Sunny In Paradise- Bahamian Escapes Magazine

ESCAPESBAHAMIAN

Sunny in Paradise

Casa Al Mare The Great ExumasDesigner Spotlight: India Hicks

Bahamian Escapes is endorsed by The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism.

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10 Casa Al Mare: Summer House Fetaure

22 Property Tour Peace and Plenty

36 Designer Spotliight India Hicks

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CONTENTSHOME TRAVEL LIFESTYLE

46 Island Scene

50 An Eletheurean Escape With Pepper Tharp

56 Island Life

58 The Exumas Perfect Getaway

64 Art Profile Patricia Vazquez

74 Let’s Do it! With Shania Twain

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Bahamian Escapes Home & Lifestyle Magazine

E D I T O R I A L T E A M

Editor-In-Chief Kendeno Knowles

Managing Editor Tamara MckenzieHome Editor Tahira Kemp Travel Editor Theandra Thompson Lifestyles Editor Jimenita Swain Associate Editor Genea Ferguson

C O N T R I B U T O R S

Travel Contributor Pepper TharpHome Contributor Gillian Jones

P R O D U C T I O N

Graphic Design Keisha OliverPhotography Huden Johnson Patricia Vazquez Raddy Kovatchev

Advertising [email protected]

PublisherShamon Campbell

O F F I C E A D D R E S S

SandyPortNassau, BahamasP.O. Box EE17035

Telephone: [email protected]

Bahamian Escapes Magazine is owned and published by Bahamian Escapes Ltd. The publisher, authors and contributors reserve their rights in regards to copyright of their work. No part of this work covered by the copyright may be reproduced or copied in any form or by any means without the written consent of the publisher. No person, organization or party should rely or on any way act upon any part of the contents of this publication whether that information is sourced from the website, magazine or related product without first obtaining the advice of a fully qualified person.

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W E L C O M E T O

Sunny in Paradise

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W E L C O M E T O

Sunny in Paradise

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Casa Al Mare, a hidden sanctuary offers a new image that

boasts of a concept that blends perfectly for those few who

desires a “great escape.”

A masterfully planned custom built exclusive enclave located

south along the legendary Eastern Road waterfront arcade of

multi-million estate homes. It is luxurious, elegant and offers

unsurpassed indulgence, where nature and elegance blend in

perfect harmony. It’s all bungled together, expanding more

than 10,000 square feet of covered roofing, spanning on

almost two acres with multiple descending levels advancing

toward the Atlantic Ocean.

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CASA AL MARE

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CASA AL MARE

Casa Al Mare offers generous spacing, privacy and equipped

with what you need to remove life stresses …..boast

breathtaking panoramic shades of turquoise sea, combining

classic and Mediterranean architecture, luxurious furnishings

and sumptuous finishes.

The first floor features a dramatic mahogany double entry door

with a half barrel ceiling as you enter, custom-built powder-

coated wrought iron stair railings, marble stairs and floors

throughout on both levels, a modern kitchen with tray ceiling

for the culinary connoisseur offering granite countertops and

back splashes with top-of-the-line appliances.

The ground floor kitchen, breakfast area, great and dining

rooms offer unobstructed views of the expansive pool and

multi-colored blue and green waters. Signature 10 and 12

ft. tray ceilings throughout levels, high impact windows and

French double doors, complements the 12 seat dining room,

an authentic fire place dressed in onyx stone located in the

great room adjacent to the dining area. Professionally designed

interiors, inclusive of custom built hurricane proof windows and

interior doors are accented with beautiful gold

and colorful crystal chandeliers.

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The upper suites, the master and Brazil’s

suite are very generous with the room spaces

and both are elegant with a 180 degree

breathtaking panoramic views of the pool,

ocean and lush landscape and palm trees

seen from more than one bedroom suite,

separate private sitting room and expansive

balcony. The exquisite master suite offers

spacious cabinetry walk-in closet with

red crystal chandeliers, ensue bath with

whirlpool tub, double shower numbering

16 showerheads, double onyx vanity sinks,

granite cover tops and separate toilet room.

Casa Al Mare offers an all-inclusive concept

with a few of the suites offering breathtaking

Ocean views, spacious with expansive

balconies, beach front Cabana in water, pool

bar with grill and bar, replete with sauna,

Jacuzzi pool spa, over-sized swimming pool,

massage areas, pool & beach lounges, with

a natural ocean pool.

