More from the Green Team on our Solar Project

My time on Andros have flown by. As I write my last blog entry for Small Hope from the packed Starbucks in Dupont Circle in the heart of Washington, DC it occurred to me that there is no greater juxtaposition to the environment I left behind on Andros. Smart Phones, watches and laptops line every table. Leaving is always bittersweet. Although I am glad to be within walking distance to a hundred restaurants, bars, and stores, I’m already missing the carefree atmosphere.

My last few weeks at Small Hope have been spent overseeing and laying the pipes for the solar hot water system, creating a solar hot water manual and designing a low cost solar hot water system for residential use. The solar hot water manual is meant to document the process that we went through to design and build the system so that other resorts or businesses can follow suit later. The manual includes tediously detailed sourcing information so replacement parts can be easily ordered. The manual also includes detailed schematics, diagrams, and maintenance information.

The rest of the Duke Green team have been busy wrapping up several other projects we have been working on, including an interactive user friendly energy monitoring program that allows users to graphically display information regarding Small Hope’s energy use and cost (total, per capita, etc) and sort according to different factors such as year, season, and end energy use. We also designed a separate solar hot water system for the hot tub. Outside of the project, we have all been proactive with our Andros Bucket List. I finally got to dive Over the Wall at 185 feet, Backside of the Blue Hole, checked out Morgan's Bluff and Mastic Pointe up north, and received my Advanced Diving Certification. 

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The Solar Project at Small Hope

Four months ago, I expected my summer to be spent somewhere in the hustle and bustle of downtown Washington, DC, researching and writing memos on various environmental issues. It didn’t even occur to me that building a solar domestic hot water system in the Bahamas at a dive resort surrounded by mangroves and clear turquoise water was an option! I am glad I made the choice to trade in my metro card and suit for a bicycle and flip flops.

As August, and the end of my time with Small Hope Bay Lodge, approaches, I start to reflect on my experience here and all that has been accomplished. Working with Small Hope has been an incredible experience and a rare opportunity to be able to see a vision turn into a physical reality. I came down here with nothing but a notepad and with the help of some great teammates, Kevin Kurkul, Jake Vestal, and Esi Waters, and the support of the Small Hope family we can leave with a resort-wide solar hot water system, an energy monitoring program, community outreach material on solar hot water systems, and an environmental management plan for the resort.

Time has really flown by and these next few weeks will continue to fly by as we try to finish construction on the solar hot water system. I am ecstatic to get my hands dirty after weeks of dealing with the logistics of obtaining specialized parts and shipping to a remote Out Island like Andros.  (You will not believe how inaccurate those shipping estimate dates are!)

Finally after a few weeks of calling freight companies, distributors, and coordinating with manufacturers, the majority of the parts have arrived! We have been focusing our efforts on building the water manifolds for the hot water storage tanks and starting to solder the copper components. If you are interested in reading more about the specifics of the system, check out my blog entry on the system design. http://blogs.nicholas.duke.edu/internshipblogs/pulling-together-a-solar-hot-water-system-for-small-hope/ Once we are done with that, the team will start to run the pex tubing (a flexible tube that will deliver the end use water) around the resort and to each of our cabins. I am excited to see what our final system looks like and to get it online! I think it will be a great help to Small Hope in terms of reducing its energy costs, but also as an example for the community and to inspire others to follow suit! With plentiful sun exposure, Bahamians really could benefit by tapping into this underutilized resource!

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Breakfast wonderful breakfast

Breakfast at Small Hope!



Start the day with a hearty breakfast! Decisions, decisions…..fried or scramble eggs, pancakes or French toast, ham or bacon…maybe a little of everything! We also have fresh fruit, a range of cereals, toast and jam and there is always a pot of coffee brewing.

If you are feeling a little adventurous, ask for the Bahamian Breakfast Special!


“Chicken souse”  boiled chicken & vegetables in a lemony broth

“Corn beef & grits” (known as Fire Engine, by the locals) -corn beef with green peppers and tomatoes in a thyme sauce

“Stew conch” a thick soup with conch and potato

“Sardines & grits” the name says it all!

Well, this makes me hungry, how about you? Pin It Now!

Nature Trails around Small Hope

Here at Small Hope we offer a variety nature walks. They are suitable for every age good.

Davis Creek



The walks offer a variety of different things to see, on the Davis Creek walk you will see The Australian Pine grove which is a little inland from the beach, you can snorkel at Davis Creek and see some of the fish species common among the mangroves and there is a deserted beach which is nice for a stroll and shell finding.



Mangroves

 We also have a Mangrove walk which will take up close and  personal with one of the most important ecosystems in the Bahamas. On this walk you might be able to observe some wading birds such as the Great Blue Heron, Little Blue Heron and you might have the opportunity to see some Mangrove Crabs.



In Land Blue Hole

 Within a nice walk or bike ride there is one of the many Inland Blue Hole's which are good for a refreshing fresh water swim or for a stroll around the edge.


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More Nature Walking on Andros Island

The guests at Small Hope Bay Lodge decided to participate in a little eco tourism on Andros Island by taking advantage of one of our nature walks. Usually the walks are self-guided but Divemaster Loren lead the way for the guests, explaining many of the native plants and sharing some of the folklore associated with bush medicine, which is still practiced throughout the Bahamas. Lee, who is an avid birder, brought along her binoculars and saw a couple of different native birds!

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Nature Walking Through Andros

Small Hope Bay Lodge is good for more than just great diving, snorkeling and bonefishing. We are surrounded by pristine mangroves, coppice land and Andros pine forests. Other Bahamians call the 2300 square mile island the "Big Yard because of the abundance uninhabited land, which makes nature walking and eco tourism an easy thing to do!

Ian and Ann from Nassau, along with their Canadian friends, Eric and Maureen, came to Small Hope to do some nature tourism exploring of this out island. Ian and Ann had never been to the island, even though we are only 27 miles away from Nassau! They thoroughly enjoyed their explorations, heading north to Red Bays to watch the basket weaving and sponging activities. The four friends took long walk in the mangroves and embarked on the Bush Medicine trail that led to the Rainbow Blue Hole.

All four sat with Divemaster Amanda after lunch and talked about their experiences at Small Hope Bay Lodge.

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