| The largest of the 365 mostly uninhabited | | | | opportunities are all a reality of business |
| islands of the 120 mile Exuma Archipelago, | | | | in the Commonwealth of The Bahamas. |
| Great Exuma stretches effortlessly across the | | | | |
| Tropic of Cancer about 300 miles off the | | | | Since 1977, the Bahamian dollar has been |
| South Florida coast, and 130 miles southeast | | | | linked 1 to 1 with the U.S dollar and both |
| of Nassau which is the capital of The | | | | are used interchangeably throughout the |
| Bahamas. The magnificently tropical Exumas | | | | island. In fact, I found that anytime I was |
| average a balmy temperature of 26 degrees | | | | to pay with Bahamian currency I was usually |
| Celsius or 79 degrees Fahrenheit daily. | | | | given American currency as change. |
| | | | |
| This summer was my day of discovery in which | | | | Nassau, capital of The Bahamas, is a leading |
| I had the opportunity to visit the lifestyle | | | | international offshore banking center with |
| opportunity of this premiere destination. | | | | over 400 banks. Second in the world only to |
| Much to my pleasure I was graciously extended | | | | London in the number of financial |
| a tour of the spectacular Exuma by local | | | | institutions it holds, Nassau is renowned for |
| developer and resident of thirty years, | | | | its laws guaranteeing banking |
| Howard Obront, along with his trusted and | | | | confidentiality. The Bahamas is trusted by |
| loyal comrade Shelton "Gulf " Morley. As a | | | | individuals and corporations from all over |
| man of all seasons, Gulf was a ton of fun to | | | | the world. Of the some 15,000 companies |
| have around as a tour guide, boat captain and | | | | registered in The Bahamas over 90% are |
| story teller. | | | | foreign. Money, in The Bahamas, is both |
| | | | accessible and discreet. |
| Having had his hand in the development of the | | | | |
| well known February Point, Obront is now | | | | The Bahamas has been named "the best |
| venturing on in the latest gated community | | | | financial centre in the western hemisphere," |
| known as Oceania Heights. | | | | by the global magazine, The Banker, Minister |
| | | | of Financial Services and Investments the |
| Keeping in touch with the culture and | | | | Hon. Allyson Maynard Gibson revealed in |
| tranquillity of the island, Exuma has | | | | February of 2006. Additionally, "Other than |
| regulated that no more than 30% of the island | | | | the United States of America and Canada, we |
| may be developed, protecting the islands | | | | have the highest standard of living in the |
| purity and well-preserved condition for the | | | | hemisphere," states the Hon. Perry G. |
| future. Still, absolutely everything you | | | | Christie, Prime Minister of the Commonwealth |
| would need is at your fingertips. I certainly | | | | of The Bahamas. |
| couldn't think of anything further I would | | | | |
| need and the absence of fast food chains | | | | Now voted one of the top three international |
| unquestionably couldn't harm anyone. "If you | | | | destinations in the world by The Washington |
| want nothing, you have it. If you want to | | | | Post, the island of Great Exuma, Bahamas is |
| find something you can," says Obront | | | | attracting attention not only from |
| knowingly as he sits to share with me his | | | | international media, but major resort |
| past, his future and his visions for the | | | | developers, such as Four Seasons Resort at |
| island and for Oceania Properties. His | | | | Emerald Bay. Still, the only sounds you will |
| passion and inviting personality are enough | | | | hear walking around Oceania Heights are the |
| to open my mind to the possibilities of what | | | | singing birds, the waves lapping on the shore |
| this seventh heaven has to offer. | | | | and the gentle breezes rustling through the |
| | | | palm trees. This paradise within a paradise |
| Well respected among the population of Exuma, | | | | truly captures the elegance of luxury living |
| Howard Obront has a vast knowledge of the | | | | all the while maintaining an exclusivity that |
| comings and goings of the island. Celebrities | | | | is intangible. |
| such as Michael Jordan, Oprah Winfrey, and | | | | |
| even Bill Gates all have properties within | | | | With all the amenities of a first class |
| the area. Johnny Depp is no stranger, having | | | | resort, Oceania Heights offers a welcome |
| stayed in one of the Oceania Properties | | | | escape from the hectic pace of everyday life, |
| villas while filming 'Pirates of the | | | | while offering all of the conveniences of |
| Caribbean 3'. Even on my brief escape, a | | | | home. Rental and real estate contact |
| fellow traveller was sure to have sighted | | | | Alexandria "Zandy" Turtle exceeded our |
| Reese Witherspoon enjoying the seclusion with | | | | expectations making sure our villa was |
| her family. For celebrities who experience | | | | stocked with fresh fruit, drinks and flowers. |
| the constant pressure of the paparazzi, as | | | | It was wonderful! As I wandered out the |
| well as the many other stresses that | | | | French doors of my bedroom onto the secluded |
| accompany their careers, the islands are a | | | | terrace of my villa, I became conscious of |
| haven allowing much needed tranquility in | | | | the luxurious privacy and the unsurpassed |
| their lives. | | | | ocean view. The comfort of such peace and |
| | | | quiet I found to be priceless. |
| Doctors are found to be congregating rapidly | | | | |
| to Exuma as well. In fact, although the | | | | When evening came we dined in beautiful |
| development is still in its early stages, at | | | | locations such as The Four Seasons or the |
| last count, all six of the existing Luxury | | | | ever popular Coconut Cove, which offered a |