Casa Al Mare, House of the Sea…

the great escape!

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CASA AL MARE

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We Exceed C lient Expectations

Phone: 242-365-8752 Toll Free: 866-653-7164

www.abacoestateservices.com

Marsh HarbourAbaco, The Bahamas

Find us on Facbook & Twitter! Email: [email protected]

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ABACO E STAT E S ERV I C E S www.abacoestateservices.com

PROPERTYTOUR

P E A C E & P L E N T YT R E A S U R E C A Y , A B A C O

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Situated on New Providence Island’s prestigious western coast, your home is just minutes from Nassau, capital of the Bahamian Commonwealth. Once a pirates’ haven, modern Nassau overflows with cultural, architectural and gastronomic flavors, while remaining steeped in a rich, colonial history. Discover your new home.

PROPERTYTOUR


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Situated on one of the most beautiful Caribbean islands in the world you’ll find the Peace & Plenty. A luxury 4 bedroom, fully furnished beachfront house featuring 163 stunning beach fronts. You’ll find this island paradise on the world famous Treasure Cay Beach, where you can forget the rat race and embrace the island’s tranquility.

The house graciously sits on 1,453 acres of superbly landscaped beach with the most exquisite ocean views you’re likely to find. Peace & Plenty offers exactly that – a peaceful and serene location on the prestigious Ocean Boulevard within the exclusively private and gated residential resort community of Treasure Cay, Abaco, Bahamas.

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Here at Peace & Plenty you’ll have access to some breath taking views as it has been built on elevated land, so you’re nearly 2,000 square feet above ground with nearly 1,500 square feet of patios and an exquisitely designed balcony. You also get 580 square feet of garage/workshop and a garden shed.

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The main living area consists of a living and dining rooms, kitchen areas, plus a master suite and two guest bedrooms. The elevated front entrance opens into a welcoming foyer area within the Great Room, making the most of a fresh modern and contemporary split level design, with plenty of space for entertaining guests and enjoying some memorable times with family and friends.

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In the living area you’ll find a spacious open area offering spectacular ocean views with a glass door that opens up to a rather splendid balcony. The windows are large, so views of the sea and beach are unobstructed and the room is furnished tastefully with wicker tropical furnishings in keeping with the island setting. When you’re tired of the views, (although that seems unlikely) there’s a large 50”

Philips flat screen TV with a surround sound system, with five impressive ceiling mounted speakers and a Sony CD player. And that’s not all there’s also a Sony Blue Ray DVD player, and VCR. If you feel like a drink and you’re not in the mood to go through to the kitchen, help yourself to the Frigidaire mini bar refrigerator inside a tasteful electronic closet.

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The dining area is as impressive as the rest of the house with an open living area that’s spacious and fresh with access to unobstructed balcony views of the beach and sea. There’s a glass top circular dining table with seating for seven, so intimate dinners are a must. There’s a beautiful china hutch and chandelier so the lighting can fit the mood. There’s a powder

room off the living area and front foyer with a molded single basin so guests can freshen up.

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In the kitchen you’ll find all mod cons for home cooking and dining with a generously sized kitchen and beautifully finished natural golden maple designer kitchen cabinets and a generously large kitchen pantry. There’s also impressive ceramic tiled countertops and breakfast bar with seating for three, so you can really go to town with some Caribbean recipes.

The master suite has a gorgeous walnut colour four poster king bed with matching night tables and there’s a seating area with sofa/love seat and chair. There’s a Sony 40” flat screen TV included in the room with a glass door exit on to a covered balcony. You also have an expanse of windows providing some majestic views of the beach and sea.

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The Master En Suite Bathroom has an oval shaped spa tub with shower, separate glass block and ceramic tiled shower enclosure. There’s an 8’ vanity with double basins and make-up counter and some suspended lighting so you can see what you’re doing. You’ll find two spacious walk-in closets and a separate commode room.

