OVERVIEW OF TODAY’S PRESENTATION Video about the Bahamas Presentation of the Bahamas Handout will be distributed after
presentation
VIDEO
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZsA9Lt7xIx0
INTRODUCTION TO BAHAMAS
• Capital city is Nassau • Lynden Pindling International Airport (NAS)• Language:
Locals speak English Some have accent such as African, Irish or
Scottish• Religion:
Baptist, Anglican, Roman Catholic, Pentecostal, Church of God, Methodist
• Currency: $Bahamian Dollars (BSD) U.S. Dollars are the always equivalent to
Bahamian Dollar
HOW TO GET THERE•In total there are 14 islands •Grand Bahamas International Airport - Freeport (FPO)•Marsh Harbour Airport – The Abacos (MHH)•National Airline: Bahamasair • Serves 19 airports
and 12 Bahamian islands
•Some of the outer islands have airports or airstrips, or have a short ferry ride •Air Canada is the only carrier offering scheduled service from Canada to Nassau
CLIMATE AND WEATHER PATTERNS
•Averages between 24ºC -29ºC during both Winter and Summer•It can get chilly in the morning and in the night time•HurricanesThe hurricane season usually comes June 1 – November 30
More tropical cyclones in the U.S. Mainland than Bahamas
CULTURAL PATTERNS
Whit Monday When: May 20
Boxing Day When: December 26
Christmas Day When: December 25
Discovery Day When: October 14
Good FridayWhen: March 29
Easter Sunday & MondayWhen:
Emancipation Day When: August 5
Independence Day When: July 10
Labour Day When: June 7
Holidays
FOOD•Johnnycake
Originally called, “Journey Cake”
Dates back from the early settlers
Made with butter, milk, flour, sugar, salt and baking powder
•Peas ‘n’ RicePopular method to cook
is with pigeon peas which grow on small trees or with black-eyed peas with salt park, tomatoes, celery, uncooked rice, thyme, green pepper, onion, salt, and pepper
CUSTOMS
Arriving at Bahamas: Allows you to bring in 200 cigarettes or
50 cigars or 1 pound of tobacco, plus 1 quart of spirits (hard liquor)
Returning to US: Can bring back $800 of merchandise
duty-free 1 litre of duty-free wine or liquor and up
to five cartons of duty-free cigarettes
TRAVEL ADVISORIES
Canadian’s must: Present a Canadian passport to visit
Bahamas Show Permanent Resident Card and a
valid passport if you are permanent resident of Canada
Visas Student Permit is required Business visa and tourist visa are not
required
TRAVEL ADVISORIES (CONTINUED)
Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate It is required for entry for travellers over 1
year of age Malaria
Recommended for Great Exuma Island
MISCELLANEOUS CONSIDERATIONS FOR TRAVELLERS
ATM’s Most banks have ATMs Accepts Visa, Mastercard, American
Express, and any other bank or credit card Some may not accept credit cards
unless there is a computer chip to prevent credit card fraud
LODGING
Budget Best Western Bay View Suites Location: Nassau
Attractions: At least 6-10 minutes drive to Paradise Beach
10 minute walk to Cabbage Beach Amenities include: Lunch-only restaurant, bar,
babysitting, 3 outdoor pools, tennis court, In room: A/C, TV, hairdryer, kitchen, Wi-Fi (Free)
Appeals to children and adults Rates: $180-$245 for 1 bedroom suite
LODGING (CONTINUED)
Intermediate Comfort Suites Paradise Island Location: Nassau
Attractions: Paradise Island Golf Course Amenities include: Restaurant, bar, small
health club, outdoor pool, tennis court, In room: A/C, TV, fridge, hair dryer, Wi-Fi ($10)
Appeal to honeymooners Rates: Winter $265-$330 double
Off-season $250-$330 double
LODGING (CONTINUED)
Deluxe Hotel Atlantis Paradise Island Location: Nassau
Attractions: Leap of Faith (Waterslide into lagoon filled with sharks)
Amenities include: 20 restaurants, 18 lounges and clubs, babysitting, concierge, children’s programs (ages 3-17), health club & spa, 17 outdoor pools, room service, 5 tennis courts, In room: A/C, TV, hairdryer, minibar, Wi-Fi ($15)
Appeals to children and adult Rates: Winter $420-$700 double,
Off-season $270-$660 double
TRANSPORTATION
Rental Car In Nassau and Freeport Island, you can rely on taxis and
public transit In some outer islands, most rental cars are cheap and in
poor condition Budget
Taxi Usually in Nassau/Paradise Island, Grand Bahamas area
Cabs are metered and only take cash, no credit cards Outer Islands are not metered, so you must negotiate about
the fare Freeport Taxi Company
Open 24 hours
TRANSPORTATION (CONTINUED)
Chartered Boat Most luxurious way to see The Bahamas Go to any island you want to
MAJOR ATTRACTIONS
Ardastra Gardens, Zoo & Conservation Centre The Caribbean flamingo, is the national bird of
The Bahamas Almost disappeared in the early 1940s and was
brought back through the efforts of the National Trust
Other wildlife here include boa constrictors (snakes), macaws (parrots), kinkajous (honey bear), iguanas, brown-headed tamarins (monkey), and much more
MAJOR ATTRACTION (CONTINUED)
Pirates of Nassau Best attraction for kids The exhibit is about the “Golden age of
piracy” from 1960-1720 Walk through the pirate ship called “The
Revenge” The exhibit also tells about Captain
Woodes Rogers, who was sent by the English Crown to suppress pirates of the Caribbean
MAJOR ATTRACTIONS (CONTINUED)
Windsor Equestrian Centre & Happy Trails Stables Located in Coral Harbour, Nassau Offers 90-minute horseback riding Limited to a maximum of eight riders at a time,
for $150 per person Price includes transportation to and from the
hotel Children must be 12 years old and older and
must weigh less than 201 pounds Make reservations
MAJOR ATTRACTIONS (CONTINUED)
Nassau Public Library and Museum This building was built in 1797 It was a Nassau Gaol (jail) It became a public library in 1873 Library’s collection of historic documents
from the colonial days
MAJOR ATTRACTIONS (CONTINUED)
Seaworld Explorer Allows you to explore above the submarine
of all the islands of The Bahamas Explore underwater where all the fishes are
and experience the life underwater Reservation is required Fees: Adult $45 Children (2-12) $25
GEOGRAPHIC FEATURES
Many cays around Bahamas Time
Eastern Standard Time (EST) and daylight saving time is during the summer
FOOD, DRINK, SHOPPING
Food Conch
Pronounced as “Konk” Every cook has a different recipe to
prepare conch Example is Conch salad
Conch salad is a local favourite Uncooked conch marinated in Old Sour
(hot pepper sauce) to break down its tissues and add extra flavour
This is also served with diced red or green peppers and chopped onions
FOOD, DRINK, SHOPPING (CONTINUED) Drinks
Rum came from Cuba and Jamaica
Invented several drinks such as the Yellow Bird, the Bahama Mama, and the Goombay Smash
The Bahama Mama has Vat 19, citrus juice, a pinch of nutmeg, crème de cassis, and a hint of grenadine
FOOD, DRINK, SHOPPING (CONTINUED) Nassau International Bazaar
30 shops selling international goods Runs from Bay Street down to the
Waterfront (near Prince George Wharf) Prince George Plaza
Popular with cruise-ship passengers Many shops occupy on Bay Street