Another Reason to Miss Abaco

[Marty]

My wife and I just returned from an extended weekend stay at Lucaya/Freeport. We chose there because of the cost and the ease of getting there since we were only going for a long weekend.

I cannot come up with a reason to ever go back there again. It is so dramatically different from Abaco. The people - tourists and locals alike - were rude, obnoxious, and pushy. Everyone either wants something from you or wants to sell you something. If someone asks to braid my wife's hair one more time, I'm going to lose it.

I went snorkeling off the beach and was disgusted to find a 55g drum, several tires, a rear end (from a car, that is), many cinder blocks, and tons of trash. I picked up an entire bag of trash while snorkeling, I even found the bag I filled up out there. AND in one of the tires, I found a lionfish. 20 yards off the beach in 15' of water. Hotel management and UNEXSO didn't seem too worried about removing it, even after I showed them pictures and personally pointed the fish out to one of the jetski guys (don't get me started on the jet skis!).

At the edge of the resort property along the beach, there was a 6' chain link fence. On the fence, there was a sign stating something like "you are now leaving resort property, management is not responsible for your well being past this point." We were strongly encouraged to lock all of our valuables in the in-room safe. REAL relaxed setting, huh.:rolleyes:

The day we left, I was wearing a Hopetown t-shirt. The bellhop at the hotel pointed at my shirt and commented "Nice place there". I just smiled and tipped him.

It was not a horrible vacation, just very different from Abaco. We had a "good" time, not great. Lucaya is way too touristy for my Abaco-jaded tastes.

I now have yet another reason to miss Abaco dearly. I am already planning our trip for next June/July. Sorry, can't make the fishing tournament, wife's a teacher and kids will be in school. And I've been told I can't go without them!

Thanks for listening.

Marty

[Henz]

God bless places like that and the people who love them..protects us Abaco solitude lovers :)

[Marty]

This is the lionfish I was talking about.

[coldhands]

Cool picture of the lionfish. We saw one off Treasure Cay beach last week, pretty far out, but still surprised to see it. Also saw a flying gurnard, which I also think is poisonous (?). Very few fish there, we didn't expect to see anything snorkeling, but there you go! As soon as we unpack the camera I can hopefully post some pix. -- Kim

[culp]

God bless places like that and the people who love them..protects us Abaco solitude lovers :)

I sure agree with that statement. When we were at the airport at the end of our stay, another visitor who loves Abaco said to me "Don't tell anyone about this place, and just say you had a lousy vacation.":cool:

[sail pending]

I saw quite a few lionfish on spots where I haven't ever seen them before. I know that they are not indigenous to the waters of Abaco and they look like they are becoming very evasive. Does anyone know if they are threatening the balance of the reefs and ecosystems where they are found?

[Lynx]

In the states when you catch a non-indigenous fish you are to kill it. What is the policy in the Bahamas and is there a safe way to do this with a Lionfish?

[BahamaAngie]

Marty....that's how we feel about Paradise Island now.....but we went 4 x before we discovered Abaco. If only we had known then.

[islandfever]

[FONT='Times New Roman']I cleared customs only one time in Lucaya. After tying up my boat, I asked where I could clear in. I was pointed to a small approximately 10 X 10 ft. building. I entered to find two

[Marty]

I haven't been back to Paradise Island since the early 90's, before Atlantis. I don't see a need to go back there again either. I have friends that have gone recently and they loved it. But they want convenience, creature comforts, and lots to do. That's perfect for someone like that.

Give me a Dodge guide, a boat, snorkle & fishing gear, and a cooler. The biggest decision I want to have to make is where are we going to explore today?

Marty....that's how we feel about Paradise Island now.....but we went 4 x before we discovered Abaco. If only we had known then.

[HALF-A-HAMIAN]

In the states when you catch a non-indigenous fish you are to kill it. What is the policy in the Bahamas and is there a safe way to do this with a Lionfish?

I wouldn't get any closer than a spear length. If you're able to spear/kill one, or not, mark the location and report it to fisheries, or to Patti Toler (Blue Dolphin) on VHF 68, or phone 242-367-4941.