House Visitors Guide
Dear Calypso Visitor,
A little advanced preparation can greatly assist in making
your visit to Calypso more enjoyable, allowing you more time to spend with
pleasurable activities, and less time learning the “lay of the land”.
Spend a few minutes reviewing the “Before You Go” pages as
soon as is practical to aid with your packing.
Consider having a copy of the “When You Arrive” pages
handy upon your arrival, as they tell you important information for making the
transition from traveler to visitor.
The section on the house is the “operator’s manual”, and
answers many questions that typically arise. Your caretaker will go through the
house with you upon arrival, but there is a lot of information to absorb, and
you will probably be tired from traveling. You’ll find these pages in the
visitors guide notebook, usually residing in the desk area in the kitchen.
Every effort has been made to anticipate your needs, and
ensure a wonderful vacation. We welcome your feedback, suggestions, and even
photos via our email address: calypso@coastalnet.com.
Right
click here, select "Save Target As:" and choose your preferred
directory to download a copy of the House Visitors Guide in Microsoft Word format. (Remember
where you saved it!)
Have fun!
Bill and Lynn Hand
Tom and Liz Taft
BEFORE YOU TRAVEL
Money
Large sums of cash or travelers
checks are unnecessary. Most stores and restaurants accept credit cards. There
is an ATM at ScotiaBank in
Clothing
Most people take too many clothes.
You should be able to hand carry everything in two bags: one for clothes and the
other for “toys” (snorkel gear, cameras, and odds and ends). Elbow Cay is
not a place to “dress to impress”. Comfort rules. Shorts and T-shirts are
normal daywear. Nighttime is a bit dressier, but still very casual.
Pretty much anything goes. A lightweight rain jacket and pants are useful for
rainy days, choppy days on the boat, and when a windbreaker is needed.
Lightweight long sleeved shirts and long pants are good if it’s a bit chilly,
or for sun protection.
Things to Bring
Camera, extra film, flashlight, extra
batteries, sunscreen, hat, sunglasses, books, comfortable walking shoes/flops,
snorkel gear, shorty wetsuits, lightweight raingear, disposable underwater
camera (big fun!), family radios (such as Motorola Talkabouts), handheld marine
VHF radio, favorite CDs, MP3 player, cards.
IMPORTANT: US citizens are now required to have a passport for re-entry into the US.
Groceries
There are several grocery stores on
the island that stock basic groceries.
You cannot bring in any fruits or raw
vegetables from the states.
Alcoholic Beverages
Wine and beer are readily available
on Elbow Cay. The beer selection is good and the wine selection is basic but
adequate. You might consider stopping at the liquor store in
Cell Phones
A few cell phones work without any
special effort, but most do not, and it’s not worth
the trouble to work it out with Batelco, the Bahamian phone company. The house
number is 242-366-0004.
Telephone – calling the States
Toll calls are restricted. Toll free calls to access long distance carriers are permitted. Calling cards are recommended, though calls through regular carriers or the Bahamian phone service are expensive, usually around $2 a minute.
If you have a laptop computer with a mic and speakers (or better yet, a head set), use the Calypso broadband internet connection for VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol). The owners have had recent and very positive experiences with Skype, available for free at www.skype.com. The instructions are easy to understand, there is no associated spyware, and the connection is very clear. Communication with other computers running Skype is free, but the main advantage of Skype is the ability to call regular stateside telephones on your computer for pennies per minute. Minutes are purchased in $10 increments over the internet with a credit card.
WHEN YOU ARRIVE
Customs/Immigration
Bring certified birth certificates
(copies are unacceptable) or passports for the children or US airlines will not
allow them to board the plane.
Your airline will give you a
Taxis
Taxis are readily available just outside the customs exit, and
will take your party to the ferry dock, or the boat rental office if you are
renting in
At your request, the taxi will take you to the liquor store or
grocery store and wait. (Check the ferry schedule!) Beer and basic groceries are
available in Hopetown, but the wine selection is much better in
The Ferry from
The Albury Ferry is one of the few services in the
The ferry can be chartered for about $90. It’s best to
arrange this as far ahead of time as possible.
Welcome
to Calypso
Calypso replaces a 30+ year old house (Villa Calcutta, or
Kelly’s
Please familiarize everyone with these suggestions for
helping maintain the house in good condition for your enjoyment and that of
those who follow.