On the lower level of this contemporary house there’s a covered area under the elevated section of the house with nearly 2,000 square feet of concrete patio, making it ideal for covered parking and recreational area. There’ll be plenty of room for you to entertain

guests and for them to entertain themselves. Peace & Plenty is a recently renovated and well-maintained beachfront residence. It’s uniquely situated on a tranquil part of the spectacular Treasure Cay Beach, providing the privacy of an exclusive estate that gives you the kind of luxurious respite you’re looking for. Attention to detail in the construction process and selection of building materials reduces maintenance requirements, making this property an excellent investment as an island vacation retreat, tropical retirement residence or a beachfront vacation rental income earner.

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Treasure Cay is located less than 1 hour from South Florida on any one of the many daily commercial and charter flights arriving at Treasure Cay International Airport. The Treasure Cay residential resort community offers 3-1/2 miles of soft white sandy beaches, an 18 hole championship golf course, a full service marina, duty-free shopping, gourmet and island cuisine restaurants, banking facilities, car, boat and golf cart rentals and a modern medical clinic. So if you’re looking for that perfect getaway, a place to escape, a thoroughly modern, spacious home that’s tastefully furnished, then you’ve found the perfect getaway, you’ll get all the peace you need at this beautiful island retreat.

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INDIA HICKSD E S I G N E R S P O T L I G H T

By Gi l l ian Jones

India Hicks has been a model, a photographer, a commentator, a designer and a traveller. She immerses herself in each area so she knows exactly what’s required to get it just right. As a model she travelled the world working in some of the most famous cities in the world – London, Paris, New York. At 28 she visited the Bahamas for a vacation - that was 18 years ago – and since then she’s had five children, one of whom is fostered, written two books, created her own fragrance collection and jewellery lines, designs and sells island inspired collections of bedding and jointly owns The Sugar Mill boutique. To simply think of it is enough to leave you

breathless. That’s a lot to cram in one life, but India Hicks is no ordinary woman.

Hicks is the third child of Lady Pamela Mountbatten and David Hicks. She’s second cousin to the Prince of Wales and granddaughter of The Earl Mountbatten of Burma. Without that background, you know that India Hicks would still be a formidable character – a whirlwind, and completely unstoppable. But what was it like growing up with her father, the interior designer David Hicks, and how much influence did he have on her own creative endeavours, we asked India about her childhood:

“I grew up in the rolling Chiltern hills of Oxfordshire., England. We lived in a beautiful 1728 mansion. My father used the house as his showroom and laboratory, where he would bring his electrifying colour schemes and geometric statements to life, as my mother sat quietly in the drawing room, reading. My brother, sister and I all live very different lives as adults, but certainly being the children of David Hicks made us very aware of the world of design.”

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I could live anywhere in the world but the David Hicks

DNA I could not escape.

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As India has worked in interior design and written on it herself what did she learn from her father and how has he influenced her work?

“My father was totally confident about every design decision he made. His work reflected that. It was bold and original, like him. When I moved into my first apartment in London, my father of course had a heavy hand in guiding its decoration. A tented bed in David Hicks fabric, with matching bed cover, cushions and vanity chair, the sitting

room also strictly David Hicks. When I moved to New York as a model, an ocean away from my family, I thought ‘Right. Bloody decorative freedom!’ But once I stood back to look at the way I had decorated this New York apartment I was astonished to find a David Hicks loft staring back at me. I could live anywhere in the world but the David Hicks DNA I could not escape.”

India’s confidence and self-belief have led her down many roads and modelling was one of them, a self-starter, her first employer

was Emilio Pucci, but how did this come about?

“Emilio Pucci was a friend of my parents. And when I was eighteen I decided to travel around Europe, and my parents suggested I go and stay with Mr. Pucci. It was an extraordinary few days in his magnificent villa in Italy. I remember large lumps of ice were thrown into the pool to keep it cool. Mr. Pucci also asked me to try on some of his catsuits. They were skin tight, brightly patterned and quite terrifying. We can hardly

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call this a first modeling experience but it was memorable.”

“My first real modelling job was for Ralph Lauren, surrounded by dogs and classic cars and hunky men. Could I have asked for more? I was also stunned to discover dogs had agents, and the agents would become very agitated if the dog had to work over time.”

Although modelling is behind her now, Hicks was still modelling up until 2 years

ago at the age of 44 when most models would be put out to pasture, proving that good bone structure and classic looks are never out of date, that and her inimitable and relaxed style of dressing. India has never taken fashion too seriously and as a result has managed to carve out a successful modelling career.

