The City Slicker

By Rebecca Fernandez

The Abaco Islands: Paradise Now Unrecognizable

The devastation in The Bahamas after Hurricane Dorian has left many saying the paradise islands are unrecognizable. It’s so hard to believe that my family and I were in the Abaco Islands just two months ago.

 We’re learning more and more about what’s happening there now and how everyone still on the islands is doing. It is completely devastating. Although there are endless amount of ways to help, here are a few that I thought I’d share with you!

Being a news reporter for ABC7 in Sarasota, I’ve been able to work with local organizations that have their boots on the ground in the Bahamas. One of those being Agape Flights which is a nonprofit, Christian aviation ministry that makes weekly flights to different countries in the Caribbean. The Agape crew says aside from of course rescue right now, they plan on continuing to help those affected by this devastation for months to come, and know that our community will step in to do that.

“The generosity of people is amazing, and these people need that right now. They’re going to need their homes rebuilt, they’ll need hope, they’ll need to know that life is not over. That there is a morning after, and we need to be there and give them that hope,” Allen Speer, the CEO of Agape Flights, expressed.

 If you’re in the Southwest Florida area, here are a list of places: https://www.mysuncoast.com/2019/09/04/places-donate-suncoast-hurricane-dorian-victims-bahamas/

For those of you in Miami, here is where donations are being accepted: https://www.miamigov.com/Government/BAHAMASTRONG

Island Hopping in The Abacos

 

 
Another trip for the books!

The Abacos Islands is one of the areas not as known as most in The Bahamas, but trust me when I tell you… the chain of Cays is breathtaking.
It’ll be hard to summarize it all and be able to give you as much detail as this little paradise deserves, but here are a few of our favorite spots!

TREASURE CAY
Named as one of the world’s most beautiful beaches, this is definitely one of the top locations in The Abacos! We stayed at the amazing Bahama Beach Club, and spent our nights after island hopping, watching the sunset with drinks and Bahamian music.

GREEN TURTLE CAY
Just a quick 20 minute boat ride from Treasure Cay, this little Cay will have you feeling like you’re exploring the colonial village of New Plymouth. Everything is so cute and quaint…and the best bar – Green Turtle Club!

Travel to the south of the island to No Name Cay and here you get to meet the pigs – they love bread so bring lots! If you’re still ready to meet some more animal friends, head over to Manjack Cay for the sharks!

ELBOW CAY & HOPETOWN
By far the most modern and populated island in The Abacos! This is one of the cays we wish we would’ve spent more time in. There’s SO much to see like the village, the Hopetown Lighthouse and Tahiti Beach! And if you want a great lunch or drinks on the water, Firefly is a must!

MARSH HARBOUR
Marsh Harbour is the third largest city in The Bahamas. It is the portal to other settlements in Abaco. There isn’t really anything “touristy” here, but my family got to see something that was near and dear to us. My boyfriend’s family brought a bronze statue of the Lady of Charity from Cuba to the island 50 years. They donated it to the only Catholic Church in Marsh Harbour, St. Frances de Sales, and it is still cemented into the rocks today.

GREAT GUANA CAY
Beautiful beaches and the famous.. Nipper’s bar! be sure to visit the outdoor beach party on Sundays!

Winter on Long Island – A Seaside Escape


The meteorologists at my news station keep saying that there’s technically only two weeks left of winter… but with this past week’s Nor’Easter storm and another one on the way – winter seems FAR from over.

This cold weather makes everyone want to stay in, and just wait until the temperatures are finally over 50 degrees. BUT, I think otherwise!
There is so much to do in New York (obviously) and especially here on Long Island.

Long Island is known for its beautiful beaches…The Hamptons, Long Beach and Fire Island – just to name a few. And although, only the surfers would dare to get in that water during this time of year, these beach towns all throughout the Island have so much more to offer than just their beaches.

Here’s a list of the top 5 things to do in Long Island during the winter:

1. Wine tasting on a Vineyard
It’s 5 o’clock somewhere, am I right? From the North Shore to the East End, there’s plenty of vineyards to choose from. Just be sure to call ahead and find out their winter hours for the tasting room!

2. Try oysters at an Oyster Farm
You know that saying, “Only eat oysters in months with an ‘R'”, well…there’s only one month left, so you better take advantage! And it’s practically a holiday season on Long Island. There are dozens of oyster farms all along our shores.

3. Seal Watching
There are “Seal Cruises” in Freeport where you can jump aboard – any weekend from now until the end of April- to watch seals in their natural habitat. Just head to the marina and look for a boat named Captain Lou Fleet.

4. Go to the beaches
Especially Montauk or any other beach on The Hamptons! You can walk the scenic boardwalks, visit the museums, and climb to the top of the towers that have become the best-known symbols of Long Island!

5. Winterfest 2018
And if you want to do all four of these things in one weekend, then you should make your way to Long Island’s East End for this 4-week celebration! Here are all the details: Winterfest

I’M BACK… and in THE city!

Sorry I haven’t posted in a while, but I’ve been SO busy with my move to New York! I accepted my next job as a Reporter in the largest market in the world – New York! I’ll be covering all of Long Island for FiOS NY1! That being said…The City Slicker will too! Can’t wait to show you my new home!

If you have any places you’d like be to write about or any collaboration ideas, feel free to send me an email!

See you soon…Catch Me If You Can!