SUMMER time for many means vacation, and vacation time for the typical Bahamian means a trip to Florida, Georgia or the North East United States to catch up on summertime shopping, theme parks and other attractions.

While all of these activities have their place - and have seemingly become the mainstay in the Bahamian culture - too many people have completely abandoned the option of choosing a Family Island getaway as a vacation alternative to the hustle and bustle of big city life and shopping.

After having travelled to the 17 major islands of the Bahamas, I have come to the conclusion that these pearls and gems of islands and cays spread across perfect banks, passages, channels and ocean are exactly what today’s working professional needs in a vacation experience. Think about it: vacation is essentially designed to provide an avenue for rest, relaxation and rejuvenation.

In this day an age, when online shopping is not only easily accessible but also rather inexpensive, there is really very little need for the constant travel to the US and Canada.

This encouragement to vacation in the islands does not make any attempt to diminish the value of touristic travel to other countries for the cultural, historic and social experiences they provide. It is our obsession with the materialistic, compulsive shopping and the dismissal of the authentic out island experience and seeming rejection of what we call ‘ours’ that must be called into question.

Our value systems need major adjustments when Bahamians still cry it’s too expensive to travel to the Family Islands or that there is little or nothing to do when they get there. The truth is, travel to the islands cost less than vacation travel to any state in North America when factoring airfare, ground transportation costs including fuel, accommodations, food and beverage, attractions (including but not limited to shopping), customs and duty charges etc. This delusional way of thinking comes out of a warped mindset and bent desire and craving for things foreign.

One week with your family on the sunny shores of Cat Island, Eleuthera, Andros, Exuma, Long Island or any of the other string of islands has tremendous benefits that you must not ignore:

1 It provides you with the quite reflective time to enjoy your children, grandchildren and spouse.

2 It gives each member of your family an opportunity to connect with an indigenous Bahamian experience.

3 It allows you the opportunity to reconnect with family and friends on perhaps the island of your birth or family heritage.

4 It saves you some hard earned dollars.

5 It provides you with a chance to truly relax and rejuvenate for the work and challenges that life presents during the course of the year.

Don’t hesitate, before the summer officially ends. Call Bahamasair, Western-Air, Sky Bahamas, The Bahama Ferries, Southern Air, Pineapple Air or the Mail-Boat of your choice and make those arrangements today.

When you return, email me the narrative of the awesome Bahamian experience. Enjoy!

irferguson24@hotmail.com