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ACTIVITIES...
(You may want to print this Page)
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AT
BLUFF HOUSE... |
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On
their private beach:
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Sun
bathing.
Playing in the pink sand with the little ones.
Swimming and snorkeling in the crystal clear water--shallow next to the
beach, deeper to the right
of the exposed coral head.
Wading for seastars (starfish).
Reading under the sun or the palms.
Running--a half mile down the beach and a half mile back.
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On
their 12 acre grounds:
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Shopping at the Island Boutique.
Dining out at either or both restaurants.
Tennis.
Spin and bait cast fishing (bring your own tackle please)--David, a second
generation Phillips (the
owners of Bluff House) swears he has caught bone
fish on Bluff House's private beach.
Running and hiking--down the private beach, or up and down steep gradients
and "the stair
challenge."
(For the adventurous) Diving the Bluff House wreck off the Jolly Rodger.
Sunset watching.
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At their pool:
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Sunning.
Swimming.
Libations.
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ON
AND ABOUT THE ISLAND...
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Running
and hiking--the road to town is paved and several miles long; longer with
detours down the unpaved
roads to the ocean beaches and Bita Bay.
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On
the Beaches--Bita Bay:
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Sunning
and watching the magnificent water colors--aqua blues, pinks and greens.
Swimming and snorkeling--reefs in 3-10' of water within 20 yards of the
beach just right for younger
snorkelers, with coral, fish and pockets of smaller shells.
Walking or running the beach.
Watching the daily (land) hermit crab migration to and from the waters
edge.
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On
the Beaches--Ocean Beaches:
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Sunning,
swimming and snorkeling--two reefs parallel the
beach, one beginning about 150 yards
from the beach, occasionally with young sea
turtles (hawksbill and a few green turtles). Bring
your underwater camera, only make sure it
compensates for the "blue effect" and it has a strong
flash.
Scuba--reefs and a wreck in crystal clear water.
Shelling.
Walking or running the beaches.
Scavenging--after a storm at sea many unusual objects wash ashore (e.g., a
bell buoy has been
rusting away on one ocean beach for twenty-five
years, and I have found bits of lost aircraft).
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Outboard motor boat rental--for picnicking and exploring nearby uninhabited
islands. There are two nearby
uninhabited islands, Munjack Cay to the North and
Noname Cay to the South. Munjack has
beautiful beaches on its western side. Noname is especially
unspoiled, with small intimate beaches on
the West side off of which are clouds of minnows, rather
shy moray eels, brittle stars, an occasional
octopus or sea snake, and a mysterious man-made object in the
water at the extreme Southwest end
of the island that no one seems to know is there. White sound, directly
across from Bluff House is
accessible only by boat and only at high tide, and is the source of many tall
tales about yachts, sail
boats, and a house boat lost in past hurricanes.
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Golf
cart rental for island exploration--although the island is small,
this is the most efficient means of
seeing the most accessible parts of it.
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On
the road to town (New Plymouth)--sight-seeing and diversions down
unpaved roads, some little-used.
There is a path paralleling the main road that is so
little used that it is overgrown, with occasional land
hermit crabs as big as softballs.
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In New Plymouth:
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Sight-seeing--The
Albert Lowe Museum: like the town, small but a must see. It contains
important
artifacts of Bahamas'
history from 300 BC and the Lucayan Indians, through the little-known (in
the U.S.) American Loyalist
emigration period of the 1780's--The Bahamas and Key West (and
Nova Scotia) were settled by American Loyalists
and New Plymouth was among the first
Loyalist settlements.
(Some) shopping--fresh home made bread, and bargains on Cuban cigars, and
spirits. The little
shop across from the commercial or public dock (one
slip) has bargain Cuban cigars, a good
selection of California wines, and an occasionally
astonishing art gallery with local artists work
for sale. There is also a curious gift shop across from
the Albert Lowe Museum that is open
irregularly.
Eating--there is excellent casual dining at the New Plymouth Inn.
Reservations are usually not
necessary but they couldn't hurt.
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Excursions:
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Scuba--PADI
certified instructors are available on the island (Brendal's).
Guided fly fishing expeditions for bone fish, or spin and bait cast
fishing excursions. Lincoln Jones
hosts fishing-picnicking-ray-feeding trips--the
picnic features the freshly caught fish, and the rays
are tame and will take fish bits from between
your toes (a strange sensation).
