Many say the world is out of balance. Everyone wants to ‘find’ time, ‘find’ peace and ‘find’ privacy.

Psssst…. guess what there is a, not-so-secret, source offering discovery of these desired and all too often elusive elements. It is a ‘secret’ that Celebrities, fortunate folks and notable achievers, such as Francis Francis (we’ll get to him in a bit), have known for decades: private islands can be a path to personal reconnection.

Private Islands are gems of the sea waiting to deliver access to YOUR personal refuge. They hold the unique potential to create YOUR uninhibited personal nirvana according to your definitions AND in the current real estate market, private island ownership is more accessible than it ever has been. > ‘Bird Cay’, presents a gorgeous oasis in the south Berry Islands of The Bahamas awaiting its new owner and ‘creator’ AND that could be YOU!

Johnny Depp, Faith Hill and Tim McGraw , Eddie Murphy, David Copperfield and other recognizable celebrities and high-net worth individuals have embraced the lure and rewards of private ownership and these ‘safe havens’ constantly make headlines.
Necker Island, Sir Richard Branson’s Island, has been touted in headlines recently. Many marveled at how the allure of private island mystique trumped the loss of the main house to a fire in the summer while hosting Kate Winslet and did not deter Branson’s daughter Holly from accessing the perfect private island wedding location just as her father did over a decade ago.

Stories of the well-heeled and their private island experiences are always headline grabbers! The England’s youngest royal couple,
‘Will and Kate’ ,as they are affectionately known, chose a private island honeymoon location as their retreat from a media greedy public.

Private Island retreats and their ownership is not a new choice for wealthy and celebrity personalities. The romantic appeal of island ownership can be traced back to other high profile jet setters decades ago. This is the case of Francis Francis, a handsome Brit and heir to the Standard Oil fortune, who decided in the early 1940’s to buy his own island situated in the south Berry Islands of The Bahamas. He named it ‘Bird Cay’.

Naming a landmass that will grace global cartography can be cited as a distinctive and heady ‘perk’ of island ownership. However, do not be fooled. At this point in time, this was not an acquisition for the ‘faint-of-heart’! These gorgeous landforms set in azure seas may provide the optimal retreat, but in the 1940s their access and ease of development was not what it is today. There were no luxury jets into international airports and no limo in the wings to whisk you away to your luxurious state-of-the-art dwelling. While an island playground born of the owner’s fantasy can be easily accessed today, such as Nygard Cay in The Bahamas, requirements in the 1940s for the owners of these retreats was not just wealth, but ingenuity, a sense of adventure and a visionary spirit. Francis Francis was truly such a person. He embodied success through athletic achievement, financial gain and courageous and philanthropic efforts.

Truly the 40’s were a time that summoned adventurers. It was a time of war and Francis Francis was responding to the call through the manufacturing and marketing of ejection seats . This progressive company still provides these lifesaving mechanisms for 93 air forces worldwide. Francis Francis can be seen in this 1937 photo with fellow founders of the Martin–Baker Aircraft Company.

A tribute to Mr. Francis’ fearlessness and pioneering spirit was his participation in being one of the early ‘live’ test subjects. This practice involved bold souls willing to endure a 16 foot test rig built in the form of a tripod, one of the legs being in the form of guide rails. A seat was propelled up the guide rails by a gun, consisting of two telescopic tubes energized by an explosive cartridge. Studies were conducted to find the limits of upward acceleration that the human body could stand. As a result of the farsighted and intrepid efforts of men like Francis Francis, over 7,300 lives have been saved by Martin-Baker ejection seats to date.

The Bahamas possess an intoxicating beauty. However, Francis’ courageous spirit could certainly be attributed to what led him to embrace the undertaking of owning and developing his own island. Indeed, his pluck was evident at an early age. Among his accomplishments were winning the Swiss Open as an Amateur in 1936 and finishing twice as the leading amateur in the British Open. Ownership of four restaurants and nightclubs in London later in life surely provided additional preparation.
During the war Francis Francis purchased ‘Bird Cay’ from his sister, Joe Carstairs (Marion B.), another spirited soul.

