Rendering of a completed Baha Mar -Dec 2014 projected

The Bahamas is undergoing a tremendous facelift, with a myriad of activity taking place on many of the islands.  Downtown Nassau has begun an entire exercise that will transform our city streets into the majesty from time past; with cobbled sidewalks and green space for travelers to rest their weary feet.

The islands are being re-branded so visitors can now fully understand the intricacy and different perspective each island has to offer and our very own renown Cable beach strip is being transformed from the former grandeur of yester-year, into something even more fabulous to behold.

The Baha Mar development as it has been so affectionately named by its chief visionary Sarkis Izmirlian is set to establish the new standard of luxury and beauty in the Caribbean islands. With nearly 1,000 acres, sprawled against the backdrop of one of the worlds most beautiful white sand beaches, the Baha Mar property is preparing the stage to become another one of the world’s wonders.

With cascading waterfalls, lush foliage, careening waterways and nearly 40 new dining establishments, the destination promises to provide that dream getaway experience we have all been holding our breath for.

Beach View of Baha Mar at its present stage of construction

 The Baha Mar will encompass four unparalleled resorts all set within a canvas decorated with birds, natural wildlife and fauna. As some have marveled it will be the delicate balance of intermingling the mystique of the rain forest, with the elegance of the Mediterranean, the romance of Paris and the relaxing lifestyle of the Bahamas.

Bahamar resort: Fun has no boundaries

With a completely different structure than Atlantis which has already paced itself as the #1 family destination in the region and then enhanced its brand with an adult offering.

The Baha Mar property swings the pendulum in the opposite direction, with the hotels four major properties focusing on providing the adult experience and truly getaway feeling. With each property providing its own ambiance, from boutique villas and residences, to luxurious rooms featuring panoramic ocean views and the largest opulent casino the Caribbean has ever seen.

Main entrance with cascading waterfalls

 The Baha Mar resort will once again redefine the Bahamas as a bona fide world class destination

Baha Mar Casino & Hotel

Grand Hyatt Convention center

The Mondrian at Baha Mar

The Rosewood at Baha Mar

Dreams are made in the hearts of men, and aspirations are dreams coming to life. Soon one mans dream will move from being an aspiration to a tangible paradise on earth.

Are you ready to experience the Baha Mar?

About the author:   Fabian Christopher is the Managing editor and owner of Sandy Slipper Travel and online magazine. An avid enthusiast of the Bahamas, he is always ready and available to make your vacation dreams in the islands a memorable experience.

If you enjoyed this article, like us on facebook for more great updates on the Bahamas and how to achieve the always elusive island mind.

photos: courtesy of Baha Mar

The perfect day to escape

This is a guest post from Tiffany Mullins the International Social Media Manager for Island Routes (Unique Vacation, Ltd.). In addition to managing Island Routes’ online community, she also oversees the direction of Sandals and Beaches social media, including the Sandals Wedding Blog, which brings brides and inspiration together to truly create “Your Wedding. Your Style”.

With over 7,000 islands in the Caribbean to choose from, each offering its own unique allure and distinct attractions, it’s difficult to declare only five of them as the best. Travelers from across the world venture to this spectacular region year after year, and it’s no wonder – regardless of which island you decide to explore, you’ll be treated to breathtaking views of endless azure waters and a number of memorable activities exclusive to the Caribbean. But if you’re looking for advice on which spot is right for your next vacation, check out my recommendations below for the top five islands in the Caribbean.

St. Lucia: Come for the Scenery, Stay for the Sweets

Less than 300 miles from the shores of Venezuela, St. Lucia offers exotic scenery that’s unparalleled by other Caribbean destinations. Its iconic attraction, the twin volcanic formations known as the Pitons, has been voted one of the most beautiful Caribbean landmarks by readers of Islands.com. While you’re gazing out at these mesmerizing peaks from your room at one of the island’s many luxury resorts, you can book a tour that will satisfy any sweet tooth. St. Lucia is home to many chocolate estates and hosts an abundance of cacao trees sprinkled across the island. While there, you can sample dishes with unique chocolate accents, make your own chocolate, or even indulge in a massage performed with aromatic chocolate oil. For chocolate lovers – and anyone who can appreciate natural splendor – St. Lucia is quite the treat.

Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands: Stunning Views Onshore and Underwater

Known as the birthplace of scuba diving, Grand Cayman is still world-renowned as one of the best locations to explore life underwater. Ranking highly on Scuba Diving Magazine’s readers’ choice list for Best Shore Diving, Best Wall Diving, and Best Visibility, this island boasts a multitude of diverse diving sites, such as the Kittiwake Shipwreck, Stingray City, and the Grand Cayman West Wall. In the area’s warm waters, you can catch crystal-clear views of a plethora of fish and colorful coral reefs as much as 100 feet away. If you’d like to keep your head above water, you can also visit the famous Turtle Farm or sunbathe on Seven Mile Beach, which consistently ranks on Trip Advisor as one of the most beautiful beaches in the Caribbean.

New Providence, Bahamas: Fun for the Whole Family

Voted as the second-best location for Caribbean Family Vacations by U.S. News Travel, the Bahamas hosts countless kid-friendly activities and attractions. In fact, the city of Nassau on the Bahamian island of New Providence is home to the only zoo in the Bahamas, as well as the Pirates of Nassau Museum, where children and adults alike will enjoy tales of Blackbeard and his gang told by tour guides disguised in pirate costumes. You can also visit Blue Lagoon Island for memorable encounters with both dolphins and sea lions, or chase thrills at Atlantis’ Aquaventure water park. While kids tire themselves out on all the fun, parents can enjoy the island’s signature cocktails and award-winning beaches.

Main Island, Puerto Rico: Exciting Nightlife with Latin Flare

The main island of Puerto Rico offers many exciting attractions for the partygoer in all of us. The capital city of San Juan boasts more nightclubs than any other location in the Caribbean. A myriad of salsa clubs and festive bars line the streets of Old San Juan, where vacationers can dance, drink and barhop the night away while listening to DJs from across the world. Not only is it a cultural hotspot, but it’s also a warm, sunny locale comprised of pristine beaches and exotic rainforests – that’s why San Juan ranks at number two on Trip Advisor’s Top 25 Destinations in the Caribbean category of the Travelers’ Choice 2012 awards.

Jamaica: Reggae and Romance

The unique island of Jamaica hosts a variety of delightful attractions. Travel to the western town of Negril for a stay at one of the area’s many couples-only resorts, such as Sandals Negril, for a romantic vacation in the “Capital of Casual.” You and your significant other can catch one of the world’s most spectacular sunsets as you sip drinks and sample Jamaican cuisine at Rick’s Café. Or travel to Ocho Rios for the ride of your life at Bobsled Jamaica on famed Mystic Mountain. Hoping to learn about the history of reggae, the music genre that has become synonymous with Jamaica? Check out a tour of Nine Mile, the small town where Bob Marley grew up and was last laid to rest. Whether you’re a lover of music, a lover of adventure, or just a lover, there’s a little something for you in Jamaica.

If you enjoyed this article, like us on facebook for more great updates on the Bahamas and how to achieve the always elusive island mind.

]]> http://sandyslipper.com/my-top-5-favorite-caribbean-islands/feed/ 0 http://sandyslipper.com/bahamas-spring-break-2013-the-party-begins/ http://sandyslipper.com/bahamas-spring-break-2013-the-party-begins/#comments Wed, 20 Mar 2013 11:15:32 +0000 BahamasDread http://sandyslipper.com/?p=5106  

It’s amazing how time flies when your not counting the moments.
Springbreak is upon us once again and the fun has begun.

If anybody forgot how much fun we  had last year:

Here’s a quick recap

X marks the spot. As the Xtreme Trips Spring Break Weekend begins..

The students have begun to arrive and with their inhibitions checked; the party began about 6 seconds later.

Not only were the guests greeted with a welcome cocktail, but once they received their all inclusive wristbands, the party was on.

What better backdrop could you choose for spring break, but an all inclusive resort like paradise island harbor resort , where all your drinks are included,  the food doesn’t stop and the party keeps going.

For our first group of arrivals we had a series of parties planned, daytime activities and beach excursions.
One of our first parties took place at the famous Pirates of Nassau museum.

Where the students got to re-enact their favorite scenes from Pirates of the Caribbean and party the night away.

The drinks are Pirate sized

Blackbeard the Pirate

Enjoying the evening

Getting into the mood

Ahoy there matie

The students definitely had a swashbuckling time.

As the days led on, many kids toured Atlantis, partied on the booze cruise and had an endless stream of fun .
For the adventurous students who wanted to experience more than the resort lifestyle some walked through olde town Nassau, went on excursions and partied with the locals.