Marsh Harbor (on the next island over)--shopping and eating. Somewhat
remote by water taxi then a
1 hour cab ride, Marsh Harbor is nevertheless
worth the trip during a week-long stay at Bluff
House. Second only to Nassau in size (but still
rather small) Marsh Harbor has unique jewelry
stores, some with gold creations in 18-23 karat
gold that appear to have inspired U.S. artisans
such as (Robert) Wyland (e.g., Abaco Gold). John
Bull has Rolexes and other fine watches at
Bahamian prices. There are also several excellent
casual restaurants (Mango's and
Wally's)--they are mobbed every day for lunch and
dinner and they do not take reservations, so
you should plan to eat early or late.
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Suggested
Itinerary:
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Day
1:
Because you will probably arrive in the PM, you should plan to leave the luggage to Bluff House
and proceed directly to the Jolly Roger for the lunch you probably missed,
and the local beer (Kalik--excellent. Try Kalik Gold, it's higher octane
than allowed in the U.S.), an imported beer, or something shaken
not stirred. Next, make your dinner reservations and find out when the
next party is (usually on the weekends), then settle into your
room and get ready for dinner. You may want to arrive early for
dinner to allow time for more libations and glancing at the itinerary
below, and maybe thinking about reservations tomorrow. Don't forget the
sunset--it will be on the Katy's Split Level Suites side.
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(From
this point on the order of the activities may not be particularly important)
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Day
2: You should probably plan to sleep in, but allow a little time to
have breakfast at the Jolly Roger. Then, you might make a few reservations
for the rest of your stay--or not (some guests prefer to take each day as
it comes). Next, you may want to explore Bluff House on foot and get in an
hour or so on the Bluff House beach (be careful of too much sun the first
day--15 minutes without sunscreen is usually the max). Wine and anything
you forgot, or could not bring (like a lighter), should be available at the gift
shop during the day. Don't forget lunch at the Jolly Roger. The burgers
and hot dogs are a grade that is higher than that available in U.S. fast
food places. Don't forget dinner and the sunset. Consider the ala carte restaurant
"up top"--it is small and intimate, it has candlelight and linen
tablecloths, and it has remarkable fine cuisine and wine.
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Day
3: You may want to repeat day 2, especially the Bluff House beach
part. Consider adding walking the entire length of the beach (best at low
tide when there are many creatures on the beach), wading for seastars
(wear shower shoes or scuff your feet as you walk to avoid stepping on a
sea urchin), reading and playing in the sand with your little ones. Don't
forget lunch at the Jolly Roger. Consider trying the conch things at the
Jolly Roger at least once. Don't forget dinner and the sunset. Later, you
might want to take a glance at the starry sky. Even if you did not bring a
star chart the display on a cloudless night is remarkable--the milky way
is the thin band of stars running overhead usually perpendicular to the
Bluff House beach. If you are not into stars you might try a glass of wine
under the stars.
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Day
4: Consider snorkeling the right-hand side of the exposed coral head on the
extreme right side of Bluff House's
private beach. At high tide there are many small tropical fish around the
right side of the coral head--just right for younger divers. At low tide
try the dock around the corner. Pay particular attention to the
pilings--no barnacles but frequently lots of activity--and the bottom
under the dock near the shore--look for burrowing things. If you did not
bring masks they are available at the marina. Don't forget lunch and
dinner. If you did not do the wine thing under the stars last night,
consider reconsidering tonight--glasses should be in your room.
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Day
5: You will probably want to explore the Ocean Beaches at some
point--the pinks, light blues and light greens of the water are magnificent
(see "On
the Beaches--Ocean Beaches" above). The first ocean beach is
within hiking distance for adults, but the little ones will probably not
make it. You may want to rent a golf cart if you have not already done so.
If none is available, there are scooters and bicycles available at
"The Club"--the business office will make the call for
you. Consider having the Jolly Roger
pack you a lunch. If you did not bring water bottles, don't forget to ask for a liter
or two of water for
each person in your party, and don't forget the sunscreen.
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Day
6: If you did not make it to Bita Bay, you will probably want to
explore it (see "On
the Beaches--Bita Bay" above), and even if you have
never snorkeled, the reefs are a must see. This beach-in-a-cove is also
close enough for hikers, but some, especially the little ones will
probably not be able to make it. Again consider having the Jolly Roger
pack your lunch, and don't forget water and sunscreen.
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Day
7: At some point you should consider seeing New Plymouth (see "On
the road to town" and "
In New Plymouth" above)--The Albert Lowe Museum houses an important
part of Bahamian, Caribbean and U.S. history--the homemade bread, Miss
Emily's Blue Bee, the art gallery, the gift shop, the Cuban cigars and the
wine aren't bad either. Consider lunch at the New Plymouth Inn.
