Grand Bahama Fun and a Crazy White Man

Last week, was a wacky week for Radio Man. Changes in the itinerary for the trip to Grand Bahama made scheduling the location and guests for the show a little challenging to say the least. While we knew that Crazy White Man from COOL 96 FM, Freeport was to be the special guest co-host, guest lineups and location were a mystery until the 11th hour. After a few calls, some great friends of Talkin Tourism on Florida’s Treasure Coast (and Beyond) and Coastal Angler Magazine came to the rescue. Linda Osborne, general manager of UNEXSO, offered her office for the studio. The guest line-up could not have been better. Betty Bethel, the general manager of new business for the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism office on Grand Bahama, Shamine Johnson, manager of the Marina Operators of the Bahamas organization, Althea Johnson, reservations manager for UNEXSO and Mario Bodner, project manager for Taino Beach Resort and Clubs all agreed to be guests. Radio Man could not have asked for a more stellar group to talk about what’s happening on Grand Bahama Island.

During the show, we covered diving opportunities, the great deals offered by local accommodations, Talkin' Tourism host Gary Guertin did a personal review of the Bahamas Celebration cruise ship, which now departing from the Port of Palm Beach, and more Treasure Coast connections were unveiled. A couple of things the show didn't have the time to cover were Lucaya, Taino and Pauchi, the celebratory parrots at Garden of the Groves. More to come on these green and gray feathered VIPs during our next show.

Last, and most important, by listening to this show, you will get a small dose of the great sense of humor and “perspective” of the most popular on-air radio personality in all of the Bahamas, Crazy White Man, Paul Frances.

You will definitely want a tall Bahama Mama to sip while listening to the show, and don’t forget to check out the show photos below!

Island Friend Visits Treasure Coast

Saturday, September 12, Keith Cooper, sales and marketing director at UNEXSO on Grand Bahama Island, spent the day on the Treasure Coast visiting the Florida Oceanographic Coastal Center.

Hosted by Florida Oceanographic Society's (FOS) executive director Mark Perry, Keith received a 'behind the scenes' tour of the unique eco-education facility, one of Martin County’s most popular attractions.

The listening audience and the Talkin' Tourism team, met Keith on the June 26 show, which was broadcast from Grand Bahama. During that show, Keith talked about his vision of expanding eco-tourism and eco-education for residents and visitors to the Island. The purpose of his visit to the Treasure Coast this past weekend was to see a world-class model of what can be done to protect the island’s fragile coastal environment, and also foster stewardship of the Islands of the Bahamas precious ocean and coastal resources.

A bonus of the trip was to view first-hand the aquaculture program in place at FOS. One vision Keith has for his island and country is to develop an aquaculture program that focuses on the farming of conch, a staple of the Bahamian diet and a real treat for visitors, in order to preserve existing conch stocks for future generations.

Keith also brought along his mom, Cynthia, who is no stranger to the Treasure Coast. Cynthia is the founder of Sisters in the Pot, an very popular caterer of outstanding Bahamian cuisine. Sisters in the Pot can be found at many South Florida events and festivals, as well as at the Stuart Green Market every Sunday.

Talkin’ Tourism on Florida’s Treasure Coast is extremely pleased to have assisted in once again 'connecting the dots' as we continue to explore the Treasure Coast’s longstanding and ongoing relationship with the Islands of the Bahamas.

NOTE: Cynthia, the conch salad and fritters were wonderful! Thanks!

Talkin' Tourism on Grand Bahama

What does a smooth, perfect crossing of the Gulf Stream, a classic “Gilligan’s Island” cast of characters, two radio show personalities passionate about tourism, ultimate hospitality and kindness, connecting with old friends and making new friends, and meeting “Junkanoo Man” all add up to.......another fantastic Talkin' Tourism on Florida’s Treasure Coast remote episode!

Taking to the high seas once again, we visited the beautiful island of Grand Bahama and were greeting with true Bahamian hospitality. The Pelican Bay Hotel at Lucaya was outstanding. Are you ready for this? How about a 'special door' on the guest room door that is used to deliver complimentary pastries and sweet breads each morning! How about a bellman, who last year was the winner of the Cacique Award, the highest Hospitality Industry Award given in the Islands of the Bahamas for outstanding customer service, personally insuring that the room used for the broadcast was set up perfectly along with sweet breads, Johny Cake (thank you Marva), juice and water for the show hosts and guests!

Are you ready for this? Host Gary Guertin walks into the Pelican Bay Hotel lobby and is tapped on the shoulder for a “hello, don’t I know you” by Jesse Anderson of Port Salerno! The entire Treasure Coast Anderson family was in town for a wedding. Unbelievable!

Are you ready to meet Keith Cooper, sales and marketing director for UNEXSO (Under Sea Explorer’s Society)? Guess what? He was educated in South Florida and his “mommy” is one of the owner/operators of My Three Sisters Pot, a special events food vendor that has provided fabulous Bahamian food to events and festivals throughout the Treasure Coast and the Palm Beaches! And, if you ever need a Colin Powell look-a-like, Keith's your man!

Special thanks go out to Marva Monroe, sales and marketing director of the Pelican Bay Hotel at Lucaya for her assistance and support of this weeks show from Grand Bahama. Without her help we would have not been able to achieve a tenth of our success. Thank you Marva. Oh, by the way, Marva has family that lives in the Port St. Lucie area. The Treasure Coast and the Bahamas are truly “connected” in more ways than we know.

Want to do some serious bonefishing? Listen to the show and you will find out where to go for double-digit catches where the daily charter rate includes an “open bar." Thanks Stanley!

Last and most importantly, special thanks to Betty Bethel, Ministry of Tourism General Manager of Business Development for Grand Bahama for her appearance on the show. She shares her inside knowledge as to where St. Lucie County is with regard to the quest for a mutually beneficial relationship with the island of Grand Bahama.

You can listen or download the show HERE. Be sure to view some of the fun-filled photos of host Gary Guertin (island name: Radio Man) and co-host Robin Hicks-Connors (island name: History Lady) enroute to the Bahamas, during the live broadcast, and during other on-island adventures.

The next Bahamas Boating Fling departing from Harborage Yacht Club & Marina is scheduled July 15-26. This trip is an extended trip encompassing the Abacos and Grand Bahama. For more details, visit www.bahamas.com/boating or http://www.flahama.com/.

Will Radio Man and History Lady be on that trip? Tune in to the show this coming Friday to find out!

Forgive the audio and low quality video (captured on a small point & click digital camera), but meet one of the many colorful and fun characters we encountered on Grand Bahama: