The
one-stoplight town of Marsh Harbour, in which the Regattas of Abaco
is located, and specifically the grand island of Great Abaco, are
locals rich with beauty, character and history. In 1513, Ponce de
Leon landed in his quest for the fountain of youth, and was soon
followed by the French, but it was not until the 1780s and American
Independence, that the island was truly and permanently populated. It
was here that British Loyalists
immediately after the American Revolution of 1776
found sanctuary - and flourished. Today, visitors are drawn to the
island not as a safe haven from oppression or revolution, but to flee
from the heavy crush of the concrete jungle - perhaps to protect or
re-invent threatened value systems of peace, harmony and friendship.
The
Stability of The Traditional Abacos
Loyalist
history further veins through much of Abaco's settlements; many of which
remain unspoiled by modern pollutants of noise and environmental
destruction. The seaside resort of Hope Town, founded as a Loyalist
settlement, quietly rests around a
protected
harbour, and boasts among many other attractive elements, a quaint
candy-striped lighthouse built in 1863. The only settlement prohibiting
the use of motorized vehicles, it's residents enjoy a tranquil existence
with such modest livelihoods as farming, fishing, carpentry and boat
salvage.
Reflections
of peace and simplicity continue to flourish in the residential colony
of Great Guana Cay. Embracing an ease and fortitude shared over many
generations, the
community has remained much the same from it's Loyalist settlement in
the early 1800's - a time when, as tradition states, Guana girls were
widely sought for marriage for their kind spirit and beauty, traits
which thrive in abundance among the gentle silence of the Abacos.
The
Progression of The Modern Abacos
Inescapably,
however, modern conveniences have touched some Abaco natives.
The Great Abaco Island, on which the Regattas of Abaco calls
home, showcases superior fishing grounds with renowned fishing
tournaments, a World-Class 18-hole golf course and a bustling airport.
Situated on the most populated of the Cays, Green Turtle Cay, lies the
active settlement of New Plymouth - a colony which, despite it's
direction of growth, maintains the quaint if unexpected, elegance of an
early New England styled village - proving that, while the Abacos are an
island chain rich with history and strength of character in the nearly
unanimous adoption of ancient values, beliefs and professions, the
injection of modern elements is such as not to be feared or rejected. In
fact, many Abaco settlements realize that these modern elements are such
as to be controlled and mastered to preserve solace and purity while
ensuring against modern pollutants in the unique, harmonious fusion of
stabilization and progression.
protected
harbour, and boasts among many other attractive elements, a quaint
candy-striped lighthouse built in 1863. The only settlement prohibiting
the use of motorized vehicles, it's residents enjoy a tranquil existence
with such modest livelihoods as farming, fishing, carpentry and boat
salvage. 
community has remained much the same from it's Loyalist settlement in
the early 1800's - a time when, as tradition states, Guana girls were
widely sought for marriage for their kind spirit and beauty, traits
which thrive in abundance among the gentle silence of the Abacos.
Inescapably,
however, modern conveniences have touched some Abaco natives.
The Great Abaco Island, on which the Regattas of Abaco calls
home, showcases superior fishing grounds with renowned fishing
tournaments, a World-Class 18-hole golf course and a bustling airport.
Situated on the most populated of the Cays, Green Turtle Cay, lies the
active settlement of New Plymouth - a colony which, despite it's
direction of growth, maintains the quaint if unexpected, elegance of an
early New England styled village - proving that, while the Abacos are an
island chain rich with history and strength of character in the nearly
unanimous adoption of ancient values, beliefs and professions, the
injection of modern elements is such as not to be feared or rejected. In
fact, many Abaco settlements realize that these modern elements are such
as to be controlled and mastered to preserve solace and purity while
ensuring against modern pollutants in the unique, harmonious fusion of
stabilization and progression.