H O R I Z O N S

Deep in Dan's Cave

“The blue holes of the Bahamas yield a scientific trove that may even shed light on life beyond Earth. If only they weren’t so dangerous to explore.”

http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2010/08/bahamas-caves/skiles-photography

Wow!

I was pondering for a moment how popular the Bahamas is as a destination.  No matter where I travel folks I speak with have heard of the Bahamas.  People are still often amazed that people ‘live’ there.

Recently while attending a small town 4^thof July parade in Vermont, there was an artist exhibit set up inside of a barn.  While I marveled at the glorious folk art and vibrant rooster paintings, I glimpsed a vista that was familiar – Harbour Island and other areas of Eleuthera.  The artist was a local in Vermont, but had a second home in Eleuthera.  She was very enamored with the Island, and having been there many times, I fully understand.

Recently Eleuthera has garnered significant press around the globe and in particular in the Pacific Northwest of the United States for the capture of the ‘Barefoot Bandit’, Colton Harris Moore.  Having eluded the US authorities for so long Colton’s errant behavior ended with a dramatic capture by Bahamian Police in the same Harbour Island the artist had captured on canvas.

In the minds of many the Barefoot Bandit is a Northwest ‘folk hero’ not unlike the artist I met.  People marvel at the ingenuity of a young man with a seemingly kind heart as people admired my gifted East coast acquaintance.

Colton was kid who, like so many criminals, had strikes against him before he could walk. His habit for breaking into vacation homes began at 13 largely because they had what he didn’t; cupboards full of food, plentiful toys, neat electronics, a sense of prosperity and security. Like Goldilocks, he’d linger inside, watching TV and eating the food. He hoarded many of the items he stole in a tent behind his mother’s property. He was nonviolent, hated drugs, loved dogs, and adored by one of the social workers who tried to help him. He was about as far from a cold-hearted crook as one could get while still being a criminal with a determination to fly.

I ponder what drew the self taught pilot, Colton, to our shores, of course there is the obvious, easy proximity and outside of US jurisdiction, but could there be a subconscious motive to head to land steeped in pirate folklore? A cosmic pull per se?  Or is it as simple as, if you have to head somewhere, why not go where it is warm and gorgeous….

You know there is a local group in the Bahamas that has a song that says something along the line of…

Even the Good Lord takes a holiday – That’s way He created the Bahamas

Below are some links to listings in Eleuthera for you to have a look at: http://hgchristie.com/index.php/details/index/Id/14820

http://hgchristie.com/index.php/details/index/Id/21186

http://hgchristie.com/index.php/details/index/Id/20723

I also have a FANTASTIC opportunity to own approx 20 ACRES of prime land for a GREAT DEAL – motivated seller !! http://hgchristie.com/index.php/details/index/Id/18280 – Call today about that one – 242-357-7572

You don’t have to be an artist or a bandit to succumb to the lure of Eleuthera, to visit or have ownership in the Bahamas – remember that even the Good Lord is seeking a great place to get away – that’s why he created the Bahamas…

Perhaps you should check it out too.

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Native to the Indo-Pacific region, lionfish have been found in warm ocean habitats worldwide. With no natural predators, the lionfish population in the Bahamas has exploded to a disconcerting level. The Ministry of Education and the Bahamas National Trust have partnered on a number of initiatives to eradicate this invasive species from the reefs of the Bahamas as it endangers the level of marine resources by consuming baby conch, grouper, and spiny lobster.

The most recent, popular & TASTY initiative was The Lion Fish Control Project held this past weekend. This event was a joint effort between private citizens, the Bahamas National Trust, the Department of Marine Resources, Skye High Spirits, Green Parrot, and the newly-formed Bahamas Marine Exporters Association (BMEA).

This year’s Lion Fish Control project drew twenty participating vessels vying for the $3000.00 in cash prizes, including the largest, the smallest and the most lionfish speared during that given day.  The festivities and judging were conducted at the Green Parrot Bar and Restaurant located in downtown Nassau on East Bay Street; growing in popularity this proactive event due large crowds of spectators and hungry adventurers eager to try the tasty fish.  Bahamians are urged to eat as much lionfish as they can and demonstrations were held to teach the proper cleaning and preparation of this dangerous fish.

