Cat Island Bahamas
The Hermitage is a bit of an historical oddity, fascinating and strange. The hike up to see this religious site will take visitors through small villages along beautiful trails, full of island flora and fauna. It’s located at the top of Mt. Alvernia, which is 206 feet above the sea and the highest point in the Bahamas. The Hermitage itself is made from the limestone of the cliffs, with each piece painstakingly extracted, shaped and set by hand by the Canadian mule-skinner turned Anglican turned Roman Catholic priest known as brother Jerome. Brother Jerome built the structure to scale, and designed it to fit his diminutive form. Beloved by the island people, the priest passed away in 1956 after at the age of 80.
One of the outer islands of the Bahamas, Cat Island is a peaceful location for those who’re looking to relax. If you choose to venture out with your family it’ll take only a small bit of exploration to turn up a historical oddity. The uniqueness of Cat Island just adds to the individual character of the place. Nature lovers will be overjoyed with the beautiful beaches in natural settings.
If your family is interested in water sports, then Cat Island Dive Center is the place to go. Greenwood Beach Resort offers a variety of diving and snorkeling packages. No equipment? No problem. The resort has plenty of equipment to rent. In addition you’ll find more than enough marine life and fascinating geological formations to satisfy your curiosity.
One more hot spot is the Cookie House. Each cottage provides a 180 degree ocean view, and it‘s located next to the Cookie House Restaurant. Scooters are available to get around the island.
Other historical sites include an Arawak cave, found at Columbus point, and plantation ruins, left over from the islands efforts at joining the worlds cotton growers. Deveaux Mansion was eight times the residence of Andrew Deveaux of the US Navy, who participated in the 1873 battles to get Nassau back from Italy. Another widely known ruins is the remains of the Ambrister plantation, near Port Howe.
Cat Island is the sixth largest island in the Bahamas, and boasts virtually undisturbed beaches, where swimming and relaxing can be done in near complete privacy.
One of the most fun parts of any family vacation is the food. Hawk’s Nest Resort and Marina serves a variety of dishes, but among the best are the fresh, grilled fish and the roasted rack of lamb. If you want to eat like the locals, check out Fernandez Bay Village. Here you also have the option of dining patio side by the beach. After your water adventures trek back to Greenwood Beach Resort and sample their breads, which are baked every day. You’re on vacation, so don’t fret over carbs!
Cat Island is an excellent family trip deal for it’s natural beach experience, and laid-back atmosphere. Because it is so much smaller in population than some of the other islands, it’s easier to get a real feel for the people and their way of life.
For more information go to http://www.catislandbahamas.com .
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