Nassau, Bahamas is described a paradise in books, magazine, TV ads and the internet. Everyone who goes to the Bahamas talks about green/blue water, sandy beaches…
My annual vacation took me to the Bahamas in July of 2013. Nassau, on Providence Island.
Our flight got delayed in New Jersey due to mechanical problems with the plane and we took this opportunity to people watch at the airport. It is great past time if you have nothing better to do. After a 6 hour delay we finally reached the place that we had planned on our rest and recreation vacation. It is amazing, we humans want to go somewhere and plan on doing just nothing. This was one of those vacations where a book by the beach, or just lazing was in order. I had never done this before and was wondering as to what my thoughts would be on it after we left. Most of the time when we went on vacation, it would be to see some history, or a tour of the city, or be on the move. So much so, that I would feel the need for a vacation on returning home!
This was going to be different. On arrival, we were welcomed with a “Bahama Mama”
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Our timeshare exchange was in a nice resort with a lagoon in front of our apartment, and also home to a school of stingrays! We saw them swimming many times in and out of the channel that came in from the ocean. A gazebo at the end of a pier was like being in heaven, at peace with nothing around but your thoughts. The water blue green and so clear that you could see your shadow in the sand below as you look down. The sting rays looked like little battleships weaving their way around the bottom of the gazebo. Making “plopping” sounds as their bodies propelled them forward. We were mesmerized by their movements. The agility of their bodies carrying them silently in unison.
Cruise ships came in and out of the port at a distance every day, and we were told that most tourists from the ships go to Paradise Island. Of course, we had to see what Paradise Island was all about. So, one morning, we woke up a bit early and took the local bus, (which cost only $1 each way )to take us into Nassau town. The bus itself was a unique experience. There were folding seats that covered the aisle as well. If someone from the rear wanted to get out, all the people sitting in the aisle had to get out of the bus to let this one person out and then re-board the bus. We were surprised at how small downtown Nassau was. Totally touristic, with vendors selling all the memorabilia ( of course made in China!) that tourists want of their visit to the Bahamas.
A 10-minute ferry ride took us to Paradise Island. An affluent island, and a hideout for the rich and famous. Large luxury yachts lined the harbor. A crew from all over the world worked on these yachts. I spoke to one yacht staff who was from South Africa. He told us that the owner had come there for the weekend and had to go back to work so he flew out and would be back after a week.
So the staff was enjoying their time in the Bahamas while the owner worked! What a life! I took a picture in front of one of these mega yachts, pretending I owned one if only for a moment. Dreams are free, right?
John Watling’s Distillery, the oldest Rum distillery in Nassau, was off the main street of Nassau. Visiting any kind of historic place was like a compulsion on our trips. Climbing uphill in the heat was exhausting. Yes, we decided to walk up the hill not realizing how hot and humid the Caribbean can be. Got drenched in sweat in the high humidity of the tropics by the time we arrived. After the tour of the distillery, we saw some people walking towards their cars and asked them if they could give us a ride back into town. I did not want to walk back. A Bahamian agreed to take us back to the main street. Talking to him on our return trip, he told us that he managed Shakira’s property that was being developed on one of the small islands. Talk about the rich and famous! He felt compelled to prove that he was part of the rich and famous elite by showing us pictures of Shakira with him on a beautiful island. His story was certainly amusing!
After a full day in the sun, exhausted and tired, we went back to our resort, to the peace and tranquility of the still blue water and to our school of stingrays “plopping” around in the water. By now we knew that we had be bitten by the travel bug. Yes, we made a decision to revisit our wanderlust and our dream of travel.