Hurricane Joaquin

While we keep the Central Bahamas, Bermuda, and everyone else affected by Hurricane Joaquin in our thoughts, we are happy to say that Small Hope Bay lodge and the rest of Andros Island has survived the storm without any major damage. Jeff gave everybody Friday and Saturday off to prepare for the storm, but the worst weather we got was fifteen mph winds and a few brief showers. So, we were able to spend our days off relaxing, enjoying some time with the family, or playing poker and eating Erin's delicious food in the lodge.
Now that the Hurricane Joaquin is continuing to head North, we have some more flat seas and another beautiful day in paradise.

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DEMA, Harry Potter and coming home . . .

A couple weeks ago I attended DEMA in Orlando, Florida. I went as a representative from Small Hope Bay Lodge to meet some dive groups and take two courses. Overall it was a good show. The courses I took, while long, were very informative and now I am ready to be a ScubaPro service tech for our regulators at the dock, and to do visual inspections on our scuba tanks! Mission accomplished!

I also ran into some old friends, like Jonathan Bird and Camerman Todd, from JonathanBird's Blue World. The show turned out being very fun. At the Bahamas booth we had a tiki bar and happy hour complete with games, prizes, and of course . . . Rum Punch!

Hogwarts!

 

Since I don't get to Orlando very often and happen to be a huge Harry Potter fan, I decided to check out the Wizarding World of Harry Potter inside Universal Studios. It was SO MUCH FUN!!!!!!!!!! I had the best time (geeked out completely!). I went on the rides (one of them 3 times since it was so fun), had a beer at the Hog's Head Pub, lunch at the Three Broomsticks, and even bought a wand at Olivander's. 

For those non-Potter fans or readers, these things probably mean very little. But for me, it was a hoot. I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys the books or movies, fun for all ages!

But by this time I had been in the big city (compared to Andros, Bahamas) for almost a whole week. That means traffic, cars everywhere, cable TV, air conditioned rooms, etc. I was really getting anxious to come home - Small Hope, Andros Island, Bahamas. 

I was ready for the only sounds outside my window to be swaying palms and lapping waves of the ocean; a place where I can see tons and tons of stars; and where everyone I talk to is a friend, even if I just met them. 

Landing in Andros

 Flying into Andros Town airport I thought how happy I am to be home! Pin It Now!

Christmas at Small Hope Bay Lodge

Small Hope Bay Lodge is now preparing for our New Year's Eve party and celebrating going in to our 53rd year!!! Can you believe it? 53 years is an incredible feat and we plan on commemorating it with a great party.

We just wrapped up a fantastic Christmas, filled with old and new friends and family. We got to enjoy some exceptionally sunny and warm days and spent the time diving Over the Wall AND a Shark Dive. Other guests took a field trip to Captain Bill's Blue Hole, played some beach football and relaxed on some of our coziest beach hammocks. What could be better than that?

Here is little video of how we spent our Christmas . . . 

And our wonderful Shark Dive . . . 

This will be our last blog of 2012. We send all of you our warmest wishes for the new year. Love from all of us at Small Hope and enjoy your New Year celebration!


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Friends and Family

Small Hope Bay Honors Two Very Dear Friends

 Small Hope has been around since 1960. It was built by Dick Birch and the Birch family still owns and operates the resort. Family has always been a fundamental part of life at Small Hope. The Birch family has grown and grown since Dick first arrived on Andros. And it continues to grow to this day. This is because once you come to stay with us you are part of the family here. We are lucky to be a part of so many people’s lives. Like all families we have our share of good times and bad, but we go through these times together.

Small Hope Bay Lodge recently helped to remember and celebrate two very dear friends. 



The Laing’s have been coming to Small Hope for decades. Patrick Laing was a diver, a father and a good friend. His daughter Elizabeth has come to fulfill his final wish of being laid to rest with Small Hope in The Tongue of the Ocean. His ashes and plaque will be placed near Whip Wire Wall and we hope his spirit will roam the ocean forever. Watch Patrick's final dive here and see as he is laid to rest in the Tongue of the Ocean Memorial Dive

Jim Spencer was another good friend of ours. He and his wife Lynndale made us a part of their lives and shared many happy moments here at Small Hope throughout the years. His ashes and plaque will be laid to rest in the ocean Blue Hole, one of his favorite places in the world. His wife, children and grandchildren all came to Small Hope to celebrate his life and say goodbye.

All of us at Small Hope feel so proud and privileged to have been a part of such special moments. That these men loved Small Hope and our beautiful ocean so much that they have chosen to spend eternity with us says it all. We are moved and so thankful to have touched the lives of these families.

