Johnson, returning home to Gregory Town was a “no-brainer”, as it was and always will be his home. He is now responsible for the spiritual leadership and administration of St. Gregory’s Catholic Church (Gregory Town), St. Catherine’s Catholic Church (Hatchet Bay), and St. Paul’s Catholic Church (Governor’s Harbour).

In addition to the priesthood, teaching has always been a passion of Father Johnson’s, having taught religious studies in the Catholic and public school system for over 30 years, before retiring in 2013.

As we ended our afternoon conversation at Unca Gene’s near “The Coe”, I asked Father Johnson what the challenges were facing the Gregory Town community and about his wider dream for The Bahamas, on celebrating its 50th anniversary of independence this year. He spoke of the negative effects of the drug culture with its attendant entitlement mentality, which plagued many Bahamian communities in the 1980’s and early 1990’s, and its destructive impact on the work ethic of many young people within Family Island communities.

Despite the psychological and social remnants of this bygone era, Father Johnson has always implored young people to take responsibility for their lives and continue to build upon the resilience and hard work of their elders who worked together to create thriving, well-knit, economically viable communities like Gregory Town.

Father Johnson views the role of the church as being an empowering and engaging religious institution that is relatable and relevant to the exigencies of daily life and the people who live and work within the communities in which they have spiritual stewardship and guidance.

Citing significant progress in education as one of the primary national achievements since Independence Day in 1973, despite the increased criticism of the current educational system, and the proverbial national “D” average, Father Johnson’s vision for The Bahamas on its 50th anniversary of independence is to create an increasingly industrious Bahamas where everyone lives and works as one people towards a common goal—a loftier one—forward, upward, onward, together. UA

Gregory Town, Eleuthera Sign

Settlements On Eleuthera

Unca Gene’s Restaurant And Bar

Fr. Johnson Lounging On The Waterfront

Fruitful Memories

‘Mouthwatering, sweet and juicy’

By Shavaughn Moss

“Sugar apple, guinep, juju plum…” among native offerings worth exploring in The Bahamas!

Name three fruits you are going to enjoy while in The Bahamas—and you can’t say mango, coconut or pineapple. The challenge, if you care to accept, is to try as many native fruits you find while you’re here, and maybe even go off the beaten path in an effort to find them.

In season, you will find vendors peddling fruits streetside for a buck or two. Alternatively, stop at a roadside fruit stand to check out what they are offering.

Fruits are a nutritious staple in people’s diets and, of course, there are the grocery store staples. The specific type of fruit a person eats likely depends on their geographic location. So, as you visit The Bahamas, and make plans about where you will visit, where you will dine, and how many hours you spend on the beach, consider exploring the unique fruits you will find, and enjoy like a native, especially during the summer months.

Cherries

Cherries that grow in the yards of most people are known as Barbados cherries, but people simply call them cherries. They are small, round to oblate-shaped fruit. Some of the bright red to deep, crimson-coloured fruit are said to resemble small apples. They have a thin, glossy skin that covers yellow-orange, soft, juicy pulp. The tart to sweet-tart flesh surrounds several seeds.

Coco Plum

Coco plums (Chrysobalonus icaco) can be red, white, deep purple or cream-coloured. The reasoning behind the colours is that if the tree is near the water, they tend to have light-coloured fruit that are round, whereas the inland variation tends to be oval and red to dark purple.

The fruit, which has a large edible kernel, is soft and sweet when ripe and can be eaten out of hand. They can have a large crop in late spring and another in late autumn.

Coconut

Of course, you must find the time to enjoy a coconut, for the simple reason—a jelly coconut is absolutely delicious! There are vendors with fresh fruit everywhere you travel. They will chop one open for you and allow you to sip the refreshing, healthy water, but don’t throw away your coconut after all the water is gone, because there’s more goodness to be had with the creamy jelly, just waiting to be scooped out.

Guava

Guavas (also guayaba) – there are so many varieties to choose from. For the most part, Bahamians can’t tell you the difference. All they know is that guavas are used in a quintessential Bahamian dessert, the much-loved guava duff. Red guavas are most common. They are plump and round or pear-shaped. Their smooth skin furrows at the base and matures from dark green to light green and yellow. They are

firm with an aromatic, edible skin that softens as the fruit ripens. The flesh ranges from pale rose to a deep pink or red and has a fleshy central cavity with dozens of small, edible seeds. They have a sweet, tropical flavour with a hint of acid.

