The October edition of my Travel Column at Sally Cronin’s Blog Magazine is live now. In this edition I chose to focus on the Bahamas as a vacation destination. Did you know Bahamas have over 700 islands? Ya, I didn’t know that either. In light of the recent devastation that occurred on some of those islands from Hurricane Dorian, I thought it was the perfect choice for this October edition.

 

Smorgasbord Blog Magazine – The Travel Column with D.G. Kaye – The Bahamas – 14 Islands Up and Running and Waiting for Tourists.

 

The Bahamas – 14 Islands Up and Running and Waiting for Tourists.

Welcome to this month’s edition of the Travel Column. For this month’s edition I wanted to write about the Bahamas, in light of one of the most devastating hurricanes that pretty much demolished Grand Obaca and Grand Bahama islands. Although support is pouring in from many countries and many selfless people are helping in their own way, the news stated that the best way people can help with their devastation is to visit some of the many islands that make up the Bahamas to help to contribute to their economy to help rebuild with tourism.

 

 

A Bit of History

The Bahamas were inhabited by the Lucayans – a branch of the Taino people (original inhabitants of the Caribbean for centuries before the arrival of the European colonizers). Columbus made his first landfall there in 1492. Later, the natives were shipped to Hispaniola to serve as slaves, leaving the Bahama islands mostly deserted from 1513 till 1648 when British colonists began to settle there. In 1718, Bahamas became a British Crown Colony, clamping down on piracy. After the American Revolution, American Loyalists (those who stood loyal to the British Crown), settled in the Bahamas with their slaves and built plantations. The majority of the population from this time period on, saw African slaves and their descendants populate the islands.

In 1807 the slave trade was abolished by the British, and finally abolished in the Bahamas in 1834. The Bahamas became the new safe haven for freed slaves. There was also an influx of North American slaves and Seminoles who migrated from Florida. Bahamas became an independent commonwealth in 1973 under the Queen. The Bahamas are the 3rd richest country in the world following the U.S. and Canada. Their wealth is based on tourism and offshore financing.

 

Climate

The low elevation and gulf stream contribute to Bahamas winterless, tropical climate, producing sunny and dry days for approximately 340 days a year. Tropical storms and hurricanes have impacted the Bahamas in 1992 – Hurricane Andrew, Hurricane Floyd in 1999, and most recently, and the most devasting, Hurricane Dorian, a Category 5 tropical cyclone – the strongest on record, which decimated the islands of Grand Bahama and Great Abaco. Average temps year-round are 75 degrees to 85.

 

 

Beaches

While Bahamas is comprised of over 700 different islands, there are over 2000 recommended beaches! Of course, some beaches are more well known than others, but some of these not-so-well-known gems may be just the place for you. From quiet beaches to those of full on activity to white or pink sands, there is something for every beach lover in the Bahamas.

Most popular destinations in Bahamas are Paradise Island, Freeport, Grand Bahamas, Eleuthra, and Exuma Islands . . . please continue reading at Sally’s Smorgasbord

 

 

Source: Smorgasbord Blog Magazine – The Travel Column with D.G. Kaye – The Bahamas – 14 Islands Up and Running and Waiting for Tourists. | Smorgasbord Blog Magazine