Monday, January 7, 2013
2013: Wishes for smooth journeys
(CNN) -- Travelers don't just want to get from point A to point B in one piece. We want to arrive at our destinations happy and refreshed and ready to start our work or vacation. Wishful thinking? Perhaps.
Given that it's a new year and all dreams seem possible, CNN gave travel experts around the globe a magic wand for travel wishes unbound by constraints.
Spread a little kindness
"This year, I've seen people pick fights with flight attendants, yell profanities at TSA screeners and get snippy with gate agents," said Sarah Schlichter, editor of IndependentTraveler.com. "If you travel often enough, a little hassle and stress are practically guaranteed, but I don't think that's any excuse to be rude or abusive to people who are just trying to do their jobs.
"If I could only have one wish for 2013, it would be for more kindness and civility throughout the travel experience," she said. "A calm, patient demeanor will make others more inclined to help you and make the travel experience a little less stressful for everyone else."
Put away that smartphone
"Would the experience of sipping a foamy cup of Mexican hot chocolate on a chilly November day in an out-of-the-way cafe in Chiapas have been better if I wasn't obsessively trying to crop and filter and post the moment?" asked Norie Quintos, executive editor of National Geographic Traveler magazine.
"The day my waterproof digital camera failed right before a snorkeling excursion in the Galapagos turned out to be a lucky one when I came face-to-snout with a sea lion. I don't have a photo, but without a digital device between us, the memory of it is so IMAX-vivid, I don't need one.
"Can one really, actually, holistically experience a place through a 2x3 inch frame while typing succinctly about it?
"I wish people would pull their smartphones away from their faces when they travel. The view is ever so much better," she said. "I'm actually lecturing to myself as well as the majority of travelers who share their experiences in real time through Facebook and Twitter and Instagram. ... I resolve to see more by using my iPhone less in 2013; wishing the same for you."
Explore our national parks
"If it seems that more of your friends have been to Thailand or Argentina recently than to the Grand Canyon or the Everglades, you might be right," said Andy Murdock, Lonely Planet's U.S. digital editor, who wishes more Americans would explore our national park system. "U.S. National Park visitation is lower now that it was in the late 1980s, and it's been more or less stagnant for the last 30 years."
The National Park Service has 11 free entry days in 2013, and 265 of the 398 national parks are free year-round. "Pick the closest park and go once. That's all it takes to get you hooked," he said.
Deliver my dinner to my room
Lisa Durocher, general manager and senior vice president of American Express Travel, wants some major advances in room service so that her order is ready when she gets to her hotel room.
"I wish I could check into the hotel and order my room service the minute we hit the runway, so that by the time I arrived at my serene, sound-proofed room, there would be a masseuse and a burger waiting for me. With fries. And a Coke. Calorie-free."
Use the vacation time you have
"I want people to take just one more vacation in 2013," said Clem Bason, president of the Hotwire Group. "Just one."
"Our American Travel Behavior Survey indicated the majority of Americans are leaving an average of 9.2 unused paid vacation days on the table, up from 2011's 6.2 days, and that needs to change. Now is a great time to set the goal of rejuvenating the body and mind by taking one more getaway in the new year."
An airline running on garbage?
Brett Snyder of Crankyflier.com has more magic wand-intensive wishes.
"My wish for the airline industry is that instead of increasing storm intensity, climate change results in exactly the opposite: Bad weather disappears completely," Snyder said. "Further, aircraft manufacturers come up with a new manufacturing process that not only guarantees airplanes will never have mechanical problems but also allows them to run solely on garbage.
"Without storms and broken airplanes, airlines run 99% of their flights on time. Free from the high cost of oil, airfares plunge, and the world learns to love them again. As the owner of an air travel assistance business, this would put me out of work, but it would be well worth it."
A strengthened airline inspection system
William J. McGee, author of "Attention All Passengers: The Airlines' Dangerous Descent -- and How to Reclaim Our Skies," interviewed FAA and airline employees about U.S. inspection of airline maintenance facilities.
McGee says they told him "that the industry's stellar safety record is being compromised by a neverending race to cut expenses, because the traditional model of airlines employing their own licensed mechanics for major service and repairs has been upended in the last decade."
