Green Turtle Cay Archives

May 21, 2016May 29, 2019

Cheeseburger in Paradise 2016, Fiddle Cay, Abaco, Bahamas

The most anticipated and attended event of the year in The Abacos, Bahamas will be taking place this year on July 1 on Fiddle Cay – Cheeseburger in Paradise 2016!

The creators of the Cheeseburger in Paradise event on Fiddle Cay, are taking a break from hosting this wonderful event so the community of Green Turtle Cay will be throwing the party this year on July 1, 2016. This fantastic family friendly event will feature FREE cheeseburgers, margaritas and so much more! All proceeds of this year’s merchandise sales will go to the Amy Roberts Primary School and the Green Turtle Cay Volunteer Fire Co.

Follow the event on Facebook for updates and additional information!

Cheeseburger-in-paradise-Fiddle-Cay(a)-(600)-O

Sponsors for this years event:
Cheney Brothers – Casamigos Tequila – John Watlings Distillery – Sands Beer – Bahama Boat Works – Green Turtle Club – Sunset Marine – Abaco Buzz – Cavu House – Island House.
Contact [email protected]om or [email protected] for inquiries or sponsorship opportunities.

August 29, 2015June 6, 2019

Exploring Gillam Bay, Green Turtle Cay, Abaco

We had just a short time on Green Turtle Cay during our Abaco sail trip and were determined to make the most of it. After thoroughly enjoying our Goombay Smashes and conversation with Smitty at Miss Emily’s Blue Bee Bar, Smitty mentioned that we really should go and visit the “beach”. That way, he said, pointing somewhere to the east.

Thanking Smitty and buying a jug of Goombay Smash to go, we hopped in our golf carts and headed in the suggested direction.

Coming to a fork in the road, a sign indicated beach in either direction, so we decided to veer left. Just a few yards away the brush opened up to reveal Gillam Bay.

It was obviously low tide and gasp! – the bay was filled with sandbars dotting the shallow, beautiful, clear water.

It was getting late in the afternoon and we knew our sunlight hours were limited, so we immediately went wading in the shallow water on our way out to explore some of the sandbars.

We began to see signs of sea life on the sandbars; much of it the usual suspects, such as mini starfish,

and live sand dollars making their way through the soft sand.

But then there was this…

The odd looking creature writhed its way out of the hole and laid down in the sand.

We later found out that the strange creature was most likely a sea cucumber. Sea cucumbers are echinoderms—like starfish and sea urchins, and have very interesting defense systems, such as excreting a sticky stream of goo to ensnare their enemies or expelling internal organs and then regenerating new ones!

Interesting. Anyway, we explored the sandbars until dusk, then made our way back to the boat. Smitty was so right. We certainly enjoyed beautiful Gillam Bay, it’s sandbars and it’s interesting creatures.

Have you spent time on Gillam Bay? Tell us about it!

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To see more island posts, check out our Island Blog Directory

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Pictures and other content may not be re-used without written consent from Rum Therapy, LLC

May 13, 2015June 6, 2019

Miss Emily’s Blue Bee Bar, Home of the Goombay Smash

Miss Emily’s Blue Bee Bar on Green Turtle Cay in The Abacos has been serving drinks to thirsty customers since the 60’s and we planned to visit during our Abacos sail. After all, Miss Emily is said to be the originator of the drink “Goombay Smash” and although we have enjoyed a Goombay Smash or two in the past, we wanted to try the original – the one who’s recipe has not been shared with anyone outside the family.

Green Turtle Cay is a small island, only 3 miles in length and easy to get around by golf cart. We rented a couple of carts, headed south to the settlement of New Plymouth and found the Blue Bee Bar on Victoria Street.

Our excitement soon turned to disappointment as we realized Miss Emily’s was closed on Sunday and of course it was Sunday… But, thanks to the generosity of Smitty, the son-in-law of Miss Emily, who was relaxing inside the bar on his day off, we were granted access and got to sample the original Goombay Smash while learning a little Blue Bee history.

