As I boasted the charms of the Bahamas this weekend I found myself, once again, forced to explain that no, the Bahamas islands are not American. And no, the Bahamians are not Americans (and even, is this a flaw? ...). During the past five years I've been three times in the Bahamas, under different circumstances and never on the same islands, so let me take the defense of these islands and their inhabitants for a few more minutes: j ' like the Bahamas and the Bahamian love!

First, a quick reminder of culture: the first settler set foot on the sand of the Bahamas October 12, 1492 was ... Columbus, thinking to address the land of the New World as he trod the soil of the island San Salvador (the Club Med today). Before him are the Indians who inhabited some of the islands of the archipelago, Arawak Indians and / or Lucayens. Columbus opened, as we know, the way the Spaniards, who ceded the islands to the British who then had to defend against a swarm of pirates and against the American invaders between 1776 and 1781. The Federalists pursued by George Washington during the Revolutionary War as royalists were admitted by the British and allowed to find refuge. A new foray beyond Spain and the Bahamas are getting a relative peace for a quick century. The end of the war between North and South in the United States brings a new flow of immigrants to the Bahamas in 1865 ruined the planters who arrive with their slaves were surprised to learn the Bahamas all men are free from a thirty years despite the segregation that will remain for another few decades ...

The Bahamians have long enjoyed a government, legislatures, courts and public services, they still remain very attached to the crown of England. They obtained independence in 1973 but is flattered to be part of the Commonwealth. But what about today?

Located within 75 kilometers of the coast of Florida to the island nearest the mainland, the Bahamas has a population consisting for 85% of blacks and Creoles and whites 12%. Because of its proximity, and the prohibition of restrictive laws in the first half of the twentieth century, Americans have seen in the islands a paradise "sea, sun and alcohol," which has quickly turned into a tourist paradise for dozens cruise ships that stop every week. 65% of GDP comes from the Bahamas tourism (and 25% of banking), and the local currency is the Bahamian dollar (parity with the U.S. dollar).

Young waitress at restaurant Marley Resort, Nassau (New Providence)

The Bahamas are 330,000 people spread over the northern islands of the archipelago in the South, and welcome 1.5 million tourists per year (excluding cruise passengers), 80% are Americans even though the percentage tends to decline in favor of Europeans, what makes the Bahamas the first country "American" outside the United States.

And to speak of experience at each of my trips I chatted more with Bahamians with American expatriates. Restaurant owners, fishermen, artists, painters, waiters, servers, vendors, hoteliers, sailors, craftsmen, attached to the government, or healers, all welcome with the same smile, the same openness. Of course I prefer the more spontaneous hospitality of the islands outside New Providence hosts probably too many tourists within Nassau. I joked with fishermen caught my interest as closely (with a 60mm macro lens, of course!) Their catch of the day. And of course the maternal instinct that reappears at the turn of a smart kid enchanting smile does wonders with his parents.

The Bahamians went to create a program that seems to be unique in the world (if I'm wrong, please report it!): "People to People" is a greeting unpublished introduction by the Ministry of Tourism for the opportunity to go beyond the usual tourist activities in promoting meetings with the Islanders. Hosted for the day, visitors discover an authentic aspect of Bahamian life, history and culture different. Open to everyone, the program is fully customizable. The host family is chosen according to age, occupation or professional interests of participants. Many contacts made during the program "People to People" have turned into lasting friendships and all have allowed everyone to take a fresh look to the Bahamas.

Obviously, no need to wait for a government promotes contacts with people that you go to meet the inhabitants of an island or an entire nation!

But this initiative deserves to attract the curiosity of the visitors and especially encourage Bahamians to override a slight timidity vis-à-vis the traveler. Then leave to the charm of the islands, the warm rum and the rhythm of waves: between jokes at the corner of a stand of crab in a local market and patience in small airfields in the islands, the conversations are formed and the magic . At the end of June 2009 only 7800 French had made in the Bahamas since the beginning of the year! ...

You already know too well the West Indies ... I invite you to discover the Bahamas during your next vacation? ... Unless they make you scared yet? ...

I'll be posting new pictures on the Bahamas this week, on my online gallery. And I speak much of a luxury hotel but I wonder which you prefer, the gigantissime Atlantis or the smallest but most charming Marley Resort? ... Tell me quickly!

Keywords: Caribbean , Bahamas Travel

This article was published August 31, 2009 at 13 h 35 min under Caribbean . Follow the RSS comments.