Your Caretaker
Christina
Cartwright is available by calling “2 hummingbirds” on the house VHF radio,
or 366-0335 on the telephone. She will be glad to assist with any house problems
or questions that you may have, but please respect her privacy by only calling
her if absolutely necessary. She manages several rental houses, and while glad
to offer suggestions, she is not a concierge! Most any of the locals that you
see at the marina, in restaurants, in bars, the dive shop, etc. are more than
willing to answer your questions about places to go and things to do.
Security
There
is no need to lock the house. Theft is exceptionally rare. Nevertheless, do not
invite trouble by leaving wads of cash, your wallet/purse, expensive cameras,
etc. sitting out on the counter when the house is unoccupied.
House Supplies
Each
guest has two bath towels, a face cloth, and a beach towel. Starter supplies of
soap, toilet paper, paper towels, dish detergent, and dishwasher detergent are
provided. LVA Grocery is the nearest store for the purchase of additional
supplies. (Take a left out of the driveway and follow the “big road” around
the bend until you see the sign.) Brooms, dustpans, and a vacuum cleaner can be
found in the closet next to the refrigerator or in the laundry room. There are
some basic cleaning supplies under the kitchen sink. You will note that the
windows may get salty if the ocean is rough and there is a strong breeze off the
ocean. This is unavoidable. Feel free to hose off the windows, but don’t go
crazy with the water!
Windows
The
windows can resist hurricane winds in excess of 145 mph, but have some
idiosyncrasies. Forcing a locked window open can rip the locks out of the vinyl
sashes. Closing a window with the lock tab already closed will do the same.
Also, the upper tabs that hold in the lower sash can be broken off if the
windows are forcefully raised too high. Be gentle with them. Be good to them and
they will be good to you.
Afternoon
storms can form quickly (but fortunately dissipate quickly), bringing unexpected
rain and shifting wind. It’s best to close the windows before you leave for an
extended period of time.
The
kitchen windows that open onto the porch are heavy. Be very careful when
opening and closing them. You
may choose to use the step stool.
Please
turn off the AC while enjoying island breezes with open windows!
Garbage
Large
garbage bags are located in the same cabinet as the trash can, under the
“hole” in the kitchen counter. Please use them. Place your bagged trash in
the outside garbage cans and place them by the roadside on Monday, Wednesday,
and Friday morning. Critters will tear into trash bags that are not in cans and
make a nasty mess.
The Internet
Calypso has a wireless broadband internet
connection with an internal wireless “G” router that is backward compatible
with “B” wireless cards. If you have a problem making a wireless connection,
there is a cable with a RJ45 plug, or a jack, on the right side of the desk
area.
Under no circumstances should you tamper with any
wires behind the electronics above the desk. No one but the owner has the
slightest idea what all that stuff does.
Telephone
The phone system has a toll restrictor which blocks long
distance calls, except 800 numbers. The more common calling card access numbers
from the
AT&T
AT&T Canada
800-389-0004
MCI
Sprint Express
800-389-2111
If you
must maintain contact with someone in the states, it is generally much cheaper
to have them call you. The house number is 242-366-0004.
Any charges billed to the house are your responsibility. (Some
Sometimes the phone system goes down on parts of the
island. Just like the occasional power outage, this is something everyone lives
with.
Feel free to record a generic message
on the answering machine.
VHF Radio
The
calling channel is “16”. This is also the emergency and distress channel, so
always switch to a working channel. The protocol is to call “2 hummingbirds, 2
hummingbirds…. Calypso”. When the person/place you are calling answers, they
will usually say “go to 12” (or another channel). You say “12”, switch
channels and establish contact on the working channel. It’s easier than it
sounds here. Just listen for a while to hear how others do it and you’ll have
no trouble. There are several working channels and you’ll quickly learn which
ones are regularly used.
Every
morning at
Salt and Sand
Please
keep salt and sand outside. Water hoses are conveniently placed to wash
away salt and sand from bodies, clothes, and gear. The outdoor shower is ideal
for hair and swim suits full of sand.
Washer/Dryer
Very
few rental homes on Elbow Cay allow renters the use of a washer/dryer for
several reasons: excessive usage or abuse, high water consumption, and the
detrimental effects of salt and sand. The owners feel strongly that a vacation
is much more enjoyable with the option of washing a few items of clothing.
Please justify this decision by using the washer/dryer prudently, and removing
salt and sand before washing or drying. REMEMBER TO CLEAN THE LINT TRAP. The
heat from a clogged vent line can start a fire!
