Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
ROKER'S BLUFF
also known as 'zanicle,' roker's bluff was founded by scottish settlers and many locals have
scottish surnames. a dirt road leads a mile northwest to beautiful
Pigeon Cay Beach
, a
stunning 3-mile-long stretch of white sand opening up into a beautiful bay of turquoise wa-
ter.
Overlooking a simply fabulous beach, the charming self-contained cabanas of the
Pi-
geon Cay Beach Club
( 242-354-5084;
www.pigeoncaybahamas.com
; r $140;
) have comfortable, colorful furnishings and pleasant outdoor areas. An adjacent
beach bar and barbecue is perfect for sunset dining. Activities on offer include fishing trips,
snorkeling, kayaking and boat and bike rentals.
BENNETT'S HARBOUR
Bennett's Harbour sprawls beneath blazing-colored flame trees that continue down to a pic-
turesque sheltered
cove
, once favored by pirates and salt traders.
The classy, intimate
Sammy T's Beach Resort
( 242-354-6009;
www.catislandbeachresort.com
;
r from $175; ) has charming small cabanas with
upmarket Caribbean furnishings and Bahamian artworks. Enjoy walk-off-the beach
snorkeling, a beachside bar and seafood dishes. There are complimentary bicycles, kayaks
and shuffle-boards.
ARTHUR'S TOWN
The island's second-largest settlement nevertheless feels like a village. Centered on Sy-
monette Sq and the
St Andrews Anglican Church
(1870s), this neat little town was the
childhood home of Sir Sidney Poitier, though there's no monument or museum to the Ba-
hamas' most famous son.
For lunch and dinner try
Da Smokepot
( 242-354-2077) , which does hearty local
cooking in a friendly venue and
Hard Rock Oasis
( 242-342-7050) , which does Ba-
hamian standards but is also a popular local wateringhole in the evening.
OBEAH
Obeah is the practice of interacting with the spirit world. Part folklore, supersti-
tion and magic ritual, it is deeply imbedded in the national psyche. Obeah (the
word is Ashanti, from West Africa) was prohibited and severely suppressed by
the Caribbean's colonial authorities.
The practice of obeah has diminished (legally banned, mostly due to pressure
from the Baptist church) but still coexists alongside Christianity. Some faithful
operate as 'balmists' who enact revenge or ensure successful romances. Firm
