Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
believers sometimes heal, fall sick, or have been known to even die due to their
faith in the power of obeah.
'Fixing' meanwhile is the deployment of a spell to protect property; it also
means casting a spell or preventing a casting on or by other people. Many fixers
ascribe their powers to God and place their 'fix' through directions 'derived'
from the Bible.
Those trees with bottles dangling from them are not bearing strange tropical
fruit - the bottles are spells to protect against thieves. Also stay clear of grave-
yards, which are littered with bottles for the spirits of the dead, who otherwise
would bother the living for rum, according to local beliefs. Many houses, espe-
cially those north of New Bight, are also topped by spindles (like lightning rods)
to ward off evil spirits.
On Cat Island the center of obeah is the Bight; on New Providence, it's the
working-class area of Fox Hill.
ORANGE CREEK
There's good bonefishing in the mouth of Orange Creek, where it spills onto a beach. Call
Willard Cleare
( 242-354-4143) , local bonefishing guide. The turquoise waters off-
shore are superb snorkeling sites, with exquisite fan-coral formations.
from the head of orange creek, a trail leads west half a mile to the popular
Port Royal
Beach
. Another leads north past
Oyster Lake
(good for spotting ducks and cormorants)
and west to the beach at
Man O' War Point
, also perfect for snorkeling.
A third track leads northwest from the head of Orange Creek to
Glass Hill
(162ft), where
there are beautiful views.
Dickie's Rd runs east to
Griffin Bat Cave
- once home to slaves who built walls and
windows into the entrance and to a series of blue holes.
Sleeping & Eating
Shannas Cove Resort
RESORT $$
( 242-354-4249;
www.shannas-cove.com
;
r from $170; ) With quite simply one
of the best positions of any resort in the Bahamas, this new and very friendly German-run
miniresort is popular with divers and anyone enjoying seclusion. The wonderfully wide
beach is just a short stroll down the steps from the five rooms, which are all spaciously
simple with private terraces with great sea views. Diving is what brings most people here,
and the owners organize bespoke diving trips, though nondivers will also love the beach
and nearby hiking trails that lead to beautiful Man O' War Point.
