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By Geoff Wells, on May 10th, 2010
There is so much to see and do in the world and not enough time to cover it all. We don’t want to end up in the rocking chair at the old folks home complaining about all the things we wish we had done – so we are just going to do as much as we can from now on.
Money – there is never enough
Having the will is one thing but practically you have to be able to pay for it. With even a modest income you can do a lot of traveling and we are going to prove it.
The Challenge
We have set ourselves a limit of an average of $100/day. Continue reading $100/day Travel Challenge
By Vicky Wells, on January 19th, 2012
 A Guide Post in Eleuthera, Bahamas Although Eleuthera, one of the family islands of the Bahamas, doesn’t have a very large population (11,165 according to the 2000 census), it’s a fairly large island. It stretches out, North to South, for almost 110 miles. So, obviously, if you plan to do some exploring during your vacation, car rental will be crucial.
The Fabulous Beaches of Eleuthera
With more than 200 miles of coastline, needless to say, Eleuthera has a lot of beaches. You’re going to need a car of some sort to be able to visit most of these beaches.
For instance, let’s assume that you’re in the Governor’s Harbour area and you’d like to go to Lighthouse Beach (one of the best beaches on the island). It’s located at the southern-most point in Eleuthera. The drive would be more than 45 miles. And, it’s a trip that you won’t mind taking.
Many fabulous beaches are strewn across the length of Eleuthera’s coast. And there are so many of them that you simply don’t want to miss. With the help of the popular guide book, The Elusive Beaches of Eleuthera, you’ll be able to schedule your day trips.
Ben Bay is a secluded tropical cove located at the northern end of the island. Starting from Governor’s Harbour, it is also a 45 mile drive. However, it’s the opposite direction from Lighthouse Beach.
Other Places to See in Eleuthera
There are, naturally, other places to see while you’re exploring the numerous beaches.
Preacher’s Cave is just a short jaunt from Ben Bay.
The Ocean Hole in Rock Sound is a good place to stop while driving south to Lighthouse Beach. It’s a great place to stop for a picnic lunch and feed some of the large fish that inhabit the Ocean Hole.
Distances in Eleuthera
Because of the length of Eleuthera, a long and skinny out-island in the Bahamas chain of islands, the distances between settlements can be significant.
Traveling between settlements can be very difficult without access to a vehicle. It’s not unusual to see hitchhikers along the side of the road as you travel the Queen’s Highway.
Trying to use taxis to get around Eleuthera, for any significant distances, could get pretty pricey. If you just want to get from the airport to your hotel, then a cab is the way to go. Although, if you want to explore this amazing island, you need to book a rental car for at last a few days.
From Governor’s Harbour Airport to Pineapple Fields, a resort in the settlement of Governor’s Harbour, the distance is only about eight miles If you don’t plan to explore outside of the community, then taking a taxi to and from the airport is a good idea.
However, if you’d like to see Pink Sand Beach on Harbour Island, the water taxi dock is about 35 miles from Governor’s Harbour. That would be a pretty hefty cab fare.
You need to accept that things are pretty far apart in Eleuthera. Places that you want to visit can be many miles apart.
You’ll have to decide whether or not you’ll need a car during your vacation. If you want to just chill out at your hotel or vacation rental, you might not require a vehicle. There’s absolutely no doubt that you’ll need one if you plan to do any exploring at all.
Eleuthera Rental Car
Renting a car in Eleuthera
is a bit different. You won’t find any national chains here. Most likely you will be renting from and dealing directly with the owner of the car you rent.
Some of these renters have formal rental agreements, some don’t. Some will start you off with a full tank of gas and others won’t.
Rental prices will vary with the type of vehicle you want as well as with the rental period. For instance, you can get a much better daily rate if you rent for an entire week or more than you can if you only want a car for a day or two.
It’s hard not to want to explore such a beautiful place. Don’t miss out when you visit.
By Vicky Wells, on January 1st, 2012
 Ben Bay, Eleuthera, Bahamas Eleuthera, an out-island in the Bahamas, is situated about sixty miles east of Nassau. While this beautiful island, one of many in the Bahamas chain, is barely two miles wide (and that’s at its widest point), it stretches for almost 110 miles, North to South. That blesses this island with more than 200 miles of shoreline. And much of that shoreline is sandy beaches. However, finding all the beaches of Eleuthera can be quite a challenge.
A small number of beaches can only be visited by boat. Many beaches lay at the end of a rocky dirt road. There are, of course, a few beaches that can be seen and reached from the Queen’s Highway and a handful that are easily reached from a hotel or restaurant.
The most widely known, and perhaps the most photographed, beach in Eleuthera is Pink Sand Beach on Harbour Island. That fabulous beach is somewhat crowded with expansive estates, a few upscale resorts and some private homes. When you arrive at the Harbour Island water taxi dock, all you need to do is walk to the other side of the island and you’re at the beach. There are several sandy paths down to the beach.
