BEN’S BLOG: ‘Carlos Lehder’s reign at Norman’s Cay’

[dropcap]W[/dropcap]hen I was growing up, and lacking reading material, I would pinch my dad’s true-crime books. Even now, I’ve never lost the fascination, and have wanted, more than anywhere else in the world; to visit Norman’s Cay.

You fly into Nassau. Then a little plane carries you over. We’ve had a fascinating couple of days, checking out Volcano (Carlos Lehder’s former lair), the dilapidated former yacht-club and hotel, and even the boat, dropped on top of a hill; and used as a lookout post.

In other news:

Does this glorify evil crime? Yes. But having seen in Peru, the desperate poverty that exists in South America, you realise that they have a different viewpoint. These were people with no move. Not educated in any way. Born into huge towns with no running water. Were they supposed to just suck it up? Right through the Latin class-system, one song is sung; ‘If the Gringos didn’t want to buy it, we wouldn’t be selling it’.

Sitting at Volcano was inspirational. It remains a truly beautiful place. Lehder’s schemes and mind ran free here. He loved the island so much, that when the net closed, the street came out of him once again. The birds were sent home. The money dug up. And the bags packed. If Carlos couldn’t have Norman’s Cay; no-one else could. So he destroyed everything. THE LAST DAYS OF ROME.

Over and out, B x