Nassau, Bahamas - May 1996
Updated: Aug 14
Brief History/Information
The Bahamas were under English rule from 1670 to 1973. They are famous for Crystal-clear turquoise waters, Extensive coral reefs, Blue holes (deep underwater sinkholes), Flamingos, parrots, sea turtles, dolphins, sharks, and tropical fish. The Bahamas are an independent island nation in the Atlantic Ocean, consisting of more than 700 islands. Often associated with the Caribbean, the islands actually are in the Atlantic Ocean, southeast of Florida, north of Cuba, and northwest of Hispaniola (Haiti and the Dominican Republic). The capital is Nassau, located on New Providence Island.
PARADISE ISLAND & NASSAU, BAHAMAS
Brief History/Information
Nassau is the capital and largest city of The Bahamas, located on New Providence Island. It serves as the country's political, commercial, and cultural center and is home to the majority of the Bahamian population. Paradise Island is a small island connected to Nassau by two bridges across Nassau Harbour.
What we did
We went to Nassau/Paradise Island for our five year anniversary. We stayed at the Pirates Cove Holiday Inn on Paradise Island. We were warned that many people would approach us regarding snorkeling trips, and we were! We took a ferry boat to go across to Nassau. We saw their houses of parliament and queen statue. We walked up east street to Fort Fincastle, the water tower, and Queen's Staircase. We went to the top of the water tower, which is 126 feet. We walked down the Queen’s staircase where slaves carried in granite, and was an escape route for the queen. Ate at Bahamian Bistro and had awesome salad and fish with the head and tail and scales and bones still attached. We then walked to Parliament Street and walked up to the Green shutter pub which was awesome (it’s now an Indian Restaurant). We rented mopeds. We had to remember that they drive on the opposite side of the road from the USA. We went to Paradise Island and saw the Cloister that Augustine monks built it and was shipped stone by stone from France. And then went to Versailles Garden, which is a miniature version of the one in France. We then crossed the bridge to Nassau, which is a very high bridge and went to Fort Montague. Then we drove past downtown to Fort Charlotte and botanical Gardens. Had dinner at the very nice and fancy Graycliff Restaurant. This place is way overpriced, but kings and queens have eaten there and it is over 250 years old. The next day we went to Atlantis Resort and Casino. It rained all day, we wanted to see the predator pool, but it was raining too hard. So we went to the casino.
Major Attractions
Queen's Staircase – A 66-step limestone staircase carved by enslaved people in the late 1700s.
Fort Fincastle – Built in 1793 to defend the harbor.
Parliament Square – Home to the pink colonial government buildings.
Fort Charlotte – The largest fort in the Bahamas, offering panoramic harbor views.
Water Tower - 126 feet.
Cloister - Augustine monks built it and was shipped stone by stone from France.
Versailles Garden - a miniature version of the one in France.
Fort Montague
Fort Charlotte and botanical Gardens.
Graycliff Restaurant - kings and queens have eaten there and it is over 250 years old.
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