#: 561939 S12/Places to Fly
04-Apr-94 19:40:37
Sb: #561853-Walker's Cay
Fm: Dale Williams [FTW] 76206,3533
To: Denny Cunningham ORD/1C5 74706,2703 (X)
>No flames from me, we didn't care for Walker's Cay, either. We
found the >rooms to be kinda scuzzy, and the food okay but ou2
Cheaper too. No chance that idea came from the r guy, we decided
to rent a "villa" (right) rather than two separate rooms.
Cheaper too. No chance that idea came from the staff<g>
>Plus, after going back to the room after dinner (and putting out
the Do Not >Disturb sign), we had an extremely rude and irate
employee come banging on the >door. Turns out that our bar tab
was separate from our dinner tab, and we >hadn't signed the bar
tab.
Rudeness is the order of the day.
>When we went to check out, we looked at the bill carefully (as
instructed in >night. From the attitude, I don't think it was an
accident.
We were gigged at check-out too, but I can't remember why, one of
many, probably.
>When I tried to file the flight plan for the trip back to the
US, the only >me change, so we departed VFR and filed airborne,
which piqued the interest of >the Customs folks enough that they
sent a KingAir up to check us out.
We had to air-file too. Great minds. Filed with Freeport as I
recall, and US ATC had never heard of our flight plan. No escort
though <g>!
>We won't be going back.
And I hope none of us other AVsiggers will either. Lots better
places, I'm told.
Harumph!
Dale
#: 561870 S12/Places to Fly
04-Apr-94 17:23:01
Sb: #561086-Walker's Cay
Fm: Robert Apens (Toronto) 72630,3130
To: Paul E. Himes HEF/IAD 73203,2463 (X)
I've been to Walkers Cay as well and....let me put on my asbestos
suit first... and it was a lousy place.
OTOH, I absolutely LOVE Great Exuma Island. B eautiful airport,
cheap(er) gas and maintenance if you need it.
There is a wonderful little Hotel called the Peace and Plenty
that I go to. They have an affiliated place called the Beach Club
down the way also. I've heard of those who have stayed at Two
Turtles and the Buccaneer (I think) have not had as good a time.
When you arrive, see Charlie...he's the manager and a real
character. As for the "gorgeous blonde", rent a boat and
discover the little intimate <g> coves and beaches of Stocking
Island. Be careful that you don't get any sand where it doesn't
belong (I'm referring to the motor of course).
<G>
Robert
* Reply: 562538
#: 562538 S12/Places to Fly
05-Apr-94 15:28:39
Sb: #561870-Walker's Cay
Fm: Neita Blondeau-HVN 73631,1703
To: Robert Apens (Toronto) 72630,3130
The Exumas are having a yachet race Sun 'N Fun week and Peace and
Plenty is booked solid.
I always expected to see Humphrey Bogart coming walking out of
the bar there. Neita (HVN)
* Reply: 562649
#: 562649 S12/Places to Fly
05-Apr-94 19:46:22
Sb: #562538-Walker's Cay
Fm: George W. Braly [ADH] 72311,556
To: Neita Blondeau-HVN 73631,1703 (X)
Peace and Plenty!
My favorite place in the Bahamas.
Wonderful memories!
* Reply: 563285
#: 563285 S12/Places to Fly
06-Apr-94 17:02:06
Sb: #562649-Walker's Cay
Fm: Neita Blondeau-HVN 73631,1703
To: George W. Braly [ADH] 72311,556
Did I reply to the wrong George? Please see message #562618.
Have you walked all the way around Little Stocking?
Neita (HVN)
#: 586108 S12/Places to Fly
15-May-94 13:28:48
Sb: #Need Bahama Help - Aug
Fm: Guy VAN BUSKIRK 76711,263
To: All
We're starting to plan a trip from Hayward, CA (near Oakland) to
the Bahamas for August. (And yes, I perfer peak hurricane
season!) I fly a Mooney 201 and I've read the AVSIG library
information already. We plan to start in Walkers then move south
for about 10 days. Looking for places that rent bare boats
(e.g., Boston Whalers) for fishing, snorkeling and diving. We
will be a flight of two Mooneys, two couples and two kids (6 and
10). Any suggestions of memorable locations appreciated.
