THE BEACH VILLAS

April 1999 Table of Contents - Current Issue of The Abaco Journal - Abaco Bahamas' Home Page

THE BEACH VILLAS
by Ellen Bird

The Beach Villa area is the oldest set of freehold accommodation available
at Treasure Cay, although many renovations have kept it up to date. I fell
in love with this part of the area in 1982. Some of the villas were built
for rental purposes through the Treasure Cay Hotel. This enabled many
purchasers to acquire more than one villa at a reasonable price. At that
time they were staffed, serviced and rented through the hotel on a
percentage basis between hotel and owner. All arrangements are now private
since the hotel was closed by the developer.

On our original visit and since, we found ourselves entranced by the rise
and fall of the swells in the electric blue sea - it was like looking out at
a giant frosted margarita with jellyfish for ice cubes! Then the ocean
would colour to a beautiful aquamarine, showing dark patches here and
there which were cloud shadows or huge mantas basking in the shallows. It
seemed odd that so many planes were painted light aqua under their wings.
It took a while to realise this was a reflection of the sea.

A wonderful beach of powdery sand stretches on either side of the villas.
Sometimes it is wreathed in leis of seaweed; other times it is clear of
anything but myriads of miniature shells. The beach is three and a half
miles long, rated by National Geographic as the third best beach in the world.
The nicest part to swim off is in front of the Beach Villas. The whole length
of the beach contains no undertow hence is safe for "smalls" to use though
white horses do gallop in to lambaste them or to splash them in the face.

These villas have the advantage of closest access to a beautiful golf
course. One may hear golf carts whirring by very early in the morning. It's
great to be awakened early to enjoy the voices and activity of many wild
birds who enjoy the mature plantings of shrubbery and trees provided by this
the oldest developed part of Treasure Cay. Already this year Grass Quits,
Palm Quits and Banana Quits are busy in the hibiscus and hummingbird
feeders. Black and White Warblers resembling "Assups", Magnolia and Myrtle
Warblers have made early appearances and one is wooed by the cooing of
doves, the song and peculiar dance of the Mocking Birds and a song by
somebody who has a mouth full of marbles - perhaps the Red Wing or Anis.
There is an ever present King Bird or Phoebe or Fly Catcher: the area needs
a bird docent to help neophyte bird-watchers like myself as we have as many
birds in the Villa area as anywhere else in Treasure Cay. All are twittering
early to welcome the sun and the night-blooming jasmine perfumesthe air.
I think the avid golfers have no such time to "sit and stare".

We have good tennis courts and are within easy walking distance of the
Library and church services. The Medical Clinic and grocery store are just
across the road but we do have to share the best doctor on the island with
all of Treasure Cay.

Just beside us on the beach, in front of the neglected hotel, stands the
Coco Bar, which was blown into the sea by our small cyclone. Now all
repaired, it provides a good place for a casual meal.

We in the Beach Villas have the best of everything! Our own pure water
well and good laundromat are big assets and a terrific manager and
industrious gardening crew add to the convenience and safety of all who live
here.

What makes the Beach Villa Area? The people. We have three generations of
superb residents. Where to meet them? At our lovely heated, sheltered pool or
on the beach. Come to stay, either to rent or to purchase; a good
investment of time or money is available in our area.

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