BY JANET STEINBERG
PART SIX OF A SERIES
The
Bahamas is not one destination, but many. The Bahamas is a 600-mile long archipelago
of about 3000 islands but only 30 of them are permanently occupied. Each
island is unique, but they are all part of a whole that Bahamians refer to as
their “Family of Islands”. Some of the better-known Islands of the Bahamas are
New Providence, Paradise, Grand Bahama, Abaco, Exuma, and Eleuthera. Each
island has its own personality and each is surrounded by pristine, colorful
water, fanned by gentle trade winds, and graced with miles of untouched
beaches.
Bahamas is not one destination, but many. The Bahamas is a 600-mile long archipelago
of about 3000 islands but only 30 of them are permanently occupied. Each
island is unique, but they are all part of a whole that Bahamians refer to as
their “Family of Islands”. Some of the better-known Islands of the Bahamas are
New Providence, Paradise, Grand Bahama, Abaco, Exuma, and Eleuthera. Each
island has its own personality and each is surrounded by pristine, colorful
water, fanned by gentle trade winds, and graced with miles of untouched
beaches.
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| WELCOME TO NASSAU |
Some
808 nautical miles from Hamilton, Bermuda our Silversea Silver Shadow arrived
at Nassau. Although most people call Nassau an island, it is not an
island. Located on the island of New Providence, Nassau is the capital, the
commercial center, and the largest city of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas.
The city’s population of approximately 250,000 is 70% of the entire
population of the Bahamas. Yet no one calls the island New Providence.
They mistakenly call it Nassau. Confusing? You bet!
808 nautical miles from Hamilton, Bermuda our Silversea Silver Shadow arrived
at Nassau. Although most people call Nassau an island, it is not an
island. Located on the island of New Providence, Nassau is the capital, the
commercial center, and the largest city of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas.
The city’s population of approximately 250,000 is 70% of the entire
population of the Bahamas. Yet no one calls the island New Providence.
They mistakenly call it Nassau. Confusing? You bet!
Nassau’s
history can be traced back to 300-years of British rule. Its
commercialism can be traced back to the passengers of the many cruise ships
that ply its harbor. I, too, arrived on a cruise ship…Silversea’s Silver
Shadow, the most elegant of the four cruise ships docked in the harbor that
day.
history can be traced back to 300-years of British rule. Its
commercialism can be traced back to the passengers of the many cruise ships
that ply its harbor. I, too, arrived on a cruise ship…Silversea’s Silver
Shadow, the most elegant of the four cruise ships docked in the harbor that
day.
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| SILVERSEA SILVER SHADOW…THE MOST ELEGANT SHIP IN THE HARBOR |
Highlights
of my day in Nassau included:
of my day in Nassau included:
THE
QUEEN’S STAIRCASE: Take an historic walk up (or down) the 66 steps of the
Queen’s Staircase, Nassau’s most visited attraction. In the late 1700’s, the
102-foot staircase was hand-carved by approximately 600 slaves, who used pick
axes and hand tools to cut their way through solid limestone. The entire
staircase took over 16 years to complete. It was only decades later that the
impressive staircase was then named in honor of the 65-year reign of Queen
Victoria, “who had signed a declaration to abolish slavery on her ascension to
the throne in 1837.” Today, the Queen’s Staircase still acts as both a
passageway to Fort Fincastle and a shortcut to Bennet’s Hill.
QUEEN’S STAIRCASE: Take an historic walk up (or down) the 66 steps of the
Queen’s Staircase, Nassau’s most visited attraction. In the late 1700’s, the
102-foot staircase was hand-carved by approximately 600 slaves, who used pick
axes and hand tools to cut their way through solid limestone. The entire
staircase took over 16 years to complete. It was only decades later that the
impressive staircase was then named in honor of the 65-year reign of Queen
Victoria, “who had signed a declaration to abolish slavery on her ascension to
the throne in 1837.” Today, the Queen’s Staircase still acts as both a
passageway to Fort Fincastle and a shortcut to Bennet’s Hill.
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|
THE
QUEEN’S STAIRCASE |
ARDASTRA
GARDENS & ZOO: Originally created as a nature preserve by Jamaican
horticulturalist Hedley Edwards in the 1950’s, Ardastra Gardens & Zoo has
developed over the decades into a tropical garden, conservation center and
boutique zoo. The tranquil Ardastra Gardens is home to a brilliant array
of plant life. As the first and only zoo in the Bahamas, The Ardastra Zoo
features a wide range of animal species including the national bird of The
Bahamas, the Caribbean flamingo. Be sure to watch the world-famous
marching flamingos in action. From the cute and cuddly to the big and
powerful, the Zoo at Ardastra is a peaceful retreat with the wildest population
in town!
