THE
BAHAMIAN OUT ISLANDS
The
Out Islands of the Bahamas are a Best-Kept secret for me! In writing the Corey
Pearson- CIA Spymaster series, I’ve traveled to Abaco, Exuma, Cat Island, San
Salvador, Long Island, Bimini, and Eleuthera. There are 700 coral islands that
make up the Bahamian archipelago, and they’re all considered out islands,
except for New Providence, where the largest city, Nassau, is located and Grand
Bahama Island, where Freeport is located.
From the
Abacos to Inagua, there’s a collection of unspoiled Bahamas islands that cater
to true connoisseurs of island life. In the out islands, you can feel like Robinson
Crusoe when exploring pristine and secluded beaches. Their resorts and hotels
stand no taller than the surrounding palm trees, and the gin-colored waters offer
excellent snorkeling off the beach. If you want to a relaxing vacation, a dream
island wedding or honeymoon, or a thrilling fishing expedition, dive trip, or
eco-adventure, the Out Islands of The Bahamas are for you.
In the MISSION OF VENGEANCE spy thriller,
I write about Cat Island. It’s one of the least frequented of all. I also
enjoyed Exuma, home to over 365 islands with plenty of crystal-clear waters,
deserted beaches… even a chance to swim with pigs at its famous Big Major Cay. I’ll
never forget sipping a Kalik beer in downtown Georgetown, the capitol of Exuma,
when Jessica Tandy strolled in for a sip of wine. I found out later that other
Hollywood stars enjoy Exuma, like Nicolas Cage, who owns a small island there.
Johnny Depp also lives on a 45-acre island in the chain.
Mariah Carey owns a house on Windermere, a private island connected to Eleuthera,
where she married Nick Cannon in 2008. Other stars who live
in the Bahamian out islands are Tyler Perry, Faith Hill and Time McGraw, David
Copperfield, John Travolta, Sir Richard Branson, and Eddie Murphy.
You
can go “island hopping” through the out islands in the Bahamas, and its much easier
than you think. They’re located close to each other and a well-connected ferry
system runs between the islands regularly. Also, small charter airlines have
flights between them as well. They are easy to find on Google Search.
When
writing the PENUMBRA DATABASE spy thriller, I spent much time on Abaco, an out
island with dozens of smaller cays lining its eastern border in the Sea of
Abaco. You can “Cay-Hop” and explore each one of them. Abaco is off the beaten
path and I learned much about the laid-back Bahamian lifestyle there- no crowds
in sight, and the offshore cays were full of character and authentic
experiences. I flew into Marsh Harbour, the capitol of Abaco, stayed at the
Conch Inn Marina there, and explored the rest of the Abacos from there. I took Albury's Ferry Service,
which operates seven days per week, to journey around the many tiny islands
(Cays) off Abaco.
Getting
back to Cat Island! I wrote many scenes for the MISSION OF VENGEANCE novel
there. Its solitude and beauty presented the perfect surroundings for a spy and
espionage plot to unfold! Here’s a snippet from MISSION OF VENGEANCE:
A man
walked out the back door of the Da Smoke Pot onto the sandy beach and walked
toward them. Morrison’s bodyguards strolled in-between; one guard gently put
his hand on the stranger’s chest, halting his advance. Corey nodded to Morrison
that he was OK; the CBIF director signaled to his protection detail to let him
through.
Corey stood up and shook the man’s hand. “Glad
to see you, Ren. This is the police constable of Cat Island, Renwald Turnquest.
He’s been helping CBIF for quite some time and I gave him the photos of some of
the people we’re looking for.”
Ren commented, “You people and da
organization you work fo’ are good people. You send my son to do God’s work.
Mistah Pearson made sure he get into Liberty University and pay da cost to send
him dere… $26,000 a year! I could nevah afford dat… it was God dat brought
Mistah Pearson and me together. Yes, bad people who don’t have da fear of God
in them are overtakin’ my island. Mistah Pearson tell me you all after the people
who be bringin’ drugs into my island.”
Corey broke in. “Ren commands the Bight Police Station in New Bight and he knows everybody on this island.”
Constable Turnquest interrupted. “Dat
ain’t no hard task when dere’s only 1,522 people from last count. I go to all
da remote airports other den Arthur’s Town and New Bight airports where all da
tourists come in, but nobody recognize any of dem. Den, I get an idea… maybe
dey come by water, so I visit the mailboat service dat comes two times a week
from Nassau. I show da photos to the captain of da mailboat Lady Eddina and he swears one was on his
boat. He knowed for sure ‘cause it was a two-day trip, and da man did nuthin’
put pray all the time.” Renward held up the photo for all to see. “Dis man was
on his mail boat and he boarded in Nassau and paid da captain $30 to take him
to Cat.”
Corey almost gasped. “That’s Issam
Mikati’s right-hand man, the imam who blesses and prays with suicide bombers to
keep them inspired up to the very end, just before they meet their 72 virgins.”
Morrison turned to Corey. “My guards pack
Uzi’s under their coats. I’m leaving them here and placing them under your
command. Good luck tomorrow.” End of snippet.
Lastly,
enjoy this video I made for a book trailer on the Bahamian out island of Exuma.
Ignore the spy stuff and just enjoy the scenery and places to visit if you decide
to vacation there:
Robert
Morton is a member of the Association of Former Intelligence Officers (AFIO),
enjoys writing about the U.S. Intelligence Community, and relishes traveling to
the Florida Keys and Key West, the Bahamas and Caribbean. He combines both
passions in his Corey Pearson- CIA Spymaster series. Check out his latest spy
thriller: MISSION OF VENGEANCE.
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