![]() ![]() His mother convinced his father, who had been born in Nassau, to return to The Bahamas. Fast forward a generation to when Tony’s parents were living in California. His great-grandfather was born in Nassau and had land holdings in Cat Island (then San Salvador). Tony can trace his ancestry back to the first Armbrister’s that arrived in The Bahamas in the late 1700’s as British Loyalists exiled from America by the Revolution. ![]() His father had two sons, Tony and his brother Cyril Jr, and Tony took to Bahamas-living like it suited him. I remained quiet as he weaved through the history of his great-grandfather, a Nassau merchant, and his grandfather, who had his father at the age of seventy-six when he married a thirty seven-year-old. ![]() I had the privilege of hiking with him to The Hermitage, a stone dwelling built by Father Jerome in the 1920’s upon the highest point in The Bahamas. He is a walking storybook, and his tales will captivate you. Tony said that someone once told him he sounded like a book, which is exactly true. Pam’s parents also live in the neighborhood, and between the extended reaches of their family and the warm and welcoming staff, you will surely feel at home. Prior to my visit I was introduced to Tony through various faucets, and upon my trip to Cat Island I had the opportunity to stay at Fernandez Bay Village, which he established in the 1970’s and is still going strong with his wife Pam, and is now onto the third generation with their daughter Tameron, her husband Jason, and their one-year-old child. He has a steady and reserved demeanour and is one of the most engaging storytellers I’ve ever met. Tall and lean with a two-day shadow, he wears an outback hat and a fishing shirt. I’m sure you’ve all heard of the Dos Equis guy? Touted as being the “most interesting man in the world?” Well, I am here to say the Dos Equis guy has nothing on Mr. One of my many wows of Cat Island was my time spent at Fernandez Bay and meeting Tony Armbrister and his family. The island boasts some of the most beautiful beaches in The Bahamas, and with land and water activities for hikers, history buffs, fishermen, kiteboarders and divers, you’ll never find yourself lacking something to do. There’s one wow after another waiting around every corner. Whatever it is, one thing is inevitable, you will most likely fall in love with this island. But now the island easily sidles along with a peaceful flow and is home to a quiet population of around 1,800 of the warmest islanders you’ll meet. You can almost sense the energy of the once bustling population of around 10,000 people on the island, actively engaged in a sisal and cotton economy. Maybe it’s the remanents and ruins of stone buildings and plantations dating back to the 1700’s Loyalist period, nestled within the rolling hills and rocky outcrops. Maybe the obeah, or black magic captures your attention, where stories of ill-fated curse receivers are likely to convince even those who might not believe in such hoo-doo. There is something about Cat Island that moves differently. It doesn’t matter if you flew in from New York City, popped over from Nassau, or even another Out Island of The Bahamas. When you arrive on Cat island, something in you switches. ![]()
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