Caribbean Tales - The Bahamas - Andros
Andros
Andros is the largest of The Bahamas, known locally as "The Big Yard",
with an area of 2,300 sq. miles, 20 miles west of Nassau. It is flat (except
for the east coast) and marked by numerous inlets and inland lakes teeming
with fish. The landscape includes extensive virgin pine, palm and mahogany
forests, scrub and mangrove swamps with large colonies of seabirds. The western
shore is a barren low bank called "The Mud;" the Barrier Reef of Andros lies
just off the eastern shore along the Tongue of the Ocean, and is the world's
third largest barrier reef which at over 140 miles long. The 12 foot water
around the reef suddenly plunges 6000 feet into the Tongue of the Ocean. The
island's name has nothing to do with the Greek island of Andros. Instead,
the name is believed to recall a land grant to British men evacuated from
the island of St. Andro on the African Mosquito Coast.
Most of the major towns in Andros are scattered along its northeastern coast.
Heading south, the settlements become more remote and are well worth a visit
for palm-fringed beaches and warm and friendly people. Driggs Hill, Congo
Town, and Kemp's Bay are ideal for long walks among wild orchids and relaxing
in hammocks under the palms.
It is home apparently to some strange legendary creatures, the chickcharnie,
those mischievous mythical inhabitants that are exclusive to this island.
Reputed to be elfin, bird-bodied creatures with three fingers, three toes,
and red eyes, chickcharnies bring lifelong good luck to anyone lucky enough
to see one. Andros even has its own "Loch Ness Monster," a dragon-like
sea monster called the Lusca who supposedly drowns the unwary who carelessly
explore blue holes linking the ocean with fresh water creeks inland. No wonder
the island was called "La Isla del Espiritu Santo" (the island of
the Holy Spirit) by the Spaniards.