His wish: "That the FAA strengthens its oversight and enhances on-site inspections of airline maintenance facilities."
http://www.cnn.com/2013/01/03/travel/travel-expert-wishes-new-year/index.html?hpt=tr_t2
8 travel resolutions for 2013
(CNN) -- Those of us who love travel know it can be a life changer. Since making resolutions is de rigueur this time of year, why not resolve to take steps that lead to adventurous and memorable trips all year long?
Consider these eight resolutions for 2013:
Take off on your own -- even if you're traveling with a group.(Especially if you're traveling with a group).
While togetherness can be great, at a point we all need a break. If you're an early riser, step out and stroll the half-empty streets before your fellow travelers get up. Longing to check out a boutique or museum no one else will appreciate? Do it on your own.
If you feel badly about ditching your companions, pretend it's an adventure. Suggest everyone spend one morning or afternoon finding something they'll later introduce to the group. Not only will you discover some cool new spots when you regroup, you'll get to spend time alone inside your own head on your own personal treasure hunt. Everybody wins.
Don't let the lack of a foreign language keep you at home.
No matter how many (or how few) stamps you've got in your passport, hit the road anyway. When you arrive at your destination, those you'll meet won't expect fluent French, Mandarin or Swahili to flow from your lips. But you still should at least learn the pleasantries in your hosts' country -- as in "thank you," "please," "excuse me" -- before you show up.
If you have time and the funds, why not sign up for a brief language course in your hometown? If you're on a budget, your local library likely has phrasebooks or dictionaries you can borrow. Does a restaurant in your area serve food from your destination country? Visit before you go and ask the staff to help you with a few words. Smart travelers know that it's the small things that mean the world to those you'll meet. Show respect by speaking their language -- even if just a little -- and you'll get respect in return.
Say you're not a "tour" or "cruise" person? Give one a shot.
Many of us experienced travelers pride ourselves on making our own way in the world, seeking out B&Bs and locally owned boutique hotels. We scour blogs and message boards for barely known ethnic eateries on the other side of the world. And once we arrive, we muddle through broken French-Turkish-Vietnamese-Urdu to figure out how to get around.
But for a change, why not sign up for an excursion where someone else gets paid to do the planning? When going to parts of the world where no one is likely to speak your language -- or if you're visiting a place where it's not especially safe to travel alone -- an escorted tour makes plenty of sense.
Even if you think a cruise will be too confining, consider taking one based on your passions or interests. It could be American baseball legends, classic Hollywood films or the sounds of "Soul Train." Or set sail to a destination like Antarctica or Alaska, where being on the water makes navigation easier.
Don't be ashamed to fall back on what's familiar.
As someone who often writes about cuisine, I love fine dining, great wine and Michelin-star restaurants as much as the next foodie. Still, there are some days on the road -- even in incredible food destinations like Paris or Rome -- when I get a craving for McDonald's fries and nothing else will do. And that's OK.
I still remember years ago when a Spanish corporate colleague hosted me for a day of sightseeing and shopping in Madrid and for a coffee break she took me not to a historical Spanish café, but to Starbucks. I was appalled. But now as a more seasoned and far less snobby traveler, I appreciate it.
I have an American friend who lives in West Africa, and when she recently came to Paris, what did she long for? Stops at Starbucks and the city's first Chipotle location. Sometimes you just want what's familiar and comfortable -- so make no apologies and indulge.
Vow not to leave vacation days on the table.
Even though Americans earn less vacation time than most other industrialized countries -- a median 12 days, according to a recent Expedia Vacation Deprivation study -- they still tend to forgo two days. Whether folks think they can't financially swing a trip or fear their bosses will think negatively of them for taking off, we're leaving that earned time on the table.
I never was one of them, but I always foolishly took my work with me on the road, calling into conference calls and frequently checking e-mail when "on holiday." But that's a bad habit -- and one you'll be expected to maintain if you do it. So don't start. Otherwise, you'll return from your vacation in need of another one. Periodically disconnecting from work is not only good for you, but it also will make you a more productive employee or boss when you get back.
Start a travel-specific savings account.
No matter how much we love to travel, most of us aren't made of money. Very often, our discretionary funds -- or the lack of them -- determine where we go, when, and for how long. But if there's someplace you've been dying to check out, why not create your own personal layaway fund? These days, it's easy to pre-arrange for a set amount of cash -- even if it's just $15 or $20 -- to be deducted from your paycheck or bank account.