When the war ended he moved with his theatrically renowned bride, Patricia Francis (nee Leonard) to The Bahamas and worked to settle their private island. Initially, the brave hearted Francis and his operatic and theatrically talented wife lived on their freighter “The Mereghan”. It was anchored just off of the point of ‘Bird Cay’ until the first buildings were completed. Today, the remnants of his personal republic built from harnessing the raw materials of rock quarried from the island can still be seen on the island.

During a glamorous and glittering era of Bahamian history, ‘Bird Cay’ was where Francis chose to raise his children and entertain his friends from the likes of the Duke of Windsor to Greta Garbo
; all while practicing golf on a custom-designed driving range.

Today, ‘Bird Cay’ remains an Exotic Private Island Paradise. Now in the center of a new Marine Reserve for the Berry Islands similar to the Exuma Cays. Prices in the Land and Sea Park in Exuma have skyrocketed and the same is anticipated for the new Berry Island Reserve. ‘Bird Cay’ represents a wonderful investment opportunity as this environmental treasure gains notoriety and stature around the world.

Just as with Francis Francis, ‘Bird Cay’ presents a haven of beauty and tranquility. This 250 acre tropical island at the south end of the Berry Islands chain is just 30 minutes by air from Nassau. Naturally protected on all sides by neighboring islands and sand banks, ‘Bird Cay’ offers an excellent marina opportunity for the right investor with the adventurer’s soul. Chub Cay lies just west of this island prize and has a 5,000 foot airstrip with regular and chartered flights to Nassau that conjures visions of private resorts, exclusive clubs, and exceptional restaurants. With over 4.75 Miles of water frontage
‘Bird Cay’ offers sandy beaches, crystalline waters, spectacular ocean views, gentle prevailing breezes, numerous trails, tropical palms, casuarina trees, as well as citrus and coconut groves. The privately owned island of Whale Cay (Read a bit about “Joe”, Francis Francis’s sister, “The Queen of Whale Cay”) to the east includes an additional 4,000 foot paved runway and harbour. Proximity to the Great Bahama Bank and the Tongue of the Ocean makes this an excellent fishing, sailing, and scuba-diving paradise. Given the considerable flowing grass land, homage can be paid to Francis Francis via the creation of a few easily be constructed golf holes on the island.
Today, ‘find’ your tropical paradise and tailor it to your vision. Now is truly THE time to have a look at Bird Cay, Bahamas. (Read PIN’s article on “Why there’s Never Been a Better Time to Buy a Private Island” ) Engage your inner celebrity or your visionary and entrepreneurial spirit.

Consider all of YOUR possibilities – business retreat, family compound, or a stunning island resort. Ignoring this opportunity would ‘be for the birds’!

This is a gorgeous home with a highly desirable address at an amazing price!

This is a Magnificent Beachfront Home in The Bahamas, custom built and located in prestigious and renowned Ocean Club Estates on Paradise Island. Come see for yourself this Thanksgiving Weekend. Attend the Open House being held Novemeber 25th & 26th from 11AM to 1PM EST.

Sitting on a cul-de-sac lot provides a great advantage – for this 4 bedroom/4.5 bathroom Mediterranean style residence. This home sitting at the point of Ocean Club Drive features a 6,200 sq. ft. professionally-designed interior that brings back the elegance of Old World craftsmanship accented with fine furnishings and rich hardwood floors.

Did you say you like to entertain and cook a little???? – Head to the gourmet kitchen!
Cooking not your thing so much? Then retreat to one of the formal rooms with intoxicating views or just relax beside the infinity edge pool and enjoy the well landscaped garden.
Looking to feel like the MASTER of your opulent island retreat? Check out the master suite which encompasses most of the second floor!

This IS the location where the rich and famous come to play. A home of this quality and pricing is a rare find in Paradise Island. It defines luxury island living and is offered fully furnished. We look forward to seeing you at the Open House next week.
“>”>Check out the full listing here:

On a cool and blustery morning, with a sizeable 2-3 foot chop on the water, a few dozen brave kayakers departed Abaco Beach Resort for a grueling 7, 12 or 20 mile kayak challenge down the coastline of the Sea of Abaco; their motivation drawn from a desire to raise much needed funds.

HG Christie proudly sponsored Rachael Aberle, wife of Abaco agent Neil Aberle.  Rachael competed admirably in the event.  Despite challenging conditions she and her teammate, Penelope Menzies, completed the seven mile challenge in a little over 2 hours.