Game Room
This
will become a favorite room on rainy days or after dinner! Your caretaker will
provide (a limited supply of) balls for the foosball, ping-pong, and pool table.
These tables are not commercial grade, and therefore somewhat fragile. Please
do not sit, stand, lean heavily on them, or remove them from the game room.
The ping-pong table is especially fragile, and will be reinforced with a new
base in the future. Handle the foosball rods with care as they can be
permanently bent. (The foosball table should not be moved as it has been
leveled.) PLEASE REVIEW THIS WITH YOUR CHILDREN. Thank you for helping to keep
these tables available for others to enjoy.
Water System
There
is no “city water” on Elbow Cay. Islanders typically collect rainwater, but
this supply would be inadequate for Calypso. Therefore, the house is equipped
with a sophisticated reverse osmosis water maker (referred to as the “RO
system”) that takes brackish water from a well and forces it through special
membranes to remove the salt. The water is highly filtered and perfectly safe to
drink. In fact, many of the popular bottled waters are run through RO systems as
part of the purification process. The RO system is automated and may turn on
during the day. The pump that you hear is the sound of fresh water… a valuable
commodity on the island!
The
system is designed for reasonable and normal usage.
Please
discourage playing with the water hose, leaving faucets on for prolonged
periods, taking long showers, etc. or you will deplete the reserve supply and/or
the water maker will not be able to keep up.
If
there is no water pressure, there are several possibilities:
-
All the water (7,000 gallons!) in the storage tanks is gone.
(This is a very bad thing and should not happen!) Only the caretaker can make
this determination. You will be without water until the water truck can bring a
limited amount, and that may be quite a while. Also, it takes a long time for
the water maker to fill the tanks.
-
The main water pump has failed. You can utilize the emergency
pumps for brief periods of time (an hour) by setting the timer at the end of the
kitchen island. In most cases, the main pump can be re-set or repaired within a
reasonable period of time.
-
The power has been out for a long time and the batteries for
the back-up water pumps are depleted. Welcome to the
Toilets
Why
is this subject being mentioned? Calypso has some of the most effective
low-flush toilets available, but they can still be clogged. There are two
plungers in the house, residing in whichever bathroom last needed one.
Power Outages
These
are a fact of life in the
Minimize
the opening of the refrigerator, so food will stay cool.
The
water system has battery powered back-up pumps that will automatically provide
pressure water for many hours. Beware, the hot water will eventually run out,
and the batteries eventually deplete!
Automatic
emergency lights in the main room and the TV room cannot be turned off, but will
go out when power is restored or their battery depletes, whichever occurs first.
Flashlights
and candles are located in a kitchen drawer. There is also a flashlight plugged
into an outlet at the end of the kitchen island. Please reserve these for
emergency use only. Be
careful with fire. Fire service is rudimentary at best.
Grill
DO
NOT LIGHT WITH THE LID CLOSED. (Yes, it’s already happened. Fortunately,
medical care was not required.) The grill is a professional stainless grill. It
works a little differently from most grills. Open the lid, open the tank valve
(counterclockwise), turn the burner valve so the handle is lined up with the
hose (perpendicular to the grill front), open the circular lighting hatch and
light the burner. Close the circular lighting hatch and the top or the grill
will not get hot enough. The vents on the top should be opened all the way. It
is best to close the burner valve slightly or the grill will get too hot and
light off residual grease. Leave
the inside pan in place to prevent flaming unless you are very familiar with
this type of grill. If you want searing heat, place food around the periphery to
catch the heat coming up from around the interior pan. Clean the grill with the
stainless steel brush in the kitchen utensil drawer. Do NOT wash the grill with
soap and water. This will remove the seasoning and food will stick. The interior
pan can be removed for cleaning after unscrewing the drain valve. (Be sure to
put it
back!) Be careful with fire. Fire service is rudimentary
at best.
Boating
Please
rely upon your boat rental agent for charts and other information necessary for
safely operating your boat. They usually give renters a nice chart of South
Abaco Sound, with enlargements of the various harbours and danger areas.
The Dock
Calypso, Oceanview, and the Aerie share a dock on Nigh Creek (the creek that parallels the road between town and Calypso). Please leave room for other boats and carts.
Furniture
Please
do not leave any furniture unattended on the beach, especially below the tide
line.
The
porch rockers are not weather proof. Please do not leave them outside.