The Party continues

The Sandy Slipper Team

One thing my team and I didn’t do was let the party stop.

Abaco Club Sunrise View

With a road that goes on forever, an 18 hole golf course and blue water that shimmers like a newly cut diamond.

What’s not to love about Abaco Club on winding bay.

During a recent visit to Abaco, I had the great fortune of stumbling across this property.

Well it was more of an invitation, as this is a very exclusive  club.

With only a few small settlements nearby, your cut off from the busy goings on of the outside world, the way life out to be.

Initially I thought I had seen all the islands of the Bahamas had to offer,

but upon seeing the powder thin sand and a golf course so spectacular; it inspired me to want to learn golf.

Not to mention the course had several free standing bars, so you never have to leave your tee.

Also with the beach and the ocean as the backdrop, heaven definitely has a new zip code.

And if you want to play barefoot and grab a conch salad no problem.

The Bahamas just keeps getting better and better.

To find out more about this amazing property, visit their website here Abaco Club on Winding Bay

Private beach on Abaco Club Winding Bay

The view from the Water’s edge Home

About the author: Fabian Christopher is the Managing editor and owner of Sandy Slipper Travel and online magazine. An avid enthusiast of the Bahamas, he is always ready and available to make your vacation dreams in the islands a memorable experience.

If you enjoyed this article, like us on facebook for more great updates on the Bahamas and how to achieve the always elusive island mind.

photo courtesy of: Abaco Club Winding Bay

The number one thing I realized that makes great experiences more memorable; is great food.

So here’s a quick rundown of my favorite foods to experience when you visit the Bahamas.

Egg, bacon and cheese sandwich- served up at Hopetown Coffee House

Egg, bacon and cheese sandwich:

Okay so if your traveling to Nassau, this dish may require an extra charter into Abaco and then a short ferry ride into Hope Town. But it’s definitely worth it. The breakfast treats served up at this legendary coffee shop are absolutely divine and the coffee is like nothing you’ve ever had before. If your up for the jaunt, it’s worth the trip.

Pepper Jelly made at the Hope town Coffee House

Pepper Jelly:

Luckily for you, if you’ve already made the trip to Hope Town for breakfast, you can grab a jar of this or two for good measure. When I was first introduced to it in Abaco , I was a little timid. But after smearing some of this jammy goodness on my toast, the sweet tangy bite only made me savor ever crumb even more.

Pepper jelly, locally made in the Bahamas and good enough to spread on anything and to tasty to put down.

Conch Salad and Cold Kalik

Conch Salad & a Cold Kalik:

Both are local concoctions and sure to delight. The conch salad is made fresh daily when gathered from a local shell seafood called Conch. It is prepared with fresh herbs such as tomatoes, sweet pepper, onion, limes and goat pepper.

And after getting that scrumptious spoonful in your mouth, be sure to wash it down with a cold Kalik; a locally made Bahamian beer.

Crab n Dough

Crab n Dough:

One of the best Bahamian dishes you could ever savor. The broth will have you scavenging for bread to soak up all its deliciousness.

Its a rare treat to find in restaurants, but the best ones are served up at the All Andros Crab Festival that takes place every June in the island of Andros.

Steamed snapper and peas n rice

Steamed Snapper, peas n rice, macaroni and plantains:

This is honestly one of my favorite dishes. So much so, I can eat it almost three times in a week without getting tired of it. There’s just something special about how the onions and tomatoes stew down, to make the most savory broth.

That leaves my lips begging for another taste.

The best rendition of this meal is prepared daily at Arawak Cay, or what the locals call  the Fish Fry.

Stuffed snapper with Lobster stuffing

Stuffed Snapper with Lobster:

As much as I’m in love with the steamed snapper, this stuffed snapper served up daily by the magnificent chef’s at Compass point restaurant, always leaves me licking my lips and needing a bib.

Not only is the fish seasoned to perfection, but it’s always served brimming over with piping hot lobster meat caught fresh from the Bahama waters.

Guava duff with rum sauce

Guava Duff with Rum sauce:

If you’ve made through all the course above and still have room for dessert.

This is the dish.

A mouth watering treat, made from guavas, flour, dark rum and tender loving care.

Many restaurants may not have it available on their menus, because it’s a delicate dessert that requires skill to deliver it; in a moist and succulent state.

But don’t be afraid to ask for it, if you don’t see it on the menu.

