Further description of estate 258824

Green Living

Solstice strives to be the most environmentally conscious luxury vacation house on the market. Without sacrificing comfort or convenience, Solstice significantly lightens its impact on the environment though a number of eco-friendly features and initiatives. The lush vegetation and turquoise waters disguise the fact that Long Island is semi-arid. During the dry season, months can pass without rain and there are few natural sources of fresh water on the island. The local water utility needs to manufacture fresh water from salt water using reverse osmosis. However, the drinking water at Solstice is natural rainwater. Over 30,000 gallons of rainwater storage tanks sit under Solstice providing a reliable supply of fresh water year-round without the use of chemicals or energy. The water that comes out the tap is exactly as nature provided it. The edible plants are irrigated using the same pure rain water. Ornamental plants are watered using recycled 'gray water.'

A Carbon-Neutral Vacation

The Bahamas generates most of its electricity using imported diesel fuel - one of the least efficient and most polluting sources available. At Solstice, photovoltaic solar panels generate completely clean electricity using the abundant Bahamian sunshine. Air travel and other transportation is also a significant producer of pollution and carbon dioxide. To offset these other negative effects of running the house and your travel to Solstice, a portion of the rental proceeds goes toward programs to reduce energy consumption and promote renewable energy in the Bahamas.

All rent goes to charity

Solstice is not run as a traditional for-profit business. Instead, our goal is to use this unique asset as a way to raise money for charitable organizations working to improve the environment and the lives of people in the the Bahamas, the U.S. and around the world. All of the money you pay for your your stay at Solstice will be placed in a dedicated bank account. At the end of the rental season (in September) the contents of the account is divided equally among the following charities.

Charities your rent supports

•UNICEF which works in over 150 countries to provide children and their communities with health care, clean water, nutrition, education, emergency relief, and more. •The Nature Conservancy, whose Bahamas programs protect wildlife and promote sustainable development and conservation in the Bahamas. •The Cape Eleuthera Foundation and the Caribbean Carbon Exchange which reduce carbon emissions and promote good environmental stewardship in the Bahamas through renewable energy, conservation, research and education. •Feeding America (formerly America's Second Harvest) which provides over 2 billion pounds of food to the hungry in the United States through its affiliated food banks in all 50 states. •Doctors Without Borders which provides medical care to those most in need around the world.

The Tropic of Cancer

One of the unique features of Solstice is that the Tropic of Cancer passes directly through the property. The Topic of Cancer marks the furthest north that the sun ever shines directly overhead. This furthest northern extent of the sun occurs on about June 21st of every year, on the day we call the summer solstice. The southernmost line where the sun is ever directly overhead is called the Tropic of Capricorn. The term 'tropics' or 'tropical' refers to the area of the globe between these two Tropics (of Cancer and Capricorn). This geographic oddity makes Solstice the perfect vacation spot for the amateur astronomer, geographer, trivia buff and literal or figurative sun worshiper.

Long Island, Bahamas

For most people, the highlight of Long Island is its long shoreline ringed with deserted white sand beaches and turquoise water. You will not find more inviting waters anywhere in the world. The water and beaches can be enjoyed by active vacationers who want to dive, fish (including world-class bonefishing), kayak, snorkel, swim, beach-comb, etc or they can be the perfect place to relax with a good book and let go the cares of the world. And while Long Island is a sleepy island, it has just enough development to keep you comfortable: a few dozen restaurants serving simple but tasty local dishes, small but well stocked grocery stores, picturesque small towns and churches, ATMs, and some unassuming but world-class places to stay...such as Solstice.