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WHAT-TO-DO - FREEPORT/LUCAYA & GRAND BAHAMA ISLAND - JAN 2005
Shopping for him/her
Gift buying in The Bahamas
There are at least three reasons why The Bahamas is one of the best places in the world to buy a present for your significant other.
First of all there is an absolute avalanche of quality goods at unbeatable prices here. They include china, crystal, fine wines and liquors, fashion clothing and accessories, collectables, linens, luxury leather, perfumes and fragrances, fine art, crafts, expert straw work, wall hangings, watches and much more. And it doesn't hurt that there is no sales tax in The Bahamas - the price on the tag is the price you pay.
Secondly, Grand Bahama has an impressive lineup of superb stores with attentive, knowledgeable staff to serve you. Many stores offer strong after-sales service.
Thirdly, there's ease of shopping. Even though everything you buy is probably duty free and 20 to 35 per cent lower than stateside prices, there are no forms to fill out and no waiting to receive your purchases. You can take them with you right away. Many stores will deliver them to your hotel room or, indeed, to your door back home.
All of this makes Freeport/Lucaya among the best places in the world to track down duty-free gifts, whether you want to spend a few dollars or a fortune.
Lots for $100 or less
It's not difficult to find a gift for that special man or woman for under $100. Almost every store will have lots of quality items in that range. Consider a distinctively Bahamian gift such as a tropical hat for him or a lovely handbag for her from straw markets at the Port Lucaya Marketplace and the International Bazaar, by the Royal Oasis Casino.
For her? There's really no end to the number of gifts under $100. Perfume is a great choice if you know your lady's taste. A brand new scent or an old favourite will always please, and the duty-free prices make your purchase even sweeter. For example, you can pick up a 100ml bottle of the famous Chanel No 5 eau de toilette spray (one of the most expensive fragrances you can buy in Grand Bahama) for about $64, compared to $80 in New York, not including sales tax.
Look for the popular Ocean Pacific and Perry Ellis fragrances for both men and women at fine perfume shops in both the Port Lucaya Marketplace and the International Bazaar.
Here's an idea for a man who's willing to take a little risk. Drop around to Fragrance of The Bahamas beside the International Bazaar and, working with one of the helpful staff, you can combine scents to create a unique perfume for the lady in your life. An ounce of your own special blend will cost $30. Or you can choose one of the scents prepared by experts for no more than $21 per ounce.
UNEXSO is a dive shop with a difference. It carries the latest in scuba and snorkelling gear, along with underwater cameras, sunglasses and souvenirs. But you'll also find colourful lines of clothing that make inexpensive, striking gifts for both men and women. For men, consider an upscale silk shirt or swim trunks and shorts, among other items, with prices ranging from $60 to around $90. For women, there are skirts, tops and dresses at prices ranging between $25 and $80.
At Needful Tings, at Our Lucaya, take a look at the selection of sunglasses and accessories, as well as the swimsuits, any of which would make an attractive gift for her.
Another place to find fashionable clothing is Mucka-Mucks, including sexy swimsuits, skirts, dresses, tops and accessories, along with affordable shirts, shorts and jeans for him.
For a little more
It's easy to appreciate the quality and longevity of fine leather, and that makes it a thoughtful gift. You'll find many of the top names at the Leather Shop in the International Bazaar, exclusive retailer for the South American Land line of luxury leather goods. Choose a handbag for her or a wallet for him. Shop and compare: you'll find that Land products are priced about 30 per cent lower at The Leather Shop than comparable products in the US or Europe.
Jeweler's Warehouse is the place to find real bargains. Their duty-free prices are up to 50 per cent off regular retail prices. The store features quality stones: tanzanite, diamonds, emeralds and rubies in matchless settings. For less than $300 you can find lovely emerald, sapphire or ruby bezel-set rings. For less than another $500 you can buy her matching bezel-set earrings. Jeweler's warehouse also carries fine but inexpensive men's and women's watches.
A confident man could check out the sexy lingerie items at Curves in the Merport Building downtown, which features the La Perla intimate wear collection. A helpful salesperson will help you put together a gift package for under $300 that might include a bra, thong, "boy" shorts, and a camisole set, along with a selection of body gels and other skincare products.
If jewellery is safer, there are literally hundreds of items - earrings, necklaces, bracelets, pendants and rings - at Colombian Emeralds International. As an example, she would be thrilled with a ruby and diamond heart-shaped pendant, set in a 14k white gold setting, that goes for a duty-free price of less than $300.
For him, there's a radiant cut emerald stud of about 0.37 carats in an 18k yellow gold prong setting at a duty-free price of about $225 - of course, he may need more than one! Also check out the superb watches at CEI - Ebel, Jaeger-LeCoultre and Tag Heuer. Prices range from affordable to over the moon.
Tourneau, near the casino at Our Lucaya, has a huge selection of both new and second-hand watches - more than 100 brands, priced from $25 to $250,000. You can't help but find the perfect watch at the perfect price here for him or her.
Moving up
Spending $500 or more brings another cornucopia of gifts into play.
For the gift you'd love to receive, go no further than to one of Island Galleria's three shops in Freeport. Here you can find china, porcelain and collectible crystal pieces by Lenox, Swarovski and Waterford, among other things - all at duty-free prices. Consider a full dinner setting, a set of crystal stemware or an artistic figurine, which you can arrange to have shipped directly to her door - no need to worry about carrying it home in your luggage.
Look for the opening of a new Solomon's Mines store in Port Lucaya, planned for April 2005. While it was not known at press time what items would be available at the new store, you can be sure they will include merchandise from some of the world's top designer names, just like the spectacular Solomon's Mines shops in Nassau.
If diving or snorkelling is his or her passion, visit the shop at Xanadu Undersea Adventures. They sell T-shirts, beach bags, sandals, suntan products and such, but they also carry a full line of diving and snorkelling gear. You can buy him or her a complete outfit, including mask, fins and snorkel, as well as regulator, BCD and weights.
Price no object?
Watches make great gifts because the wearer will be reminded of you every time he or she checks the time. There are watches in every price range, of course, but if you want something really special, drop in to Freeport Jewellers, which carries the trendy Swiss-made Elini line, priced anywhere between $299 to about $3,000, depending on the model and the number of precious stones it carries. These prices are about 15 per cent lower than in the US where, of course, the cost is increased further by state and local sales taxes.
Elini's newest collection for men and women is called Nazar with a unique concave shape and detailed dials, plus four "lucky" design elements -- a lucky eye, "hamsa," horseshoe and four-leafed clover - which offer "protection from the Evil Eye." The symbols embedded in the face "brings forth good fortune," says Elini's promotional material. Owners can accessorize them with different coloured straps, available at $28 each.
The Colombian carries unique Corum watches, priced between $1,795 and $12,000, duty free. Two of the most popular are a lot of fun, as well as being fine timepieces: the Bubble Dive Bomber, Special Edition, and the Original Bubble Timepiece.
The Colombian also features watches from Chopard, Charriol and TechnoMarine, along with top-of-the-line jewellery featuring high quality tanzanite, rubies, diamonds sapphires and pearls, as well as the finest Colombian emeralds.
At Paradise Jewels you'll see men's gold necklaces running from about $200 up to $3,000 for a heavy chain. Women's pendants range from $250 to $2,500, with chains and matching earrings extra.
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