Curious onlookers lined up to observe the hands-on demonstration of how to clean the venomous fish, while preserving its delicate meat for proper and safe consumption. With free samples of the going around of the deep-fried lionfish morsels paired with a variety of tasty dips, the organizers of the event barely had enough lionfish meat to go around.

Tips to cleaning a Lionfish for your enjoyment:

With 13 long venomous dorsal spines, two short venomous pelvic spines, and three short venomous anal spines, it is extremely important that persons handling a lionfish do so with the utmost caution.

When cleaning lionfish, the spines to be most mindful of are the long dorsal spines along the back of the fish. They should be removed while wearing heavy duty gloves by cutting into the flesh along each side of the row of the spines moving towards the tail.

After loosening the spines, they should be pried off completely, and the same done for the pelvic and anal spines. The scales on the lionfish are quite small and easily removed. At this point the fish could be filleted in the usual fashion of other fish.

ENJOY!

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Recently, I had an opportunity to participate in an HG Christie ‘Aqua’ Caravan. A ‘caravan’ is traditionally an opportunity for agents to gather as a group and familiarize themselves with listings. This allows the agent in-depth insights and knowledge. Transportation for this caravan was via boat and so we dubbed it ‘Aqua – Caravan’.

This knowledge gathering trip was conducted in the Abacos. So, I flew in that morning from Nassau, along with another agent from our Nassau office, Penny, and we met up with the Abaco team, lead by Neil, and ’set sail’. Well, we got in the speedboat and headed out.

Giving up chunks of time like this is challenging for agents, as our business demands responsiveness, but our we had a phenomenal trip to the Bahama Cays. The boat ride from Foxtown, (on Little Abaco Island) was a quick 15 minutes. This is great to know for access, but I could have stayed in the boat longer; it was a beautiful day. When we arrived we were promptly instructed to set our watches back one hour to “Bahama Cay Time”. This is the pace and ‘time zone’ that Bahama Cays will run on.

I felt my spirit go ‘ahhhhhhhh’ and tension slip away as I stepped on the sand. We were removed, but not too far. We were away from civilization, but not in an uncivilized way.

The charming and well thought out construction is well underway and nearing completion. The first building and docks are almost complete. We took a tour and really got a good look around. The construction is very solid with impact resistant windows and hardy plank. This is typical ‘time and weather tested’ island construction. The spaces are large and designed for optimum island living. These dwellings will represent a very good deal for the initial buyers.

Another highlight was a great lunch on Mile Cay which had a gentle river like current running through the cut. ‘Ahhhhhhhh’ and ‘Yummmmmm’

The setting is ‘island ideal’ and the development will be as green as possible. The developers will incorporate solar power uses as much as possible and utilize generators to run the AC’s where needed. With a nod to authentic island living, there will only be air-conditioning only in the bedrooms. The other living areas will rely on the cooling Abaco breezes – the ‘Trade winds’.

There will only be golf cart paths on the island and the landscaping will remain very natural. Island amenities will include a gas dock and restaurant. These will be open to the public and are sure to be a popular destinations with boaters who wish to top on gas, get a bite to eat or buy ice and supplies.

Within this development there are 4 cays all together. Bahama Cay, Mile cay and two others (check the listing/Neil). All of these cays have good beaches and nice elevations. One of these islands will feature only one home and it will be rented out to one family or group at a time with to provide that ultimate private island get away.

In a world that seems to be ‘off kilter’ and spinning too fast sometimes – this setting is picture perfect and will make a wonderful place to get away from it all. Don’t think that this sounds boring, because while you are ‘de-stressing’ if you choose to there will be much to enjoy with great water sports, fishing and diving on the nearby reefs.

You really have to see this to fully appreciate it. Marsh Harbour and Treasure Cay have international airport and is a short plane ride from Florida.

