Bob Walker's Official New Orleans
Area Wedding Guide
HONEYMOONING IN FREEPORT, THE BAHAMAS
Aaaah, the Bahamas! The beautiful city of Freeport on Grand Bahama Island
is every honeymooning couple's ultimate fantasy. From shopping at the International
Bazaar and nightly entertainment, to evening catamaran cruises and casino
gambling, there is always something new and exciting to experience on this
charming island full of excitement. Located just 80 miles off the coast
of Florida in the Atlantic Ocean, a honeymoon in Freeport is the perfect
way to begin your new life together. A typical trip to Freeport will cost
less than you would imagine for a luxurious honeymoon in this Tropical British
island hideaway, and typically it includes airfare to and from New Orleans,
hotel, and transfers. Departures are usually on Sunday (four nights) and
Thursday (three nights). While on your honeymoon, you may purchase items
valued up to $600 retail without paying duty on them, provided they accompany
the buyer back to the United States.
WELCOME TO FREEPORT!
After your arrival at the Freeport International Airport and your passage
through customs, you will immediately be whisked away to your hotel by a
taxi driving on the wrong side of the street (by American standards). Riding
on the left side of a two-way street takes a while to get used to, but you'll
both share a laugh as you experience your first taste of life on British
soil.
While honeymooning in Freeport, you may come across some things that
surprise you - remember, you are in a foreign country.
As mentioned, the first, and most obvious, thing that you will notice
is that all of the cars drive on the left side of the road. This old British
custom has been practiced in the Bahamas since the advent of the horse and
buggy and adds a distinct charm and uniqueness to the island. Helpful Hint:
When crossing the street, make sure you look in the correct direction -
the opposite of the way we cross the street in the U.S.
Second, the speed limits in Freeport are a welcome relief for those
of us who are familiar with America's bustling highways. Freeport speed
limits are: 25 mph in congested areas, 15 mph in school zones; in the outskirts,
the speed limit for cars is 45 mph, and 30 mph for trucks.
Third, The Bahamas use Bahamian money (except in the casinos). But with
tourism as their main economic resource, American money is welcomed with
open arms. If you should run across a Bahamian $3 bill, it's okay. Bahamian
paper money runs in half dollar, $1, $3, $5, $10, $20, $50, and $100 bills.
The Bahamian dollar is on par with the U.S. dollar; however, you can expect
to pay a small commission on exchange of travelers checks for local currency
and when converting local currency in to U.S. dollars.
A TROPICAL CLIMATE
The weather in the Bahamas is something to treasure. The climate is
semitropical, with an average summer temperature of 83 degrees. The warmest
months in Freeport are June, July, and August when the temperature reaches
about 86 degrees. The average temperature during the winter months is 70
degrees with the coolest temperatures coming in January at about 69 degrees.
Annual rainfall averages 46 inches and is concentrated in May-June and September-October.
YOUR ROOM IS WAITING
Freeport has fine resorts that offer most of the comforts of home plus
cool and delicious Bahama Mamas as extras. The resorts that decorate the
beach along the coast of Freeport include: The Radisson Resort, The Atlantik
Beach Resort, and The Lucayan Beach Resort and Casino. All three of these
resorts have air-conditioned rooms, restaurants, substantial property on
the beach, daily activities, an outdoor pavilion, swimming pools, gift shops,
and access to all available watersports. The Lucayan Beach Resort and Casino
is the most popular resort for tourists because of its casino gambling and
nightly Las Vegas style shows in the Flamingo Showcase Theatre. If the beach
and salt water isn't your style, then the Princess Towers Hotel and Casino
might be the place for you. The Princess is located near downtown Freeport
and offers easy access to the Freeport International Airport and all of
the shopping spots, which are just minutes away.
WHAT TO DO, YOU ASK???
While you and your sweetheart are honeymooning in Freeport, one question
you will never hear is, "What else is there to do?" In Freeport,
the action never stops.
When you first arrive at your hotel, check in to one of the various
bus tours offered daily (information should be given at orientation meetings
at the hotel). The tour includes stops at Taino Beach - the Bahamas only
man-made beach, the spectacular Garden of the Groves, The International
Bazaar in Downtown Freeport (a hot shopping spot), and a Bahamian liquor
store where you can pick up anything imaginable at cheaper-than-U.S. prices.