Or go the low-tech route and toss spare change and small bills into a dedicated jar. Over time, even small sums add up and just may mean the difference between taking that trip and staying home. The adage about your checkbook showing what you care about is true. If travel is truly a priority for you, then save like it.
Do at least ONE thing that scares you while you're on the road.
Travel often shakes you from your comfort zone -- and that's a good thing, especially for those of us who feel an obsessive need to always be in control. Why not consciously decide that while you're away from home, you'll do something that's a bit out of character? Nothing dangerous, of course -- just eyebrow-raising for you. For some of us, that's sampling a dish we'd never try at home -- whether fish cheeks in China or Tuscan cinghiale (wild boar) at the always-lively Il Latini ristorante in Florence. (So what if you hate it? You never have to try it again.)
For others, it's ziplining over the jungles in Costa Rica. Yet others may take the baby step of going to the theater alone. Don't forget to build an element of whimsy into your trips -- and perhaps surprise yourself, too.
Don't let other people's fears keep you from going.
There's nothing sadder than letting other folks' hang-ups keep you at home. How many of us have been told how "scary" certain places are because someone knew someone who'd once heard of someone who'd been robbed on a train or gotten sick from the water?
Perhaps you've been advised not to visit a country because there won't be many people who look like you. But so what if people stare? Although people in "low-look" countries such as the United States and Great Britain are taught that it's impolite, not all cultures consider steady eye contact "rude." In "high-look" countries such as Italy, you may find yourself the object of a long gaze. Perhaps people are just curious or think you're attractive.
Travel teaches you that we can't always judge others' behavior by how we do it at home. Use common sense, but vow to make travel choices that speak to you and your values, not other people's fears. Besides, friendliness and warmth transcend languages and cultures, so travel expecting the best.
http://www.cnn.com/2012/12/27/travel/travel-resolutions/index.html?hpt=tr_t3
Top travel destinations for 2013
(CNN) -- What makes a travel destination "hot"?
What makes people around the world all at once start booking tickets to cities they know little about or salivate for restaurants they've only just heard of?
What accounts for places with perfectly respectable histories (Estonia, Laos) suddenly finding their ways "onto the map" of the traveling masses?
A lot of what attracts tourism is economics, sometimes positive (China) sometimes less so (Greece).
Major world events contribute to international buzz -- the Summer Olympics placed London atop many "hottest 2012 destinations" lists.
Savvy marketing makes a difference. The current "It's more fun in the Philippines" campaign has helped attract visitors to that vastly underrated country.
The chance whims of pop culture can unexpectedly thrust a heretofore obscure place into the spotlight. By now you've probably heard of the Seoul district of Gangnam. You couldn't have said that this time last year.
When compiling our list of 2013 hot spots, we took into account all of the above and more while canvassing travel sites, experts and organizations to identify up and coming destinations based on bargains, significant events and important new services, such as added airline routes and major hotel openings.
Our hot seven aren't the only "new" places ready to be discovered in the coming year, but they're a solid start.
Where will you be traveling in 2013? Let us know your "hot destinations" in the comments section below.
1. Scotland, United Kingdom
Scotland has seen fit to dub 2013 the "Year of Natural Scotland,"and what better time to do it?
Anyone who saw the 2012 James Bond thriller "Skyfall" walked away wishing they too could race through Scotland's dramatic countryside and hide out in its misty highlands (granted, while not being pursued by a homicidal Javier Bardem).
Of many outdoor events and special deals planned around the Year of Natural Scotland, highlights include: the Dumfries & Galloway Wildlife Festival 2013 (March 29-April 14); Heb Celt 2013 music festival (July 17-20); Scottish Food and Drink Fortnight (September 7-22); and, of course, The Open Championship golf tournament (July 14-21).
More independent-minded trekkers will find 2013 a good year to tackle part of Scotland's Great Trails, a network of long-distance routes across the country.
The entire length of the country -- all 750 kilometers of it -- can be walked via the recently announced Gore-Tex Scottish National Trail. The trail, which runs from the English border to Cape Wrath, travels past pristine lochs and haunting glens as it follows mainly existing routes, such as the West Highland Way and Rob Roy Way.