Pink guavas are quite commonplace and are round to slightly ovate. They have a smooth green skin that ripens to a golden yellow with intermittent brown markings. The inner salmon pink flesh is semi-soft and holds small, round yellowish seeds that may be removed but are often eaten whole. Pink guavas have a sweet musky fragrance with tropical notes of papaya, passionfruit, melon and ripe pear. They have a moderate acidity and are very sweet. In fact, they are considered the sweetest of all the guava varieties.

Watermelon guavas are oval to pear-shaped fruits with a moderate size. The semi-rough skin is green, leathery and slightly bumpy. Underneath the thin skin, the red-pink flesh is dense and crisp. The flesh is also known to have a firm, granular and crunchy apple-like consistency, encasing many small, hard and edible yellow seeds. Watermelon guavas have a sweet scent reminiscent of strawberries and a floral, fruity and sweet flavour of melon and berries.

Mexican Cream guavas are another guava variety to be found in The Bahamas. They are small roundish fruits with a pale, yellow skin often with a red blush. Mexican Cream guavas have a creamy white flesh that is thick and aromatic. The small fruits have a small seed cavity that holds a handful of soft, edible seeds. They are sweet, with a classic tropical flavour, and offers aromas of pineapple and passion fruit.

Guinep

Guinep (also known as limonillo or Spanish lime) is a small, green fruit that grows in bunches like grapes. They have a flavour reminiscent of a cross between the lychee nut and lime.

Purchase a bunch, pop the shell to reveal a golden yellow seed covered in fleshy pulp, then devour and discard the seed. Low in calories, they can be sweet or mouth puckeringly tart.

Hog Plum

Hog plums are yellow, sweet and juicy. The scarlet plum (Spanish mombin), which is red, has a similar taste. They offer very little flesh but, in season, you will find Bahamians popping these plums like candy. Discard the seed.

Jujube

Jujube (juju). The most common to be found is the Thai jujube. They are small to medium-sized, depending on the specific variety. The fruits are oval to oblong in appearance and have thin but tough skin with a smooth, taut, and semi-glossy surface. Unripe, they are green. They transition into a yellow to yellow-brown hue when ripe. Underneath the skin, the flesh is white, aqueous, and firm with a crisp, crunchy, and cracking consistency. The flesh also encases a central core filled with a light tan stone containing two brown seeds. The juju releases a faint

Photographs Courtesy Of Patrick Hanna, Tamika Dames, Shavaughn Moss and L. Roscoe Dames II

Cocoplum Coconuts Guavas

apple-like aroma and has a clean, refreshing flavour. The flesh is initially sweet, with a subtle blend of Asian pear and green apple nuances, followed by a tangy, slightly tart aftertaste. In their mature state, the juju skin wrinkles and softens, developing a spongy, dry, and chewier consistency with musky undertones.

The Ber (Indian Jujube) can also be found. Ber fruit are small, round to oblong-shaped with thin, glossy skin. They ripen from a light green or yellow to an orange-red colour. The fruit can be consumed both slightly under-ripe and ripe. When under-ripe, the white flesh is dense, crisp and astringent, while fully ripe fruits are spongy with a somewhat mealy texture and muted floral flavour. Each fruit contains a rough, inedible, central stone.

While many people today associate Hawaii with pineapples, the reality is Hawaii originally imported its pineapples from The Bahamas. So, Eleuthera has a long history of being a world-famous pineapple capital.

Pineapples are at their most abundant during May and June. These pineapples disappear quickly, so you must be quick!

Mamey

Mamey sapote features a thick, semi-rough, light to dark brown skin with a textured, scruffy and sandpaper feel. This not-so-pretty exterior hides flesh that ranges in colour from orange to red. Mamey is only edible when fully ripe and gives slightly tough pressure when squeezed. The flesh bears a complex sweet and savoury flavour. At the centre of the flesh are one to four elliptical seeds with a glossy black-brown hue that are toxic and inedible when raw. The fruit can be cut similarly to an avocado and eaten straight, out of hand, discarding the skin and seeds. Mamey (mamey apples) is a nearly round fruit that can grow to the size of a small cantaloupe.