* Replies: 586147, 586330, 586432, 586573, 587896
#: 586147 S12/Places to Fly
15-May-94 15:29:56
Sb: #586108-Need Bahama Help - Aug
Fm: Pete McWilliams [FRG/NY] 74776,2055
To: Guy VAN BUSKIRK 76711,263
My cousin flys down there all the time (he lives in FL). I've
heard him comment a couple of times on the Bahama Flight Guide
(not sure that's the correct title). Supposidly it's got a lot
of good info in it. I know its available from Sporty's and
probably other locals.
Dave Doherty 71410,3013 was going to try and go down in June and
had collected some info from the other sigratz here. Maybe he
saved all the info in a file he could email you?
Also, Dave Burkart 7227,2675 flew his 201 down there from
Pukeepsie, NY earlier this year.
#: 586330 S12/Places to Fly
15-May-94 21:21:18
Sb: #586108-Need Bahama Help - Aug
Fm: George W. Braly [ADH] 72311,556
To: Guy VAN BUSKIRK 76711,263
"Club Peace and Plenty", Georgetown, Great Exuma.
#: 586432 S12/Places to Fly
16-May-94 00:32:33
Sb: #586108-Need Bahama Help - Aug
Fm: Rick Spindler Sebring,FL 73347,2300
To: Guy VAN BUSKIRK 76711,263
Guy,
At Walkers Cay, don't miss the Shark Dive.
It's really something. They take two barrels of frozen fish, and
when you are all in the water, they back you up against a coral
head and dump the fish in the water. Then, out of nowhere, come
about a zillion sharks of all different variety, and they feed on
the fish until it's gone. They swim all around you, and you get
some really great pictures of sharks. I realize that it sounds
crazy, but it really is something spectacular to see. You can buy
a video tape afterwards if you like, or, just take your own
pictures.
There's only one dive shop on Walkers, so, it won't be hard for
you to find.
Rick
* Reply: 586654
#: 586654 S12/Places to Fly
16-May-94 11:04:00
Sb: #586432-#Need Bahama Help - Aug
Fm: Pete McWilliams [FRG/NY] 74776,2055
To: Rick Spindler Sebring,FL 73347,2300
Let me get this straight... You get in the water, but not into a
shark cage? They then dump fish in and you sit there with all
these sharks going on a feeding frenzy?
Yea, I'd agree that you *should* call that crazy.
* Replies: 586728, 587366, 589313
#: 586728 S12/Places to Fly
16-May-94 13:46:10
Sb: #586654-Need Bahama Help - Aug
Fm: Chris Wooldridge [BFI] 76711,1014
To: Pete McWilliams [FRG/NY] 74776,2055
<Let me get this straight... You get in the water, but not
into a shark cage? They then dump fish in and you sit there with
all these sharks going on a feeding frenzy?>
Close to accurate ...
And I did it. It was a lot of fun ... <G>
Chris.
* Reply: 586761
#: 586761 S12/Places to Fly
16-May-94 15:01:50
Sb: #586728-Need Bahama Help - Aug
Fm: Scott Dyer [HPN] 73520,1376
To: Chris Wooldridge [BFI] 76711,1014 (X)
Chris -- Now I know how you fit in a Mooney.
