The Bahamas: July 2003: There just may be a formula for the perfect escape ... a few close friends on a private island in the clear warm Bahamian waters; a staff of 37 to make all desired arrangements and watch over every need. Musha Cay, just two hours off the coast of Florida in the Exuma Chain, Bahamas offers this extraordinary formula for perfection... and then some.

Certainly, all the worrisome basics are brilliantly provided at Musha Cay. The place is a 150 acre island with private beaches, the food is whatever you like from canapes to cake created by Musha Cay's chef served wherever you wish. Accommodations are in any of five luxurious, colorful cottages. Facilities include private airstrip & helipad, and a free form, ocean-view pool.

There is also a beachside fitness center, with state-of-the-art equipment, indoor/outdoor massage rooms, championship lighted tennis court, deep-sea and flats fishing, water-skiing, windsurfing, unlimited use of the resort's sailboats, waverunners, runabout skiffs, and 30-foot fishing boat, snorkeling and scuba diving...just to name a few.

And then there are the special requests. Arrive by helicopter and be welcomed with guest's names printed in coconut shells on the beach. What about a picnic on a white sandbar strip that rises out of the water just at low tide or at the end of a long pier jutting out into the azure sea? Have a favorite food flown in or create a meal with the Musha Cay chef. Menus can be caviar, champagne and duck, or lobster grilled on the beach.

Take a champagne sunset cruise; organize a beach party with torches and bonfire accompanied by a five piece jazz band or Bahamian quartet. Perhaps fireworks would be fun at midnight. The sky is the limit.

Friends may retire into one of five very private residences. There is High Point, a 10,000 square- foot manor house with sumptuous living and dining pavilion, two grand bedrooms, wrap around deck, hot tub, sauna and expansive gardens. A couple may decide to hide away in the Beach House, a one-bedroom, thatched-roof cottage on a particularly secluded beach, with hedonistic open-air shower and bathroom.

The rest of the party may disappear into Pier House and Blue Point, two-bedroom houses, each on its own private beach or Palm Terrace, a five-bedroom house, perfect for family groups, also on its own beach.

Timelessness is a natural part of the "Musha" experience. Each day unfolds in complete privacy and unfettered freedom. The unique part of this experience is how easy it is to slip into the natural, soothing Bahamian cadence. The quiet unobtrusive staff makes sure you do not have a care in the world.

The island can be rented by the day or weekly. Price per night is $43,150 for up to 24 people, with everything included except the fireworks, massage and scuba. Special requests can be discussed at the time of booking.

For reservations and information, call toll free 1. 877.889.1100 or 203.602.0300 outside of the U.S. Visit the Musha Cay website at: www.mushacay.com.