Man-O-War · Abaco · Bahamas

Welcome to Colibrí

Make yourself at home. This little guide is our way of welcoming every member of your group — so everyone feels informed, prepared, and excited about their stay.

Colibrí Cottage is Yayo and Bita's casita — that's what our grandchildren call us, and we wouldn't have it any other way. This little home is where we come to be with our beautiful island family, and God willing, where we'll one day retire.

God is so amazing! We get to call this place ours and we are truly happy to share our little piece of paradise with you. Welcome. Make yourself at home.

Colibrí survived Hurricane Dorian, and about a couple of years ago we were blessed to acquire her and begin bringing her back to life. We have been pouring our hearts into every repair, every coat of paint, every small detail — and while she is comfortable and full of love, she is still very much a work in progress. Some painting is yet to be finished and a few repairs are still underway. We ask for your patience and grace as we continue to make her everything she deserves to be.

— With love, Yayo & Bita

Colibrí Cottage
🧰You may notice a few things still being worked on around the cottage — that is simply part of her story, and ours. Thank you for being here through it.
🔑Your key will be waiting for you — we'll share exactly where to find it before you arrive.

A few things to remember

Fresh water is not abundant on the island. We kindly ask that you be mindful and use it wisely — every drop truly counts here. The same goes for cooking gas. A little care goes a long way!

The island life is a beautiful thing — it just asks a little more thoughtfulness from all of us. Thank you for honoring that.

Space in the cottage is cozy and intentional. To make your stay as comfortable as possible, we recommend unpacking your suitcases completely and using the drawers and storage provided — you'll feel so much more at home with room to breathe!

🧳Empty suitcases can be stored by the stairs or outside on the back patio when not in use.

If your sleeping arrangements are in the living room, the cabinet behind the sofa is available to store your personal belongings — it's all yours for the duration of your stay. A laundry basket is provided next to the TV cabinet for dirty laundry, extra storage, or a quick place to tuck your bedding each morning.

The sofa sleeps one person comfortably — simply remove the back cushions to create a sleeping surface. The TV cabinet is a queen-size Murphy bed. Please follow the steps below carefully the first time to prevent any damage to the mechanism.

Opening the Murphy bed

  1. This step MUST be done first. Slide the bottom drawer all the way out.
  2. Lift the top open.
  3. Unlock the inside latches on each side of the cabinet.
  4. Remove the small chain that is next to the latch.
  5. Carefully bring the front of the cabinet down.
  6. Keep unfolding to create a flat platform.
  7. Pull the mattress out like an accordion until fully extended.
To close the Murphy bed, just reverse the process.
The latches and chain MUST be secured back in place. Thank you!

There is one twin bed available at the moment. Storage is still being worked on, but there is space to tuck your luggage up there.

🔒Any items stored inside the loft closets are personal property of The Longs. Please kindly leave them undisturbed.
❄️Heads up: the loft runs warmer than downstairs. We recommend adjusting the AC vent direction from the remote to send airflow toward the loft for a more comfortable night's sleep.
⚠️Important: the loft is reached by steep stairs with railing that is not fully adapted for all guests. We kindly ask that it not be used by young children, elderly guests, or anyone prone to dizziness or unsteady on their feet. Please keep this in mind when assigning sleeping arrangements.

Colibrí has one bathroom only. A medicine cabinet is provided to organize your toiletries, and additional shelves and storage are available — feel free to use them to make yourself at home.

The shower is compact but mighty. It may not be your everyday shower, but it's efficient and gets the job done with island charm!

How to use the shower

  1. Turn the water faucet on.
  2. Pull the chain down to activate the shower head.
  3. Adjust the temperature to your liking and enjoy!

There is no bathroom fan. If you'd like ventilation while showering, feel free to open the small window next to the shower.

💧Important: when finished, turn both water faucets off. This stops the water pump from running, which protects both the pump and our precious water supply.
🧴Friendly reminder: Colibrí is our personal home, so we ask guests to bring their own towels and personal care items. If you run low on toilet paper or paper towels, the grocery store is just a few steps away — very convenient!

Trash pickup days are Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Please have your bags out by the road in front of the cottage before 9:00 am on those mornings. Because the cottage is a small, cozy space, odors can build up quickly — taking the trash out regularly is one of the simplest ways to keep the air inside feeling clean and pleasant.

🍳Cooking tip: our kitchen hood vent has a vintage personality, but we promise it works! Please turn it on when cooking to help keep odors moving out and the cottage smelling fresh.

Colibrí is regularly sprayed for bugs inside and out. If you happen to come across some little creatures — or maybe not-so-little — that look like they're just… sunbathing 😄, don't panic. Let's just say the spray did its job and they're coming in to rest. Simply scoop them up with a piece of paper or dustpan and send them on their way to the trash.

Broom and small vacuum cleaner are in the closet right under the stairs. Bucket and mop are outside on the porch if needed.

Our home, your home.

Colibrí is our little home away from home, and we're opening it especially just for you. We kindly ask that no additional guests be invited without prior notice and approval from your hosts. This is a small, intimate space, and part of what makes it so special is keeping it that way.

But if you'd like to share your cozy space with additional visitors, just reach out to us first — we're always happy to chat! And a friendly reminder: there is only one bathroom. We'll let you do the math. 😄

Before you leave, we kindly ask you to gather all used bedding and towels and leave them together in a pile — it makes a big difference for us. Please set the AC to 25°C and make sure all lights and water faucets are turned off. It helps us take good care of Colibrí (and the electric bill!).

Please leave the key back where you found it. Thank you very much, and God bless!

We are here. Please don't hesitate to reach out — we are always happy to help!

EL
Eric LongYayo
754-465-1702
ML
Maya LongBita
754-465-4029
NA
Naomi AlburyDaughter
(242) 805-1523
📶The Wi-Fi network & password are posted inside the cottage for you.

Please make sure that all members of your group read this guide, not just one! We want everyone to feel informed, prepared, and excited about their stay.

We've also prepared a separate Man-O-War Arrival Guide — please read that one too. It has all the practical details you'll need once you arrive.

We know — that turned out to be less of a "guide" and more of a book. But hey, every great adventure deserves a great story. Welcome to ours. 💙

"Island living asks you to slow down, to adjust, to let go of ordinary expectations — and in return, it gives you something no ordinary place ever could." — Life at Colibrí