George Town seedy?
 

I'd love to hear from recent visitors to George Town on Great Exuma. We are supposed to visit later this month, but some friends just got back from there and characterized it as seedy and unsafe. Any thoughts? Thanks!

I felt safe there, and even got to know the locals! Club Peace and Plenty is a social hub, and you get beautiful beaches all to yourself. I loved the Exumas! Everybody was friendly and nice.

I always enjoyed laid-back Gerorgetown. The ladies selling woven goods under the Almond Tree in the town square, chickens browsing in the front lawn of the pink government building, the Peace & Plenty downtown hotel where Prince Charles frequented, miles of deserted, talcum sand beaches...the list goes on.Never had a problem with crime, and I've been everywhere on Exuma. Robert

We were on Great Exuma in April for our 23rd trip. Love the island. Would not characterize Georgetown as seedy. It is a typical out island town. If you're looking for modern malls shops etc this is not the place for you. There is a graocery store, straw market, bank, liquor stores, car rental agencies and a few small gift shops. Two Turtles Inn and Club Peace and Plenty are the hubs of "Acticity". Two T's has a bbque and dance on Fri, dance at Peace and Plenty sat. There is a buffet and dance at Palm Bay Beach Club on Sun night. Elizabeth Harbour is quite protected so there are a lot of boaters. The locals are very friendly. Since we have gone so many times we have gotten to know a lot of them. Going to Great Exuma is like going back 30 years in time the way the Bahamas used to be. If you want glitz and glamour suggest Nassau or Freeport.
On Great Exuma the sun comes up, goes down and the most exciting thing is what's for dinner. Great beaches especially Stocking Island

HowardC or any Exuma visitors; Some questions: Is "Doc" Rolle still bartending at the downtown P&P? Is N&D's Fruits and vegetables still in town? Is the Shark Lady still around and is her boutique shop/museum still running? Thanks, Robert.

Yes Lermon "Doc" Rolle the doctor of libations is still at P&P. No N&D fruits and vegetables is no longer in existance--Building still there but think she left the island about 6 years ago. Think her name was Nardella. Gloria Patience The Shark Lady passed away about 1 1/2 years ago. Don't think the shop is running. Fantastcally interesting woman. Christine Rolle is still doing island tours driving a big bus. Think she does a lot of tours from Four Seasons.

Thanks for the feedback, HowardC. I will return to Exuma!! Robert

Thank you for the responses! We don't need glitz and glamour so we're going to move ahead with our plans to visit George Town. Thanks!

pinabeach; you'll have fun. Don't forget to rent a car or motor scooters and island explore. The pristine and vacant beaches will make you think you're Robinson Crusoe. Purchase snorkeling equipment and pack in your suitcase. The underwater world around Exuma is fascinating. Robert

Bahama Trivia question: What spirituality is practiced, mostly on the out-islands, which is akin (slightly) to voddoo? Followers of this religion often hand net buoys and other washed ashore items on their yard trees. Any takers? I ran into one when traveling south of Georgetown, and had quite an interesting talk with him. His backyard had a makeshift bar and I gulped down a cold Kahlik, underneath the backyard Almond Tree,which was hung with these items, and discussed this spiritual belief with him. Robert

Whew! Such a flood of email postages coming in I couldn't announce a winner for the above questions...the answer is "Obelia". Robert

Robert,
Is that the same as Obeah?

What a polite way of correcting my error. Yes! It's Obeah, and there's no mass rituals or congregations. You just meet one-on-one with the Obeah Man (or woman). The practice of meeting the spiritual master has kicked up a bit due to all the Haitians entering the Bahamas, legally and illegally, bringing their practice of voodoo. Usually, it's older and wiser men and women, who have "inherited" the ability to go into an Obeah trance from their ancesters. Robert