Bahamas News
Beyond The Columbus Fiasco–Making Good Out Of A Bad Situation
#TheBahamas, October 13, 2021 – Who would have thought that these seemingly quiet, translucent waters that now draw millions to our shores have played an integral part in changing world history? Yes, these pristine waters of the Bahamas have seen the demise of an ancient world. They bellowed the story of the birth of the Americas and witnessed the reckless demise of the first known inhabitants of our islands.
Every year millions of awestruck visitors make their way to our islands to explore, experience, and enjoy the archipelagic waters of The Bahamas and Turks and Caicos Islands. Not only are our waters appreciated up close, but the vantage point from space has also led some astronauts to call our turquoise waters the most beautiful in the world. Despite encountering their natural splendor, so few are aware of the extraordinary story these nameless waters tell and the delightful insights it reveals that, when truly grasped, can make our islands and the world a better place.
In his newly released book published by Inspire Publishing, and available on Amazon.com, The Lucayan Sea–Birthplace of the Americas (2nd Edition), the second of his three-part series, Commodore Tellis Bethel, head of the Security Forces Inspectorate and the former Commander of the Royal Bahamas Defence Force, unfolds unique aspects of The Bahamas’ and Turks and Caicos Islands’ geography, history, and the culture of these islands’ inhabitants.
Although there is a widespread belief that Columbus discovered a “new world.” History reveals that the Italian navigator happened upon an ancient world in the Western Hemisphere that was transformed into a New World by the Old World of Europe. These historic events find their beginnings in the lap of the tranquil waters of The Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands.
The indigenous inhabitants Columbus met called themselves Lukku Cairi, meaning Island People in their native tongue. Today we call them Lucayans. Interestingly enough, the chain of beautifully scattered islands forming The Bahamas and Turks and Caicos Islands is called the Lucayan Archipelago, a reminder of the days when Spanish explorers and conquistadors roamed these islands’ waters more than 500 years ago.
“What is ironic,” the former naval officer explains, “is that Columbus spent seven years planning an expedition that took him almost 70 days to “discover” an archipelago consisting of 700 Islands, spanning almost 700 miles.” In August 1492, Columbus set out to discover a shorter route to the wealth of the Indies by sailing west from Spain. Sadly, his expedition ignited a series of Spanish conquests and genocide that demolished the ancient world, giving rise to the New Word of the Americas. After returning to Spain, Columbus received a hero’s welcome. Centuries later, countries celebrated Columbus’ historic feat as an annual event named Columbus Day. However, Columbus’ celebrity status ended after gruesome details of the theft, murder, enslavement, and genocide of the indigenous peoples engendered by Columbus and his contemporaries came to light.
Today, many throughout the Americas and other parts of the world no longer celebrate Columbus Day. Instead, the enslaved indigenous peoples who died in the wake of European colonization of the Americas are memorialized. Memories of Columbus have since become an annual bashing affair, not to be outdone by the removal or defacing of every vestige reminiscent of the colonial eras of genocide and slavery—as in the recent case of the destruction of his statue at Government House.
Nonetheless, amid hate, anger, and vitriol emerges an idea that can make good out of a bad situation. Rather than expending time and energy on beating a dead horse, in The Lucayan Sea—Birthplace of the Americas, Commodore Bethel proposes that the waters of The Bahamas and Turks Caicos Islands be named in honor of the annihilated Lucayans, their indigenous counterparts, and the enslaved Africans who suffered a similar fate throughout the Americas.
Bethel, who has spent more than 30 years protecting the territorial waters of The Bahamas as a naval officer in the Royal Bahamas Defence Force, proposes that these Islands’ waters be named the Lucayan Sea. He is a proponent of promoting this body of water as a symbol of peace such that the millions who encounter them would be inspired to do their part to make the world a better place.
NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers and distributors of Coca-Cola and Dasani products concluded their 10 weeklong Twist To Win campaign with four $5,000 Mall at Marathon shopping sprees.
The campaign which was available throughout the entire Bahamas allowed consumers to enter by purchasing a 20oz bottle with a yellow cap
from the following brands: Coca-Cola, Coca-Cola No Sugar, Sprite, Fanta Orange, or Fanta Grape. Each yellow-cap had a unique alpha numeric code underneath which they submitted to the Twist To Win WhatsApp number.
With each qualifying purchase, participants residing in The Bahamas were entered to win instant prizes and into a grand prize draw to win one of four $5,000 shopping sprees at the Mall at Marathon.
Participants also enjoyed exciting instant prizes such as: Airpods, JBL Speakers, premium Coca-Cola merchandise, $500 Visa gift cards and Amazon, Spotify and Apple Music digital gift cards.
Out of 76,000 plus submissions, Brian Bethel, Ashia Demeritte, Merlin Adams, and Taraceta Neely won the coveted Mall at Marathon shopping sprees at the following select stores, Kelly’s House & Home, The Sports Center, John Bull, Brass & Leather, and BTC.
Leading up to the grand finale shopping spree, Coca-Cola hosted a Trivia Showdown with the eight finalists to determine the four winners. Finalists were tested on their knowledge of World History, Pop Culture, Caribbean Bottling Company and Coca-Cola Facts!