Hop on over – a ‘time forgotten’ awaits you with all of today’s conveniences.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l1LpZvM_EKo

At the Crossing you can enjoy luxurious, tropical waterfront living. These brand new condominiums offer panoramic sea views for the opportunity to escape from the hectic pace of life; while the ideal location allows easy access to the heart of town. No expense has been spared in the contrauction – all units are complete with designer tile and hardwood floors, custom kitchen and vanity cabinets, solid surface countertops and stainless steel appliances.

Ferries to the nearby cays are just a 1 minute walk from this private gated development.

Come home to paradise at The Crossing Waterfront Condominiums, Marsh Harbour, Abaco, Bahamas. Visit the website at www.TheCrossingAbaco.com.

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As promised, check out this beautiful footage of Long Island, Bahamas shot by Robin Schmidt – Winner of the ‘14 Islands Film Challenge’

http://www.digitalcinemafoundry.com/2010/03/01/shooting-the-trailer-bahamas-14-island-film-challenge/

Last October, The 14 Islands Film Challenge set out to find the country’s most gifted filmmakers in a nationwide campaign to support the home-grown talent of Britain’s film industry. Of the 150 filmmakers from across the UK who were accepted into the challenge just 14 filmmakers were given a once in a lifetime opportunity to spend two weeks filming on an idyllic island in The Bahamas drawing on scenery which has been the backdrop of many iconic films including; Pirates of the Caribbean, Casino Royale and The Silence of the Lambs.

Winner and man of the moment, Robin Schmidt said: “I am so excited to be crowned the winner of The 14 Islands Film Challenge, it is an amazing feeling to really succeed and be recognised for my work as a film director. The film industry is such a tough place to break in to, but tonight I feel like I have taken a giant leap in my career and hope to keep taking these big steps from now. It’s challenges like this that give the next generation of filmmakers a shot to make the big time. This has given me the determination to keep making films and sharing my view of the world with everyone.”

Supported by the National Film and Television School (NFTS) and The Bahamas Tourist Office, the challenge sought to engage with up and coming or professional filmmakers to give them a platform to launch their career. Tommy Thompson, Deputy Director General, Bahamas Tourist Office and Challenge Judge explains: “Seeing what these promising filmmakers have created, given only two weeks and doing all the work themselves is fantastic. They have captured the beauty of our Islands, from the smallest conch shell to uncovering the hidden treasures of The Exumas. Whether you’ve been a hundred times or never before, the Islands give everyone something different each time and that magic has been captured in these films.”

To see the films created by winners Robin Schmidt, Nimer Rashed and Mark Drake and all 14 of the UK’s hottest filmmakers, http://14islandsfilmchallenge.bahamas.co.uk/armchair-critics/welcome

http://14islandsfilmchallenge.bahamas.co.uk/?video=210&page=1

A couple of listings in Long Island, Bahamas from www.hgchristie.com

http://hgchristie.com/index.php/details/index/Id/17728

http://hgchristie.com/index.php/details/index/Id/16964

http://hgchristie.com/index.php/details/index/Id/19509

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I know I won’t be the only one buzzing about this…

The web is filled with the latest report that a wooden structure “in the interiors of an unusual cave” at the 14,700-foot level of Ararat’s slopes are the remains from Noah’s Ark.  Believers and skeptics have taken to cyber chat in droves to express their opinions of this claim. 

Speaking of caves…

Yesterday, I was watching some gorgeous footage of Long Island, Bahamas. ( I’ll share that in a moment)The video included some images of a cave on the island.  There were lots of bats in that island cave, but no Ark.  I wondered as I watched what stories this cave could tell.  Was this the previous shelter of Caribbean Indians?  Could these caves be nature’s first real estate opportunities? Images of agents in HGC branded loincloths fill my head.  As I digress, I pause to ponder a listing description for ‘The Ark’ :

“Heavenly Opportunity – Expansive houseboat, room enough for the entire family and all of your favorite pets.  Great opportunity to sail the globe and enjoy gorgeous sea views.  Must Act Now!”

