By Guy Britton

ABACO — Elbow Cay is one of those islands on the edge, another level of away. 

But the journey is worth it.

You have to leave a small island to get to this even smaller island, a place where no cars are allowed, four miles long end to end and home to perhaps the quintessential historic Bahamian town.

And it was here at the Hope Town Harbour Lodge in Abaco, where hospitality in many ways began, a place that remains the preeminent purveyor of authentic Bahamian experiences on the island.

Hope Town and its famous lighthouse.

The 25-room property began here as a guest house, grew into a hotel and eventually became the boutique resort it is today, a truly complete place to stay, from the amazing two-mile beach to the pool and one of the prettiest pubs you’ll ever see.

As you walk up the steps, through the lodge and on to the back street you can feel the history; you look out over the hill and gaze upon the beach and imagine what those who first came here felt.

The lodge faces east, pointing to where the Atlantic welcomes The Bahamas.

There is a distinct rhythm here created by the ocean tides, the moon, the wind and the sun.

A colorful cottage at the HTHL.

You have to listen for it; and once it settles in the rhythm is so distinct you can’t fight it. It takes you over. 

It’s a part of the experience of staying here and it starts with the sunrise. The sun does not rise here — it jumps out of the sea.

The sunrises are remarkable.

If you make the voyage out to Elbow Cay you’ll be drawn to the Hope Town Harbour Lodge, the center and the hub of the island, a place that is the pulse of Hope Town, a charming little village that teems with golf carts and travelers and beach lovers.

And at the end of the day, when you’ve been to the beach and strolled around and watched the sunset, you can retire to a beach bar that’s got one of the best views in The Bahamas.

It’s a daily ritual that’s dangerously easy to repeat, at a place that leaves a mark on you — and a place that’s exceptionally hard to leave.

For more, visit the Hope Town Harbour Lodge.

Watch more in the latest CJ Video.

— CJ

The post Discovering the Hope Town Harbour Lodge in The Bahamas appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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By the Caribbean Journal staff

Tiger Woods’ invitation-only PGA Tour event in The Bahamas is attracting a very strong field.

The full field of 18 tour players has been confirmed for this week’s 2018 Hero World Challenge, which will be held at tony Albany in New Providence from Nov. 29 to Dec. 2.

The fourth edition of the event features 16 of the top 28 players in the world, including world number one Justin Rose, Dustin Johnson, Justin Thomas, Bryson DeChambeau, Jon Rahm, Rickie Fowler and Tony Finau, among others.

Woods, who won the Tour Championship at the end of the 2018 PGA Tour season, will also be in the field.

Woods was one of the early investors in the Albany development, which includes a golf and real estate component.

He began his 2017 golf comeback at last year’s edition of the tournament.

— CJ

The post Strong Field Set for Tiger Woods’ Bahamas PGA Tour Event appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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… disappeared when Hurricane Maria hit Puerto Rico and destroyed their habitat and … , parrot recovery program coordinator for Puerto Rico’s Department of Natural Resources … talking and sighed.
The Puerto Rican Amazon is Puerto Rico’s only remaining native …

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There’s a certain sound to the waves in Grand Case at night, a reminder that you’re in one of the great Creole villages in the Caribbean, that you’re in a culinary wonderland.

There’s a feeling on Orient Bay, when the music hits and the ti’ punch comes at the right moment and the sand teems with energy.

And there’s something about the way the grass seems to dance on the green hills.

And now the sounds and the feelings and the sights are back.

This island has been through a lot in the last year — but St Martin, one of the Caribbean’s most beloved destinations, has made an admirable comeback from the storms of 2017.

That means that, while the comeback is still in process, it’s time for you to make your own comeback to St Martin.

But the landscape has changed — and that’s why we’re here to help, pointing you to the five best hotels to check in to on your next St Martin vacation.

The new zero-entry pool at the GCBC.

Grand Case Beach Club The most beloved hotel on the French side, the GCBC has returned with 48 rooms (for now), with a spectacular transformation of its rooms and all of the same warm-hearted service and — most importantly — two magnificent beaches. It’s the best all around place to stay in St Martin. Period.

The post The 5 Best St Martin Hotels to Visit Right Now appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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By the Caribbean Journal staff

What just might be the most anticipated cruise ship of 2018 has officially arrived at its new homeport in Florida.

Celebrity Cruises’ new Celebrity Edge ship has arrived at Port Everglades’ Terminal 25 following its first-ever transatlantic crossing.

“The arrival of Celebrity Edgetoday book-ends a major chapter in the growth of Celebrity Cruises,” said Richard Fain, chairman and CEO of Celebrity parent company Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. “It’s the culmination of years of dreaming, designing and dedication to bring this magnificent ship to life. A new era is truly upon us.”

Celebrity will be sailing seven-night itineraries to both the Western and Eastern Caribbean, with its first voyage on Dec. 9 and its first Eastern Caribbean sailing on Dec. 16.

 “The completion of her first-ever transatlantic crossing and arrival at T25 marks such a historic moment for Celebrity Cruises,” said Lisa Lutoff-Perlo,, president and CEO of Celebrity. “This has been more than four years in the making.  The collaboration and effort between teams across the world all comes together in this incredible moment.”

Celebrity Edge will be joined by another new ship, Celebrity Apex, in 2020, with two more “Edge Series” ships slated to debut in 2021 and 2022, respectively.

— CJ

The post Celebrity Edge Arrives at Port Everglades appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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