Business cards from all over the world adorn the walls, and flags and well worn tee shirts hang from the ceiling in the small and colorful establishment which now also serves dinner from 5 – 9:30 everyday except Sunday. We hear they serve an excellent broiled grouper and a Goombay Grouper…

The Goombay Smash is poured from a gallon jug so there was no way to catch a glimpse of the ingredients and although we pried, Smitty wouldn’t divulge any secrets saying that his wife Violet (Miss Emily’s daughter) was in charge of mixing the sweet concoction.

He graciously poured us each a Goombay Smash at the bar with a picture of the lovely Miss Emily (who passed away in 1977) smiling down at us.

We ordered a second round, chatted with the affable man also known as Sergeant Smith of the Bahamas Police Force, then departed with a jug of Miss Emily’s Goombay Smash to enjoy later on the boat.

Although you can find the Goombay Smash in many bars in the Bahamas, if you want to try the authentic and original recipe, you’ll have to make your way to Green Turtle Cay and the Blue Bee for a cold Goombay Smash, a pleasant afternoon and some good conversation.

Be sure to take away a jug for later…

For one version of the Goombay Smash (not the original!), check out the recipe here:
Goombay Smash

Have you enjoyed a Goombay Smash at Miss Emily’s Blue Bee Bar? Tell us about it!

Find Miss Emily’s Blue Bee Bar on our Bahamas Map

To see more posts on the Bahamas and other islands, check out our Island Blog Directory

Copyright©Rum Therapy
Pictures and other content may not be re-used without written consent from Rum Therapy, LLC

March 28, 2015May 29, 2019

Sunday Serenity: Morning in Green Turtle Cay

Recently we spent a week sailing the out islands of The Abacos, Bahamas. Well, actually it was more motoring than sailing as during our visit, the Sea of Abaco happened to be unusually calm.

One of the cays we were able to explore was Green Turtle Cay. About mid-way down the chain of cays that fringe the larger island of Abaco, Green Turtle Cay measures about 3 miles long and 1/2 mile wide. Exploring Green Turtle Cay is done easily by golf cart or bike.

During our sail, we’d awake each morning and snap a quick picture of the scenery through our porthole. The morning we awoke on Green Turtle Cay, the morning “porthole pic” was well, amazing! The water was so still that it created a perfect reflection of the colorful morning sky.

We’ll be writing more soon about our explorations on Green Turtle, but for now we’ll leave you with the Green Turtle Cay Morning Porthole Pic…

Have you explored Green Turtle Cay? Tell us about it!

Find Green Turtle Cay on our Bahamas Map

To see more island posts, check out our Island Blog Directory

August 23, 2013November 9, 2020

Goombay Smash

We were recently alerted to the fact that we didn’t have a recipe for a Goombay Smash on our website by one of our FB rum friends and set out to find out a little more about it.

First of all, what’s with the name? Well the Goombay is the name of a drum sometimes used in Bahamian music. Makes sense. Smash? Drink one and I think you’ll figure it out…

Turns out that we can’t give you the actual recipe for a Goombay Smash, because, well, the recipe is a family secret. This potent and tasty rum drink was created by Emily Cooper of Miss Emily’s Blue Bee Bar in Green Turtle Cay, Bahamas and rumor has it, the actual recipe has never been divulged to anyone outside of the family. The recipe listed below was given to us by the same FB friend J.W., who feels the taste is pretty darn close to the ones he has enjoyed at Miss Emily’s, but even he says there could be some secret ingredient missing.

As far as the authentic version? I think a trip to the Bahamas and a little research at the Blue Bee Bar may be in order…

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Print Recipe

Goombay Smash

Goombay is the name of a drum sometimes used in Bahamian music. Smash? Drink one and I think you’ll figure it out…

Course: Drinks

Servings:

Ingredients

2 oz. Dark Rum
1 oz. Coconut Rum
1/2 oz. Apricot Brandy
3 oz. Pineapple Juice
1 oz. Orange Juice

Instructions

Shake all ingredients over ice and until cold. Pour into rocks glasses over ice. Garnish with orange and a cherry, if desired.

Notes

Let us know if you’ve enjoyed a real Goombay Smash at Miss Emily’s Blue Bee Bar!