When most people think of the Bahamas, of course it’s typically Nassau or Grand Bahama.  A few more knowledgeable travelers may know about some of the Out Islands, like Andros or Bimini.  But the entire chain of islands actually numbers 700, spread over more than 5000 square miles.  They are all beautiful, each with their own texture and flavor.  As a location, they are a writer’s dream.   While The Bahamas were originally intended to play a much more prominent role in the story, their significance has not changed.  They are a way station of solitude for Jake, whose personal loss is steeped in memories there.  Cat Island became especially appealing when we discovered  When most people think of Hawk's Nest —how could we possibly pass that up?   As initial research began years ago, we were fortunate to make the acquaintance of a couple who were, at the time, managing a resort there.  Bill and Susan Little are world-traveling life-enthusiasts chock full of incredible adventures.  After reading a very early draft of the manuscript—which, again, has gone through significant changes since then—Bill generously offered to guide us around the resort and share his vast knowledge of all things Bahamian with a good bit of the Caribbean thrown in.  In the process, we got the added bonus of his cool stories and personal experiences, not to mention a wealth of sailing background.  As one of the least-visited islands in the primary grouping, Cat Island seems almost undiscovered.  It is as quaint and colorful as it is breathtakingly beautiful, filled with mystery, lore, history, and romance.  Needless to say, we fell in love…and Hawk's Nest was a perfect fit.  Characters?  How about an English couple who ran away from the circus to become divemasters?  Or a world-champion bonefisherman who goes by the name of Top Cat?  Yeah, it’s a really a neat place. The current managers of the resort, Randy and JR Holder, have extended the welcome mat to us, for which we are extremely grateful. If you are looking for an amazing place to stay in paradise, drop them an e-mail.   It didn’t take long to realize that, no matter what role the Bahamas—particularly Cat Island—played in this book, it would be a place Jake (and Callie) would be returning.  Also a place, we sincerely hope, will become one of our film locations.  An archipelago that extends over 500 miles in the clearest water and arguably the most pristine beaches in the world…who wouldn’t want to make a movie there?    With regard to film, The Bahamas Film Commission and Ministry of Tourism have been positively ambassadorial in their help and support.  Craig Woods and Angela Archer are a delight to work with…where’s the production crew?  Fire up the Cessna, we’re heading south!  There is actually a lot going on down there.  A new studio features the largest open water tank in the western hemisphere, and recent location filming included Pirates of the Caribbean.  Maybe Jerry Bruckheimer would like to hook up with us and make another trip soon?  We're ready!    Christopher Columbus made his first landfall in the New World on San Salvador in 1492. The first English settlers of Eleuthera shipped Braselitto wood to Boston as a thank you for the support given by the people of Massachusetts. The proceeds from the sale of this precious wood went to purchase the land for Harvard College, which eventually became Harvard University.  The Bahamas, with over 270 years of democratic rule, is one of the most politically stable countries in the world. The Bahamas does not have an army. There are no rivers in The Bahamas. The Bahamas has the world's third longest barrier reef. If you travel from the northernmost to the southernmost point of The Bahamas, it is roughly the same distance as between the northernmost point of Scotland and the southernmost point of England. Inagua is a birdwatcher's paradise with the world's largest breeding colony of West Indian flamingos (over 60,000);  the ratio of flamingos to people on Great Inagua is 61:1. Junkanoo, which has been compared to Carnival in Rio and Mardi Gras in New Orleans, is a colorful and uniquely Bahamian parade held on Boxing Day and New Year's Day. HE Sir Sidney Poitier, 1963 Oscar winner for Best Actor in Lilies of the Field and an Honorary Award in 2002, is Ambassador for The Bahamas to Japan.  Sir Sidney was born in Miami, but is of Bahamian parentage and grew up in The Bahamas. In 2001, Bahamian group Baha Men won a Grammy Award in the dance-recording category for their hit Who Let the Dogs Out. At the 2000 Summer Olympics in Australia, the results were analyzed on a per capita basis for the first time. It was revealed that with two medals—1 gold and 1 silver—The Bahamas actually won the Games. There is no income or corporate tax and no capital gains or inheritance tax in The Bahamas. The Graycliff Restaurant is a five-star restaurant situated in a 250-year old mansion in Nassau.  It has one of the largest wine cellars in the Western Hemisphere with over 200,000 bottles of the world's finest vintages and also has its own cigar factory. Bimini is the big gamefishing capital of the world and is also where Ernest Hemingway lived from 1935 to 1937. The Nassau Public Library, an octagonal building, was originally a jail.   For more beautiful images of the Bahamas, visit the site of contributing photographer Geoff Schultz.  See selected works from two extraordinary artists who have generously shared some of their Bahamas collections In the Dark Art.  We encourage you to see more creations by Nicole Angelica and Pam Johnson .