When you get right down to it, all the hearts and flowers about to make their annual appearance this month actually have their origins from, let's say, less-than romantic sources.
Take the date: Valentine's Day began as an ancient Roman feast called Lupercalia. In the early days of Rome, the Romans called upon one of their gods, Lupercus, to keep away the ferocious wild wolves who would lay in wait in the nearby woods. A festival held in honor of Lupercus, their protector, was celebrated February 15th.
The night before Lupercalia, the names of Roman girls were written on slips of paper and placed into jars. Each young man drew a slip. The girl whose name was chosen was to be his sweetheart for the year. Yes, friends, free faith in Rome at the time Christianity was a new religion. The Emperor at that time, Claudius II, favored Lupercalia, but only so far as merry making. He ordered his Roman soldiers NOT to marry or become engaged. Claudius believed that as married men, his soldiers would want to stay home with their families rather than fight his wars.
Valentine defied the Emperor's decree and secretly married the young couples. He was eventually arrested, imprisoned, and put to death. But just before he was stoned and beheaded, he sent a note to a young woman who he was said to have miraculously healed a few days earlier. The note read simply "From your Valentine."
And the rest, as the folks at Hallmark say, is history!
Valentine was beheaded on February 14th, the eve of Lupercalia. After his death, he was named a saint. As Rome became more Christian, priests moved the spring holiday from the 15th of February to the 14th - Valentine's Day. Now the holiday honors Saint Valentine, instead of Lupercus.
WHATS ON believes the joys coming from the original festival are much more fun. We've taken each letter of this month's celebrations, and here with suggest to you the best ways to enjoy Nassau and Paradise Island this month: S is for selecting hand made chocolates for each other at the new chocolate factory at the Nassau Marriott Resort and Crystal Palace Casino (on Cable Beach). Pop the succulent sweet into the mouth of your beloved.
Amble through the Ardastra Gardens Zoo and Conservation Center. Take a walk on the wild side, through the five-acre lush tropical gardens, with over three hundred mammals, reptiles, and birds, and featuring the world famous pink flamingos on parade. You'll have matching outfits. (tel: 323-5806).
I is for our little Italy in Nassau-Nestled into the Cable Beach roundabout at the western end of the strip, you'll know it by its cherub statue, water fountain and fresh herb garden in the outdoor patio.
Inside, there's opera and songs of love coming from the sound system of the tiny yet elegant indoor dining room. Shades of Moonstruck - it's the Capriccio Ristorante, in Cable Beach. A glass of wine with some authentic Italian cuisine, as you're tucked away at your table for two...mama mia! (Call 327-8547).
V means you should visit Sarah's Secrets on Bay Street, and buy a naughty card game for two. We'll just say for now that part of the game involves kissing, and leave it at that.
Androsia - It's the colorful national fabric. Wrap yourself and / or your special someone in a 100 per cent cotton batik garment made on the magical island of Andros. Androsia of Cable Beach (in the Radisson Shopping Mall linking the Marriott and the Radisson Hotel) also features the music, jewelry, books and other such creations from several of the islands of The Bahamas.
Limbo! Take in the native show at the Blue Marlin Restaurant and Bar, on Paradise Island. One of the premier (and few!) live variety shows, it has glass eaters, steel pan music, and amazing feats of limbo under a burning bar, by a dancer you'll swear has no bones. Have the sunset dinner special, a couple of drinks from the bar, and then see how low you can go... flaming limbo pole optional, of course... (Reservations: 363-2660).
Experience the Bahamas during the age of piracy. The interactive Pirates of Nassau Museum (tel: 356-3759) brings alive the age of Blackbeard, and even introduces you to this region's most formidable female pirates: Anne Bonny and Mary Read. Equal time for both guys and gals here, and a great gift shop called Plunder, too.
N is for naughtie nighties. Located in Nassau's Palmdale shopping district, the Michelle la Nuit has available a wide range of undies, and love potions. Shades of Lupercalia!
Traveler's Rest: Enjoy a Banana Daiquiri at Travellers Rest (tel: 327-7633) - the home of the original banana daiquiri - and write love poems to each other, yes they do that to you! And while you're there, the Sea Grape Gift Shop and Boutique next door has a unique assortment of island art, hand painted jewelry, and exotic beach wear, too.
I is for ice cream - the only kind associated with absolute sensual indulgence: Haagen Dazs, of course. Drop by the ice cream parlour for an undescribable sweet treat, on a cone or in a cup, and tell each other secrets at a little table looking onto Bay Street. Night out. Stroll through the magnificent foyer of the British Colonial Hilton hotel (tel: 322-3301), at the entrance to the main downtown section of Bay Street. Just behind the winding dual staircase is the piano and bandstand, where the fantastic Jay Mitchell and the Fine Tone Band bring a seamless blend of calypso and soul to life, in nightly p u l s a t i n g performances. Dance your toes off, or just lean back in those comfy chaise lounges, and let the music come to you!
Encounter a dolphin or two, in a Dolphin Encounter at Blue Lagoon Island (tel: 363-6734); Swim with the dolphins, and enjoy a hug and even a kiss!
Surrey...with a fringe on top! Take a horse and buggy ride beginning at Rawson Square, and then along the streets of downtown Nassau. Rates for the twenty minute guided trot through Nassau includes historical trivia from the trained guide, and rates are negotiable.
Day away. Take a round trip from Nassau to Harbour Island via the Bahamas Fast Ferries catamaran. You leave the dock at 8 a.m., and by 10, you're there. The package includes a historical walking tour of the island famed for its pink sand beach. Lounge at the beach cabana, with access to changing rooms, beach towels, lounge chairs, and sample an authentic Bahamian lunch. You'll be back in Nassau by sunset...though we wouldn't be surprised if you decide to overnight at the spacious Coral Sands Hotel, and catch the ferry back in the morning.
Ahhhh..contemplate the wonders of the universe at the Sivananda Yoga Retreat, on Paradise Island. Yoga classes, vegetarian meals, and of course, meditation. A free ferry shuttles guests from the Paradise Island Ferry Terminal to the serene getaway. (Tel: 363-2902) Hey, if it works for Madonna and Sting.
Yes! That's what you'll say when after all these adventures, your other half proposes. The best things in life are free!
