BAHAMASBy: Michael Cheung TDC100 TA- Top

Destinations in Canada

OVERVIEW OF TODAY’S PRESENTATION Video about the Bahamas Presentation of the Bahamas Handout will be distributed after

presentation

VIDEO

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZsA9Lt7xIx0

MAP OF BAHAMAS

INTRODUCTION TO BAHAMAS

• Capital city is Nassau • Lynden Pindling International Airport (NAS)• Language:

Locals speak English Some have accent such as African, Irish or

Scottish• Religion:

Baptist, Anglican, Roman Catholic, Pentecostal, Church of God, Methodist

• Currency: $Bahamian Dollars (BSD) U.S. Dollars are the always equivalent to

Bahamian Dollar

HOW TO GET THERE•In total there are 14 islands •Grand Bahamas International Airport - Freeport (FPO)•Marsh Harbour Airport – The Abacos (MHH)•National Airline: Bahamasair • Serves 19 airports

and 12 Bahamian islands

•Some of the outer islands have airports or airstrips, or have a short ferry ride •Air Canada is the only carrier offering scheduled service from Canada to Nassau

CLIMATE AND WEATHER PATTERNS

•Averages between 24ºC -29ºC during both Winter and Summer•It can get chilly in the morning and in the night time•HurricanesThe hurricane season usually comes June 1 – November 30

More tropical cyclones in the U.S. Mainland than Bahamas

CULTURAL PATTERNS

Whit Monday When: May 20

Boxing Day When: December 26

Christmas Day When: December 25

Discovery Day When: October 14

Good FridayWhen: March 29

Easter Sunday & MondayWhen:

Emancipation Day When: August 5

Independence Day When: July 10

Labour Day When: June 7

Holidays

FOOD•Johnnycake

Originally called, “Journey Cake”

Dates back from the early settlers

Made with butter, milk, flour, sugar, salt and baking powder

•Peas ‘n’ RicePopular method to cook

is with pigeon peas which grow on small trees or with black-eyed peas with salt park, tomatoes, celery, uncooked rice, thyme, green pepper, onion, salt, and pepper

CUSTOMS

Arriving at Bahamas: Allows you to bring in 200 cigarettes or

50 cigars or 1 pound of tobacco, plus 1 quart of spirits (hard liquor)

Returning to US: Can bring back $800 of merchandise

duty-free 1 litre of duty-free wine or liquor and up

to five cartons of duty-free cigarettes

TRAVEL ADVISORIES

Canadian’s must: Present a Canadian passport to visit

Bahamas Show Permanent Resident Card and a

valid passport if you are permanent resident of Canada

Visas Student Permit is required Business visa and tourist visa are not

required

TRAVEL ADVISORIES (CONTINUED)

Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate It is required for entry for travellers over 1

year of age Malaria

Recommended for Great Exuma Island

MISCELLANEOUS CONSIDERATIONS FOR TRAVELLERS

ATM’s Most banks have ATMs Accepts Visa, Mastercard, American

Express, and any other bank or credit card Some may not accept credit cards

unless there is a computer chip to prevent credit card fraud

LODGING

Budget Best Western Bay View Suites Location: Nassau

Attractions: At least 6-10 minutes drive to Paradise Beach

10 minute walk to Cabbage Beach Amenities include: Lunch-only restaurant, bar,

babysitting, 3 outdoor pools, tennis court, In room: A/C, TV, hairdryer, kitchen, Wi-Fi (Free)

Appeals to children and adults Rates: $180-$245 for 1 bedroom suite

LODGING (CONTINUED)

Intermediate Comfort Suites Paradise Island Location: Nassau

Attractions: Paradise Island Golf Course Amenities include: Restaurant, bar, small

health club, outdoor pool, tennis court, In room: A/C, TV, fridge, hair dryer, Wi-Fi ($10)

Appeal to honeymooners Rates: Winter $265-$330 double

Off-season $250-$330 double

LODGING (CONTINUED)

Deluxe Hotel Atlantis Paradise Island Location: Nassau

Attractions: Leap of Faith (Waterslide into lagoon filled with sharks)

Amenities include: 20 restaurants, 18 lounges and clubs, babysitting, concierge, children’s programs (ages 3-17), health club & spa, 17 outdoor pools, room service, 5 tennis courts, In room: A/C, TV, hairdryer, minibar, Wi-Fi ($15)

Appeals to children and adult Rates: Winter $420-$700 double,

Off-season $270-$660 double

TRANSPORTATION

Rental Car In Nassau and Freeport Island, you can rely on taxis and

public transit In some outer islands, most rental cars are cheap and in

poor condition Budget

Taxi Usually in Nassau/Paradise Island, Grand Bahamas area

Cabs are metered and only take cash, no credit cards Outer Islands are not metered, so you must negotiate about

the fare Freeport Taxi Company

Open 24 hours

TRANSPORTATION (CONTINUED)

Chartered Boat Most luxurious way to see The Bahamas Go to any island you want to

MAJOR ATTRACTIONS

Ardastra Gardens, Zoo & Conservation Centre The Caribbean flamingo, is the national bird of

The Bahamas Almost disappeared in the early 1940s and was

brought back through the efforts of the National Trust

Other wildlife here include boa constrictors (snakes), macaws (parrots), kinkajous (honey bear), iguanas, brown-headed tamarins (monkey), and much more

MAJOR ATTRACTION (CONTINUED)

Pirates of Nassau Best attraction for kids The exhibit is about the “Golden age of

piracy” from 1960-1720 Walk through the pirate ship called “The

Revenge” The exhibit also tells about Captain

Woodes Rogers, who was sent by the English Crown to suppress pirates of the Caribbean

MAJOR ATTRACTIONS (CONTINUED)

Windsor Equestrian Centre & Happy Trails Stables Located in Coral Harbour, Nassau Offers 90-minute horseback riding Limited to a maximum of eight riders at a time,

for $150 per person Price includes transportation to and from the

hotel Children must be 12 years old and older and

must weigh less than 201 pounds Make reservations

MAJOR ATTRACTIONS (CONTINUED)

Nassau Public Library and Museum This building was built in 1797 It was a Nassau Gaol (jail) It became a public library in 1873 Library’s collection of historic documents

from the colonial days

MAJOR ATTRACTIONS (CONTINUED)

Seaworld Explorer Allows you to explore above the submarine

of all the islands of The Bahamas Explore underwater where all the fishes are

and experience the life underwater Reservation is required Fees: Adult $45 Children (2-12) $25

GEOGRAPHIC FEATURES

Many cays around Bahamas Time

Eastern Standard Time (EST) and daylight saving time is during the summer

FOOD, DRINK, SHOPPING

Food Conch

Pronounced as “Konk” Every cook has a different recipe to

prepare conch Example is Conch salad

Conch salad is a local favourite Uncooked conch marinated in Old Sour

(hot pepper sauce) to break down its tissues and add extra flavour

This is also served with diced red or green peppers and chopped onions

FOOD, DRINK, SHOPPING (CONTINUED) Drinks

Rum came from Cuba and Jamaica

Invented several drinks such as the Yellow Bird, the Bahama Mama, and the Goombay Smash

The Bahama Mama has Vat 19, citrus juice, a pinch of nutmeg, crème de cassis, and a hint of grenadine

FOOD, DRINK, SHOPPING (CONTINUED) Nassau International Bazaar

30 shops selling international goods Runs from Bay Street down to the

Waterfront (near Prince George Wharf) Prince George Plaza

Popular with cruise-ship passengers Many shops occupy on Bay Street

ENDING VIDEO

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XQHJ-UlejuA

COME VISIT THE BAHAMAS