Excerpts from 1,200-word article

PAINT THE NASSAU SCENE IN VIVID COLOURS

by Pam Hobbs

The aircraft flew low over a shimmering turquoise sea; islands the lush green of a rain forest, fishing cruisers mere toys drfiting in a bathrub. Soon we could make out the surfers and swimmers and rows of golden bodies neatly laid out around hotel pools. And as we skimmed the runway I heard someone say, "You know what I like about Nassau? There's no hassle. You don't waste time settling in. That means our vacation starts now, as soon as we touch ground."

It's true. We walked into an airport that was clean and cool. Immigration procedures were completed with a smile, and outside the November sun was blissfully warm. Even the ride into town was a promise of things to come - along a palm-shaded highway beside the sea for most of the way, with a heady fragrance from roadside flowers permeating our mini-bus.

New Provindence island, which contains Nassau, is one of 700 islands in the Bahamian chain scattered across 90,000 square miles of the Atlantic ocean. Most visitors stay for two or three days before moving on to the Out Islands. Tennis and golf enthusiasts enjoy the combination of good resort facilities and Florida-like temperatures. Divers come from all over, to witness marine life and wrecked ships offshore. And for those of us here to do nothing very much, Nassau has international shops and restaurants and an interesting past to pursue, should we get restless of those ash-blonde beaches.