Key West
Key West's reputation has certainly undergone a makeover over the years. When Ernest Hemingway called the island home from 1931-1961, Key
West was a quiet, laid back port town with its own character and a unique charisma. To visit Key West now is to find an island that has been almost
completely commercialized, with small pockets of the old Key West disappearing
fast.
Not that this is a terrible thing. The confluence of people
into Key West makes for a more diverse atmosphere and a fun-loving destination
365 days a year. Key West still embodies a true "laid back" spirit and
a quirky self-deprecating humor; even the cemetery is a source of offbeat
amusement. Think about it, how many places have you visited that actually
celebrate the sunset?
Key West has been an inspiration to countless authors and
artists. Among those who have called the island home, besides Hemingway, are
John James Audubon, Tennessee Williams, and John Hershey.
While over 1.2 million people visit Key West annually, only
30,000 people call it home on a permanent basis. But those 30,000 are fiercely
loyal. Nicknamed "The Conch Republic," Key West even has its own flag!
Most permanent residents have called Key West home for generations, and many
would confess that they have never left the island. Can you blame them?
Festivals and celebrations dot the calendar year-round in Key
West. From Hemingway Day in July to Fantasy Fest in October, your visit has a
good chance of coinciding with a local event.
Of course, over time, the secret of Key West has gotten out.
The amount of hotel rooms has tripled, and the delicate balance of natural
beauty has been threatened. The only living coral- reef in North America is
found here, and steps have been taken to ensure its continued survival.
What will never change is the beautiful weather and
breathtaking scenery you will find in Key West. The island is only twelve square
miles, easily covered on foot or bicycle. With all its commercialization, Key
West has managed to maintain a unique flavor all its own.
Nassau
Nassau, the capital of New Providence Island in the Bahamas,
is a majestic, scenic adventure that you do not want to miss. This is one of the
premier cruise sites in the entire world, and as a result, tourism to this
island is growing every year. New Providence has become the priority of all of
the political officials who control the region, because this pink-sand beach
marvel is emerging as the number one hot spot in the Bahamas. Only about one
hundred miles from Miami, New Providence, and Nassau in particular, is a
wonderful choice to enjoy a glorious vacation.
The Bahamas is in fact the most geographically complex nation
in all of the Atlantic. A coral-based series of islands, it is made up of over
700 islands, 2,000 cays, and hundreds of rocky masses that have brought
destruction to sea going vessels in the area for centuries. New Providence is a
significant portion of the 100,000 square miles of dry land that comprises The
Bahamas. Each region in the vicinity is separately governed, and this applies to
New Providence, as well as the Turks and Caicos Islands.
In 1964 Great Britain granted The Bahamas internal governed
rule. After many centuries of colonial rule, The Commonwealth of The Bahamas
took control in 1973, and at that time the fledgling nation drafted its own
constitution but remained tied to Britain to a certain extent. The island has
remained in the Commonwealth, and the British monarch still holds as its head of
state. The Bahamas keeps a two-house Parliament, and this also remains in
accordance with the policy of Great Britain. A Bahamian general, appointed by
the Queen, represents the Crown.
The citizens of New Providence, and especially Nassau, are
friendly and quite helpful as you travel throughout the area. Be certain to ask
them any questions you may have about their wonderful beaches, extravagant
dining facilities, and wide array of water sports.
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