Virginia Couple Still Loves Island Life
The Ministry of Tourism and Aviation became part of an enduring love affair when longtime visitors Dave and Heidi Phelps were honored for almost three decades of visits to the Bahama Islands.
The Virginia couple was married almost 30 years ago and received a trip to the Bahamas as a wedding gift. From that moment, the Islands of The Bahamas would always be part of them, they said.
“He brought me down here, and all I wanted to do was complain,” said Mrs. Phelps. “You always see the bad things. But every day, it grew on me.”
The breaking point was a visit to Rose Island on the final day of their first Bahamas visit. Ms. Phelps said she wept at the thought of never seeing the beauty of the island again. “I was trying to not like it, but it just overwhelmed me,” she said.
The following year, they returned and have been visiting the Bahamas every year. The regular trips became a family tradition as well. Mr. Phelps’ mother made about 20 trips before her death. Other family members also came along. The couple bought into West Wind condominiums and brought friends to Nassau from as far away as Germany, where Mrs. Phelps was born.
Minister of Tourism & Aviation Vincent Vanderpool-Wallace presented Mr. and Mrs. Phelps with Bahamian gifts and a certificate of appreciation after hearing the extraordinary story of their love affair with each other and the Islands of The Bahamas.
Pictured (from left) are Mr. Phelps, Bernadette Saunders of Ministry of Tourism & Aviation, Mrs. Phelps, Ebiana Smith of Ministry of Tourism & Aviation and Minister Vincent Vanderpool-Wallace.
