Around the Town
Bahamas records monthly visitor arrivals in the hundreds of thousands. Not surprising when one beholds these behemoths in port. I counted 5 cruise ships berthed this morning.
Around the Town
Colorful Junkanoo costumes tempt visitors to stop.
Around the Town
Visitors find varied forms of entertainment
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Bahamian hospitality is evident every where...
Around the Town
Have wheels...will travel ! Visitors are encouraged to explore Bahamas in different ways.
Around the Town
Boats are vital to Bahamas...not only for visitors as I initially thought, but also for daily life among the 700 (plus?) islands that make up the archipelago
Around the Town
The Bahamas remains an attractive location to host international events.
Around the Town
The bridge between New Providence and Paradise Island is named after one of the most graceful men that I've ever seen on screen..Sidney Poitier. Even though most people cite him for "Guess who's coming to dinner?", I first remember him for "To Sir with Love".
Around the Town
The (twin) Sidney Poitier Bridge that joins New Providence and Paradise Island. The pink spires of Atlantis can be seen in the background.
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Fort Montagu ...over looks Paradise Island
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Postcard perfect settings Paradise Island
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Villa's line the sea-front of Paradise Island.
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Doongalick Studios was the next stop after Retreat Gardens.
Around the Town
A very brief but edifying look around Mr Smith's studio showed the works of an immensely talented artist. Pieces that I took for 'photos' or paintings were actually done by his hand...in coloured pencil. The 3-dimensional quality to his images is simply amazing!! I had admired a replica of Ms Emily's Eleven String on Charlene's walls prior to meeting Mr Smith and realizing the medium was coloured pencil. I later found his Facebook page .. https://www.facebook.com/Hyperrealism-in-The-Bahamas-172219729793542/
Around the Town
Striking replica of a Junkanoo custume pops out from the trees at Doongalik Studios
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A very pleasant (and patient) attendant at the craft store.
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Every item in this store is authentically 'Made in Bahamas'. There were unique items like belts made from car/bicycle tyres (far right of this picture) and even caps made from cardboard beer cases (not shown here).
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Tempting craft and wearable art
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I pondered why newly built road were 'cut through" hills rather than simply going over them. It seems this practice may allow for excavated dirt, rubble and rocks to be used for scarce landfill.
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An old Junkanoo costume lies abandoned and bleached by the sun. The costumes are covered with colourful but fragile crepe paper. Once the Junkanoo is over there is no place to store the art works and they are simply abandoned. New works are created every year.
Around the Town
A typical residence in the older part of town.
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A typical Bahamian neighbourhood. (Reminds me of some parts of Jamaica...but I am not sure why)