After a few rousing rounds of trivia, the four winners were declared after each winning their spot in the shopping spree by answering their questions correctly and choosing the “Grand Prize” Coca-Cola labeled bottles at random.
The morning of the shopping spree Coca-Cola gave the winners exclusive access to the Mall at Marathon and its participating stores before
their usual operating hours. Grand prize winners were greeted with wide smiles from Coca-Cola brand representatives and morning bites before the big event.
At the start of the thirty-minute clock the grand prize winners along with each of their Coca-Cola shopping assistants ran to the various stores collecting items in their arms and carts.
Merlin Adams, a husband and father of four was proud to have executed his game-plan at the end of the shopping spree. With toys, a new phone and materials for his home from Kelly’s, Adams felt accomplished in what he gathered.
Taraceta Neely, a winner from Eleuthera collected beautiful bags for herself and relatives from Brass and Leather and Brian Bethel bought matching athletic and outdoor wear from The Sports Center for his family.
The final winner Ashia Demeritte bought linens and household items in addition to a new phone from BTC right in time for Christmas.
Caribbean Bottling Company is proud to share the real magic of Coca-Cola with the grand prize winners and the may instant prize winners across the Twist To Win campaign. For more updates on new products, promotions, and events follow www.cbcbahamas.com.
Bahamas News
The Coca-Cola Art Project Astonishes Art Lovers at The Bahamas Culinary & Arts Festival
NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers and distributors of Coca-Cola and Dasani products displayed
their astonishing Coca-Cola Art Project (CCAP), during Baha Mar’s five-day Culinary & Arts Festival. Earlier this year, Coca-Cola partnered with The University of The Bahamas’ Visual Art and Design Department for a culturally rich art competition. UB’s art students were challenged to create pieces surrounding the theme, Bahamian music.
As a result, 20 student works of art were made, with four students declared as winners at the CCAP exhibit opening in Baha Mar’s ECCHO: Art Gallery in August. To recreate the culturally stimulating magic felt at the exhibit’s premiere, the CCAP was featured at the FUZE Art Tent during The Bahamas Culinary & Arts Festival.
Nine incredible pieces of art lined the walls of the Coca-Cola Art Project, four of which included the winning pieces from Jhanaisia Cole,
with ‘Gaulin Bride’; Alyssa Pinder, with ‘Shotgun Wedding’; Nelson Gray, with ‘Untitled’; and Jaela Bowe, with the piece ‘Whims of Obeah, a Folktail’. Additionally, an intimate listening room was built. It displayed students’ artistic processes, UB Visual Art and Design representatives, and a recap of the exhibit opening for audiences.
Art enthusiasts also enjoyed premium limited-edition CCAP keepsakes at the booth. Journals which featured a collage of all 20 student submissions on the front and back cover, postcards with an art piece on the cover along with the student’s name, title, dimension and materials on the back and pens designed with the CCAP’s dynamic logo.
Throughout the art festival diverse groups of people visited the art tent taking in the displays while enjoying the artistic insights from the
listening booth.
Community and culture are always at the forefront of Caribbean Bottling Community, and it was boldly showcased during The Bahamas Culinary & Arts Festival for the third consecutive year.
For more details on the Coca-Cola Art Project, events and new products visit www.cbcbahamas.com today!
NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Wines & Spirits (CWS), The Bahamas’ premier wines and spirits distributor delighted Jollification
attendees with bubbles from their Bottega and Bouvet Ladubay sparkling wines and Besserat de Bellefon champagne lines.
Located in the Monument Circle on The Retreat grounds, CWS transformed The Retreat Garden into a lush lounge with Besserat, Bouvet and their latest product addition, Bottega, during the two-day affair.
The festivities kicked off Friday during BNT Member’s Night. Guests enjoyed exclusive offerings from CWS’s catalogue, offered exclusively to members. Complimentary mixes or glasses on the rocks included El Tequileno tequila, Hard Truth whiskey, House of Angostura rum, Cross Keys gin, Nemiroff vodka and a slew of wines such as Fonesca Bin, Bottega and Besserat.
Guests also savored the ‘Jolly Paloma’ cocktail, an instant favorite made with El Tequileno tequila, Schweppes Grapefruit and Domaine de Paris rose wine. To end the night, guests were treated to branded limited-edition wine tumblers as keepsakes.
On Saturday and Sunday, Jollification attendees delighted in glasses or bottles of champagne and sparkling brut or rosé wines while taking
in the comfort of the chic lounge. In addition to purchasing bottles for onsite consumption, consumers were also able to purchase bottles as gifts whether for themselves or someone special.
The sophisticated “bubble lounge” lounge was decked with velvet couches, gold rimmed cocktail tables, blue and pink pillows, and a white floral branded backdrop created for capturing the perfect picture.
Caribbean Wines & Spirits, a historic partner of the Bahamas National Trust was pleased to support Jollification 2025 to kick off the festive season and share their expansive range of spirits.
To keep up to date with all CWS products and events, visit their website at www.cwsbahamas.com today.