2. Rabat, Morocco
What a difference a little recognition makes.
Travelers have long overlooked Morocco's low-key capital, instead being seduced by the heady sights and sounds of Marrakech or beachside charm of Essaouira.
That'll change in 2013 with the elegant city in the northwest of the country having been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in July 2012.
This means word is just starting to get out about what the UNESCO folks call Rabat's "fertile exchange between the Arabo-Muslim past and Western modernism."
Exhibit A: the historic old town featuring the magnificent twelfth-century Hassan Mosque and a picturesque medina overlooking the Atlantic with largely hassle-free shopping.
Exhibit B: Rabat's charming French-built new town with wide boulevards and lovely cafes.
A shiny new tramway links the capital to its sister city Salé, while a new airport terminal means the city has become much more accessible. Rabat (area population 1.7 million) is hitting the proverbial travel radar, but it's far from overrun -- that makes 2013 the year to be there now. Link: www.visitmorocco.com
3. Košice, Slovakia
Thanks in part to its medieval old town and vibrant mix of Renaissance, Baroque, and art nouveau architecture, the compact yet captivating eastern Slovakian city of Košice (population 250,000) has been chosen 2013's European Capital of Culture (along with Marseille in France).
To say that city officials are excited is an understatement -- they've planned at least 300 cultural events for 2013.
The ECOC opening ceremony will be held January 19 and 20 and is, according to officials, "conceived as a unique, two-day inspirational event which will enliven the whole city."
Events will be spread across town, from the State Theater to a stage on major Hlavna Street to numerous clubs and restaurants. Throughout the year, activities will draw on the city's Slovakian and Hungarian heritage and include music festivals, theater, art and street performance.
Just as enjoyable is people watching along a pedestrian-only main drag while taking in the Gothic St. Elisabeth cathedral and sipping a Košice Gold, the city's official cocktail (with a super-secret recipe). Link: www.kosice2013.sk
4. Sub-Saharan Africa
Multi-country African trips usual mean long, bumpy journeys on bad roads or budget-busting charter flights between destinations.
The November 2012 launch of Fastjet, Africa's new European‐style, low-cost airline, promises to revolutionize travel in the region.
Fastjet currently operates a small fleet of Airbus 319s from its Tanzanian base in Dar es Salaam, connecting the capital to the trekking mecca of Kilimanjaro.
It also flies to Mwanza on the southern shore of Lake Victoria, handy for the western Serengeti.
According to flightglobal.com, the airline will establish a second base of operations in Nairobi in early 2013, and add operation centers later in the year in the African capitals of Accra, Ghana and Luanda, Angola.
Other destinations slated for 2013 include Entebbe in Uganda (allowing cheaper access to the country's mountain gorillas) and beach resorts of Zanzibar in Tanzania and Mombasa in Kenya.
With one-way fares as low as US$20 (excluding taxes and surcharges), remote parts of Africa will be a lot easier to get to in 2013.
5. Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, United States
With Daniel Day-Lewis likely getting an Oscar Best Actor nomination for his spooky good portrayal of U.S. President Abraham Lincoln (the 85th Academy Awards show will be held February 24) and the150th anniversary of the real president's famed 272-word Gettysburg Address (given in the wake of the pivotal Battle of Gettysburg, it's perhaps the most famous speech in American political history), U.S. Civil War history will take center stage in 2013.
A year of events and commemorations are scheduled in and around Gettysburg, including a 10-day program of tours, performances and a massive battle re-enactment on July 4 (U.S. Independence Day) at the Gettysburg National Military Park from June 28 through July 7.
6. Amsterdam, the Netherlands
Like birthday celebrations? Amsterdam does, and it's set to host a bunch of them to mark major anniversaries in 2013.
The 160th anniversary of Vincent Van Gogh's birthday will take place on March 30 with special exhibitions and opening hours of the city's Van Gogh Museum.
One of the world's greatest orchestras, the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra turns 125 years old in 2013. A special "125 Years of the Concertgebouw Orchestra and the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra" concert will be held on April 10, 2013. "Bach, Mozart, Haydn with Giovanni Antonini" is the highlight of the late February-early March schedule.