Files Busy ... 13-1(51) for 10 seconds
Files Busy ... 13-1(51) for 20 seconds
#: 587366 S12/Places to Fly
17-May-94 11:22:46
Sb: #586654-#Need Bahama Help - Aug
Fm: Rick Spindler Sebring,FL 73347,2300
To: Pete McWilliams [FRG/NY] 74776,2055 (X)
Pete,
Yes, that is exactly what happens. It is really an amazing
experience. I didn't think it was all that smart when I did it,
but, I am still young and can claim to be stupid. Anyway, they've
been doing it for about 2 years or longer, I can't remember
exactly, and nobody has ever been bitten. The sharks really
concentrate on all the dead fish in the water. The biggest shark
I saw was probably 8 feet long, but, they are big enough. If you
are really interested, I could send you a picture of myself in
the water with all the sharks. But, I suggest that you just
experience it yourself when you get to Walkers. Give it a
try....What do you have to lose cept' maybe an arm... :>}
Rick
* Reply: 587422
#: 587422 S12/Places to Fly
17-May-94 12:45:25
Sb: #587366-Need Bahama Help - Aug
Fm: Chris Wooldridge [BFI] 76711,1014
To: Rick Spindler Sebring,FL 73347,2300 (X)
Rick,
FWIW, I don't know if I'd do it again. Although Gary & Barry at
Walkers were quite reassuring ("hey, you're not on anybody's food
chain down there!") and said they'd never had an incident ...
I've since heard, from Brendal at Green Turtle, that there have
in fact been divers "nipped" (as Brendal put it) on the Shark
Dive.
It was an amazing experience, jumping into the water with a
couple hundred sharks - sorta like your first parachute dive, I'd
imagine. But once is enough, I think!
Chris.
* Reply: 587838
#: 587838 S12/Places to Fly
18-May-94 02:40:34
Sb: #587422-Need Bahama Help - Aug
Fm: Rick Spindler Sebring,FL 73347,2300
To: Chris Wooldridge [BFI] 76711,1014
Chris,
You're right. Once probably is enough. Nobody told me that anyone
had ever been nipped. Anyway, I am glad that I am not alone in
this thing. Piping up about the shark dive is kinda like being
the guy that passes gas in church.
Anyway, I think I would recommend that others take it. It's an
exhilerating time to say the least.
Rick
* Reply: 588407
#: 588407 S12/Places to Fly
19-May-94 08:14:34
Sb: #587838-Need Bahama Help - Aug
Fm: Alfred Poor (N70--PA) 72241,1301
To: Rick Spindler Sebring,FL 73347,2300
Believe it or not, it was a slide show of a shark dive that we
saw our last night at Stella Maris that convinced my wife that
she wants to learn to scuba dive (and go on a shark dive).
Thanks, but I'll stay on the beach with my rum punch....
Alfred
#: 589313 S12/Places to Fly
20-May-94 22:19:53
Sb: #586654-Need Bahama Help - Aug
Fm: Steve Canfield [PTW] 73307,3265
To: Pete McWilliams [FRG/NY] 74776,2055 (X)
My wife and I did that off of New Providence (Nassau) a few years
ago. According to one of the dive guides, "It's something you do
once, and brag about it for the rest of your life. Of course,
that isn't very long because your mother will kill you for doing
something so stupid!"
I was in the process of getting my PPL at the time, and my
instructor thought I was really nuts. He was even more suprised
when I told him that I thought flying was more dangerous than
sitting 35 feet under the surface with 12-15 hungry sharks, up to
7 feet in length, ALL AROUND me!
Steve
#: 586573 S12/Places to Fly
16-May-94 08:48:56
Sb: #586108-Need Bahama Help - Aug
Fm: Neita Blondeau-HVN 73631,1703
To: Guy VAN BUSKIRK 76711,263
Hi, just back from Staniel Cay which has snorkling in the cave
where the movie "Thunderball" was filmed. A boat comes with your
cabin. I think there are only three or four cabins. Very low
key. 809 355-2011.
"Peace and Plenty" in Great Exuma (now called Moss Town or
Georgetown) looks like Humphrey Bogart would walk out of the bar
at any moment. There is a boat rental across and down the
street. 809 336-2250.
You can get the (old name: "Pilot's Guide to the Bahamas")
"Bahamas & Caribbean Pilot's Aviation Guide 1994" by calling 800
521-2120.
I envy you your trip !
