Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/5950
The Bahamas,' have traditions, plus a profound admiration of history. A brief history of The Exumas includes the fact that it evolved over time from a salt mining colony courtesy of the Spanish in the 1500s, to a refuge for pirates, to a cotton-pro- ducing colony. Many of the islands' residents are direct descendants of plantation slaves from the late 1700s – a time when a group of Loyalists sought refuge and wealthy European landowners started large cotton plantations. The most notable was John Rolle, who eventually freed his slaves and deeded his land to them. The former slaves adopt- ed his last name and today 60 percent of the locals still have the last name Rolle. WHERE TO STAY THE PALM BAY BEACH CLUB is quiet and quaint. Depending on the location of your room, it's only a few steps to the beach. The property boasts more than 70 beachside cottages and hillside vil- las, two swimming pools, jacuzzis, a beach bar and grill, water sports and a shuttle service to George Town. There is a choice of studio, one bedroom, two bedroom and three bedroom villas all equipped with either a full or partial kitchen. Location is everything. The resort overlooks Elizabeth Harbour and Stocking Island. It's only seven miles from Exuma International Airport, one mile from the capital, George Town, and a short drive to the Four Seasons Greg Norman Signature Golf Course. The GRAND ISLE RESORT & SPA, a golf and oceanfront villa-only resort, located in Emerald Bay on the east coast of Great Exuma Island in the Bahamas, is an exquisite property. Luxurious, stylish and enviable only begin to describe the property. It has various room accommodations that offer either an oceanfront view, a panoramic ocean view or a partial view. There are one-, two-, three- and four-bedroom villas and a two-bedroom and a four-bedroom penthouse. The grand property also offers ownership of an island villa or a penthouse within the real estate development. THE FOUR SEASONS is The Four Seasons. The property, which has 183 guest rooms and suites, is nestled by lagoons and the fairways of the Greg Norman- designed golf course. The quarters, broken down into 140 guest rooms, 43 suites and 18 multi-bedroom residences, are spacious and open to private terraces. But don't spend all of your time in the room – play some tennis, play golf, or get a massage at Tranquility Garden – a full-service spa. The resort is 15 minutes from the international airport and is a short 90-minutes from Florida and 35 minutes from Nassau. You can never go wrong at THE FOUR SEASONS. GETTING THERE You can reach The Exumas via Bahamasair, which flies into Exuma International Airport. Other airlines for consideration: American Eagle, Continental/- Continental Connection, US Airways Express and Lynx Air. Airlines flying to Exuma from Nassau include Bahamasair, Flamingo Air and Sky Unlimited. Note – Be sure to bring enough cash. There are not a lot of ATMs. Credit cards are not widely accepted, other than at the resorts. There are a few local groceries and some local places for eating out, but none of them accept credit cards. The U.S. dollar is an even exchange throughout the Bahamas. September through May, island temperatures average 70 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit; the rest of the year is warmer, with temperatures between 80 and 85 degrees. Nighttime temperatures are generally cooler by five to seven degrees. All U.S. citizens and foreign nationals travel- ing to the United States from The Bahamas are required to present a valid passport or another secure, accepted document to enter or re-enter the United States. For more information: Bahamas.com. The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism and Aviation (BMOTA) – www.bahamas.com or (242) 302-2000 Bahamasair – www.up.bahamasair.com Grand Isle Resort & Spa – www.GranIsle-Resort.com Palm Bay Beach Club – www.palmbaybeachclub.com Cape Santa Maria Resort – www.capesantamaria.com The Four Seasons – www.fourseasons.com GETTING IN TOUCH Black Meetings & Tourism December 2009: www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 50 Exuma, one of the "Out Islands" of the Bahamas Photo Credit: Darlene Donloe