Related: Grand Classica Review
By GERRY and PAM BARKER
North Palm Beach Life GRAND BAHAMA ISLAND_ Pam and I have just disembarked the Grand Classica, making her debut voyage to Freeport, Grand Bahama, and right away we're feeling at home. Waiting to greet us and the other arriving tourists is a high-energy band dressed in colorful Bahamas garb, dancing and playing infectious island rhythms. It's 9 am and this party is already in full swing. Welcome to Grand Bahama Island, one of the largest of the 700 or so islands that make up the Bahamas. On this day we are joining other invited media to tour the island. Everyone is on the bus, so let's get going to our first stop, The Perfume Factory. |
The tour buses are waiting as the
Grand Classica looms large in the background. Photos/Video/Audio by North Palm Beach Life Listen to the Podcast: |
The Perfume Factory is just that -- a production facility for making all kinds of scents, including custom, made-to-order perfume that you design. Pam, right, is on a tour of the "perfume laboratory" where the magic happens.
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The Garden of the Groves
The next stop is The Garden of the Groves, a 12-acre botanical garden named for the American who developed Freeport, Wallace Groves. It features lovely walking trails, waterfalls, a cafe, a shopping area and a chance to view turtles, birds, fish and other wildlife up close. There is also a chapel set on a high point that hosts weddings and other ceremonies.
The Garden Cafe
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Our Tour Guide was friendly and informative
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The Chapel
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Pam stopped at the shops ...
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While I got a drink ...
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Then it was time to go.
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Shopping and Lunch at the Grand Lucayan Resort
After leaving the Garden, the bus headed for the main shopping area, the
Port Lucaya Marketplace. More shopping is A-OK with Pam!
Port Lucaya Marketplace. More shopping is A-OK with Pam!
Then it was off to lunch at Grand Lucayan's Lighthouse Pointe, ideally located on
a white sand beach with aquamarine waters strecthing in all directions. Paradise, we found you.
a white sand beach with aquamarine waters strecthing in all directions. Paradise, we found you.
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The hardest part was getting Pam back on the bus.
Goodbye, Grand Bahama -- until next time!
Goodbye, Grand Bahama -- until next time!