Coldwell Banker Islands Blog

When the Eleutheran Adventurists settled on the island of Eleuthera in the Bahamas around 1648, they brought with them remarkable building skills from Bermuda. The Eleuthera homes were not only charming in appearance, they were built well ^ so well that even today, historic homes using the old building technology are still standing up against cat 3 hurricanes.
When our Great Harbour Cay real estate agent, Lauren Higgs, recently spent a family vacation in Eleuthera, she found herself prisoner in one such home to Hurricane Irene. Here’s Lauren’s first hand report of the ordeal.
By Lauren Higgs

(Scroll down for pictures)
Governor’s Harbour, Eleuthera, is the oldest settlement in the Bahamas. The breathtaking beauty and tranquility of this historic town led me to choose this destination as an end of summer get away for my family. The timing for our Eleutheran adventure couldn’t have been worse . Seventy-two hours after arriving in Governor’s Harbour, we were slammed by Hurricane Irene’s category 3 winds.
The cyclonic winds came fast and furious on the eve of Aug 25th. We were bunkered down in an old Victorian home dating back from the Loyalist times. While we could hear the rumbling and chaos right outside the shutters, the house didn’t budge! Irene, with her sustained winds of 115 mph and higher gusts up to 140, lashed throughout the entire following day (with an hour respite when the eye passed over).
When it was safe to venture outside, we were shocked at the devastation- mostly downed trees, electricity poles and picket fences. What was most surprising, however, was every one of Governor’s Harbour’s classic old homes had made it through the hurricane with barely a shingle missing.
This storm ordeal has impressed upon me that these 150 year old homes were well built to withstand hurricanes. Many major storms have come though this island since the 1800s and these houses are still standing! Today, building standards in the Bahamas are no different. They meet or exceed the strict building codes of South Florida. As we drove along the Banks Road to assess the damage, we saw that the newer built beach homes faired just fine, as well.
The first picture below shows the home I stayed in during the hurricane. The second picture is of a nearby home. Note the storm took down the trees, but the homes remained intact.

Three new sea turtles from the Caribbean island of Nevis, are being tracked using state-of-the-art satellite telemetry, as part of an inspirational public-private partnership between Four Seasons Resort Nevis, the nonprofit Sea Turtle Conservancy (STC) and the Nevis Turtle Group (NTG). Two of the turtles are participating in STC’s annual Tour de Turtles-a free, online education program that allows users to follow the oceanic migrations of sea turtles while learning about threats to their survival.
“Nevis’s pristine shores, and unspoiled environment has attracted residents and travelers to the island for centuries,” said Mr. Andrew Humphries, Regional Vice President and General Manager, Four Seasons Resort Nevis. “By collaborating with the Sea Turtle Conservancy and Nevis Turtle Group, Four Seasons is joining the ongoing campaign to preserve the natural resources and fragile ecosystems of this beautiful destination, and beyond.”
Hawksbills are considered “critically endangered” around the world, yet they continue to nest in significant numbers in Nevis. To date, the Resort has contributed more than $125,000 to Sea Turtle Conservancy to protect and preserve Caribbean sea turtle populations. Through these efforts, it is hoped that hawksbill sea turtles will remain a treasured part of the island’s culture and return to Nevis beaches for years to come for the enjoyment of our future generations.

Source:www.sknvibes.

The BVI Hoop It Up Foundation is inviting the youth of the BVI ages 5-16 years, on both Virgin Gorda and Tortola, to sign up for the second season of Books and Basketball After School Camp.
The camp will consist of two days of basketball training, and two days of academic tutoring. The camp will take place on Mondays through to Thursdays, starting on September 12 and ending December 8, from 3:30pm – 5pm.
A full bus service will be provided on both islands. This service will transport the kids from their school, and take them to the camp site and from the camp site to their respective homes.
After the first month, each child will have to maintain a C+ average in order to be eligible to continue in the camp. The Organizers have implemented this requirement because, although they need to improve their basketball skills, they also need to stay on top of their academics. At the end of each month, each child will have to submit a grade sheet which will also show a behavior and punctuality report.
The Basketball training will be conducted by Steve Parillon, who has now retired from the professional ranking and other local coaches. The tutoring will be conducted by some of the best primary and high school teachers on the islands.