GARDENS & ZOO: Originally created as a nature preserve by Jamaican
horticulturalist Hedley Edwards in the 1950’s, Ardastra Gardens & Zoo has
developed over the decades into a tropical garden, conservation center and
boutique zoo. The tranquil Ardastra Gardens is home to a brilliant array
of plant life. As the first and only zoo in the Bahamas, The Ardastra Zoo
features a wide range of animal species including the national bird of The
Bahamas, the Caribbean flamingo. Be sure to watch the world-famous
marching flamingos in action. From the cute and cuddly to the big and
powerful, the Zoo at Ardastra is a peaceful retreat with the wildest population
in town!
“THE
FISH FRY” AT ARAWAK CAY: To get a true taste of the Bahamas, head to Arawak Cay
on West Bay Street in Nassau. With a nickname like “The Fish Fry” it’s
not surprising that Arawak Cay is home to a community of Bahamian restaurants
that specialize in seafood delicacies. A plethora of seafoods are served with
sides like cornbread and mac and cheese. Conch, be it cracked (battered and
deep fried) or scorched (spiced with lime, onions and peppers) is one of The
Bahamas’ most popular foods. Kalik, dubbed “The Beer of The Bahamas”, is the
country’s best-selling beer. Of course, there are always “Bahama Mamas” or “Sky
Juice”. The latter is a combination of gin, coconut milk/water, sweet
milk, sugar, ground cinnamon and freshly grated nutmeg. If you go to Grand
Bahama Island, “Sky Juice” is known as “Gully Wash”.
FISH FRY” AT ARAWAK CAY: To get a true taste of the Bahamas, head to Arawak Cay
on West Bay Street in Nassau. With a nickname like “The Fish Fry” it’s
not surprising that Arawak Cay is home to a community of Bahamian restaurants
that specialize in seafood delicacies. A plethora of seafoods are served with
sides like cornbread and mac and cheese. Conch, be it cracked (battered and
deep fried) or scorched (spiced with lime, onions and peppers) is one of The
Bahamas’ most popular foods. Kalik, dubbed “The Beer of The Bahamas”, is the
country’s best-selling beer. Of course, there are always “Bahama Mamas” or “Sky
Juice”. The latter is a combination of gin, coconut milk/water, sweet
milk, sugar, ground cinnamon and freshly grated nutmeg. If you go to Grand
Bahama Island, “Sky Juice” is known as “Gully Wash”.
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| CHECK OUT COLORFUL ARAWAK CAY FOR A TRUE TASTE OF THE BAHAMAS |
GRAYCLIFF HOTEL: This historic colonial mansion is situated
next door to the Government House on a quiet street in Old Nassau. It is only a
few minutes away from Nassau’s white sand beaches. This 17th-century manor,
that over the years has played host such illustrious luminaries as Sir Winston
Churchill, Aristotle Onassis and The Beatles, is a world away from the city’s
glitter and casinos. Graycliff mansion
was originally built in 1740 by Captain John Howard Graysmith, a famous pirate.
His buccaneering made him rich and famous. After more than two centuries
of varied owners, Graycliff was purchased in 1973 by Enrico and Anna Maria
Garzaroli who turned the private home into a hotel complex. In 2000, the
Graycliff Cigar Company, a robust cigar factory, was added. Graycliff, a
Bahamian landmark, is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
next door to the Government House on a quiet street in Old Nassau. It is only a
few minutes away from Nassau’s white sand beaches. This 17th-century manor,
that over the years has played host such illustrious luminaries as Sir Winston
Churchill, Aristotle Onassis and The Beatles, is a world away from the city’s
glitter and casinos. Graycliff mansion
was originally built in 1740 by Captain John Howard Graysmith, a famous pirate.
His buccaneering made him rich and famous. After more than two centuries
of varied owners, Graycliff was purchased in 1973 by Enrico and Anna Maria
Garzaroli who turned the private home into a hotel complex. In 2000, the
Graycliff Cigar Company, a robust cigar factory, was added. Graycliff, a
Bahamian landmark, is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
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| GRAYCLIFF HOTEL IS A BAHAMIAN LANDMARK |
JUNKANOO
MUSEUM pays tribute to the street parade that takes place in many towns across
the Bahamas on every Boxing Day (December 26). Here you can see
many of the costumes, learn of their history, and how they are made. The
personable owner will even introduce you to Rake n’ Scrape, the eclectic music
of the Bahamas. Percussion instruments, made from household
items like a saw and washboard, combine with the beat of the drum to produce an
authentic Bahamian sound.
MUSEUM pays tribute to the street parade that takes place in many towns across
the Bahamas on every Boxing Day (December 26). Here you can see
many of the costumes, learn of their history, and how they are made. The
personable owner will even introduce you to Rake n’ Scrape, the eclectic music
of the Bahamas. Percussion instruments, made from household
items like a saw and washboard, combine with the beat of the drum to produce an
authentic Bahamian sound.