So anyway, getting back to the ark discovery claim – the finders, led by an evangelical group, say they are “99.9 percent” that a wooden structure found on the mountainside was part of a ship that housed the Biblical Noah, his family and a menagerie of creatures during a giant flood 4,800 years ago. 

But researchers who have spent decades studying the region – and fending off past claims of ark discoveries – caution that a boatload of skepticism is in order.

The quest to find remnants of the Bible’s most famous cargo ship goes back to, well, virtually biblical times (or at least back to the time of the ancient historian Josephus). In the Book of Genesis, God tells Noah to build a boat that would be longer than a modern-day football field and more than three stories high (“should I add the term ‘highrise’ to that listing description?”). Animals were sent to seek shelter in the ship and ride out a flood that wiped out the entire world.

The only connection the Bahamas has at this point in the story is that it is said by locals, and visitors alike,  that “When God goes on vacation…”, like on that 7th day, “…He visits the Bahamas”.

It seems as if evidence of the ark pops up at least every couple of years – and not always in the same place. Hmmmmm, what stories do these  many grottoes hold for us?  Is this one revealing what was just yesterday the stuff of legends….  what you think?

NAMI / AFP – Getty Images

A photo from Noah’s Ark Ministries International shows a member of the Chinese- Turkish evangelical exploration team looking at wooden beams inside a compartment of a structure that the team has linked to the Biblical Noah’s Ark.

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“I could tell you my adventures – beginning from this morning,’ said Alice a little timidly: ‘but it’s no use going back to yesterday, because I was a different person then.”

The statement above, made by Alice to the Mock Turtle and Gryphon, perfectly sums up today’s real estate market. Tim Burton’s recent movie ‘Alice in Wonderland’ has been sharing the news spotlight recently with the real estate market with opinions and reviews being liberally disseminated. However, as Alice points out, there is no use looking back to the real estate market of yesterday. Today we find ourselves in a different real estate market, a new reality.

Without dispute it could be said that we are all ‘different’ than we were prior to the economic downturn. As in marking our calendars BC or AD, this period of time will remain a financial reference that affected individuals in varying degrees; from merely needing to put off plans for later to devastation, the adjustments are palatable. It is safe to say that no matter the impact experienced, we are all emerging more cautious in our financial matters and real estate purchases.

While Lewis Carroll’s character is a fictional one, the disorientation experienced by Alice has even led to the coining of a real neurological condition which affects human perception called the, “Alice in Wonderland Syndrome”, also known as “Todd’s Syndrome”. Suffers may experience size distortion or other sensory abnormalities. The same could be said of the past real estate market, now referred to as a ‘bubble’ by many analysts. The real estate market of our ‘short term’ memory, like Alice, grew to a disproportionate size and then shrunk to miniscule proportions. Similarly to our analogous heroine, the current real estate market seems to be returning to its normal size.

As we emerge a bit breathless from our battle with the ‘economic dragon’, like Alice, we seem to be emerging wiser and empowered to explore our options. So shake the dust off from our recent economic skirmish and set out to explore opportunities on the horizons.

I have included a few links for your exploration below:

http://hgchristie.com/index.php/details/index/Id/19573

http://hgchristie.com/index.php/details/index/Id/18389

Contributions from Dwayne Wallas of HG Christie Abaco
Influenced by Tara-Nicolle Nelson author of “The Savvy Woman’s Homebuying Handbook”

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Real estate investors are back, say the National Association of REALTORS® and other market observers. Investors made more than 17 percent of home purchases in January, with 26 percent of all sales transacted in cash. “We bottomed out in 2008, and in late 2009, prices stabilized and investors have returned,” says Mark Fleming, chief economist at research firm First American CoreLogic. “It’s a different type of investor going after foreclosed properties and expecting to hold on for longer time frames.” These buyers believe that the only direction housing values can go is up, because it costs more to build than it does to buy. Leonard Baron, a real estate professor at San Diego State University, says. “It’s because prices have dropped so much and rents really haven’t. The deals were unbelievable.”

Source: USA Today, Stephanie Armour (03/22/2010)

Image by BlogMama via Flickr

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