She followed this up with interior design, perhaps not surprising seen as it’s in the family DNA, but how was that transition, from modelling to interior design?

“I enjoyed my time as a model, as it allowed me to fly round the world and work with teams of people who I would never otherwise have met, but there were certainly challenges to that seemingly glamorous life. Most of it is pure make-believe. Moving to The Bahamas put my feet back on the ground. We first tackled Hibiscus Hill, the home David and I bought. We endeavoured to make the house feel like it was much older than it was. We wanted to capture the romance of a forgotten Bahamas. Redecorating a hotel followed and then

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we built several houses all in the same sentiment. We wanted houses that felt like homes, that carried an understated timeless feel, and a combination of our traditional British past and our richly flavored Caribbean present all mixed up with our own mad eccentricities.”

India grew up in the English countryside and grew up with a healthy respect for rural life, so adapting to the Bahamas was never going to be hard for her. Living in a city would be impossible now and island life suits her nature and her personality perfectly. But with roots in England, what was it that attracted her family to the Bahamas?

“I was lucky to grow up holidaying in the Bahamas every year as a child. My father built a remarkable house on a neighbouring island to where I live now. There were none

of the modern day distractions of telephone or TV. When I re met David he was already living in The Bahamas, having escaped a life in London that would never have opened up, the adventure that a small tropical island offered.”

Life is relaxed and the living is easy – there’s the beach, the sky and the wildlife, something Hicks has a healthy respect for. Her time on the island however, has not been idle, she’s never standing still, but what is it that Hicks loves so much about the Bahamas?

“Living on a small dot of an island in the Bahamas is a much gentler way of life, amongst a community of people who say good morning and goodnight to one another surrounded by frangipani and palm trees, pretty timber houses painted bright

gelato colors with white picket fences, crystals clear waters and exquisite pink sand beaches”

Hicks has come up with a superb range of jewellery extending her creative talents with a new line - IH Island Life. We asked India how she came up with the concept for these delightful charms.

It seems there was plenty to inspire her and Hicks takes in and absorbs her surroundings, using what she sees as her palette.

“I live a less than ordinary life in The Bahamas. An adventurous but real life, where there is room to breathe and time to think. In turning my island sensibility into fine jewelry I embraced the colors and textures of the islands nature, bleached coral and sea biscuits and my love for the sea

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and its creatures. In the first unhurried years I lived there I spent more time under the water than above”

India, along with her partner David Flint Wood would publish “Island Life” a successful interior design book that encapsulates island living. A few years later she’d follow up with second, this time with its focus on “Island Beauty” with tips on lifestyle, fitness and beauty. Her bath and beauty collection in 2006 in collaboration with Crabtree & Evelyn, were named “Island Living” and “Island Night.” From bedding and décor to body and home, India has created products that embody her visions of island life, how did this come about with these particular lines?

“My designs sum up my love for a life well lived, for travel and adventure, for something unique, inspired by my British heritage, my

father David Hicks and my own runaway island story, all mixed in with a dash of rebellion, to keep us on our toes.”

Having been a model Hicks learnt a great deal from being in front of the camera, but to give her an even deeper understanding she took this one step further with a degree in photography, so does India take her own promotional photographs? After all she is well qualified to do so.

“I take some of the shots but for the most part it’s a library of images that two talented friends shoot for me once or twice a year. They understand the more gritty side to this life. Although I am an instagram fanatic, every image there is shot by me, on my i-phone.”

How best would you describe the life of India Hicks?

“Blessed but logistically complicated. Do you know what it takes to get my children to a dentist?”

Now Hicks is living the island life in every way possible, creatively, happily and peacefully, splitting her time between fundraising activities, charitable initiatives and the Sugar Mill Trading Company on Harbour Island where she restores houses.

India’s island adventure continues to inspire her and who knows what her next venture will be, what we can be sure of however, is that whatever it is, it’ll have that Bahamian feel she loves.

I live a less than ordinary life in The Bahamas. An

adventurous but real life...