| Hill Top Villas, with breathtaking panoramic | | | | beautiful view of the beach, swim up bar and |
| ocean views, were found to be owned by | | | | the sun setting on the Atlantic Ocean. |
| physicians. Presently, six more magnificent | | | | Coconut Cove owner Pam was more than |
| Custom Estate Villas are being built - these | | | | hospitable offering conventional Bahamian |
| too are for physicians. Also in a high-stress | | | | fare such as blackened grouper or roasted |
| career, doctors from near and far seem to | | | | lamb as well as traditional American lobster, |
| have been let in on the secret of the peace | | | | pizza and 'cowboy' steak. Without hesitation |
| and relaxation found in Exuma. Renowned Miami | | | | I would have to recommend the shrimp |
| cardiologist and author of 'The Reality Diet, | | | | cocktail, if nothing else. |
| Fighting Fat With Fibre', Dr. Steven A. | | | | |
| Schnur of Mount Sinai Medical Center, spends | | | | "The deep sea fishing is great here," tells |
| his valued free time relaxing with his wife | | | | Howard Obront's brother and Miami trial |
| and two children at Oceania Heights. "People | | | | attorney, Curt Obront, who joined us one |
| positioning themselves here are among the | | | | evening for dinner. A frequent visitor of |
| friendliest and most neighbourly in the world | | | | Exuma, Curt enjoys his time spear fishing on |
| and have chosen Exuma as the ideal place for | | | | the reefs for his lobster dinner or bone |
| their second home and eventual retirement," | | | | fishing on one of the many flats nearby. If |
| states Obront with a smile on his face that | | | | you like your seafood fresh, this would be |
| translates into an unspoken confidence in the | | | | the way to get it. However, if you aren't |
| luxurious serenity that is Exuma. Having a | | | | adventurous enough to catch it on your own, |
| corporate or personal address in the gated | | | | you can watch your fresh conch salad being |
| community of Oceania Heights, in The Bahamas, | | | | prepared along the shore of Stocking Island. |
| not only provides opportunities to live an | | | | This was an experience in itself for me. |
| exclusive island lifestyle with world class | | | | |
| amenities but it also provides the | | | | Beyond the exquisite dining and secluded |
| opportunity for generating tax-free income | | | | beaches, Oceania Properties offers a fabulous |
| through appreciating property as well as the | | | | tennis club with well lit courts to allow for |
| rental pool program. As many investors are | | | | play at any time of day or night. As well, |
| aware, real restate is a tangible asset, | | | | the state of the art fitness centre will help |
| which appreciates in value as you enjoy all | | | | you stay on track with your training and |
| the benefits of a vacation home. The July | | | | self-care regimen. The front gates of Oceania |
| issue of 'The Bahamas Investor' states that | | | | Properties, operated by courteous security |
| on one of the islands the appreciation of | | | | staff, maintain a feeling of privacy and |
| condo values is approximately $300,000.00 | | | | security although you can rest easy knowing |
| from start date, and they haven't even been | | | | that this island maintains a zero percent |
| completed yet. One year ago a canal lot on | | | | crime rate. Oceania Heights guests and |
| Paradise Island sold for $1.5 million and is | | | | residents also enjoy special access to the |
| now selling for $2.2 million, an amazing | | | | Greg Norman designed golf course and |
| $700,000.00 profit in one year. With The | | | | full-service spa facility at the Four Seasons |
| Bahamas tourist industry enjoying constant, | | | | Resort. From daily housekeeping services to |
| sustained growth with more sophisticated | | | | 24 hour security for peace of mind, Oceania |
| resorts, more facilities and services, more | | | | Properties "offers everything including |
| and more opportunities for investment are | | | | things you'd forget to ask for," says Obront. |
| showing up, giving further reason to | | | | |
| investigate the Islands' potential for | | | | Surrounded by culture, beauty and genuine |
| investment. | | | | hospitality, the island seemed to radiate |
| | | | certain "energy". When the time came to head |
| In the premiere issue of Exuma Visitors | | | | home I could see why so many are choosing to |
| Guide, Glenn S. Ferguson writes, "In the last | | | | make Oceania Heights their home away from |
| five years, there has been a dramatic growth | | | | home. |
| in real estate investment and development. | | | | |
| The crowning jewel is the $100 million | | | | It has been noted that when Christopher |
| Emerald Bay development premier Four Seasons | | | | Columbus landed on the island years ago he |
| Resort with 183 rooms and a Greg Norman | | | | was taken by the friendly smiles and |
| designed golf course. This development has | | | | accommodating people. Even today, this way of |
| resulted in real estate investment prices | | | | life on Exuma remains constant. With visions |
| rising between 45%-60% per year but you must | | | | of rolling hills and spectacular panoramic |
| act quickly to ensure the best investment | | | | views tucked safely away in my memory I look |
| returns." | | | | forward to my return when I can relive those |
| | | | memories. |
| As the world's premier tax haven, The Bahamas | | | | |
| offers the perfect investment opportunity as | | | | For profit or pleasure, many of the worlds |
| there are no personal, corporate, income, | | | | leading professionals have chosen to invest |
| capital gains, estate, gift or inheritance | | | | in this tax free island paradise and once you |
| taxes. Easy access to major world markets, | | | | have been there, even for a moment, it is |
| political stability, security and economic | | | | exceedingly clear why. |