More Amsterdam birthdays: the city's canal ring will celebrate its 400th anniversary, the Artis Royal Zoo turns 175 and theRijksmuseum national museum of Netherlands art and historyreturns after a 10-year renovation, with a grand opening scheduled for April 13.
"Once the new Rijksmuseum has become a tasteful, daring, imaginative and optimistic museum, it will have fulfilled its mission," says to the museum's website.
That's a lot of ways to celebrate 2013 in a city already known for fun.
7. Colombia
Magical Andes mountain scenery, bustling cities quickly getting up to international speed in the wake of a troubling past, high-end hotel openings (Hilton, InterContinental, Marriott) and new direct routes from major air carriers are quickly moving Colombia onto a lot of traveler wish lists -- including ours.
The deal folks Travelzoo agree, naming Colombia a "Wow Deal Destination for 2013" and reporting on a "tourism boom breeding competition and deals in a country where the U.S. dollar already goes far."
Adding a grace note is Bogotá's designation as a 2013 UNESCO City of Music. The organization recognized the city "foremost for its fast growing musical sector and dynamic music scene as a major center of musical creation and activity in Latin America."
To mark the honor, a series of concerts and music festivals will take place in the city throughout the year, from casual performances in public parks to lively club shows and the first Bogotá International Music Festival (March 27-30, link in Spanish only), a four-day, 55-performance concert event that this year will be dedicated entirely to Beethoven.
As we already mentioned, our hot seven aren't the only "new" places to hit in 2013.
Other trending spots include:
Montenegro -- great beaches, rich history, underappreciated cuisine, stunning sites.
New Zealand -- more film-inspired sightseeing mixed with top-rate food and wine.
Miami -- reinventing itself as a hip hangout for arty types.
Japan -- offering better than ever value as the country seeks to reinvigorate travel in wake of 2011 tsunami.
Vietnam -- a wave of new resort openings planned for 2013.
New Zealand -- more film-inspired sightseeing mixed with top-rate food and wine.
Miami -- reinventing itself as a hip hangout for arty types.
Japan -- offering better than ever value as the country seeks to reinvigorate travel in wake of 2011 tsunami.
Vietnam -- a wave of new resort openings planned for 2013.
http://www.cnn.com/2013/01/01/travel/top-destinations-2013/index.html?hpt=tr_t5
Cell phones on planes? For texting, not gabbing
(CNN) -- Let's say that you're the Federal Aviation Administration.
(Unlikely, granted. But, just for the purpose of this exercise, try to envision yourself as a government agency).
You're about to make a decision that will affect millions of travelers. Your decision may please them or it may infuriate them. Most of them have no idea right now that you're contemplating the decision, but as soon as you make it, all of them will become aware, and they will respond, likely in a visceral manner.
You're the FAA. What do you do?
Bob Greene
What the real FAA is pondering concerns expanding the permitted use of tablets, personal communication devices and other electronic gadgets on commercial flights.
Last month, The Hill reported, Federal Communications Commission Chairman Julius Genachowski wrote in a letter to FAA Acting Administrator Michael Huerta:
"I write to urge the FAA to enable greater use of tablets, e-readers, and other portable electronic devices during flight, consistent with public safety ... mobile devices are increasingly interwoven in our daily lives. They empower people to stay informed and connected with friends and family, and they enable both large and small businesses to be more productive and efficient, helping drive economic growth and boost U.S. competitiveness."
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For many years, passengers have been told that some electronic devices, including cell phones, can interfere with aircraft navigation and communication signals. But as technology advances, ways around this are being developed. Many airlines already sell in-flight Wi-Fi connections for laptop computers and tablets, so the logical next step would be to allow airborne passengers to use their cell phones to connect to the world below.
A few thoughts:
In terms of written communication from passengers on the plane to people down below -- e-mail, text messages sent from cell phones, social network posts -- the more the better. Anything the digital traffic will bear.
If you've been on flights with Wi-Fi enabled, you may have noticed that the passengers using it seem to be contented, almost docile -- the tension level seems to have been lowered. Like it or not, we've become hooked on being constantly connected, and passengers who are able to maintain that connection while six miles in the air appear to be traveling in a state of something close to silent, electronically-sated, tunnel-vision bliss.
