We're taking a trip to Eleuthera, in the Bahamas, soon, and wondered what there is to do, besides snorkel, etc. If you've been there and have any info., please advise. Thanks----Jane

I assume you are staying on Eleuthera proper, and not Harbour Island. If that is the case, I suggest that you rent a car, for at least a few days, so you can do things other than the expected beach and snorkel scene. A car can take you to distant beaches for swimming and walking for miles and miles. You can drive to the Hatchet Bay caves and explore them, though they are a bit spooky and not at all marked like US tourist attraction caves are (when we explored, we were given flashlights by our hotel, and told to use strings to find our way back). Also, a trip to the Glass Window bridge is a must; its a narrow strip of land (over which a bridge passes) separating the surging, dark blue Atlantic Ocean from the calm, turquoise blue waters of the Exuma Sound. Explore the towns. If you are staying in a hotel, be sure to ask your innkeeper for suggestions, although they will probably tell you to "relax; you're on island time."

You can listen to your heart beat, smell the air, hear the ocean, marvel at nature, read a book, watch crabs in early morning, look for floatsome on the Atlantic side (glass Portugese net floats are the prize, think about your life, make love, write a book, watch the sun rise and sun set, if lucky watch a line squall come through, go to church on Sunday which is a lovely experience, eat good food since they raise both chicken and vegies there, and so on. If you don't like the persons you are going with go elsewhere for diversions. They turn the lights off in the island at night. I spent 3 months there on a project in the 1960's and the area has not changed much since. It is a very conservative island but it is a lovely place to be and find yourself.

<BR>To those of you who have been ... can you recommend a moderately priced beachfront accomodation? How hard is it to get to Great Exuma from Eleuthera? <BR> <BR>Also a curiosity ... I've always thought it was "e-loo'-thra" but heard it pronounced "eh-loo-therra'" on tv the other day. Which is correct?

Besides doing what Louis recommended (and you BETTER like the person you go with, as he said...) go to the Rainbow Inn for dinner and purchase a map of the island. It's a two part map which lists every good snorkel spot as well as all the good points of interest on the island. We used it to plan our outings. Pack a lunch and drive to the south end of the island, with snorkel gear, to the lighthouse. A great adventure. Spend a day at Harbour Island on the other end too; you'll be glad to get back to your un-populated island after that. <BR> <BR>We stayed at Calypso villa, in the Palmetto area, mid island. (Be careful which airport you fly into!) Found it on www.vacationspot.com. It was inexpensive off-season, and oceanfront. <BR> <BR>Enjoy!