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INDIA HICKS

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PepperTharpA n E l e u t h e r a n E s c a p e W i t h

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PepperTharp

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PepperTharpwww.peppertharp.com

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Illustrator Pepper Tharp is a master at creating vignettes that tell a story, whether through the eyes of a sanguine French bulldog or a willowy fashion-femme on a Bahamain holiday. Pepper’s work, aptly coined “sophisticated fun —has flourished the campaigns of such notable clients as American Express, Harper Collins, St. Martin’s Press, Ritz Carlton Weddings, Macy’s, Target and most recently for The Container Store’s “Love

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PepperTharp

Your Luggage” series.Bahamian Escapes recently caught up with Pepper iafter she and her daughter Matisse adventured to a cliff-side cottage outside of Gregory Town, Eleuthera.Discover more about Pepper Tharp and her collection of illustrations on her website.

www.peppertharp.com

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Described as a district of the Bahamas it certainly has plenty of personality with nearly 400 islands of its own, known as cays. It’s a heavenly retreat for those seeking refuge from the hurly-burly of modern life. Population here has increased exponentially over the past few years and continues to grow. The airport is near Moss Town north of George Town and you can visit Exuma Islands from the US, Toronto in Canada and The Bahamas.

If you’ve never visited further than The Bahamas itself or never heard of Exuma before now, then prepare to be astonished, surprised and totally mesmerized by the beauty of Exuma.

the caysSet amidst beautiful sparkling water are the cays, reefs of rock that are spread out along the Exumas with a 12 mile long chain of islands. These cays and the aquamarine water that surrounds them are breath-takingly beautiful and in the top ten of things to see in the Caribbean. This area is so important that its preservation is considered a priority, with a marine park encompassing nearly 180 square miles known as Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park.

What’s more the Cays Land and Sea Park is a great visit – you can visit wildlife and try out some snorkelling and diving. There’s great visibility with good water temperatures making it a really pleasant experience for both divers and snorkelers alike. All the aquatic life is protected as are the reefs and are in excellent condition. You can visit by private boat or on a dive charter. Quite often charters of this type leave from Nassau and spend a lot of time near the park boundaries, so you may find this suits you better. Whichever way you decide to come here, it’ll be worth it.

staniel caveStaniel Cave is where boaters will go and meet at the Staniel Cay Yacht Club’s bar with restaurant, there’s a landing strip here and close to the yacht club is the Thunderball Cave – famous for James Bond and the film Splash. It’s an excellent place to go diving and if you reach the hollow cay, you can hand feed the friendly fish. It offers gentle socializing and some alone time for those weary of company, with the lapping of the waves and the beach a constant accompaniment.

georgetown At the Great Exuma you’ll find Georgetown with some excellent restaurants. Accommodation consists of hotels of five star grandeur to simple fishing

lodges and condo resorts. There’s plenty of choice and plenty of ways to enjoy what Exuma has to offer with an opportunity to socialise with other tourists and locals, if you like people, then Georgetown will give you a friendly atmosphere with plenty to do.

stocking island Stocking Island has some of the most spectacular views and is only a short boat ride from the Great Exuma. Sit on one of the limestone promontories and soak up the view, or sit and relax on one of Stocking Island’s magnificent beaches. In fact the whole of the Exumas are perfect for honeymoon destinations and private getaway vacations.

Stocking Island is a great experience with opportunities to feed exotic fish near the shore and there’s some excellent restaurants serving a high standard of cuisine.

Take a trip from George Town pier and head over to the island for a day starting early; you’ll get there in 10 minutes giving you ample time to enjoy what this stunning island has to offer. Pink sands and stunning views with gentle blue water lapping at your heels – you’ll need nothing else but a sun hat and some water.

the swimming pigs Finally, one of Exumas’ most famous holiday attractions, the swimming pigs. When on vacation you may expect dolphins or fish, but swimming pigs is one thing you won’t be expecting. If you come to Exumas Islands, then you will have an opportunity to see them in all their glory.

Story has it that following pictures on the internet everyone was astounded that such a thing was possible. The pigs aren’t native to this island but were apparently unceremoniously dropped off by sailors who never returned, the pigs adapted to their new environment and here they live…and swim. It’s your very own Bay of Pigs and you can even swim with them. It is only one amongst many highlights of one of the most beautiful islands in the world.

