Abaco is a group of islands where time seems to have stood still, virtually untouched by modern man. There are no crowds, high rises, or casinos to be found here. The pace is relaxing and the dress is casual. A barefoot elegant atmosphere.

Scattered amongst 649 square miles, one will find sugar sand beaches aligned with palm trees and casuarina pines, gently swaying in the constant, gentle breezes. The soft turquoise, green and azure blue waters are a boater's dream and will surely captivate the eye.

Abaco is comprised of one large island with a group of barrier cays (pronounced keys), occupying the second largest landmass in the Bahamas. The mainland is known as Great Abaco, extending 130 miles long and rarely more than 4 miles wide. To the east of Great Abaco, a chain of smaller cays are located two to six miles off the shoreline, providing a natural barrier from the Atlantic Ocean, and forming a protected body of water, known as the Sea of Abaco. Abaco has the third largest barrier reef in the world.

Quaint villages, such as Hope Town, New Plymouth, Great Guana Cay, and Man-O-War Cay retain the 18th Century ambiance. Clapboard homes with gingerbread trim are painted in a variety of pastel hues and are accented with picket fences. The streets resemble sidewalks and are fringed with purple bougainvilla, pink orleander, and hibiscus of every shade, which bloom year round. There are many points of interest to explore in each area.

CLIMATE
There are more than seven hours of bright sunshine per day on average, though periods of a day or two of cloudy weather can occur at any time of year. The length of day (the interval between sunrise and sunset) varies from 10 hours and 35 minutes in late December to 13 hours and 41 minutes in late June.

What is the average temperature in The Islands Of The Bahamas?
For the latest information on weather in The Islands Of The Bahamas, please consult the Bahamas Department of Meteorology's website. The Islands Of The Bahamas have a temperate climate ranging from 80-90 degrees Fahrenheit with high humidity in the summer months to 70-80 degrees in the winter. Night time temperatures are generally cooler by 5-7 degrees.

When is the rainy season?
The Islands Of The Bahamas experience rain year-round; however, the months of May through October constitute the rainy season, however squalls or thundershowers clear quickly.

HISTORY
The original inhabitants of Abaco were the Lucayan Indians. In the late 1500's and early 1600's, the Spanish explorers forced them from the area. Abaco was not permanently settled, again, until the 1780's. Loyalist had fled North America, during its struggle for independence from Britain, and formed a town in Abaco called Carleton Point, which was located at the northern tip of Treasure Cay Beach. They did not remain in this area long and migrated south developing villages in Marsh Harbour, as well as the nearby cays. These origins are reflected in the New England-style architecture and traditional activities of quiet villages, mostly untouched by modern times.

CULTURE
Most Bahamian shops are typically open Monday to Saturday 9am-5pm. Shopping is best in the morning when the crowds are few and the temperature mild. Banks are generally open Monday to Thursday 9am-3pm and Friday 9am-5pm; Out Island banks may have very limited opening hours and be open one or two days per week.

While Bahamian stores are permitted to open on Sunday, almost none does, making Sunday a very quiet day but the Bahamian Family Market, Golden Harvest and Wilsons in Marsh Harbour are open limited hours. You will find a selection of U.S., English, and Bahamian products, imported local fruits and vegetables, and local fisherman bring in fresh catches of crawfish (lobsters without claws), fish, and conch.

Marsh Harbour includes:
• supermarkets
• convenience stores
• fishmongers
• hardware stores
• banks
• doctors
• dentists
• pharmacies

Legal tender is the Bahamian dollar, which exchanges at a one-to-one rate with the U.S. dollar. The U.S. dollar is considered legal tender in the Bahamas. Most establishments accept Visa, MasterCard and travelers checks in U.S. dollars (small denominations are best). It is advised to take credit cards and travelers cheques as very few ATM machines and Banks are available especially when visiting the smaller islands.

Phones, post and email
Public phones are available in all tourist areas, though some Out Islands phones may be out of service for long periods. Long-distance calls may be made from public phones by using phone cards or through the local long-distance operator.

Postal service to and from the Bahamas is fairly reliable. Postcards from the islands to North America, Europe and South America require a 50-cent stamp, while airmail letters cost 65 cents per half-ounce.

Modem connections and email are a still-developing feature of most Bahamian telephone networks.

MEDICAL CARE
There is a large Government Clinic in Marsh Harbour and Coopers Town.

Marsh Harbour also offers several private doctors. There is also a pharmacy (Chemist Shop) in Marsh Harbour that can fill U.S. prescriptions.

Over the counter drugs are available in the grocery and drug stores, but be sure to bring filled prescriptions of any medications that you need. For very serious accidents and illnesses there are charter planes to evacuate to West Palm Beach or an air ambulance from Miami can be called. Bring your insurance cards.

For more information on the Bahamas you may wish to purchase the book "Bahamas for Dummies".