Historic Nassau

We went on the Jitney from Palm Cay to downtown for a Surrey Ride to some of the Historic buildings.  The police and security guards are very helpful and on just about every street corner.  It is hard to use a map as most streets don't have street signs.  I hoped the Surrey driver would be helpful but his English was almost impossible to understand.  He had his prepared speech and delivered is at the speed of light. Answers to questions proved hopeless.  Good thing I had done some study before hand.

Happy before the 2 mile walk to the jitney

Bahama Police Uniform Handsome!

Our guide and Surrey

On our Surrey Ride

Parliament House
Constructed in the late 1700's and early 1800's by Loyalists who came from North Carolina during the revolutionary war.  The statue is of Queen victoria reected on her birthday May 24. 1905.

One of the old streets the surreys travel.  The main street traffic is intense with left side of the road driving.

Old warehouse and store 

Nassau Public Library and Museum

This octagonal building was once the  Nassau Goal, jail, in 1797.  The cells now have bookshelves.

Pretty much the end of our Surrey Tour. I enjoyed the ride if not the lack of information

The Queen's Staircase
66 steps carved out of a solid limestone cliff by slaves in 1790s.  At the top is a straw market and fort Fincastle

I did feel like a queen!

Beautiful waterfall

Watertower at Ft. Fincastle

Fort Fincastle  shaped like the bow of a ship, named for Royal Govenor Lord Dunmore, was completed in 1793 to be a lookout post for marauders trying to sneak into the harbor. There are 2 other forts left in Nassau

The cannons might make short work of the cruise ships

We were able to go inside the areas tht soldiers would be stationed.

Painting of the Govenor Dunmore

I wonder if this soldier was my size

Time to hunt for lunch

Christ Church Cathedral built in 1837

Nassau Palm Cay Marina

We took advantage of a beautiful marina to rest, stow, and return to Downtown Nassau for some historic sightseeing.  It is good to be retired!  You can go or come as you wish.

Beach and Bar

Restaurant

4 foot tides at the docks

First night desserts

Friday night band

Beautiful docks

Hairy entrance

Jan's favorite position

Pool area

Beach area

The Laundry is only 1.25 wash and 1.00 dry.  Water is metered as well as electric.  Great place to stay but 2 miles to the bus stop and any other transportation is $30 up one way.  There is a Budget Foods as the bus stop.

Nassau Capital City of the Bahamas Nassau Yacht Haven

We stayed at Nassau Yacht Haven and provisioned some.  Gary learned more about BTC communicatons and we had Starbucks coffee.  There was a famous restaurant, Poop Deck, which Gary became addicted to Wings with their special sauce.

Our slip was across from Paradise Island

Happiness after Wings for Gary

Captain Gary looks happy to be here

Nassau Yacht Haven

On the quay at Prince George Wharf

A Junkanoo pic

Government House

Atlantis towers

Atlantis bridges

The wind was still whipping but we had a good weather window to go to Highbourne Cay.  It was beautiful when we arrived.  A wedding and diving excursion was going on at the anchorage we stopped at. I was looking forward to enjoying a few days here.  No luck, a squall and high seas (5 ft) caused us to return to Nassau as that was the way the seas and wind were driving.  We came in to Palm Cay to wait for better weather.

Leaving Nassau Harbor

Anchored at Highbourne Cay

Highbourne Cay

Beautiful when we anchored

We didn't take any pictures leaving as we had our hands full getting the anchor up.  Gary really called a good decision returning with the wind and waves.  We couldn't even see the cut to go to the other side of the island.  Wouldn't have made any difference as the wind was coming from the south east.  The trip back was safe and Palm Cay Marina is beautiful.

Nassau Fish Fry

We finally got a weather window to cross to Nassau.  It was a rough trip. We got into Nassau Yacht Haven Marina which is very centrally located to  downtown Nassau.  We were in walking distance of groceries and Starbucks!  I really started to see class divisions of very rich and very poor often.  Not much middle class.  We discovered the greatest transporation. the jitney buses.  You get on and when you get off it's $1.25.  Very few street signs, no bus map.  You have to know where and what number bus.  Thank goodness we had some helpful Bahamians to give us directions.  Our fist adventure was to the "fish fry".  I expected a local fry like at Great Harbor Cay.  No, it is a whole area of fish fry colorful shacks.  Great food.

Ready to try Jerk chicken