Up to $100 dollars in liquor can be brought back to the United States duty-free.
THE WATER IS CALLING
Some of the many water and excursion activities available in Freeport
include the Buccaneer Beach Party where you can partake in such activities
as volleyball, egg tossing contests, musical chairs, and beer drinking contests,
with prizes for the winner. Also available is the Cruise I Beach Party,
Snorkel and Booze Cruise - a true Bahamian experience. This ultimate party
takes up most of an afternoon, as you sail to a beautiful Atlantic coral
reef and snorkel in crystal-clear water over an underwater world of beautiful
starfish and numerous other marine species that you will never forget. Afterwards,
you arrive at the "secluded" island to a delicious Bahamian lunch
buffet (chicken, ribs, peas and rice, and salad), free unlimited Bahama
Mamas (the official rum drink of the Islands), a private secluded beach,
volleyball, an egg tossing contest, and wave runner rentals. On the return
trip enjoy Goombay sounds, dance on the deck, and have your fill of more
Bahama Mamas. Other boat tours include: a one day excursion to the beautiful
island of Nassau - the capital of the Bahamas, deep sea fishing, scuba diving,
Dolphin Adventure, the Reef Tours Beach Party, and the "Bahama Mama"
sunset Booze Cruise.
If you leave Freeport without going parasailing, then your honeymoon
will not be complete. A parasail can hold up to two people while a speed
boat helps you elevate as high as 350 feet above the picturesque Atlantic
Ocean, as you gaze through the clear, sky-blue water to enjoy the varied
ocean floor landscapes from high above. If heights aren't exactly for you
then try renting one of the many jet skis that are available. These keep
you right on the water instead of above it and let you tear through the
raging waves at speeds up to 45 mph.
Some other fun daytime activities to look into during your stay in Freeport
are any of the island's three golf courses, horseback riding, the Grand
Bahama Museum (located in the Garden of the Groves), or any one of the 40
tennis courts available for use on the island.
EVENING ON THE ISLAND
When evening falls over beautiful Freeport, be sure to visit the intriguing
Lucayan Beach Marketplace directly across the street from the three main
beachfront resorts. There is live music every night in the Marketplace,
with acts such as Solomon's Wildfire and audience favorite Little Joe Cartwright
and the Islanders teaching line dances and leading meringue contests. During
certain times of the year, when the bands take a break, you will be treated
to the sounds of Junkanoo - the Bahamas "Christmas and New Years Extravaganza."
Junkanoo is something to behold - imagine the sights of the Krewe of Zulu
mixed with the sounds of St. Augustine's Marching 100 and voila - you've
got Junkanoo!
Surrounding the bandstand are some of the Bahamas finest eating establishments.
In these restaurants you may sample the various forms of conch (pronounced
KONK) - the Bahamas special delicacy which is said to be an aphrodesiac.
Dine on conch fritters, conch chowder, conch salad, fried conch - at restaurants
such as: The Fat Man's Nephew, The Brass Helmet, Papa Charlie's, The Junkanoo
Bar & Grill, and Bahama Mama's. If you're not daring enough for conch,
try out some familiar American food at any of the restaurants already mentioned,
or places such as Pizza Hut, Burger King (sorry, no McDonald's), and Kentucky
Fried Chicken. Also, don't miss out on the many gift shops in the marketplace
where you can bargain a good deal on things from T-shirts to shot glasses,
to handmade hats and purses.
Some words of advice: all Bahamian sales people want to give you a "deal"
on everything you purchase. Some "deals" on hair braiding range
from 50 cents to $2.00 per braid, so shop around and look for a real "deal"
on something that you want. If you are fair with your price and stand firm,
the salespeople will usually give in.
ENJOY A SPECIAL HONEYMOON
Freeport is truly an affordable tropical paradise that will leave you
wanting more and more. After days of countless Bahama Mama's, Rum Punches,
sand, sun, music, and endless fun, you will look back on your exciting honeymoon
with a smile. You will both agree that this honeymoon spot, with it's many
attractions and activities that it has to offer, couldn't have been a better
way to begin your lives together.
...aaaah, The Bahamas!