plaskett creek More than 15 miles of underground, limestone caves, some with large lakes, some with stalagmites and

More than 15 miles of underground, limestone caves, some with large lakes, some with stalagmites and stalactites, make up this unique plaskett creek national park just southeast of the tiny community of Conch Bar. Some are huge, cathe

Turtle Cove Inn. Now we re moving on to the less expensive opportunities. This is a two-story hotel built around a large, freshwater swimming pool. It s rather a simple affair, but clean and inviting. The rooms are comfortably furnished and provide views over either the pool or the marina, which is just a few yards away. All rooms are air-conditioned, and the bathrooms, though adequate, are a little on the small side. Poolside, you ll find the Tiki Hut Cabana and Grill. The other on-site restaurant is the Terrace, but it s open only for dinner; reservations are recommended. No beach, I m afraid, but a shuttle runs throughout the day between the hotel and the beach. Inexpensive and recommended. plaskett creek Turtle Cove Marina, Suzie Turn Rd., Providenciales, Turks and Caicos, BWI, 800-887-0477; www.provo.net/turtlecoveinn. EP $142.

The Modern Era By the early 1900s, people of African descent had become the majority of the Bahamian population, but power remained in the hands of the white minority. By the 1930s, the islands had been discovered by the millionaire developers from America plaskett creek and Europe, and the gap between the races grew even wider.

It s been many years since I began writing travel books. Over those years I ve visited numerous exotic destinations: magnificent beaches, wild and remote mountain retreats, painted deserts, and bustling, historic cities, but of all those incredible places the islands of the Bahamas are my favorite. Time and again I return to Nassau, Freeport, Abaco, Eleuthera and Harbour Island, and I continue to be inspired by their beauty. There truly is no other place I d rather spend a vacation. The Bahamas have everything, from bustling international cities not too big, not too small to tiny islets where it seems no human foot has ever stepped. The weather is sometimes wild, but not for long. The gentle sea breezes, the hot sun, and those great stretches of shallow, emerald water bounded by blinding white strips of sand are irresistible.