On Eleuthera itself you’ll find many beaches just as beautiful as Pink Sand Beach, however, you’ll likely find you’re the only ones on the beach! Even some of the better known beaches will only have a few people, if any, on them. Lighthouse Beach, at the very southern tip of Eleuthera is one of those beaches. It just seems to go on forever. Right from in the ocean, you can walk around the southernmost tip of Eleuthera!
And, Princess Cay is just a stone’s throw from Lighthouse Beach. Princess Cay may ring a few bells with some people, and not surprisingly. It’s a standard port of call for many cruises run by Princess Cruise Lines. You’ll find a small gathering of local merchants near the gates to Princess Cay. It’s worth the visit to check out some local crafts.
Be sure to visit Cape Eleuthera as well while you’re at the southern end of Eleuthera. It’s on the other part of the “whale tail” that forms the southern end of this amazing island. Cape Eleuthera Resort has created two fabulous beaches that shouldn’t be missed. Along the way, stop at Cape Eleuthera Institute, a environmental research facility that welcomes visitors. Also plan to make a stop at the Island School. It’s right next door to Cape Eleuthera Institute. It offers a semester of unique experiences for adventurous students.
Some of the beaches that can been seen from the Queen’s Highway (the main road running North and South) are: Tarpum Bay Beach, Alabaster Beach, James Cistern Beach, Rainbow Bay beach and a couple of beaches in Current. Beaches that are easily accessible from the main road include Savannah Sound Beach and French Leave Beach (aka Club Med Beach).
However, the majority of the beaches, most of them deserted and spectacular, are much more difficult to find without specific directions. Surfers Beach, Ben Bay, Jacks Bay and more are some of these hidden, yet fabulous, beaches. Luckily there is a terrific guide book that gives directions to almost all of the beaches. The book is appropriately named The Elusive Beaches of Eleuthera. It not only supplies easy-to-follow directions, it also gives GPS co-ordinates and assessments for each beach.
By Vicky Wells, on December 27th, 2011
 How to Make Trifle In our continuing series of cooking/baking related ebooks, we have just published – How to Make Trifle – a Traditional English Dessert.
Although there are many, many differing ideas as to just what a “traditional” trifle is and how it’s made, in this ebook Geoff shares the recipe that has been in his family for years.
While growing up in England, he’d look forward to this amazingly tasty dessert for special occasions such as birthdays and Christmas.
While acknowledging the many different ideas of what constitutes as trifle, he explains how to create one that you’ll be proud to serve at any occasion.
By Vicky Wells, on December 27th, 2011
 How to Make Perfect Pastry Dough Every Time We’ve just added another title to our collection of cooking/baking related ebooks – How to Make Perfect Pastry Dough – Every Time!
If I do say so myself, I make terrific pastry. And the rate at which my pies and tarts disappear, I am confident that others think so too.
In this ebook, I explain in detailed, step-by-step instructions exactly what you need – including the ingredients, utensils and method – to make perfect pastry that your friends and family will rave about.
I’ve also included my award-wining apple pie recipe, my favorite butter tart (a traditionally Canadian treat) recipe and how to use this pastry in a steak and kidney pie.
I’ve been making this pastry for years now and it always comes out perfect every time.
By Vicky Wells, on December 27th, 2011
 How to Make Fish and Chips in a Beer Batter The latest addition to our series of cooking/baking ebooks is – How to Make Fish and Chips in a Beer Batter.
When Geoff had his own restaurant in an Ontario tourist area, he used to get rave reviews for his fish and chips.
In this ebook, he shares the special beer batter that he used to make success fish and chips every time.
And, being an Englishman himself, he knows fish and chips!
By Vicky Wells, on December 26th, 2011
 How to Make Beef Stew We have begun to publish a series cooking/baking related ebooks.
Geoff has written the first book – How to Make Beef Stew.
In this ebook, he not only explains the method required to make a wonderful stew of any kind, he also shares his family’s recipe for beef stew that is over 100 years old!
If you’ve always struggled to make a tasty, hearty stew, then this ebook will give you step-by-step instructions so you can make a family-pleasing stew every time.
By Vicky Wells, on December 19th, 2011
With much help and encouragement from Geoff, I have finally published my first children’s book – The Incident of the Sinister Submarine – as an ebook.
It’s a great read for the 8-12 age range. It follows Jimmy and Sally Brant, two 13-year old twins, who are as different as night and day. But, when danger and mayhem ensue, they have each other backs. And while they each interpret the clues in their own way they manage to solve the mystery – What the heck is an old u-boat from the Second World War doing in the waters of the Bahamas? – together.
I really enjoyed writing it and hope to make it into a series of books as these intrepid adventurers follow their unconventional parents around the world and get into more adventures and solve more mysteries.
