Bahamas

[dfreeman]

I think that we got all of that diving in because we had some real hardcore divers on the boat that wanted to be in the water and could take care of themselves in the water.

I think that the group makes the trip.

For example, the other Blackbeards boat that was out missed a day of divng because they got stuck when the tide went out. We would not have been in such shallow water. Also, I do not think they dove as much as we did.

I had a blast doing all of those dives.

Doug

[FreediveWI]

That might explain it Doug.

I went with a group of 4 and we just got added into whoever else was on the boat.
Maybe it would be different if you had the whole boat rented out and could dictate what you wanted to do.

Jon

[Omicron]

It was pretty much just our big group on the boat and a few other people...we kinda had the boat by majority rule

[dfreeman]

That is a fact. I had dove with about 14 of the 21 divers on the boat before we had even left the dock.

Doug

[dfreeman]

For those of you that have spent an evening in Bimini during a Blackbeards Cruise, there has been a real tragedy.  Only 24 hours after Megan, fellow Blackbeards Cruise companions and I had enjoyed drinks and ring toss at The Compleat Angler, the place burned down.  A slice of history has disappeared.  I am glad that Megan got the chance to play ring toss and have a Tom Collins before the place was gone.

Those that have been there will understand, can not explain it to the rest.

Links:





Article

4th January
Bimini Landmark Destroyed
Macushla N. Pinder
Still reeling from the shock of last month’s tragic fiery Chalks plane crash that snuffed the lives of 11 of their loved ones, Biminites are now grappling to accept another devastating blow after an early morning fire gutted one of the island’s main economic and historical hotspots and possibly killed a resident.

Up to press time, authorities still had not located the individual, who police have identified as Julian Brown.

According to residents, Brown – a former Olympian for The Bahamas in the 60’s -- reportedly did security duties at the hotel and is the son of the late proprietor of The Compleat Angler Hotel in Alice Town, the "commercial centre" of Bimini.

On Friday, fire investigators - two officers from Grand Bahama’s fire services were dispatched to the scene to assist the island’s volunteer group and one trained fire officer - were still trying to determine the cause of the blaze that reportedly began after 4am Friday.

Firefighters were however able to bring the fire under control before it spread to a nearby home.

Residents say members of the Calypso band who played at the Compleat Angler stayed at the house.

In a telephone interview with the Bahama Journal Friday, Chief Councilor for the Bimini, Cat Cay area, Tasha Bullard-Rolle admitted Biminites are now finding it difficult to reel from one tragedy to the next.

"The mood is again a feeling of disbelief and shock and for the most part residents are walking around asking each other, ‘I wonder what’s next,’" she said.

"The Compleat Angler is an historic landmark. It is the oldest establishment in the community. It was a place not only frequented by tourists but locals also enjoyed the atmosphere. It was the only place on the island that offered live Bahamian music. So, this is really a tremendous loss to the community."

The 12-room hotel, famed author Ernest Hemingway’s residence from 1935-37, was also home to the Hemingway Museum whose walls were covered with memorabilia of hundreds of championship big game fish tournaments, smiling celebrities standing next to huge, strung-up fish, Hemingway writings, news clips, and photos.

Speaking with the Bahama Journal from Bimini, Tourism Minister, Obie Wilchcombe, who is also the island’s MP said what has happened is "truly tragic."

"We have lost an important monument on the landscape of Bimini. The Compleat Angler for many years has served as a place for the adventurer, visitors, and Biminites alike; all who have come to enjoy the history of the Compleat Angler, but everything else that it has to offer," Minister Wilchcombe said.

"It is unfortunate. Again, Bimini is being challenged. But, we are again reminded that we shall seek out our Lord in faith and we recognize that this is another difficult situation yet again for Bimini residents having gone through what they have over the last several weeks, now to have this on their doorsteps in the Alice Town area.

Famed as the game-fishing capital of the world, there are annual fishing tournaments on the island, making Bimini the 4th most popular tourism destination within the chain of Bahamian islands.

"This will certainly affect the economy of Bimini. The Compleat Angler has been the watering hole for many visitors and certainly a place for entertainment. So clearly this is going to have some immediate impact. Bimini continues to have year round visitors," Minister Wilchcombe said.

"The fishing season will be even more dramatically affected this year. And so there will no doubt be a fall off in business (because of the fire) but I’m sure that Biminites will find a way to rebound as quickly as possible. The wonderful thing for Bimini is that other businesses and lodgings are being constructed as we speak and so additional inventory will be available. But there is nothing like the Compleat Angler. The Compleat Angler is a loss to the community. It has been there for generations. Just to see Alice Town shattered now without it will have a dramatic impact on one’s psyche. And so the loss will be enormous."

This latest tragedy comes only weeks after the December 19th Chalks Ocean Airways plane crash in waters off Miami Beach that killed all on board, 11 of whom were Biminites.

At last report, relatives of three of the victims announced that they had secured legal aviation specialist, The Nolan Law Group out of Chicago, to pursue compensation for their losses.

The Nolan Law Group will represent the families of Genevieve Ellis, Salome Rolle, and Niesha Fox.

[LKunze]

Wow that is sad Doug.  I was just there this past July.  I'm glad I was able to see it before it was gone.

[schultz]

Haven't been there in a few years, but man, I remember that place...

..too sad indeed. 

[dfreeman]

In January, Megan, Andy and I joined a number of other people and went on Blackbeards Cruise in the Bahamas.  Were on the second to the last trip for Blackbeards to leave from Miami.  Now all of there operations are out of Freeport, Bahamas.  A real passing of an era.

After flying into Miamia and an overnight stay out at our favorite hotel(cheap).  We caught up with the Sea Explorer and get going.  After getting everything on board and meeting our fellow passengers, we are on our way. 

As we cruise out of the port, we got to see the sites of Miami.  Here we have Andy and Megan looking at some of the local low income houseing in Miami.

[dfreeman]

As we get into the ocean we observe soem fins.  Sharks attacking South Beach?  No dolphins checking out the ship.  Weather was kind of rough for the crossing.  However, the conditions were not to bad and only a little seasickness occurred.  Waves eased off as we went and everyone slept well by the time we got to Bimini.

Nice sunset though.

[dfreeman]

The next day we are cruising the Bimini chain and heading south.  We eventually make it to Orange Cay and the southern end of the Bimini Chain.  The conditions were ideal for thsi type of trip and we got to dive sites in the south that people rarely get to.

Megan and Andy enjoed the cruise and the scenery was get.  Nothing like cruising on a sailboat in the Caribbean.  The bright blue of the water and the sky are super.  This is the way to relax.  Megan is telling a fellow traveler that there is no parties or other college hijinks at the University where she goes to school.  All they do there is study and go to church on Sunday.  I am glad to know this.