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Summer Vacation in The Bahamas

Come to Small Hope Bay Lodge in August for a Perfect Summer Getaway

 

White sandy beaches, a relaxed and friendly atmosphere,  great fishing, beautiful snorkeling, world class diving and an open bar. Small Hope Bay Lodge has everything you need to have a great summer vacation! 

Take advantage of the amazing weather and beautifully calm water that we get in August and come for some fun in the sun! In addition to the perfect weather you don't want to miss the awesome specials we are offering for travel in August! It is difficult to think of a reason not to come to Small Hope Bay this summer for a great trip! 

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Happy New Year!!!

Another New Year was rung in at Small Hope and what a sweet party it was! Our evening started around the outside bar where we had a pleasant breeze keeping us cool. Not only did we have a full lodge but many of the Birch family was here to celebrate with us as well, not to mention other Andros Island friends who stopped by for some cocktails.

At 7pm, Michelle and Renauldo announced dinner and WOW, a huge feast including ham, turkey, stuffing, coconut shrimp and spinach and artichoke bisque was served. That was followed by 42 (yes 42!!!!) desserts - a new Small Hope Bay Lodge record. Among them - chocolate chip cookies, key lime pie, New Orleans style cheesecake, double chocolate decadence cheesecake, sweet potato pie, homemade eggnog, and sex in the pan.

After dinner guests were treated to cocktails inside and outside as well as Alec's traditional New Years Bang Bangs - shots of tequila mixed with Sprite and banged on the counter for extra fizz. We all made our hats in the Games Room. Some made more simple hats while some left no glitter or rhinestone untouched.

We took down the Christmas tree and started the bonfire down the beach. At the countdown, the tree was tossed in and our newly made hats too. We could see fireworks displays from Nassau but decided to add some fireworks of our own for good measure.

All in all, it was an amazing night and the only sad thing is that we have to wait a whole year to do it again . . .

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Irene’s pancakes

 

Ingredients
4 c. flour
1 T. baking powder
3 eggs
1 c. sugar
½ c. cream

Water as needed

Method

Combine wet ingredients and beat in flour till just smooth. Add a
Little cold water if needed.
Best if rested cold an hour before using

What a way to start the day............

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Christmas at Small Hope Bay Lodge 2010!

Christmas at Small Hope!

 

Friends, family, food, drinks…..all the fixings of a wonderful Christmas day!  The highlight was the CULINARY EXTRAVAGANZA prepared by Renauldo and all the kitchen crew. A fabulous time was had by all.

 Next up…..a FANTASTIC New Years Eve  Celebration!!!     


Click on link to watch our Christmas video.......


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y8lFcQ0vVrE 

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New Instructors at SHBL

Jeff and everyone at Small Hope Bay Lodge would like to congratulate Brian and Ashley for successfully completing their PADI Instructor Examination this past weekend.

Many of you are already familiar with Ashley, who started out at SHBL last April as a young Bahamian intern. After working diligently over the last 18 months, Ash completed all of his certifications necessary to reach Divemaster, Assistant Instructor and finally, PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor!

Jeff's son, Brian, came down from Canada to participate in the Instructor Development Course and the Instructor Exam. Growing up on the shores of Andros Island have its perks and Brian flew through the exams with flying colors! Now that he is an instructor, he'll be leaving us to go back to college, where he plans on studying abroad in Germany for 18 months.

Now that Ash is back as an Instructor, we have six full time PADI Instructors on staff -- Loren, Amanda, Moose, Ashley, Mike and Jeff -- along with new PADI Divemaster Dennis! Whatever our level of certification, we all are here working together at being the best Small Hope Bay Divemasters that we can be, providing the best level of service for our awesome guests!

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Secret Messages

It's not an unusual thing for families to come to Small Hope Bay Lodge year after year at the same time. Kids grow up together, spending a week each year hanging out and catching up.

Sam and Caroline started a fun tradition with the kids they met here at SHBL and hang out with every year. It all started with a coconut and ended up being notes left in a certain book on a certain page. Starting in 2006, Sam, Caroline and friends made a memory page and stuck it in this book (which we won't divulge to preserve their game). Each year they find the book in the library and leave a new note.

Here is a picture of Sam and Caroline with their little legacy of memories...

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Easter at Small Hope Bay Lodge

Easter morning dawned beautiful and clear on April 12th. It was so gorgeous that all the divemasters at the Lodge wanted to go diving Over The Wall. Jeff decided to dive, then Mike wandered out to the dock and decided to hop on the boat, and even though we only had three divers, Divemasters Loren, Amanda and Ash talked their way onto the boat instead of doing dock duty. It was our unofficial office Easter party!