For this fruit, you must peel away the thick skin to reveal a whitish pith that is typically discarded. The aromatic flesh is a golden yellow or orange colour with a smooth consistency. It can either be firm and crisp, or juicier and more tender, depending on the level of ripeness. The taste of a mamey apple is somewhat like passionfruit and apricot with a hint of berry flavour and a little tang. Mamey apples are available in the summer and autumn months.

Mango

The varieties of mangos to be found are endless. They have leathery, smooth skin, and they can vary in shape from long and slender, to kidney-shaped, or even somewhat round. Their skin is multi-coloured with different blends of red, yellow and green, depending on the variety. The succulent, vibrant yellow to orange flesh is aromatic and juicy, with a texture like a peach. The flavour is complex and sweet, with notes of peach, coconut, and vanilla or caramel, and is sometimes balanced with a slight tartness.

The Eleuthera Pineapple

One of The Bahamas’ most celebrated fruits is the pineapple grown in Gregory Town, Eleuthera. Extremely juicy with floral notes and hints of honey, growers on this island claim their pineapples are the sweetest on the planet. They chalk up that sweetness to the rich clay soil in which the fruits are grown.

Sapodilla

Sapodilla (or dilly) is a small, round fruit with a brown exterior. Its brown flesh tastes like a sweeter, caramelized version of a pear.

Seagrape

Seagrape trees are to be found along the beaches. When the grapes transform from green to a beautiful deep purple, the cluster of grapes are ready to be consumed, and can be eaten raw, or cooked into a variety of jams and even made into fruit wine. Beware, each fruit yields very little result. But they are sweet.

Sugar Apple

Sugar apple, also known as custard apple, flower during the winter months and ripen in the summer. Contrary to its name, it looks nothing like any apple you’ve ever seen, with its pebbled dark green skin which may not look appealing but is quite tasty. Opening it up, you will notice the sweet, light fragrance and creamy white flesh surrounding seeds. This fruit is juicy and refreshing when ripe. Beware, they contain hard, poisonous seeds. Consume the flesh and discard the seeds. Packed with vitamins and high in energy, they are a delicious excuse for when you’ve already had your cheat day.

The sugar apple has a thick, scaly rind with a creamy, sweet pulp which comes apart in segments each containing a shiny black seed. The more common sugar apple is green, though there is a dark red variety that is becoming more commonplace.

Tamarind

Tamarind fruit are bean-like-shaped pods with a cinnamon brown to clay-coloured external appearance. Inside the pods, the fruit’s flesh is tender and succulent. If green, it has a highly acidic flavour. Its underdeveloped seeds are soft and white. As the fruit matures, the pod becomes brittle. The flesh begins to dehydrate to paste form and takes on the cinnamon appearance of the pod while also losing its acidic punch and becoming sweeter. The seeds, too, change in both colour and texture, becoming flat, hard and glossy brown.

Fruits in The Bahamas will seem exotic at first glance, but if you’re adventurous and willing to give them a try, you will find fruit bursting with flavour. While some fruits can be found year-round, keep in mind that summer is optimal fruit season. We dare you to eat your way through the fruits of The Bahamas like a native when you find them! UA

Jujube

Mamey Sapote

Mango

Sapodilla (Dilly) Green Sea Grapes Tamarind

BEST OF THE BEST REGATTA RETURNS TO MONTAGU

By Kendea Smith

AAfter a two-year hiatus, the Best of the Best Regatta held at Montagu Bay in Nassau on December 1st—4th, 2022, was a welcomed extravaganza that celebrated Bahamian culture through great music, delectable treats and exhilarating sloop sailing races.

The event brought sloop sailors from throughout the archipelago for a fierce fight to the finish in the A, B, C, and E-class categories.

Best of the Best Regatta, held by the Ministry of Agriculture, Marine Resources and Family Island Affairs, is an infant event among regattas held throughout The Bahamas as it has only been in motion for five years compared to others around The Bahamas that have been ongoing for 40 years or more.

However, in its short existence, it has managed to become the pinnacle event for sloop sailing.

Spectators are particularly pleased that they can view races play by play as large screens broadcast the ongoing races throughout the day onshore.

Patrons also enjoyed an array of Bahamian dishes from conch salad and fritters to fried lobster and snapper, grilled chicken, sweet daiquiris and much more.