Many chefs keep a few slices in the kitchen, just for the traveler with discernible taste.

Paradise just got a little sweeter..

What a foodie dreams of…

As I casually flipped through the newspaper while enjoying my scrumptious breakfast of home made raisin bread, laden with guava jam.

I stumbled upon a casual title that caught my attention.

“Foodie Tour launches in Nassau”

As if exploring new food options wasn’t already my passion, pairing the two words together did something for me, only a great food experience could do.

It piqued my interest and whet my appetite at the same time

And as  I digested the article my stomach began to yearn for the delectable treats that might be  savored on this tour.

Booked.

After my tour was booked and scheduled, I commingled thoughts in my mind as I tried to grapple with the concept of

whether this tour would be good , or just an awesome waste of a good Saturday afternoon.

As I made my way to the downtown meeting place, I carefully surveyed the sky as rain clouds decided to build, but even the precocious chance of rain couldn’t keep me away  from a treat that my stomach longed for.

So as I clambered up the stairs to the Cathedral, I bumped into another couple who had traveled from North Dakota and was too here to take part in the tour.

Arrival.

Right on time at minutes to eleven thirty, our tour guide arrived in graceful form and began handing out our tasting guide,

which would serve to provide us with a carefully planned path to the days activities.

As we began to recite our names and do short introductions.

I quickly got the sense that this tour would be filled with fun; as the crescendo of excitement built as every word cascaded off our tour guides lips.

Then came the disclaimer:

“If at anytime  I begin to speak to fast, nudge me , tug me, tell me to slow down.  Because I get excited when I talk about food and I cant help myself”

A food lover leading the tour .

Great.

As we made our way to our first stop, participants started to familiarize themselves and joke about the stark weather conditions they had left behind to experience the sun laden shores of the the Bahamas.

And before we had chance to break a sweat, we were at our first stop; which happened to be Bahamian Cooking Restaurant.

As we gathered impatiently on the doorsteps, I was immediately thrown into a trance as our tour guide Alanna dove into the history of the restaurant and the intricate tale of the owners.

Welcome to Bahamian Cookin’

All weaved together, this made for a great intro for our appetizers;Bahamian conch fritters.

As we eagerly bit into our conch fritters and the juices oozed onto our napkins , we were enthralled by the tale

of how conch is caught, gathered , cooked and served.

For not only were we being treated to delectable treats, we also got a history lesson behind how the dish was prepared.

Conchy conch fritters from Bahamian Cookin’

Moving on.

Satisfied with the beginning of the trip, the entire group was ushered out into the street and reminded

that our samples would get bigger on our next stop and to save room to make it to the end.

But before the pit pat of feet took us to our next stop, Alana once again weaved in the tales of history of old.

As she described monuments and historical buildings that signified the true Bahamian spirit and how our Island  was made up.

As we made it to our next location, which was actually a Jamaican restaurant.

My mind grappled with the concept of how could Jamaican cuisine be apart of a Bahamian tour.

The excited group begins to chow down

Subculture

But it wasn’t until Alana explained to us through historical references and cultural lessons that we too soon understood why this stop was so important on our Journey.

And the food did not disappoint.

While we had some members in our group rushing to clean their plates, I savored every moment and lingered on my sweet plantains, as the jerk chicken exploded in my mouth with flavorful goodness.

And as my mind boggled between savoring my sweet plantains on my plate and then washing it away with a glass of freshly prepared carrot juice, it was truly a delightful conundrum.

Jerk chicken and plantains

It got better.

As the tour continued on and we made our way to our other stops and heard endearing tales of pirate settlers and swash buckling owners, every stop was enhanced by the excited chef’s we met and welcoming staff.

It was as if, I too was seeing Nassau for the first time.

All my senses were piqued, as the tour played concerto to my eyes, ears, lips and stomach.

Alanna Rogers – Recounts tales of pirates of Yesteryear

Choices

As the tour ended I struggled to conclude in mind whether I had just experienced my best history lesson to date or my best food tour.

Not holding fast to any one choice, I settled upon being greatly impressed by the food, my tour guides’ intricate grasp of the history of Nassau and the warm and inviting way the tour was structured.

I’m giving this tour 5 stars and if your in Nassau or making your way to the Bahamas, this is how your vacation should begin.