These cays should be one of the eighth wonders of the world – that is how beautiful they are. To be a castaway here is to lose yourself in a paradise you’ll be reluctant to leave. Clear azure water with pristine coral reefs and mesmerizing views of the horizon and that’s what you get with Exuma, a beautiful set of islands that have to be seen to be believed. A real Caribbean treasure, and a place you’ll want to visit again and again.

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Patricia Vazquez

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Patricia VazquezA R T I S T P R O F I L E

Patricia Vazquez is a Dutch photographer that resides in The Bahamas. Her photographs are idyllic

images of island life as well its animal and plant life. It seems that Vazquez has chosen a world she cherishes and this is reflected in her photography.

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What was the transition like, we wonder, from Vazquez’s natural Holland to the US and then finally to the Bahamas? Vazquez was 19 when she travelled to New York to learn English, that’s far to go to learn a new language, but she had a thirst for travel. She would go on to marry her Cuban husband and settle in Spain. As with many tourists, she holidayed in the Bahamas frequently before finally falling in love and staying put, leaving Spain behind.

Vazquez’s love for The Bahamas is most driven by the people, the ocean and the weather, and her husband feels most at home here. The Dutch weather can be as unpredictable as British weather, so living

in the Bahamas is a complete contrast with tropical weather conditions most of the year round.

Vazquez is a photographer, but what inspired her to take it up? Vazquez says that the incredible sunlight in the Bahamas is what inspired her to experiment with her photography, although it was something she’d loved for many years. Macro photography was also inspired through her love of the island “you need the perfect light for that and it is one of my favourite kinds of photography.”

What’s also immediately obvious through talking to Vazquez, and from looking at her

photography is her abiding love of animals, she says she grew up surrounded by them and goes on to say “It is in my blood….my family are incredible animal lovers, I grew up surrounded by all sorts of animals. They give back so much….” Vazquez has little time for those that don’t share her love and feels passionately about those that are abandoned by careless owners.

Vazquez’s affection for animals has led naturally to her working with the Bahamas Humane Society, here she uses her photography skills to take pictures of adopted animals and feels it’s had a significant impact on animal adoption on the island. She goes every Thursday to take

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photos and is a keen board member.

Her personal life reflects her lifelong love of animals and with 5 horses, rabbits, guinea pigs, guinea hens, sheep, goats and dogs, fish even and a donkey, there’s plenty of evidence of this. She’s also written a book inspired by her animals. The book is called Maya Moon about the adventures of a Bahamian pony. “I rescued her mother Jazzy and she was pregnant and I photographed the birth and her life ahead. I always wanted to do a children’s book with my photos, as I have so many animals.” The book was financed by Vazquez and the current President of the BHS, Mrs Kim Aranha, with 4,000 copies available on the island and in

the US, with all proceeds going to the BHS. Vazquez goes on to say “…..it is a wonderful message for children and a good example to show the love and care these animals need…and they give back even more in return!”

Finally, before we leave her we ask how Vazquez would describe her life. She feels blessed by the support of her husband and feels that with over 23 years on the island her photography can give so much back to the island with the sale of her work and profits going to charity. Her two children have flown the nest now, after having been schooled here all their lives until college.

Living her idyllic life on the island surrounded by her animals, she has succeeded where others have failed, by creating the perfect life she envisaged as a child in Holland. But what is the next step now for Patricia Vazquez?

Her answer is simple “I keep doing what I can and I’d like to spend more time with my camera and discover more incredible things that this island has to offer. I’d like to travel a bit more to the outer islands and photograph different places.”

It sounds perfect.


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Superstar Shania Twain has lost her heart to Jett the majestic Potcake, and Skipper the playful Potcat.

These animals were on the street before kind hearted Shania adopted them and turned them too into superstars.

If you wish to be like Shania and help home a needy animal, adopting a pet from the Bahamas Humane Society is easy, once you have a fenced in garden and shelter.

Out of country adoptions: 1 (242) 323- 5138Ask for Fiona.

Donations are always welcome to help us care for the animals in need. Visit our website and click on the ‘Donate’ button.

Dunmore Avenue Chippingham, Nassau, The BahamasP.O.Box N-242

www.bahamashumanesociety.com

Be like Shania adopt a Bahamian Superpet!

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Sunny In Paradise- Bahamian Escapes Magazine