Of all the places in the world that Ethel Rice could visit every year, she chooses The Bahamas.
The youthful 80-year-old has been coming to The Bahamas for 35 years only missing one, as she was recovering from surgery.
On Thursday, July 17, 2014, Harrison Thompson, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism presented Mrs. Rice with a basket filled with Bahamian goodies and a Certificate of Appreciation on behalf of The Commonwealth of The Bahamas in recognition of 35 years of visits to The Bahamas.
The presentation was made at the Paradise Island Beach Club where Mrs. Rice a Los Angeles, California resident and a former accountant has chosen to stay for at least 25 years during her visits.
“I am here every year and I would not change it for anything. My husband when he was alive was a diver, and he would go to other islands, but we would always come back to The Bahamas,” she said.
The people and the ocean are the main attractions bringing her back every year and she spends about four weeks during each trip.
Mrs. Rice also has a special connection with The Bahamas. Her birthday is the same day as the nation’s independence and she usually spends that special day in her adopted country.She also acts as an ambassador for The Bahamas, as one of her adopted daughters, CiCi Mahone has been coming with her for 21 years.
Mrs. Rice is known for her warm heart and adopts those close to her as sons and daughters. In fact, she has adopted several Bahamians as well.
When asked why she chooses to stay at the Paradise Island Beach Club Mrs. Rice said, “Well look at it. It is a beautiful property and it is maintained well. The people here are very gracious.”
Anthony Knowles, General Manager, Paradise Island Beach Club explained that 40 to 50 per cent of the Club’s members have been coming there for 20 plus years.
“Only those not in that number are the children; I call them beach clubbers. I am creating a special passport for them because they have been coming here since they were kids,” he said.
He said the Paradise Island Beach Club guests return because they are treated like family and the staff go the extra mile to ensure the guests’ needs are fulfilled.
Mr. Knowles added, “We sit on probably one of the prettiest beaches in the world. We are secluded and yet we are so close to everything.”