Sharing smiles with Alanna at the Tortuga Rum Cake Factory

If your interested in learning more about the tour or booking the tour visit “TruBahamian Food Tours” and enter the promo code “SANDYSLIPPER10%” to receive a 10% discount off your food exploration into the heart of Nassau.*

 *promotion expires on April 30th 2013

photo credits: welcome to bahamian coookin -Leanne Key

Pirate of yesteryear – Leanne Key

Maurice Albury building dinghy on MOW cay 19xx

Who would ever think nestled in the heart of the Bahamas.

Hidden away from view.

Inaccessible by large planes and removed from the hum of technology; would be a boat building village in the Bahamas.

Man of war cay (named after the bird) is a small yet well knitted community of bustling boat builders, that have been graced with their skill from generation to generation.

Residents here have always depended on shipbuilding for its livelihood and some boats are still handmade-without-plans in a tradition that has been passed down for centuries.

Boat under construction W.H. Albury yard 1960

The town has remained untransformed over time and resembles a New England sea-side village; and rightly so.

As its original inhabitants were both religious and political escapees; loyalist to be exact.

It is through resilience that these men and women who fled from their homes, picked up and honed the trait of boat building.

In the early days of boat building the residents began by using Abaco Pine to craft their world renown fishing and sailing vessels.

Basil Sands working on a boat, at the W.H. Albury yard 1960

Boats were originally built by crafting a skeleton or rib of the boat from pine that grew locally in the Abaco forests. These skeletons were then hand carved and shaved to conform perfectly to the palms-up-spread template of the hull.

After the ribs were coupled, pine wood planks were then affixed to form the hull of the boat.

During the 1960′s when Abaco pine became a quintessential element in building structures and homes in all of the islands, the procurement of pine for boat building became harder and harder.

It is during that period that innovation reared its head once again and fiberglass became the material of choice to
continue the successful process of building renown fishing and sailing vessels.

Using fiberglass as molds was a very expensive process, but in modernization a necessary tool that reduced the amount of manual labor required.

The frame of the wooden boat was coated with the fiberglass material and from this a permanent mold was created, which was then used to make the outer shell of numerous boats.

This style of boat is called the Outboard Runabout (or the Outboard Fishing Boat).

Many other types of boats are also made including model boats, 14 ‘ wooden Man O’War sailing dinghies and 21′ Man O’War speed boats.

The boats have become collectors items and much requested custom designed artifacts.

The William H Albury Schooner

Man o’ War Village; another one of the hidden secrets of the Bahama Islands.

About the author: Fabian Christopher is the Managing editor and owner of Sandy Slipper Travel and online magazine. An avid enthusiast of the Bahamas, he is always ready and available to make your vacation dreams in the islands a memorable experience.

If you enjoyed this article, like us on Facebook for more great updates on the Bahamas and how to achieve the always elusive island mind.

photo cred: mowmuseum.com

The journey begins…

On the most celebrated Sunday in the sports calendar, many of  us who live in the Western world were

glued to our televisions.

As we stuffed our face with gut busting treats and screamed violently

at the screen;  we watched football.

Which is much different than what our friends around the world call futbol,
more favorably known in the US as soccer.

As the noise ensued at the rowdiest Superbowl party I had ever attended,

a hush suddenly fell across the room.

Eager to catch a glimpse of the action,

I nudged my way pass two beer drinking Neanderthals and their goddess-like companions

and i too was instantly mesmerized by seven shades of blue.

As the  blue of the sky melted into the blue  of the waters,  a mermaid appeared  and broke ground for the first time.

But  as easily as the mermaid appeared, another common face took its place in the form of a

carefree traveler as he too sailed across the mesmerizing pool of tranquil waters.

Then suddenly without warning, as if prompted by some unseen magical force; 

he too plunged into the deep without warning.

It didn’t end there, but I don’t want to ruin it for you.

By far this was the best Super-Bowl commercial I had ever seen.

It had intrigue, beauty and it captivated any viewer brave enough to keep their eyes glued to the screen.

Unfortunately for those living on the east coast, west coast and other parts of the world

besides those in the sunny states of Florida and the Islands of the Bahamas you

didn’t get a chance to see it.

I called up a buddy in Texas, and nope no luck there either.

So here it is, take a look and you’ll see why I’m so stoked.

Cast your vote and leave it in the comments.

I want to know if your mesmerized…

About the author: Fabian Christopher is the Managing editor and owner of Sandy Slipper Travel and online magazine. An avid enthusiast of the Bahamas, he is always ready and available to make your vacation dreams in the islands a memorable experience.