The Islands - Romantic Escapes in the Caribbean: Lovetripper Guide - page 119

We also enjoyed the Lucayan National Park , Grand Bahama
Highway, 242-352-5738. This 40-acre park is filled with man-

groves, pine, and palm trees. Six miles of charted caves are also
found here, as well as a secluded beach, hiking trails, and pic-
nicking spots. This park is home to an enormous network of un-
derwater caves, although diving is prohibited without a permit
from UNEXSO ( 242-373-1244; fax [phone]), and even

swimming in the caves is a no-no. If you want to swim, cross the
highway and visit Gold Rock Beach . This wide swath of sand,
located 20 miles east of Freeport, is edged with pine trees (per-
fect for hanging your clothes on) and is a great place to walk
hand in hand in peace and quiet. The waters here are warm and
shallow and great for a romantic dip. There are no facilities, so
bring along something to drink.

Shopping
Bay Street is the Fifth Avenue of the Bahamas, a boulevard
lined with shops stocked with names like Gucci, Lalique,
Cartier, and Baccarat. Inside, display cases gleam with gold, di-
amonds, and emeralds, and travelers look for duty-free bar-
gains.

T TIP: Perfume prices are regulated by the government,
so you will find the same prices at any of the “perfume
bars,” which are plentiful in Nassau. Everything from
French to American perfumes, colognes and after-
shaves are sold in the perfume bars, as well as in many
clothing stores.

For authentic Bahamian souvenirs, head down Bay Street to
the frenzied, open-air Straw Market . Every imaginable straw
good is sold, and if you don't see it, the nimble-fingered women
will make it for you. Expect to haggle over the cost, but overall,
prices and goods vary only slightly from booth to booth. Up-
stairs, woodcarvers chip away at logs to produce sculptures of
animals, birds, and anything else you might request.

Nightlife
The most popular nightlife on Nassau is probably its casinos.
You can find them at the Nassau Marriott Crystal Palace