For the ministry, this year’s Best of the Best was particularly special as the E-class, which featured sailors from twelve to fifteen years old, was included.

Regatta Desk Manager Barry Wilmott said the excitement was evident as it was the first time that

many boats got back into the water since the onslaught of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We’ve slowly been getting back to hosting regattas throughout the year, and we were extremely excited to bring all the boat classes to Nassau for this event,” said Wilmott.

“Participants of Best of the Best are all champions who are dedicated to the advancement of sloop sailing in our country. These are men who enjoy being on the water and we are very happy that they can participate in this event.”

More than 60 sailors participated in the last Best of the Best. Many of them either made substantial

repairs to their boats during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic or built new ones.

Acklins native Stephano Kemp, skipper of New Courageous, sailed in the A-class and won one of the races. He was excited to be a part of the event.

“As a team, we’ve been looking to get back to where we were for a very long time,” said Kemp.”

“Two different teams combined. It was a good victory, and it was a start of a new era. And hopefully, we can keep it for numerous regattas to come.”

Minister of Agriculture, Marine Resources and Family Island Affairs Clay Sweeting was a part of

Photographs Courtesy Of Patrick Hanna of Bahamas Information Services (BIS)

Sailors Of The New Courageous

the New Courageous team when it sailed to victory on the first day of the regatta.

Sweeting has made it a habit to sail with one of the teams in every regatta. An avid fisherman, Sweeting said he enjoyed the experience.

“I think that this is something across the country that Bahamians have been waiting for. A lot more people are here than what we expected. In fairness, I picked a name out of a bag and New Courageous was the boat I sailed on, and we won,” said Sweeting.

“But for me, I think this event is important to our culture, comradery and getting together, and the economic impact that we are bringing throughout the Family Islands and in New Providence as well. And so, we have a lot of culture, Bahamian food and artists. I enjoy sailing with the people who love sailing.”

While New Courageous took the first win, Ed Sky from Ragged Island took the second win on day two, but by the last day—known as the big dance—Running Tide out of Long Island was crowned champion of the Best of the Best in the A-Class.

Its skipper, Stefan Knowles, out of Long Island, was also crowned champion in the B and C-classes through his boats Susan Chase and Sassie Sue, respectively.

“It’s been a little while since we raced,” said Knowles.

“It was the first major planned regatta where we had a lot of time to put things together and it was

a lot of work to get the boats ready. It was a very successful event and we had fun out there. My crew and I got into the groove, and we won.”

In the E-class, Lady Peg out of Andros was the overall winner.

At night, the event’s site came alive with performances from Bahamian artists such as Bahamian Trae, Nishe, Fanshawn, Ebony, Puzzle, Lassie Doe Boys, Geno D, Sweet Emily, Shine, DMac and many more.

The event was also fun for children. It featured a kiddie corner with bouncing castles, face painting

and Santa Claus coming to town on a sloop to bring treats.

Patrons like Lydia Thompson said she enjoyed the experience.

“I love sailing and so I try to go to as many regattas as I can,” she said. “I like Best of the Best because the screens make you feel like you’re on the water. The food is great as well.”

Dominic Knowles shared similar sentiments.

“We wait all year for this,” he said. “Once you experience Best of the Best, you are sure to want to come again.” UA

B-Class Sloops Race Gets Underway

New Courageous And Running Tide Of The A-Class

Sassie Sue In The C-Class Races

A-Class Boats Face Off

MRS. SHAVAUGHN MOSS is the lifestyles editor at The Nassau Guardian 1844 Ltd., The Bahamas’ oldest newspaper, and has three-plus decades of experience. She currently writes on a wide range of topics. She is known as the country’s premiere “foodie” and has traveled extensively in her culinary quest for the best bites (and some interesting ones as well). Shavaughn studied Mass Communication in the United States, and has done advanced courses in the United Kingdom as well.

CONTRIBUTORS

MS. TINA WALSH comes from a family of travel lovers and foodies, she has traveled to 53 countries, 47 states in the United States and 5 continents. Her love of cooking started young, in the kitchens of her grandmothers, one Italian, one German. She will travel for food, wine, yoga, natural beauty, sports, visual and performing arts. Her passion for these things includes the people she shares them with. In 2018, she expanded her on-line presence and started a blog.

is a Writer, Digital Content Creator, Publicist, former Radio Personality, and an advocate for the promotion of Bahamian Music, Art and Culture. She is passionate about Grand Bahama Island and telling stories that highlight the diverse talents of the Bahamian people.

