A trip to Paradise on Earth

Welcome to this beautiful gated condo complex with 24/7 security, tropical gardens, a beautiful pool, and a popular outdoor bar-restaurant on a gorgeous white-sand beach just a 20-minute walk from shopping and dining in Port Lucaya.

The studio comes complete with a queen sized bed, sofa sleeper, frig, microwave, and TV. Everything is in good working order. The kitchen has full-size appliances and is completely outfitted with dishes and pans. The second-floor balcony offers a beautiful view of paradise.

Coral Reef Bar and Grille, next to the pool and overlooking the ocean, serves lunch and dinner seven days a week. They have daily specials and happy hour pricing, with occasional live music on the pool deck.

The complex is a 10-minute taxi ride from the airport and downtown. Port Lucaya, with its shops, restaurants, straw markets, and nightly entertainment.

The island offers a parasailing, jet ski rental, banana boat rides, nature tours, swim with the pigs, swim with the dolphins, horseback riding, snorkeling, scuba diving, deep sea fishing, and there are several world-class golf courses.

I have been coming to the island since 2003 and fell in love with it and the people instantly. The people are friendly and full of spirit. The island is only 54 miles off the coast of the U.S., yet you are in a tropical foreign country that feels like paradise. They speak English. They have their own money, but they also use U.S. money -- so every transaction is a combination of Bahamian and U.S. funds. In short, it's the closest place you can go to feel like you are truly "away" yet there is a comfort factor in sharing the same language and money.

For a closer look at a one-bedroom unit in the complex, watch HGTV's Bahamas Life (season 3, episode 13 called "No More Socks). Hint: They choose Coral Beach!