Source:/bvinews.com/

There’s plenty of excitement in Aruba and abroad for Aruba In Style/Salon. This inaugural fashion, lifestyle, and luxury event, will take place during the first week of November, Aruba In Style founders Damilice Mansur, Ronchi De Cuba, and Evelin Wever, have been covering the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in New York for the past five years. This event is produced by IMG Fashion, who will also produce Aruba In Style, in association with the Aruba Fashion Group. The co-founders are encouraged by the warm response from designers and fashionistas from around the world. “Things are coming together quickly now,” they confide, referring to the coup of collaborating with the Salon Initiative of Amsterdam to combine the AIS with ten days of remarkable art events all around the island, which will be integrated into the event.
AIS organizers expect an A list of internationally known designers and personalities, and are in conversation with ISSA of London who has expressed extreme enthusiasm for the project. Kate Middleton’s engagement dress and many of her outfits are by this favorite designer, and stars such as Jennifer Lopez and Madonna are regularly seen garbed in clothes by Daniella Issa Helayel.
Designer Marcelo Quadros, known for his wonderfully fluid, flattering and feminine fashions, has declared he is creating a unique line just for Aruba In Style, and even venturing into custom-made footwear to accompany his designs. These are only a small sample of the several dynamic designers whose work will be seen during the nine runway events on Friday and Saturday, November 4 and 5.

Source: www.aruba.com/

Harbour Island residents are breathing a sigh of relief following the passage of wicked Hurricane Irene .
The people on this dream Bahamas island prepared for the worst, but got through the hurricane with flying colours.
Sure, there are downed trees, sadly including some lovely old ones that have withstood the test of time. Limbs are scattered about and there’s beach erosion.
One lesson the Bahamas has learned from hurricanes is that the beaches will replenish.
The main thing is there’ve been no major injuries and very little structural damage. So far, we’ve had no reports of any significant home damage in Harbour Island. The charming, historic cottages are intact, as well as the beautiful second homes.
Robert Arthur, our award winning Harbour Island real estate agent and hurricane volunteer worker, gives his account after touring the island.
Read Robert’s Blog

Read more about this listing Located on Edgewater Drive in Lyford Cay, Sol Linda is a beautifully appointed beachfront home with lush landscaping creating an oasis of privacy. The house totals 9,050 sq. ft. of space, enhanced by vaulted cathedral ceilings and expansive views. This is Lyford Cay real estate at its best.
Say hi to Sean Connery when you bump into him on the golf course.

Bahamas government offices will remain shut until Monday and private businesses have been advised to stay closed until Saturday to give residents a chance to clean up from Hurricane Irene.
The monster storm has now churned out of the Bahamas after waltzing through the island chain, uprooting trees, downing utility poles and causing property damage, especially in Rum Cay. Fortunately, they’ve been no reports of death or major injury.
Judging from preliminary reports, the Bahamas fared as well as could be expected ^ mostly lots of mess from tree damage and storm surge.
However, Rum Cay lost its bridge to Port Nelson and the government has received reports of significant property damage to property in the area. There are also reports that the government dock in George Town, Exuma, received major damage.
It’s still too early to know the full extent of any damage.
It’s understood that a fibre-optic cable has been severed in North Eleuthera, cutting off communications in the area.
There’s lots of tree damage in Nassau. Emergency crews were out clearing the roads yesterday as soon the winds started to subside. Bahamas Electricity Corporation is working around the clock to restore power to areas that remain off.
Our thoughts are now with our friends along the eastern seaboard of the U.S.
Stay safe.

Each home-site on Sundance Ridge will be at least 1/2 acre. All homes to be styled using a “West Indian” theme. Interior designs, amenities, appliances, and cabinetry will be selected by each individual homeowner.

Price:$2,200,000

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This wonderful estate home, set on 10 acres in Privateer’s Bay on the island of Great Camanoe, is full of charm and character. Built with no expense spared in the late ‘60s for Dr. Updike Lite of the Upjohn Pharmaceutical family, it has been loved and cared for by the current owners who have maintained and improved what is a truly special property.

Price:$6,000,000

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A large Commercial complex in Barcadera offers separate spaces for lease from small units up to large warehouse spaces.

Price:$5,617,978

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