Day 58-59. May 19-20. On to. Nassau. MIles. 37 Total Miles. 838.8
Day 58
We left early to start our longer voyage today to Nassau. The seas were calm with a slight swell and winds were light.
We headed out to our waypoint marking the sand bar off Norman's Cay and then headed North Northwest in Exuma Bank.
One hour later we lost sight of the Exuma Cays.
Two hours later we could see taller buildings on New Providence Island and we began to cross the Yellow Bank, a deeper sand bar that is dotted with lots of coral rocks. Had to navigate between a few of them!!
Three hours later, all of New Providence Island and the islands to the west -Athol and Rose rose from the horizon. We are now following a large yacht who is taking the same route to Porgee Rock just east of Nassau Harbor.
Thirty minutes from our destination we see eastern shore of New Providence which filled with homes and a few condos/apartments. We can also see the tops of the cruise ships in the harbor.
Before entering the harbor's east end we have to proceed cautiously, working our way through coral heads lining the small channel. Finally we enter the harbor proper. At first we come to Fort Montagu which is one the late 1700 forts that was used to protect Nassau Harbor.
After the fort, the harbor's shore on both sides are lined with large homes and marinas. Then the scene changes as we approach the first bridge, and the shore is mostly working docks for small freighters, fishing fleet boats and tugs and boats for taking tourists on excursions. After that is the cruise ship port. Today there are 5 boats in the port!!!
On the north side opposite the working docks is Paradise Island with its fancy resorts and water themes park. We are in a marina on the Paradise Island side.
We are surrounded by huge boats. We feel like midgets!!!
Spent the rest of the day doing laundry, making grocery lists and making plans for our stay here in Nassau.
Day 59
Woke up early and took the ferry over to Nassau. We got a view of the harbor on our ride!
We wandered around the Straw Market, a traditional open air market with straw crafts and souvenirs. We did find a few gifts along the way.
Then we wandered around and Bill found lots of pirates!!
One was even a live One!!!
Next we took in most of the older buildings in the inner city. Balcony House is the oldest known residence - a 18th Century wooden Loyalist structure.
Then we saw Government House, built in 1806, residence of the British Governor General
Parliament Square - the pink and white Neo-classical buildings, housing the Senate and House as well as the Supreme Court.
Also walked past the old library.
Walked up into the city to visit Fort Fincastle, now a partial fort built of limestone in 1793. Lord dunmore built the fort shaped like a paddle wheel ship on Bennet's Hill which overlooks the city. Later this building was used as a lighthouse.
Next stop was Queen's Staircase just outside the fort. This 65 step staircase carved from limestone by hand by slaves to have a shortcut to Fort Fincastle. Looking at the wall those slaves did a lot of hand carving. There is a small waterfall next to the steps.
At the top we walked thru an older neighborhood back into the city.
Back in town Bill made friends with the local police
We ate lunch at Sharkeez right down by the waterfront!! Was fun to watch all the tour busses and boats go by while we ate conch fritters.
After lunch we headed over to the Christ Church Cathedral with its magnificent stained glass windows.
the wooden chruch was first built on this site in 1695, but burned to the ground in 1703 and rebuilt to the current structure in late 1800's.
To end our tour, we walked east past the Colonial Hotel, originally built by Henry Flagler in 1901 and refurbished after a fire in 1924 and renamed the British Colonial Hotel
and past Junkanoo Beach - with its white sand and small bars and restaurants and vendors.
then we walked west past The Point and its resaturants and Margaritaville complex
Finally making it to our westernmost destination - Fort Charlotte. This is Nassau's largest fort built in 1793 of limestone as a defensive structure to fend off the Spanish attacks.
The fort walls have numerous carvings all over the walls from those who built the structure.
We also walked under the fort where the soldiers slept and ammunition was stored.
Will end our story for today here and pick up the evening in the next entry.
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