By Vicky Wells, on December 16th, 2011
 Surfers Beach, Eleuthera, Bahamas For a vacation that’s anything but ordinary, think about visiting the island of Eleuthera. However, it’s not for everyone. If you like a hopping nightlife and busy casinos, then Eleuthera isn’t for you. However, if what you’re seeking is a slower pace in an amazingly beautiful tropical location, then this is it.
Where is Eleuthera Located
Eleuthera, one of over 700 Bahamian islands, is located about 60 miles east of Nassau. When you look at a map of the Bahamas, it’s a long, thin island with a “whale tail” at the southern end. The island is over 100 miles long but only 2 miles wide at its widest point. Most of the island is much narrower than that, with the narrowest point at the Glass Window Bridge.
How To Get To Eleuthera
Eleuthera is home to THREE international airports – North Eleuthera (ELH), Governor’s Harbour (GHB) and Rock Sound (RSD).
When departing from Florida there are a number of options for flying to Eleuthera. American Eagle (American Airlines) offers flights from Miami to North Eleuthera. Continental Airlines operates regularly scheduled flights from Fort Lauderdale airport to either North Eleuthera or Governor’s Harbour. A small, private airline – TwinAir/Calypso – leaves from Fort Lauderdale and visits all three Eleuthera airports.
BahamasAir also flies to Eleuthera, but from Florida, you’ll need to make connections through Nassau.
Flying from Nassau provides other choices. BahamasAir offers service to all three airports on Eleuthera. SouthernAir also provides service from Nassau to all three of Eleuthera’s airports. Another option is to take the high-speed ferry from Nassau to Eleuthera. They offer routes to Spanish Wells, Harbour Island and Governor’s Harbour.
Be sure to check the schedules for each of these options.
Eleuthera Hotels and More
There aren’t any large resorts on Eleuthera and that’s just fine with most people who visit. The most expensive resorts are on Harbour Island where many of the rich-and-famous also have homes.
There are also a few upscale resorts on the main island of Eleuthera. These include The Cove, Pineapple Fields and Cape Eleuthera Resort. However, the majority of hotels on Eleuthera are low-key, laid-back and comfortable. That includes such places as Surfers Manor, Rainbow Inn, Duck Inn and Unique Village, to name a few.
There’s also the option of vacation rentals in Eleuthera and there is a wide variety to choose from. Many of these can be found by simple internet searches. It’s fairly easy to find something that’s just right.
The Beaches of Eleuthera
Eleuthera is home to more than 50 incredible beaches, however a good number of them are difficult to find. If you’re only visiting for a short time you might not find the best ones.
However, there is a great book available that can help guide you to pretty much every beach on the island. This book even tells you, by way of a rating system, which are the best ones. That will certainly help you decide the ones you simply mustn’t miss. Appropriately named “The Elusive Beaches of Eleuthera” it’s a valuable resource that you don’t want to be without.
What’s the Best Time to Visit Eleuthera
While you can visit Eleuthera any time of the year, you’ll find the best weather during the winter months – November to April. The season for tropical storms and hurricanes is from June to November. That doesn’t mean Eleuthera will get them, but summers are also hotter and more humid. You’ll get more thunderstorms in the summer, too. Personally, I love thunderstorms and the ones in Eleuthera can be pretty impressive.
This is just a quick review of everything that Eleuthera has to offer. It’s a little off the beaten path but well worth the effort.
By Honorary Geezer, on May 7th, 2011
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By Honorary Geezer, on May 7th, 2011
You might think the only kind of cruise you can go on is the Ocean dwelling kind, but river cruises exist too!. Although Ocean and Ricer cruises are similar in many respects, I think they are also very different types of holiday, the river cruise is equivalent to a sight seeing tour while the ocean variety is more like a package holiday. For me, ocean cruises are very much vessel-centric, by this I mean the main appeal of the cruise is the ship itself and its facilities, people will decide what cruise to go on not just because of the destinations they visit but also the culture of the ship.
For example older people will look for ships that cater to their age group with accessible facilities, not too many stairs and activities like ballroom dancing and croquet. If this is want you want from a holiday then you may be better off going to Butlins or somewhere similar. I’d congest that if you do this you may as well go and stay in a holiday camp as the different destinations won’t play a big part in your holiday. This is why River cruises like Nile cruises 2011Represent a great alternative, they are very focused on the destinations and stop offs ensuring that you get to see many different places and come home with some interesting stories.
Popular River cruises include Luxury Rhine cruisesThese are far more fulfilling than roaming a vast ocean and stopping at the occasional anonymous tropical beach here and there because you get to experience some true culture. For example if you cruise down the River Rhine you can stop off at little quaint villages and towns and take in the culture. This is simply not the case on an ocean cruise because the places you visit, while beautiful and picturesque, do not provide a rich cultural experience
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