Back at the beach, participants were welcomed by fans and supporters.  Cheers filled the air as the kayakers made their way back to shore in exhausted and triumphant paddle strokes.   Climbing ashore the sound of the beach’s soft, sandy crunch against the plastic hulls marked the end of their personal adventure.

Supporters who weren’t up for the challenge this year stayed on the beach and enjoyed the all-day party. Food, drink, music and merchandise.

One of our own ‘cheerleaders’ , Hope Town HGC agent Robbie Bethel, ended up loosing his voice as a result of his enthusiastic efforts.

Beginning at 7 in the morning the event continued throughout the day.  As the shores of the Abaco Beach Resort filled with all types of paddled craft and exuberant community support several thousands of dollars were raised.  This resounding success has spurred on the intent to hold the event annually.  HG Christie was proud to support this worthwhile cause and looks forward to next year’s opportunity to be involved once again.

Kudos to Friends of the Environment, Rachael and the Abaco Community!!

The expansion of the Bimini Bay Resort will feature a RockResorts Spa, additional restaurants, a beach club and environmental and sustainability projects on the island. Once the RockResorts hotel and spa are developed and completed, the entire resort will be branded as a RockResort, according to a statement sent to Guardian Business yesterday.

Currently the existing Bimini Bay 350-room resort boasts the largest deepwater marina in The Bahamas.

Check out some listings we have in Bimini

An official groundbreaking was held in the Bahamas on Monday for Baha Mar, a 1,000-acre, $3.4 billion resort, gaming and entertainment complex, slated to open in late 2014. Present at the ceremony were T. Brent Symonette, deputy prime minister; Vincent Vanderpool-Wallace, minister of tourism and aviation; Li Ruogu, chairman and president of the Export-Import Bank of China; and Hu Dingxian, ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to the Bahamas.

The upscale resort will feature hotel properties from Rosewood Hotels & Resorts, Morgans Hotel Group and Hyatt Hotels & Resorts, and will also feature a world-class casino hotel, for a total of 2,250 new hotel rooms. Baha Mar will also include the Bahamas’ largest convention center, with 200,000 square feet of space. Other facilities will include a 50,000-square-foot retail village combining an upscale shopping experience with Bahamian arts and crafts, branded restaurants and entertainment venues, and a 20-acre Eco Water Park and pool experience, three spas and an 18-hole Jack Nicklaus Signature golf. Baha Mar will create 12,000 new jobs generate more than $305 million in annual wages, raising the average annual income for a Bahamian family from $29,000 to $33,500, according to the project organizers, who added that the resort will contribute almost $1 billion to the local economy in its first year.
For more information, visit www.bahamar.com

The Bahamas is well known in the world of Sports, especially Track and Field. However, Tennis has been making a major splash, thanks to our very own Mark Knowles (son of Vicky Knowles-Andrews and brother to Samara Albury, HG Christie’s 2010 Top Producers for Nassau and Paradise Island)who has been representing the Bahamas on the International circuit for almost two decades.

Now for the first time in our history, the Bahamas is set to host a major International Women’s Professional Tennis tournament, The Bahamas Open.

The International Tennis Federation has awarded the Bahamas a one-year sanction to host a Pro Women’s tennis tournament, in anticipation that the Bahamas can be a regular tour stop on the International tennis circuit.

This historic event will take place on March 14th, 2011 to March 19th, 2011. The qualifying rounds will start on Friday, March 11th, 2011. The top 100 women pro players in the world are invited to this event, and there will be Singles and Doubles. Almost half of the top 15 in the world are expected to participate in this event as well, even though this is not a mandatory event for them.

The Bahamas Open will feature a classic display of professional tennis for the first time in our history. No other country in the Caribbean have held a tournament of this size either, and the Bahamas is coordinating with our neighbors to host this once-in-a-lifetime event, for the benefit and enjoyment of all. And, even though the prize money is only $100,000.00, the emphasis is on staging a memorable tennis classic, that the world will recognize the Bahamas as a major player in international tennis.