. . Neita (HVN)
* Reply: 587547
#: 587547 S12/Places to Fly
17-May-94 17:45:38
Sb: #586573-#Need Bahama Help - Aug
Fm: Gwen Bloomingdale 73730,2342
To: Neita Blondeau-HVN 73631,1703 (X)
We too like the Caribbean and the Bahamas. We are based in PVC
and since Island flying comes naturally up here in N.E. the
Caribbean and the Bahamas are only an extension of the
wanderlust. Another flight guide out there that we found really
helpful is the "Caribbean Flite Guide." It goes from the West End
to Trinidad! Sporty's sells it and you can get it at 1-800-GIDE
CBN, also. Blue skies, Gwen-PVC
* Reply: 587684
#: 587684 S12/Places to Fly
17-May-94 21:28:14
Sb: #587547-#Need Bahama Help - Aug
Fm: Neita Blondeau-HVN 73631,1703
To: Gwen Bloomingdale 73730,2342 (X)
I sure wished I had a cheapie little book through which I could
quickly thumb to find out where PVC is. I love identifiers, but
unless they're JFK or ORD or any of the airports I frequent, I
can only make a wild guess as to where that is. Enlighten me,
please.
Island hopping, New England ? You've still got me guessing. I
know PVD.
I'm thinking of getting my brother from California to meet me in
Florida and go to the Bahamas with me in October. What is your
favorite, low key and inexpensive- -but-the-food's-not-so-bad
place down there? I'm not into resorts, nightclubs, loud music,
or crowds.
May all your cu be fair weather ones.
* Reply: 587712
#: 587712 S12/Places to Fly
17-May-94 22:20:33
Sb: #587684-Need Bahama Help - Aug
Fm: Gwen Bloomingdale 73730,2342
To: Neita Blondeau-HVN 73631,1703
Addition: I'll send some info re: Bahamas, the guy who does the
sight-seeing gig at our airport in the summer has an interest in
Staniel Key. I'll see if he cna enlighten me. We over-fly the
Bahamas, the time share is in St. Martin. If you can spend some
time in the Caribbean the further you go the better it gets. Gwen
* Reply: 587765
#: 587765 S12/Places to Fly
17-May-94 23:35:48
Sb: #587712-Need Bahama Help - Aug
Fm: Neita Blondeau-HVN 73631,1703
To: Gwen Bloomingdale 73730,2342
We went to Staniel Cay after Sun 'N Fun in April and loved it !
You go all the way to St. Martin in the Cardinal. Zowie !
I've mentioned to my partner in the Tiger the possibility of
doing the Cayman Caravan someday.
* Reply: 588007
#: 588007 S12/Places to Fly
18-May-94 13:43:08
Sb: #587765-#Need Bahama Help - Aug
Fm: Gwen Bloomingdale 73730,2342
To: Neita Blondeau-HVN 73631,1703 (X)
Cheap fuel in Puerto Rico, I think its $1.87 for 100ll, they
refine it in the U.S. Virgins and Puerto Rico. Watch out for
prices in the Bahamas, remember they use Imperial gallons. If
you get so far I reccomend Anguilla for laid back fun, and
everyone is stuck on one of the U.S. Virgins, I like St. Thomas.
The best bargain from NOAA is the Caribbean Planning Chart on the
back of the Terminal Chart for Puerto Rico. It has all of the
mileages, so critical for the roughing out of fuel costs etc.
Keep the blue side up! Gwen
* Reply: 588055
#: 588055 S12/Places to Fly
18-May-94 15:29:00
Sb: #588007-Need Bahama Help - Aug
Fm: Neita Blondeau-HVN 73631,1703
To: Gwen Bloomingdale 73730,2342
Thanks, Gwen !
#: 587896 S12/Places to Fly
18-May-94 08:51:41
Sb: #586108-Need Bahama Help - Aug
Fm: Tom Bethel 70773,1140
To: Guy VAN BUSKIRK 76711,263 (X)
Great Harbour Cay, in the Berry Islands has a great beach and a
snack bar on the beach which is a 2 min walk from the airport.
Run by Ma and Pa Turnquest, their son Gully is a Bahamasair
Captain. A good lunch stop, but sometimes there is a $5 landing
fee collected. Rooms available.
Staniel Cay, about halfway down the Exumas is one of my favorite
spots. You can walk to everything, rent a whaler and explore the
Thunderball cave, where the James Bond movie was filmed. The
cave is an underwater grotto which you can access with a mask &
snorkel. Bring some crackers for the fish! The Staniel Cay
Yacht Club and Happy People marina should have rooms available.
