Tourists are slowly starting to drift back to Paradise as Bahamas officials struggle to begin returning the thriving tourism centre to normal in the wake of a devastating hurricane last week.
On Tuesday, hundreds of cruise ship passengers disembarked the Regal Empress ﾠin the Port of Nassau.
Oblivious to the devastation that had been wrought on islands in the northern region, the eager visitors were taken on tours of the city, and took full advantage of downtown shopping.
On Friday, Carnivalﾴs Fantasy cruise ship is scheduled to be in port, followed by the Fascination on Saturday.
Around New Providence, evidence of the stormﾴs wrath still linger; withered and tattered trees and vegetation lay strewn across various properties, along one main coastal thoroughfare major roadways are dotted with large sinkholes and men were on rooftops replacing the shingles that had been blown away.
Hurricane Frances caused interruptions in the cruise routes for several ships as it barrelling throughout the Caribbean
region.
During the storm, that downgraded its category four strength as it whipped The Bahamas for four days, tourists staying at various hotels here resorted to various activities to occupy their time, aided by eager hotel staff.
In the lobby of the Radisson Cable Beach resort, a government owned property which is in transition, a visitor from England bellowed an Irish folksong. Others chatted and exchanged stories as furious winds lashed the shore and rattled windows.
The resortﾴs secured premises was sanctuary to visitors and residents who sought refuge there.
For Michael and Saundra Neville, the storm was an unwelcome intrusion to their honeymoon. The couple said they couldnﾴt imagine a better place to be.
ﾓIt was a little nerve wracking,ﾒ said Michael, as he sat in a plush sofa in the lobby next to his beaming wife, ﾓjust because of the pressure and everything but the people at the Radisson couldnﾴt have been any nicer, safety came first and we are really blessed to have great people surrounding us, so that got all of us through it.
The two had exchanged vows at the Crowne Plaza in West Palm Beach, Florida. They met over the Internet in May and decided to get married three months later.
The two are expecting a baby.
ﾓI had actually been to Freeport in the past and I enjoyed it and I really linked the Bahamas when I came last time so coupled with the fact that he likes to play cards and I love the beach I thought we would both be happy,ﾒ Saundra said.
The Radisson, which is on the waterfront, is adjacent to the Wyndham Nassau Resort and Cable Beach Casino.
This week American authorities warned travellers to The Bahamas about the delays and service interruptions here in the wake of Hurricane Frances which swept across the island last week, leaving mass devastation in some parts.
The warning expires on September 30th. Officials also warned that the Grand Bahama International Airport suffered substantial wind and water damage during the storm and is expected to be closed for a week.
Authorities mentioned that power and telephone services are out in some islands and there is a shortage of drinking water in others.
The Ministry of Tourism is desperately trying to release precise information about the extent of the stormﾴs damage and is liasing with outside forces to spread the news.
In a Ministry of Tourism press statement, officials said there was relatively minimal damage sustained to major hotels on Nassau and Paradise Island. They said resorts in Harbour Island, North Eleuthera and Exuma also had little property damage.
Assessments were still pending for hotels in Grand Bahama and Abaco.
Tameka Lundy, The Bahama Journal