Read more…

http://www.thebahamasopen.com/

]]> http://www.hgchristie.com/blog/2011/02/16/the-bahamas-womens-open/feed/ 0 http://www.hgchristie.com/blog/2010/12/14/the-ultimate-christmas-gift-bird-cay-your-own-exotic-private-island/ http://www.hgchristie.com/blog/2010/12/14/the-ultimate-christmas-gift-bird-cay-your-own-exotic-private-island/#comments Tue, 14 Dec 2010 23:39:34 +0000 johnchristie http://www.hgchristie.com/blog/?p=155 Thinking of getting that someone special the ultimate Christmas Gift, how about a Polo match with Prince William,

Meet Prince William at The Chakravarty Cup Polo Match

Better yet , why not their own Private Island??? In The Bahamas…

The Bahamas is a necklace of over 700 hundred islands and cays (pronounced ‘keys’). One of these gorgeous gems could be yours. Take ‘Bird Cay’ this is an amazing private island that could be all yours!!

http://www.hgchristie.com/details/berry-islands/private-island-bs10570

Bird Cay

A haven of beauty and tranquility, this 250 acre tropical island is located at the south end of the Berry Islands chain, just 30 minutes by air from Nassau.

Should you wish to put this under the tree for your honey, here are a few of the features you would be bestowing on that special someone this Christmas:

Map of Bird Cay

An historic two-story main residence, five colorful waterfront cottages, and a guest house overlooking nearby Whale Cay. Admittedly, all of these are in need of intensive TLC. However, this may be just the project your honey is looking for in 2011. Then add to the project list a boathouse, a small shop, a carpenter’s shop, a rainwater tank, two generators, a three car garage, storage buildings, a machine shop, paint and gas storage. This is enough to get your creative juices pumping and to allow you to create your own private oasis – just as you envision it.

If you wish to take a little trip off of YOUR island, Chub Cay lies just west of Bird Cay and offers an excellent marina , a private resort club, restaurants, and a 5,000 foot airstrip with regular and chartered flights to Nassau.

Bird Cay Shoreline Elevations

Don’t fret. Your island kingdom is well protected on all sides by neighboring islands and sand banks. You will want to bring your boats and rods though, because the proximity to the Great Bahama Bank and the Tongue of the Ocean makes this an excellent fishing, sailing, and scuba-diving paradise.

Ahhhh days in the sun…. with over 4.75 Miles of water frontage Bird Cay offers sandy beaches, crystalline waters, spectacular ocean views, gentle prevailing breezes, numerous landscaped trails, gardens, mature tropical palms, Casuarina trees, as well as citrus and coconut groves.

Bird Cay Staff Cottages

A little golf anyone?? Given the considerable flowing lawn that surrounds the main house, a few golf holes could easily be constructed on the island.

While it may not be easy to wrap this is one Christmas gift that is quite simply a tropical paradise tailor-made for a business retreat, a family compound, or a stunning island resort.

Bird Cay Aerial

Forget the Partridge. This is the kind of ‘bird’ that your true love will REALLY appreciate. I can fully see the ‘Twelve Days of Christmas’ containing the amendment: “On the first day of Christmas my true love gave to me – a private island called Bird Cay”

Bird Cay Eastern Beach

]]> http://www.hgchristie.com/blog/2010/12/14/the-ultimate-christmas-gift-bird-cay-your-own-exotic-private-island/feed/ 0 http://www.hgchristie.com/blog/2010/12/02/nasa-cat-island-bahamas-is-a-perfect-destination-for-extraterrestrial-tourists/ http://www.hgchristie.com/blog/2010/12/02/nasa-cat-island-bahamas-is-a-perfect-destination-for-extraterrestrial-tourists/#comments Thu, 02 Dec 2010 22:59:19 +0000 johnchristie http://www.hgchristie.com/blog/?p=107 So, last night I was reading about NASA’s news conference scheduled for 2 p.m. EST today, Thursday, Dec. 2,

to discuss an astrobiology finding that will impact the search for evidence of extraterrestrial life. Astrobiology is the study of the origin, evolution, distribution and future of life in the universe

http://www.nasa.gov/home/hqnews/2010/nov/HQ_M10-167_Astrobiology.html

This got me thinking. As I pondered life in the universe, the synapses triggered associations such as, the lyrics of a great Bahamian Calypso/Rake N Scrape song, that goes,

“We headin’ in ta deep Space an’ we takin’ Rake ‘n Scrape”

The more I thought about it the more I think that the folks at NASA may want to take a look at the Rake N Scrape capital of the world, Cat Island, Bahamas.