MS. DEANDREA HAMILTON

is a three-time Telly Award winning Bahamian/Turks & Caicos journalist who has spent nearly 30 years of her life telling the stories of the people, the places and the plans of the greater Caribbean and beyond.  She is the owner of Magnetic Media—which churns out two TV broadcast productions for regional and international TV audiences, five days a week.  As is her mantra on her TV show, she is living life to the full, she is living in colour.

WELLS is an avid traveler with a passion for seeing the world, learning about new cultures, trying unique dishes and raising awareness about the freedoms of solo travel. In 2014, this Grand Bahama native created the PinkSands242 website, which is devoted to spreading her passion for travel, food and new experiences from a Bahamian perspective, while demystifying various elements of world travel. Her writings have been featured on www.bahamas.com and several other local publications.

MS.

is a new-age writer, creative and award-winning Journalist who has her finger on the pulse in many areas of interest including mainstream news reporting and production, television/ internet program production and travel, Spanish, leisure and culinary writing—not to mention social media.

MS. KIRSTEN HARRINGTON is an Orlando freelance food and travel writer, chronicling adventures in the US and China. Her work has appeared in WhereTraveler, The Seattle Times, Edible Orlando, The Beijinger, GoNOMAD, World Footprints and numerous other publications. When she’s not writing, you can find her scoping out new adventures, hiking or enjoying a meal with her family.

Visit www.kirstenharrington.com for more information.

NIKIA

MS. YOLANDA HANNA

MS. KEESHA CLAUDIA BETHELL

MS. BIANCA MAJOR is the editor of The Long Island Runner News and is an avid promoter of The “real” Bahamas, its culture and all things Bahamian. Her diversity spans across professional fields such as Publishing, Marketing & Graphics, Social Media Content Creation & Management, Photography, and Marketing. Bianca the “artist”, “foodie” and radio personality has more than two decades of experience and has a passion for writing. Raised between The United States and The Bahamas she has a unique concept of our culture.

MR. TYRONE FITZGERALD is a cultural creative writer, adjunct lecturer, music lover, and visual and performing arts enthusiast. He has been a contributing writer to various business, arts, and lifestyle publications including the Atlanta-based Young Black Entrepreneur Magazine (now The Charleston Compass). A Cambridge Commonwealth and Errol Barrow Memorial Trust Scholar, Tyrone has degrees in economics and law, a master’s degree from Cambridge University, and has pursued advanced studies at Harvard Law School and Harvard School of Education.

PROF. MYRURGIA HERNANDEZ, Doctorate Candidate at Universidad de Baja California, Mexico, is an alumnus of University of Havana, Faculty of Foreign Languages (FLEX according to Spanish Acronyms) Class of 1998. She became an approved Lecturer by the Board of The College of The Bahamas (COB), now University of The Bahamas (UB) in December of 1999. In 2000 (January), Ms. Hernandez joined the Faculty of The School of Communication and Creative Arts as a Spanish Part-Time Lecturer.

is a lover of all things yoga, wellness, and life. Along her yoga journey, she has practiced and studied Power, Baptiste, Hot, Restorative, Rocket, and Vinyasa Flow Yoga. She has completed over 500 hours of yoga teacher training with world-renowned instructors. Her passion for teaching has attracted celebrity clients like Nicole Kidman, Reese Witherspoon, and Jennifer Lawrence.

MS. NASIA R. COLEBOOKE is a copy editor, playwright and writer, who loves to tell the stories of those who often go unheard. She has a blog where she writes film, TV, music and book reviews, and personal pieces. She is also well-versed in public relations and holds a B.A. in English (minor in History) from University of The Bahamas, and is currently pursuing a master’s in journalism.

MR. SCOTT JOHNSON is a Terrestrial Wildlife Biologist and Environmental Scientist. His major fields of interest are Bahamian animals with special focus on reptiles and birds. He studied at the College of The Bahamas before transferring and completing his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Biology at St. Mary’s College of Maryland. He is a Wildlife Educator, Eco-guide Trainer, Researcher, and has over 15 years of active terrestrial fieldwork experience.

