You will never forget your arrival in the Exumas. The plane flies over sandbanks that form brushstrokes on the ocean. Sea and sky mingle, in a subtle gradation of blue and green mixed with pink clouds and filaments of orange algae. Magical ! This string of 365 islands (most of them uninhabited) stretches over more than 200 km. A real postcard setting preserved from the influx of tourists and conducive to all Robinsonades. It was the mobilization of the inhabitants of Exuma against a huge tourist project that led to the classification of the first protected area in the country in 1958, the Exuma National Land &Sea Park. The Bahamas today has around thirty national parks and nature reserves. To visit:Great Exuma and Little Exuma, the two main islands connected by a bridge. One out of two inhabitants bears the name of Rolle, a surname from Lord John Rolle who had several hundred slaves work on his cotton plantations, before transferring his land to them, emancipation obliges. Onion, mango and banana farms have replaced the old plantations. In William's Town, however, a few touches of wild cotton still punctuate the landscape... Take advantage of the People to People "twinning" program (registrations on www.bahamas.com) to learn how to fly-fish bonefish with the locals. A tradition!
The roots plan:a stop at Santana's Grill Pitt, on the road to the Tropic of Cancer beach, to buy something for a picnic:conch fritters (conch fritters), pineapple...
The charm plan:a Gombay Smash (cocktail made with rum and pineapple juice) followed by a barbecue at Chat n'Chill, on the island of Stocking Island (5 min by boat).
The roots plan:a room at Coral Gardens, a B&B 4 miles from Georgetown that wraps its one street around Lake Victoria, and less than a 10-minute walk to Hoopers Bay beach. www.coralgardensbahamas.com.
The charm plan:a sea view room at the Peace &Plenty, the first hotel opened in Exuma so named in memory of the boat of the first emigrants. With live orchestra every Saturday and cocktails to kill! www.peaceandplenty.com.
Check with the Bahamas Tourist Office. Depending on your desires (idleness, diving, golf, nature), and your budget, we will recommend the right island or the right combination of islands. 113-115, rue du Cherche Midi, 75006 Paris. Phone. :01 45 26 62 62.