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Day
8: An excursion with Lincoln Jones is frequently the high point of a
visit (see "Excursions" above). The AM is usually spent
fishing (spinning reels--he provides) for 3-9 pounders, and in season
there is snorkeling for spiny lobster (bring you own face mask), which
Lincoln cooks for lunch. The leftovers are fed to the rays and a few small
(tame) Caribbean sharks (see the picture on the second page of "Green
Turtle Cay in Pictures" for ray feeding).
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Day
9: If you are into diving you will not want to miss a half or full day
diving with Brendal. Green Turtle Cay has at least one wreck, and numerous
shallow and deep reefs and holes. Bring your own gear or rent from
Brendal. You may not have time to become PADI certified, but Brendal and
his staff can help you along in that direction if you wish.
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Day
10: Many guests say that a trip to the beaches at Munjack Cay are obligatory
(see "
Outboard motor boat rental" above). You will probably want to
reserve your outboard motor boat the day before, and consider having Jolly Roger
pack lunch and provide water (and other beverages). Several hints: plan to
stay
close to shore in your boat (but watch the depth, the boat needs a foot or
more of water under the outboard's propeller. If you run aground put on
your shower shoes, jump over the side, and push the boat back the way you
came). Please do not attempt driving to the East (Ocean) side of the island
(too rough and there are currents). If you want to call anyone you will
want to bring your own VHF 2-way radio or a working cell phone (seldom if
ever necessary however). Plan to place these and your camera in Ziploc bags to
keep the water out, and don't forget sunglasses and sunscreen (and mosquito
repellant--just in case). If the wind comes up and it is too rough to go
out on your boat, consider exploring White Sound (see "Outboard motor boat
rental" above)--it's land-locked and thus somewhat protected.
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Day
11: If you liked Munjack but wanted to see more nature you will
probably love Noname Cay (again, see "
Outboard motor boat rental" above). The beaches are much
smaller, but the attractions at their water's edges are worth the trip.
The extreme South end of the island (farthest from Bluff House) is seldom
visited and usually has the most unusual fauna. Again, the suggestions
made above: you will probably want to reserve your outboard motor boat the day
before, and consider having Jolly Roger pack lunch and provide water (and
other beverages). Several hints: plan to stay
close to shore in your boat (but watch the depth, the boat needs a foot or
more of water under the outboard's propeller. If you run aground put on
your shower shoes, jump over the side, and push the boat back the way you
came). Please do not attempt driving to the East (Ocean) side of the island
(too rough and there are currents). If you want to call anyone you will
want to bring your own VHF 2-way radio or a working cell phone (seldom if
ever necessary however). Plan to place these and your camera in Ziploc bags to
keep the water out, and don't forget sunglasses and sunscreen (and mosquito
repellant--just in case). If the wind comes up and it is too rough to go
out on your boat, consider exploring White Sound (see "
Outboard motor boat rental" above)--it's land-locked and thus
somewhat protected.
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Day
12: For a nice change of pace you might want to see Marsh Harbor and
the jewelry stores. Don't forget lunch at Mango's or Wally's, but keep an
eye on the time--the last water taxi back to Bluff House has a strict
departure schedule.
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Day
13: For fly or spin casters who love bonefish or permit fishing a trip
with one of the Sawyers as a guide is a must. Several hints: consider
having Jolly Roger pack your lunch and provide water (but skip the other
beverages). Don't forget you rods, reels, flies and mosquito repellent
(and be prepared for the possibility of being skunked--the guides are good
and the fish are plentiful, but the wind will challenge your casting, and
the fish are just as difficult to hook and boat as they are in the Keys).
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If
you stay more than a few days you might consider repeating Days 2 or 3,
especially the ala carte dining. Bluff House has two world-class chefs, an
excellent wine list, and the cuisine, the ambiance and the service are
excellent.
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A note
on the Jolly Roger: the burgers and hot dogs are a "cut above,"
the island delicacies are a must try, but some days it is very popular. In
addition, this is the Islands and everything happens at a different pace.
Thus, you probably should not wait until everyone is starving, and a drink
or two for the adults and a snack for the little ones may be appropriate
while you wait.
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A
note on golf carts: Green Turtle Cay has a few cars and trucks (none for
rent), a Taxi, and rental golf carts. Some visitors prefer golf carts to
walking, and if you think you might be one of them you probably should
reserve your golf cart before you arrive to guarantee availability.
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(HOME) |
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Copyright
2008-2004. All rights reserved. Credit: RAP
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