Cat Island holds an annual Rake N Scrape Festival showcasing this infectious genre of music comprised of a cast of characters, resourceful musical instruments and clever, often humourous, lyrics.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qneSWfo51sU

AND … Should NASA locate our extraterrestrial neighbors, Cat Island, Bahamas is seeming to be the ideal location to invite them to visit.
Renowned actor and Bahamian Ambassador, Sir Sidney Poitier, who was born in Cat Island, Bahamas

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sidney_Poitier

Sir Sidney, once said in an interview, “… My knowledge of the world was gathered in Cat Island and Nassau. I learned from how people lived and what constituted a good person, in Cat Island. ”
Therefore, I am confident that Cat Island would be sure to provide NASA’s new found guests some great insights into our world.

Without a doubt, Cat Island represents some of the best ‘natural beauty’ our ‘blue planet’ offers. The ‘Family Islands’ or the ‘Out Islands’ of the Bahamas are billed as ‘The Real Bahamas’

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AwDBPXEQ1ik
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IAvmiPOLEuc
You know, the more I pondered this, the more I realized that Aliens, Rake N Scrape and Cat Island, Bahamas were closer than the ‘6 degrees of separation to Kevin Bacon’.

A new connection arises.

Could Hollywood, an expert on aliens and extraterrestrials, have known of the association to ‘Cat Island’ when it produced the 1953’s movie “Cat Women on the Moon”? http://www.imdb.com/media/rm1729535744/tt0045609

yet, you don’t need a rocket ship to get there.

So, should NASA find success in their new venture, I wish to advise them that Cat Island, Bahamas awaits the newly tapped potential tourism market.
Make sure to check out our some of our current listings in Cat Island, while you play that Rake N Scrape.
http://www.hgchristie.com/details/cat-island/vacant-land-cs10576
http://www.hgchristie.com/details/cat-island/income-property-cs10551
http://www.hgchristie.com/details/cat-island/greenwood-estates/house-cs10620
http://www.hgchristie.com/details/cat-island/hawks-nest/vacant-land-cs10622
http://www.hgchristie.com/rentals/details/cat-island/house-s91
Other Cat Island related videos:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cvu5wmong5ERake N Scrape

]]> http://www.hgchristie.com/blog/2010/12/02/nasa-cat-island-bahamas-is-a-perfect-destination-for-extraterrestrial-tourists/feed/ 0 http://www.hgchristie.com/blog/2010/11/05/are-hong-kong-and-dubai-providing-insights-for-nassau/ http://www.hgchristie.com/blog/2010/11/05/are-hong-kong-and-dubai-providing-insights-for-nassau/#comments Fri, 05 Nov 2010 23:26:58 +0000 johnchristie http://www.hgchristie.com/blog/?p=89

Image courtesy Foster + Partners

Could Hong Kong’s new development plans support my traffic musing for developing downtown Nassau?

So often I sit in traffic heading from the Eastern End of the New Providence Island for over an hour.  This slow pace is perpetuated by the business community attempting to get to their place of employment, concomitant with the start of schools, via limited arterial vehicle access to downtown Nassau.  While an argument for public transportation, car pooling, biking, etc… can be made within this subject, as someone engaged in real estate, I ponder what opportunities lay in my field of expertise when this challenge is applied.  Like Hong Kong, we are an island and the land mass ends at some point.

What if some of these folks don’t need to be near the school anymore?  Are there heavy hitters in our vibrant island city that would enjoy waking up and walking to work?  What if after work they were able to play downtown? I suddenly have visions of dining, cinema/theater, grocery stores, banking, a cultural epicenter  and more swimming in my head.  I wax nationalistic and think of the improved experience for our downtown tourist visitors.

I pause and acknowledge my environmental conscious, keeping a watchful eye on the news from Dubai

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/28/business/energy-environment/28dubai.html?_r=3&nl=&emc=aua22

I am ever mindful of over development or development that does not consider the intrinsic needs of the land and its people.  Yet, could this be an opportunity that is good for all?  Much of our current prime Nassau real estate remains downtown in neglected conditions.  Could commercial and residential combine to create a revitalized area whose benefits extend these areas?

Is the Capital City of Nassau a prime opportunity for the right investors to create a mirror project, on a smaller scale, such as the one being under taken in Hong Kong?  Hmmmm….. this musing is making more sense everyday  – honk, honk…

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