Nassau, Bahamas

After 4 days and nights of strong winds, we escaped The Berry Island Club.  In the last post, I might have sounded a little negative about the place.  The problem is there is not much there, for that long of a visit.  However, one evening a fishing show production company threw a party for the locals and invited the cruisers.  Great food and drinks were had by all, some more than others.  When you want a lively party, invite French Canadians!

Evidently, the neighboring cay, Whale Cay was once very lively (see: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marion_Carstairs).  Today Whale Cay is available for you to rent the whole island with staff for a mere $65,000 per week.

We departed early Saturday morning loosely buddy-boating with the French Canadians on Ludicrous.  They are lock tenders in Montreal during the summer months, and cruisers/paid crew during the winter months.  They seemed quite competent, as they are en route to Guatemala. 

After crossing The Tongue of the Ocean and some very deep water, the first landfall visible is the Atlantis Hotel complex on Paradise Island (formerly Hog Island).  Our crossing had some rather large waves and wind gusts in the 20's, but Serenity and crew did fine.  The Atlantis Marina wanted $4.00 per foot, 50 foot minimum, so we are on the Nassau side at the Nassau Harbour Club.

Notice the wet decks and jack lines deployed.

One must request permission to enter Nassau Harbour and provide registration number along with other information.  If one of these big guys is arriving or departing you must hold outside.

Evidently the Mail Boats also carry passengers.  

A cheap way to see the real Bahamas.

There is also a lot of other traffic to dodge besides the cruise ships, including the Booze and Cruise boats.

After some provisioning and well deserved R&R, we will head south into the Exuma Cays.