Kindly
refrain from taking the cushions outside, or sitting on the furniture while wet,
or when covered with sunscreen (may stain fabric).
Beach
The
Calypso beach is mostly fine sand with some chunks of coral. There is very
little current or undertow, however, it can be quite rough in stronger winds.
Use good judgment!!!
Sometimes
tar washes up on the beach. Check your feet when returning. Use cooking oil and
a rag to remove tar before it gets tracked onto the deck or the inside the
house.
Sun
The
sun is very intense in the
Swimming Pools
The
Abaco Inn, Harbour Lodge, and Seaspray have freshwater pools with nearby bars
and restaurants. They can be especially attractive on windy days, for lunch and
a swim, or when the adults would like a bar cocktail and the kids still have a
lot of energy. Please do patronize the bar or restaurant while enjoying the
pool.
Restaurants
The
restaurants range from take out “fast food”, an oxymoron in the
Munchies,
Harbours Edge, and Captain Jacks are walk-in only.
Nippers
on Guana Cay is a fun boat trip on a nice day. Located on a high bluff
overlooking a beautiful beach, Nippers also has a cool pool. On Sundays they
usually have an all-you-can-eat pig picking which is enjoyable for the whole
family.
Cracker
P’s on Lubbers Quarters is another favorite spot. Their “Cracker Conch”,
smoked fish dip, baked beans, and baked mac’n cheese are awesome. Everything
is cooked on a grill. This is a fun place for lunch. Rental boats are not
supposed to be out after dark, but dinner is great too.
Pete’s
Pub in Little Harbour is a great lunch spot, especially after stopping at Sandy
Cay for a snorkel or Pelican Cay for some beach exploring.
Emergency Medical Care
You
can call Hopetown Fire and Rescue at any time at 366-0500, or on channel 16 on
the VHF marine radio. The paramedics can provide limited treatment/stabilization
until transport to the hospital in
There
is a first aid guide and Epi-pens (for anaphylactic shock) in the glass cabinet
to the left of the refrigerator.
What’s Behind the Locked Doors (for those that are
insanely curious)
The
big room in the basement is currently full of leftover building supplies and
personal items that belong to the owners. The locked cabinets likewise contain
personal items, or supplies for the use of the caretaker. Sorry, no stashes of
vintage wines.
Things to Do
The
Cruising Guide to Abaco, by Steve Dodge, is an excellent source of information
on the surrounding islands and waters. This is available at several stores on
the island, and is money well spent.
Following
are some suggestions for activities. Consider them as a starting point for your
planning. Make your plans according to the weather. If it’s calm today,
you cannot count on it being calm tomorrow. Take advantage of the here and now.
If the weather is nice (sunny and calm), plan longer trips.
Listen
to the “cruisers net” on channel 68 at
Highly
Recommended All Day activities for Sunny, Calm Days
-
Boat trip north to Guana Cay for lunch and exploring (Sunday
pig pickin’ at Nippers)
-
Boat trip south to Sandy Cay for snorkeling, (drop off
non-divers at nearby Pelican Cay, a beautiful, unspoiled cay to explore), on to
Little Harbour for a late lunch at Pete’s Pub, visit Johnson Gallery. Stop to
dive for star fish (can’t keep) on Tilloo Bank. (You should really do two days
checking out these places, if the weather is nice.)
-
Snorkel trip north to Fowl Cay, with a stop at Man-O-War Cay.
-
Kayak with Abaco Outback
-
Snorkel or Dive trip with Froggies
Highly
Recommended Activities
-
Tour Man-O-War Cay
-
Tour the
-
Shop in
-
Swim and/or lunch at any of the Elbow Cay pools
-
Lunch at Cracker P’s on Lubber’s Quarters
-
Explore Snake Cay (must be comfortable operating boat in
shallow water)
-
Charter Robert Lowe for fishing trip
-
Visit Lighthouse, climb to top for great panorama (DO NOT
MISS)
-
Swim/picnic at
-
Sunday brunch at Harbour Lodge
-
Visit local gift shops
-
Get fresh bread and pies at
-
Snorkel at one of many nearby spots (see Dodge’s Guide)
-
Bicycle riding
-
Exploring by boat
Highly Recommended Evening Activities
-
Sunset cocktails/dinner at Abaco Inn
-
Abaco Inn band/dancing
-
Cocktail golf cart ride south to
-
Pizza night at Harbours Edge
-
DJ night at Harbours Edge, Captain Jack’s, or Harbour Lodge