Heavenly Destinations

The great thing about the gallery gals is that we all gladly and enthusiastically share in each other’s little travel adventures.

So, when one of us returned from visiting a little slice of heaven (a long-anticipated family voyage and one that was to be treasured), it was fun to be peppered with questions and comments. Of course, it’s always a pleasure to spill the beans about beautiful Harbour Island in the Bahamas.

Harbour Island’s iconic symbol: The Lone Tree

What do we adore so much about this little jewel? Could it be the shell-pink beach that stretches for three miles? Perhaps the crystal-clear aquamarine water and endless skies? What about days filled with sunning, swimming, beaching, boating, fishing, snorkeling, island-hopping and diving? Or curling up under an umbrella in the shade with a really good book? You’re probably getting the idea now.

Dunmore Town

Dunmore Town is the only community on the island. It’s named after John Murray, 4^th Earl of Dunmore, who was the governor of the Bahamas from 1786 to 1798 and had a summer house there. Smart guy. As expected, the style has colonial flavor.

We all love arriving at Harbour Island (“Briland” is the island’s nickname: say Harbour Island 5 times quickly and you’ll see where it came from.) We come by water-taxi and when we see the sorbet-colored cottages and white picket fences that dot the shoreline, we all do a little dance of excitement. Our first visit here was 18 years ago, so our little family has spent many a summertime vacation here and this teeny island has a special place in our hearts.

The brightly painted cottages have a distinctively New England feel.

The preferred method of getting around is by golf cart – and what’s more fun than cruising around in one of those? The pot-holed and narrow streets of Dunmore Town are full of them and even though we’re driving on the wrong side of the street, we all get around perfectly. Brightly painted houses, cottages and shops line the streets and hundreds of roosters and hens and their chicks roam the island, as do the adorable “potcakes,” the sweet-tempered and native dogs whose lineage is at best a massive muddle of breeds.

A Briland potcake dog

One of the two grocery stores is a Piggly Wiggly (our Southern readers would feel right at home) that keeps odd hours and even odder selections in the aisles. India Hick’s Sugar Mill is an ever-so-chic little boutique that feels right at home along with Dilly Dally, which stocks a dizzying array of touristy shell tchochkes. And, congregating one recent morning at the popular Arthur’s Bakery was an international melting pot that included hungry Americans, Brits, French and Dutch.

Harbour Island is a study in contrasts.

Beautiful vases from India’s shop, Sugar Mill.

Dilly Dally

There’s no shortage of wonderful restaurants on the island and there’s a nice assortment of hotels so lunching and dining is always a treat. One of our very favorites is Sip Sip (Brilandese for gossip) which overlooks the beach and is the perfect spot for killer lobster enchiladas and exceptional people watching.

And, if you’re lucky, your fishermen will come home with fresh yellow fin tuna that is truly a delight for the taste buds, especially when served carpaccio-style, with soy sauce, sesame seeds and wasabi.

The fearless fishermen

And that’s the beauty of Harbour Island: it’s a place of delightful contradictions The Brilanders live simply and efficiently here while incognito supermodels, moguls and jet-setters flock here in the pre-requisite sunglasses and hats.

This sign says it all.

It’s unbelievably laid-back, but impossibly easy to spend a small fortune of a hotel room and meals. Maybe it’s the price of paradise, but no-one seems to gripe about it too much and, luckily, there are plenty of options for everyone.

Yes, the sand really is pink.

In the last decade or so, Briland has become ultra-chic butt at the same time, it has managed to retain its sweet soul. One of the first questions you get is “how long have you been coming here?” and if you can breezily say, “oh since at least the sixties,” your ranking goes way up.

Whatever the accommodations, whatever the occasion, Harbour Island’s magical combination of sea, sky and beach never fails to delight the senses and soothe the soul. It’s truly a little piece of heaven on earth.

Where is your favorite idyllic getaway to escape the rigors of everyday life? We're always looking for new paradises to explore!

Tata!

M.