They usually monitor 122.8. Sampson Cay is a neat marina,
reachable by whaler from Staniel.
The Abaco cays (Green Turtle, Hopetown, Man of War, etc) are
beautiful places but visiting involves a taxi ride from the
airport to the dock, and a water taxi over to the cay. I like
Hopetown a lot. Nice people, beautiful beaches.
Stella Marris, San Salvadore, and Pittstown all are possible
diving spots, but I have no recent experience with any of them.
I would probably avoid Bimini, Andros, Freeport, and Nassau if
possible. Fuel is available in Georgetown.
If you file a flight plan, be sure to cancel before you get too
low to avoid an overdue report if there is no communication from
the airport.
I live in Nassau and would be glad to check on any specific info
that you need.
Tom
* Replies: 588187, 588977
#: 588187 S12/Places to Fly
18-May-94 21:23:42
Sb: #587896-Need Bahama Help - Aug
Fm: Craig Jones (Mia/OPF) 71222,2745
To: Tom Bethel 70773,1140
Tom,
How are you logging on in Nassau ? You are the first BHS AVSIGER
"I" have seen here. I'll be down your way within a week or so,
via PI... to bring back a Hatteras for a client.
Craig/
#: 588977 S12/Places to Fly
20-May-94 08:51:00
Sb: #587896-Need Bahama Help - Aug
Fm: Carl B. Marbach [ASE/BCT 76702,1217
To: Tom Bethel 70773,1140
Why avoid Andros? Seems like a quiet island to me.
Carl
#: 587921 S12/Places to Fly
18-May-94 09:30:01
Sb: #587770-Need Bahama Help - Aug
Fm: Neita Blondeau-HVN 73631,1703
To: Pete McWilliams [FRG/NY] 74776,2055 (X)
To access information which would give me the names of the town
and airport based only on identifier, or the name and identifier
of the airport based only on the town.
I thought I would find it in the "AOPA'S AVIATION USA".
Cheap: one radio button Cheap: a brochure-sized booklet costing
50 cents
#: 590404 S12/Places to Fly
23-May-94 16:00:30
Sb: #587244-Need Bahama Help - Aug
Fm: Charles Sumner [BCT] 73774,1723
To: Tom Carpenter 73162,2527
Make sure you stop in Miss Emily's Blue Bee Bar while in Green
Turtle, and have Goombay smash for me !!
#: 593460 S12/Places to Fly
28-May-94 13:54:31
Sb: #Need Bahama Help - Aug
Fm: Tom Bethel 70773,1140
To: Steve Canfield [PTW] 73307,3265
Steve,
I have lived in the Bahamas since '79, the year that I took a job
flying Aztecs, Islanders, and DC-3s around the islands. Hired on
with Bahamasair in 1981 where we flew HS-748s and later 737-200s.
Left Bahamasair in 1987 for a US major, but still commute from
NAS.
The Bahamas is a wonderful place to live. I don't have heat or
air conditioning and get by comfortably with a $12/month electric
bill. No taxes on income or cap gains, and 80% of the country is
untouched. Spend a lot of time on the water or flying my AA-1A
around. Never seem to get tired of the view.
Tom
* Reply: 593502
#: 593502 S12/Places to Fly
28-May-94 16:10:55
Sb: #593460-Need Bahama Help - Aug
Fm: Mitch Cohen (CCB & ONT) 73663,1451
To: Tom Bethel 70773,1140
>I have lived in the Bahamas since '79, the year that I took a
job flying Aztecs, Islanders, and DC-3s around the islands. Hired
on with Bahamasair in 1981 where we flew HS-748s and later
737-200s. Left Bahamasair in 1987 for a US major, but still
commute from NAS.
The Bahamas is a wonderful place to live. I don't have heat or
air conditioning and get by comfortably with a $12/month electric
bill. No taxes on income or cap gains, and 80% of the country is
untouched. Spend a lot of time on the water or flying my AA-1A
around. Never seem to get tired of the view.<
I'm very jelous!