But there should be one exception to this:
Technical and connectivity issues aside, the FAA and FCC should never extend their digital-era permission slip to voice calls on cell phones.
The result of allowing phone calls in the air would produce the opposite of the tranquilizing effect of permitting other forms of electronic communication. The anger level of travelers who become incensed by the yammering in the next seat would rise to the level of a public safety concern. Passengers would be demanding to be moved, would ask flight attendants to referee disputes, would probably engage in fistfights. Allowing jousting matches or bullfights in airplane aisles wouldn't be much more disruptive than allowing voice calls on planes.
(But what about the idea of passengers voluntarily exercising restraint and courtesy in those close quarters, limiting the length and loudness of their calls out of respect for their fellow citizens? All right, stop laughing and rolling around on the floor -- get up. This is the United States in the 21st century. We know that voluntary phone courtesy is not going to happen).
You may recall Airfone, the air-to-ground pay phone service that debuted on commercial flights in the 1980s. It required a credit card for each call, and was expensive -- $7.50 in '80s dollars for the first three minutes, when the service was introduced. It never become all that popular, and eventually it faded away.
But that was before the advent of personal cell phones. Talking on the phone anywhere, at any time, is today seen not as an exotic and costly luxury but as an entitlement. The FAA is reportedly not considering voice-call permission on flights; if and when that day comes, walking across the country may feel like a more palatable option than flying.
There's one decision the FAA is evaluating that probably says more about us than it does about in-flight safety:
Those two brief stretches of time when all electronic devices must be turned off -- after the doors to the plane close until it is at cruising altitude, and then again on approach for landing -- are being questioned.
If it can be determined that signals do not interfere with the pilots' transmissions, should passengers now be allowed to use their electronic gadgets even in those few minutes? Some contend that, in those crucial parts of a flight, passengers should not be distracted, and should be alert to instructions from the cabin crew. But reading a magazine or a book can lure a passenger's attention from the crew, and those are not prohibited.
So the question would seem to be:
Has the addiction to the gadgets become so powerful that we are unwilling to disconnect and look away even for that paltry handful of minutes? Has the agitation from withdrawal gotten to that level? Because if it has, then this is an issue considerably more profound and far-reaching than anything having to do with the rules of travel.
Regardless of what the FAA decides, there is one option for in-flight diversion that will still be available, something ancient kings and monarchs could only dream of:
Looking out the window, high above the clouds.
http://www.cnn.com/2013/01/06/opinion/greene-electronics-on-planes/index.html?hpt=tr_c2
A beach break in Bimini
(CNN) -- Bimini is a tiny land of simple pleasures.
Ernest Hemingway lived on the small island chain in the Bahamas from 1935-1937 and famously drank vodka martinis, extra dry with olives, inside the Compleat Angler Hotel, which burned down in 2006.
"Swim, eat, drink, work, read, talk, read, fish, fish, swim, drink, sleep." That's Bimini, summed up by a character in Hemingway's novel "Islands in the Stream."
Walking along a quiet stretch of white-sand beach, I've come to appreciate this remote retreat of old-school fishermen, miles of mangroves and spectacular ocean views.
The first group of islands in the Bahamas chain, Bimini -- with the small islands of North Bimini and South Bimini at its core -- is only about 50 miles from Miami, but the slow-and-easy lifestyle on the historic atoll feels like a world away.
Adam Clayton Powell, the late congressman from New York who embraced a self-imposed exile on Bimini in 1967, was known for sipping scotch and milk inside The End of the World Bar and referring to Bimini as a "shaggy paradise."
For me, Bimini has always been a tranquil place to escape the commotion of big-city living, a sandy haven where I can sit and listen to the ocean waves gently slapping the shoreline.
"When you look at the ocean in Bimini you can often see a dozen different shades of blue and green," said Capt. Ansil Saunders, an 80-year-old world-renown fisherman, boat builder and local legend.
North Bimini is only seven miles long and less than a mile wide, so walking and biking along the main road -- "The King's Highway" -- is the best way to experience Bimini. With 1,600 residents in Bimini, there are no crowds or long lines and rush-hour traffic is often just a three-golf-cart pile-up in a hotel parking lot.
