June issue, Budget Travel magazine – As if there weren\uff92t enough reasons to take Friday off. Grand Bahama Island is just 57 miles east of Palm Beach<\/A>, so flights from Florida to Freeport, its main town, take less than half an hour\uff97and Florida Express ferries from Fort Lauderdale<\/A> cost $165 round trip. Where the West Indies hug the East Coast, there\uff92s a long weekend for anyone. Bosses beware.<\/P>
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| <\/TD><\/TR><\/TBODY><\/TABLE><\/P> \n Beachgoers:<\/STRONG><\/B> On GBI\uff92s tranquil East End, 30 miles east of Freeport, Bishop\uff92s Bonefish Resort offers waterfront suites and 14 miles of sugar-white sand. It\uff92s a short drive (renting a car is easy at the airport) to never-ending Gold Rock Beach\uff97by far the most beautiful stretch of sand on the island. Low tide unveils a welcome mat of rippled sandy peaks, perfect for seaside strolls. Afterward, head to Freeport for the International Bazaar\uff92s straw market, where ladies sell handmade hats, baskets, and totes for less than $15 an item\uff97they\uff92ll even make things to order, on the spot. On Fridays, Le Chicken Shack Garden Bar, a casual hangout nearby, holds its weekly feast of boiled Andros crab, caught off neighboring Andros Island. When the sun goes down, Port Lucaya\uff92s Count Basie Square has steel-drum bands, reggae DJs, and the occasional limbo contest. And don\uff92t forget to order a tropical Bahama Mama at nearby Rumrunners. Anyone who finishes the drink gets to autograph the wall.<\/P> Fishers:<\/STRONG><\/B> GBI has long been known as home of \uff93the bone\uff94\uff97the elusive bonefish. Spend a Saturday on the virgin flats searching for a nibble from the wily, silver-skinned fish. Most boats are only big enough for two passengers, so expect an intimate experience. On the lazy West End, 30 miles from the airport, Bootle Bay Fishing Lodge\uff97where legendary Bonefish Foley has hosted Presidents Nixon and Kennedy\uff97rents doubles for $90 and runs half- and full-day fishing excursions. Bootle Bay\uff92s full-day outing ($375) is one of the least expensive on the island. After a day on the flats, treat yourself to some fresh conch fritters and a cold Kalik\uff97the local brew\uff97just down the road at the Chicken\uff92s Nest. Bring quarters (both American and Bahamian dollars, always worth the same, are accepted everywhere), since there\uff92ll be plenty of folks to shoot pool with.<\/P> Gamblers:<\/STRONG><\/B> Last December, the 19,000-square-foot Isle of Capri Casino at Our Lucaya\uff97across from its partner hotels, the Westin and the Sheraton\uff97opened in Port Lucaya, a touristy open-air mall where you\uff92ll find souvenirs like Androsia batik sarongs, duty-free liquor, and polished conch shells. The Port bustles with shoppers, pub patrons spill onto the walkways, and restaurants serve sweet Caribbean lobster tails (try Fat Man\uff92s Nephew, overlooking colorful Count Basie Square). Don\uff92t expect to mingle with Bahamians over blackjack\uff97it\uff92s illegal for locals to participate in organized gaming. During the summer months, you can stay at the Sheraton for $129\uff97it\uff92s a five-minute walk to the Capri, so you won\uff92t need a car.<\/P> Grand Bahama Island<\/STRONG><\/B><\/P> Transportation<\/EM><\/P> Lodging<\/EM><\/P> |