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Souvenirs
WTDNJul09_Feature_Souvenirs
Sophisticated souvenirs
rum, crystal, clothing, artwork
Souvenir. Its very name means “memory” in French. By definition it’s a memento or keepsake that a traveller brings home—something that can be enjoyed and treasured.
All too often, though, the word souvenir evokes images of gifts like funny hats, refrigerator magnets and key chains proclaiming the name of a place—trinkets, not known for their longevity. They soon disappear from our life, never to be seen again.
It’s not always easy to decide what souvenirs to buy for ourselves, family and friends, especially if you want something that’s thoughtfully chosen and also a cut above.
If you really want a souvenir that’s true to its name, one of the first stops on your list could be The Bacardi Store on Bay and East streets—where you can acquire something now sold only in The Bahamas—Nassau Royale, a premier rum-based liqueur, for example. Every day a stream of tourists flows into the store to sample Bacardi rum cake and cost-free mixed drinks such as Nassau Royale with pineapple juice and/or ginger ale.
“Tourists come here basically looking for products that they can’t find in the US or Canada,” says store manager Louise Lightbourne. “An example of that is the Bacardi 8 and also the Bacardi Reserva Limitada, a 16-year-old rum that can only be purchased in Nassau or Puerto Rico. The Nassau Royale can’t be gotten anywhere [else]. It used to be available online, but now it’s not,” Lightbourne explains.
If you have a taste for something other than spirits, you can find other popular items here, including Bacardi and Grey Goose baseball caps and golf dress and T-shirts.
Conscientious consumer
For those who want a souvenir that’s more regional in scope—something that personifies the whole of the Caribbean area—the Marley Boutique on Cable Beach may have what you’re looking for.
The five-year-old shop is part of the Marley Resort & Spa, a beachfront retreat that combines an elegant mix of African and Caribbean influences. It takes its name from Bob Marley, the master of reggae music.
When you step past the life-size lion statues that guard the front door, you’re awash in Marley memorabilia. Among them are Marley’s CDs, items of clothing from the Catch A Fire line created by Marley’s daughter, Cedella, and the resort’s branded merchandise.
“Some of the things you find in the Marley Boutique you are not going to find anywhere else in The Bahamas,” says manager Denise Reynolds.
The boutique is open from 10am to 6pm every day except Sunday.
Classy collector
For those who aren’t on a budget, a visit to the Lalique Boutique is in order. It’s one of the Crystal Court shops, located between the Coral Towers and the Royal Towers at the Atlantis resort on Paradise Island.
Although Lalique’s satiny-finish art nouveau-style vases, crystal animals, jewellery, figurines and fragrances are sold worldwide, shoppers can save money by buying these collectables in The Bahamas.
“We are 30 per cent less than US prices, and we have no sales tax here,” explains boutique manager Pauline Malakius.
Among this year’s must-haves are the heart pendants, which start at $95, and the 1931-designed cabochon crystal rings. The latter are available in 17 different colours and sell for $195.
“It’s the perfect gift, because it’s unique,” Malakius says. “And it’s top of the line.”
At Bahama Hand Prints there is something for everyone, from budget vacationers to affluent travellers. The store is located in the Island Traders Building Annex just off Mackey Street, south of the Paradise Island exit bridge. The owners combine fine fabrics, vivid colours and eye-catching prints to create authentically Bahamian garments and accessories.
The store also sells many other interesting items, including household goods such as tea towels and place mats, a complete collection of women’s resort wear and shirts for men.
“The shop is small, but there is a lot in it,” says co-owner Joie Lamare.
A specialist hand prints the fabric right at the store, using silkscreens, and then the final product is assembled into distinctive products. Among them are funky-fancy philodendron cap-sleeve dresses ($169), sea-lace-on-aqua fabric magazine tote bags ($59) and other one-of-a-kind items, all produced in-house.
“Tourists come in and walk away with souvenirs that are tasteful,” says Lamare. “Not a figurine that doesn’t even come from here.”
You’ll find that attractive, high-quality gifts and souvenirs can be found in great abundance in Nassau if you take the time to shop around.
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