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Where It's At
For a real flavour of Bahamian life, head 14 miles west of
Freeport to West End. This area still shows signs of
hurricane damage which hit it hard in 2004, but the resilient
local population are rebuilding, and they are as cheerful
and hospitable as ever. Eight Mile Rock in West End
is the largest settlement outside of Freeport on the island,
and here you can escape the touristy hustle and bustle and
chill out.
History of Eight Mile Rock
Eight Mile Rock takes its name from the eight miles of solid
rock along its shoreline. The town is a string of settlements
with a total population of 14,000; each settlement is named
after the family who first arrived and settled in the mid-nineteenth
century and these families still make this their home today.
The families were originally descended from slaves, probably
brought from the neighbouring Turks and Caicos islands,
who were freed from the lumbering industry on Pine Ridge.
When to Go
Grand Bahama island is an all year round destination with
clear warm water and gentle sea breezes. The rainy season
hits the island between May and November and you'll be joined
by the crowds for the peak tourist season from mid-December
to mid-April. Hurricane season actually runs from June to
November, but the most active month is September. The cusp
months of April and November are best for weather while avoiding
the crowds.
Attractions:
Food
Sample delicious conch salad with homemade bread
and don't miss the fried fish sold on Thursday nights by locals
who add their own flavours, but don't expect to get through
all the delicious foods in one night.
Walks
Take a nature kayak trip deep into the mangroves and stop
off to take a nature walk and study some of the island's flora
and fauna. Kayak
Nature Tours are a local trek company with very knowledgeable
guides who know the best spots to encounter some of the friendliest
raccoons you'll ever meet, as well as varied birdlife and
tropical vegetation. The best nature trail walk on the island
is the track that was originally the main transport artillery
between Freeport in the east and Eight Mile Rock in West End.
Since the new highway has been built the track has been re-inhabited
by numerous species of birds, butterflies, and plants. Amongst
the undergrowth you'll come across the ruins of the Hermitage
- remnants of the oldest building on the island.
Sunset Village
Sunset Village was recently set up as an indigenous cultural
attraction. Here you can enjoy a meal sitting on the veranda
of one of 25 stylish multi-coloured buildings whilst viewing
the evening's entertainment - the famous orange sky sunset
of the Bahamas. If you like your entertainment to be a little
more lively then make sure you're in town for the Street
Festival held in November. You can enjoy gospel groups,
rake n' scrape bands, Junkanoo groups, and there's fun for
all the family with children's activities local arts, crafts,
and cuisine.
Where to Eat
Sports Bar, Bayshore Rd, West End
If you want to escape your mega resort and get a taste of
real local Bahamian life, why not drop in at this little beach
front bar and try a local beer and a conch salad or a plate
of conch fritters. You may not see many tourists, especially
after the 2004 hurricanes did their worst to this sleepy fishing
village, but you will experience the very best in Bahamian
hospitality and the freshest seafood. Next door is the battered
Star Hotel, the island's oldest hotel which since 1946
has opened its doors to the likes of everyone from Ernest
Hemingway to Martin Luther King, Jr.
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