MS. KENDEA SMITH

is a Communications Expert, who specializes in travel articles. She holds an Associate’s Degree in Journalism and Mass Communications, a Bachelors of Arts Degree in Writing and a Masters Degree in Strategic Communications, which includes Marketing, Public Relations and Social Media. She is married and the proud mother of two daughters.

MS. ALEXANDRA ‘BAHAYOGI’ KAUFMANN

FIDELITY – FROM THE COMMUNITY TO THE COMMUNITY

As The Bahamas marches forward to its 50th year of independence, its flag flies high and proud because of its many accomplishments, including stability in its financial system, a hallmark of a sovereign nation. Such an accomplishment is attributed to the contributions of locally owned financial institutions, including its grandfather – Fidelity Bank (Bahamas) Limited (Fidelity).

Forty-five (45) years ago, Fidelity served as a beacon of hope for Bahamians seeking home ownership in an independent Bahamas. Since then, Fidelity has morphed into a significantly influential clearing bank. It is the only commercial bank that can boast of being birthed from the womb of The Bahamas, that has grown to compete toe to toe with any financial institution, domestic or international.

The community is viewed as such a vital stakeholder because the other key stakeholders, including team members, borrowers, depositors and shareholders, are offspring of the community. Plainly put, without the community, First Home would not have satisfied a need and would not have transformed itself into the respected Bahamian-bred Fidelity.

The makeup of Fidelity is designed to come full circle. Children of the community become team members; all members of the community are offered free financial coaching; and priorities born out of that coaching are supported through responsible lending. In turn, Fidelity provides a safe harbour for funds earned from meeting those priorities, and then there is an opportunity to invest those funds and become a shareholder, who is rewarded by an enviable return on investment.

Understanding the importance of investing in future generations, Fidelity is committed to providing opportunities for young people to succeed, from mentorship programmes to scholarships, ultimately seeking to shape young leaders. Specifically for the children of its team members, there is the “Fidelity Pays for A”s Education Plan, which recognises and financially rewards student achievers for: each “A” achieved on the Report Card; each “A” achieved in core examinations, including the Bahamas Junior Certificate (BJC) and the Bahamas General Certificate of Secondary Education (BGCSE); and awards received at graduation for 6th and 12th graders. An annual awards ceremony is hosted to highlight student achievements, and financial rewards are deposited immediately thereafter.

Fidelity, originally First Home Banking Corporation, a privately owned financial institution, opened its doors on May 26, 1978. Through the years of germination, the entity has been a part of a multinational financial services group, rebranding to British American Bank (1993) Limited. And since the mid 1990s, following its rebranding to Fidelity Bank (Bahamas) Limited, Fidelity has represented broader Bahamian ownership of the domestic financial services sector, with its ordinary shares listed and traded on the Bahamas International Securities Exchange.

The growth and expansion of Fidelity has been afforded due to the organisation staying true to its core principles of facilitating community development, focusing on youth development, .and fostering professional advancement of young professionals. To ensure these core principles remain at the forefront of the activities of Fidelity, the Fidelity Group Donations Committee exists to direct the efforts of Fidelity to support the communities that make up the archipelagic nation of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas.

Our Financial Centres

The commercial activities of Fidelity comprise offering financial products, services and expertise that help to advance the financial health of Bahamian families, and these activities are complimented by philanthropic activities that redirect a portion of the financial successes of Fidelity to the communities it serves, with the objective of contributing towards the improvement of socioeconomic conditions for all Bahamians. A notable contribution, which encompasses youth development, is the adoption of a school by Fidelity on the island of New Providence just a few feet away from its first branch on Wulff Road, representatively located in the “belly of the over-the-hill community”.

Peering into the rear-view mirror of the first forty-five (45) years of Fidelity, it is powerful to see from whence it has come – from a small community initiative to a significant clearing bank, known for its responsible lending practices and financial coaching, along with its leadership in community and youth development. It is a rich legacy that emulates the country from which it originated, The Bahamas, as an entity that punches far above its weight class. Fidelity represents a source of pride for all of its stakeholders – team members, customers, shareholders, mentees and the communities of the archipelago – and leaves them all anxiously and enthusiastically looking forward to the next forty-five (45) years.

Contact Us

Nassau: (242) 356-7764

Freeport: (242) 352-6676/7

Marsh Harbour: (242) 823-4374

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