Take a leisurely stroll through Alice Town, Bimini's main settlement that dates back to 1848, and you'll find a cozy collection of small shops, family-owned restaurants and bars, one bank and plenty of engaging conversation.
What you won't find in Alice Town are traffic lights.
"People come to Bimini because it's a laid-back destination," Anthony Stuart, general manager of the Bimini Tourist Office, said in a recent interview. "They walk the street, sit on the side of the road, meet local people, listen to music and experience good food -- and that includes fresh-baked Bimini bread."
And, Stuart added proudly, "Bimini is safe."
I've traveled to Bimini many times over the years and even though swimming, eating, reading, talking and drinking consumed most of my days, exploring Bimini's enchanting underwater world was also at the top of my to-do list.
Fifty feet beneath the sea, Bimini offers an array of shipwrecks, shark dives, swim-through caverns and tunnels and colorful coral heads resting on the ocean floor. Divers also come to Bimini to explore the fascinating limestone formations that some believe to be the Lost Continent of Atlantis. (Nondivers can also experience Bimini's reefs through daily snorkeling trips. Snorkeling is a fun and easy way to spot angel fish, moray eels, sea turtles and many other forms of exotic marine life. )
"The scuba diving here is great," Saunders said. "The reefs are very beautiful and many people come here to dive with dolphins."
Tourists who venture near the docks may run into Saunders, Bimini's most well-known resident.
Saunders served as a personal guide to the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. in 1964, when King wrote his Nobel Peace Prize acceptance speech on Bimini. King also returned to Bimini in 1968 to write the last speech he delivered, to the sanitation workers in Memphis, Tennessee, before his death.
Forty-eight years ago, King wrote part of his eulogy in Saunders' wooden boat deep in the Bimini mangroves, a winding swamp of thick bushes and trees where 100 species of fish and marine life fill the murky waters.
"There was such humility about Dr. King," Saunders recalled. "He enjoyed communing with nature in the mangroves. Birds were singing. Stingrays were swimming by. He was inspired. When he first stepped foot on this soil, I could tell there was something special about Dr. King and Bimini."
Bimini is known as the big-game fishing capital of the world. Anglers have been traveling to Bimini for decades to snare bonefish, snapper, tuna and wahoo. The island has become famous for its international fishing competitions and Bahamian guides, like Saunders, are skilled tradesmen.
Even though Bimini is still a sleepy little island, change is coming fast. A new casino is almost completed and expected to open sometime in 2013. The casino coincides with a "fast ferry" between South Florida and Bimini that will offer tourists an alternative to flying.
There is only one airport serving Bimini -- South Bimini Airport (BIM). Daily scheduled air service is available to Bimini from Nassau, Grand Bahama Island and Florida.
Where to stay
I like the Bimini Big Game Club and the Bimini Bay Resort.
Founded in 1947, the Big Game Club is situated just off the main road in Alice Town. With 51 rooms and quaint cottages, the hotel also offers a 75-slip marina for tourists who arrive by boat. It's a comfortable, clean and friendly facility within walking distance of Alice Town's restaurants and bars.
The Bimini Bay Resort is a new luxurious property that features 374 Caribbean-style hotel rooms with authentic Bahamian décor. The resort features several upscale and inexpensive restaurants and a popular infinity pool that overlooks the ocean. Bimini Bay Resort is not as close to Alice Town as the Big Game Club, but it's only a short ride by taxi, golf cart or bike to town.
Where to eat
The Anchorage Restaurant & Bar in Alice Town is a staple in Bimini that overlooks the sea. It's a small, inexpensive family-owned restaurant serving genuine Bahamian food. Try the conch fritters and conch salad.
The Bimini Big Game Bar and Grill serves good burgers, fresh fish sandwiches, pizza and steak.
At the Bimini Bay Resort, Sabor is the resort's most upscale restaurant, and Bimini's most fashionable eatery. Try the conch ceviche and fish tacos.
If you're looking for nightlife and club-hopping, stick with Nassau, but if it's serenity near the ocean that sounds appealing, then you might want to consider Bimini -- a stress-free destination for stressed-out travelers.
As one Bimini native once told me: "No rushing, no pressure, no heart attacks."
http://www.cnn.com/2013/01/07/travel/bimini-bahamas-travel/index.html?hpt=tr_c1
Wednesday, January 2, 2013
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