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| COSTUME AT JUNKANOO MUSEUM COMES COMPLETE WITH HAIRDO |
To the North of Nassau lies Paradise Island. A
short land, or water, taxi ride from Nassau will take you to some 685 acres of
pure euphoria.
short land, or water, taxi ride from Nassau will take you to some 685 acres of
pure euphoria.
ATLANTIS:
This resort and waterpark is located on Paradise Island.
Accommodations at the resort that officially opened in 1998 include: The Beach
Tower, Coral Towers, and Royal Towers. The Royal Towers contain the
“Bridge Suite”, once ranked as the most expensive hotel room in the
world. In 2012, the Bridge Suite, billed at US $25,000 per night, was
listed at number 10 on the World’s 15 most expensive hotel suites
compiled by CNN Go.
This resort and waterpark is located on Paradise Island.
Accommodations at the resort that officially opened in 1998 include: The Beach
Tower, Coral Towers, and Royal Towers. The Royal Towers contain the
“Bridge Suite”, once ranked as the most expensive hotel room in the
world. In 2012, the Bridge Suite, billed at US $25,000 per night, was
listed at number 10 on the World’s 15 most expensive hotel suites
compiled by CNN Go.
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|
THE
ATLANTIS DOMINATES THE SKYLINE ON PARADISE ISLAND |
ONE & ONLY OCEAN CLUB: This jewel in the crown of
Paradise Island nestles peacefully along the
shore of a delicate white sand beach…a treasured sanctuary of privileged
perfection. Under the deep blue of an endless Bahamian sky, wrapped
in the turquoise waters of an exuberant sea,
the Ocean Club was once the private estate of Atlantic & Pacific Tea
Company (a.k.a. A&P) heir Huntington Hartford II. Today, this
alluring 105-room beachfront hideaway reflects the glamorous ambience and posh
exclusivity of a grand colonial manor, welcoming generations of the world’s
traveling elite. Expansive manicured lawns and towering coconut palms provide
an enchanting backdrop to the pristine beaches of The Ocean Club. Little wonder that it was the perfect setting for
OO7’s “Casino Royale” that was filmed there.
Paradise Island nestles peacefully along the
shore of a delicate white sand beach…a treasured sanctuary of privileged
perfection. Under the deep blue of an endless Bahamian sky, wrapped
in the turquoise waters of an exuberant sea,
the Ocean Club was once the private estate of Atlantic & Pacific Tea
Company (a.k.a. A&P) heir Huntington Hartford II. Today, this
alluring 105-room beachfront hideaway reflects the glamorous ambience and posh
exclusivity of a grand colonial manor, welcoming generations of the world’s
traveling elite. Expansive manicured lawns and towering coconut palms provide
an enchanting backdrop to the pristine beaches of The Ocean Club. Little wonder that it was the perfect setting for
OO7’s “Casino Royale” that was filmed there.
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| TRANQUILITY AND A PRISTINE WHITE SAND BEACH |
The British Colonial design of the resort’s chic Dune
Restaurant, perched atop a white sand beach, was created by famed French
interior designer Christian Liaigre. Our lunch was an innovative
blend of French-Asian cuisine along with a drop-dead dramatic ocean view. Tuna
Tartar Avocado/Radish Ginger Marinade…Bahamian Conch Salad…Lobster Daikon
Roll/Rosemary Ginger Dip…Local Grouper/Ginger Chili Vinaigrette/Bok Choy…one of
the most memorable lunches ever.
Restaurant, perched atop a white sand beach, was created by famed French
interior designer Christian Liaigre. Our lunch was an innovative
blend of French-Asian cuisine along with a drop-dead dramatic ocean view. Tuna
Tartar Avocado/Radish Ginger Marinade…Bahamian Conch Salad…Lobster Daikon
Roll/Rosemary Ginger Dip…Local Grouper/Ginger Chili Vinaigrette/Bok Choy…one of
the most memorable lunches ever.
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| TUNA TARTAR AVOCADO WITH SPICY RADISH GINGER MARINADE |
Paradise Island is a fitting name for the location of the
One & Only Ocean Club. This place is paradise personified!
The One & Only Ocean Club is a testament to the Bahama’s logo “It’s
Better in the Bahamas”.
One & Only Ocean Club. This place is paradise personified!
The One & Only Ocean Club is a testament to the Bahama’s logo “It’s
Better in the Bahamas”.
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| ONE AND ONLY OCEAN CLUB IS PARADISE PERSONIFIED |
JANET STEINBERG is an International Travel Consultant, Travel Writer,
and the winner of 40 National Travel Writer Awards.
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