It's a good thing we worked up our appetites because Renauldo and guest chef Scott had THIRTY desserts waiting for us at the annual Easter feast. From Baked Alaska to chocolate dipped strawberries, Gran Marnier chocolate cake and Renauldo's famous Guava Dough, everyone had their fill and went to bed stuffed!

Earlier in the day, the children hunted for Easter candy that the adults had hidden. We think the adults had more hiding than the kids did seeking!

We hope everyone had a blessed and safe holiday weekend! Pin It Now!

Ode To Small Hope

Banded sea, impossible greens
A sky, too blue
Breezes without a compass
Leaves that rattle
Bleached sand
Seaweed wrapped around toes
Burrs that stick for a painful moment to feet
Gaudy fish
Hungry birds
Lazy dogs
Cooks who smile
Food that pleases
Conversations that satisfy
Changing
Not changing
Going away
Returning

-Tom Cuni Pin It Now!

Earth Hour 2009

Small Hope Bay Lodge joined in Earth Hour 2009 to show our support for the fight against climate change. On March 28 at 8:30, we shut down all the power in the Lodge and had our after dinner drinks the old-fashioned way -- by candlelight. Without the radio to entertain us, guests took up the challenge by playing guitar, Scrabble and having spirited conversation around the dinner table.

Find out more about Earth Hour at earthhour.org. Pin It Now!

Young at Heart

Anne and 15 of her family members came together at SHBL to celebrate Anne's 60th birthday in style. They cut loose during the week, relaxing on the beach, trying diving for the first time, kayaking and giving the windsurfer a try.

On her birthday, Anne's family decorated the dining room with streamers and she was serenaded by Jeff and some of the staff when her birthday cake was brought into the room.

We set the family loose with our Flip video camera and this is what they had to say about Small Hope Bay Lodge.

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Dave and Sonya, guests that visited us from Alaska did an unusual thing -- they left a souvenir instead of taking one home. Dave engraved this walrus tooth and presented it to Jeff as a thank you for their great week at Small Hope Bay Lodge. Pin It Now!

Why Would You Want To Be Anywhere Else?

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Plunge Into The Past

Dear Jeff Birch,

We enjoyed the "Plunge Into The Past" tour, with the information given along the way. The well-marked nature trails were a real pleasure as were the lovely beaches.

The peaceful and friendly environment gave us a very relaxing and refreshing wedding occasion.

Sincerely,

Geoffrey and Elizabeth

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Stir It Up

With the help of some of our talented SHBL guests, the talented divemasters of Small Hope put on a show last Tuesday night since the mood was right. With Marlowe on the harmonica and Fred on the 12 string guitar, Divemasters Ashley and Amanda (we missed Dennis, who usually plays the bass) entertained the guests after dinner. Listen closely and you can hear Jeff singing backup!

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Family Ties

This last week, we were fortunate to have the Hochman/Dilevsky Family at the Lodge. The eleven members of the extended family came from far and wide (from California to Israel) for their reunion in the Bahamas. The family went diving, snorkeling, biking and hot tubbing all week in paradise. Here are some of the things they had to say about SHBL.

Bebe (11 months): "Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!" (translation: I had so much fun!)

Jerome: We came for fun, relaxation, and to be together as a family from 4 parts of the world. We got all this and more. The friendly staff and beautiful surroundings put us into instant relaxation. We could each be ourselves without inhibiton and relate as a family."

Betsy (obviously adolescent!): "To the adults -- it's not always 5 o'clock somewhere."

Jerome (Betsy's Dad): "It's always after 5:00 here!"

Aviv (coming to us all the way from Israel) : "When can I start?"

Will (Bebe's Dad): "Thanks to everyone! You all really made us feel like family! We had a wonderful time!"

Betsy (again!): "Blue holes trump swimming pools and beaches are awesome playgrounds -- but just as with most, don't play with the crabs (unless you're with Rex). Thank ya! Thank ya!"

They were a fun group and had a blast together. The whole staff enjoyed having the family here and would love to see them all again one day! Pin It Now!

Happy New Year!

We wish everyone in our Small Hope Family a healthy and prosperous New Year!

The guests at Small Hope rang in 2009 with a huge feast -- Renauldo, Denise and Shaunee outdid themselves with TWENTY SIX desserts! After allowing our food to settle, everyone headed into the games room to make hats for the party. The hats were to signify the past year and would be thrown into the fire for a "fresh start" at midnight.

The Christmas tree was taken down the beach around midnight and thrown on the fire for the Countdown. Champagne was had, fireworks were set off and kisses were spread around as the 2008 ended and 2009 began! Pin It Now!