Day 189 Saturday December 28th A more challenging sail

Day 189 Saturday December 28^th A more challenging sail

Today we make Nassau.  The winds are forecasted to be high, so we leave the reef in the main.  We head out of Royal Harbour with Ross still sleeping at around 7 a.m.  It is about a 40 mile sail so will take about 5 or 6 hours.  Once out of the harbour we expected there to be lots of wind, but it was only about 15 knots so a good amount for a downwind run.  The swells make it a bit challenging on a downwind run as the we surf zigzagging down the waves and our sails tend to flap a bit unless we use the whisker pole which is heavy and a bother to install.   Ross tries fishing, but we had lost our good lure the day before so our Northern Lakes tackle is not really cutting it.  Ross is a bit annoyed at our lack of preparedness when it comes to fishing.  We of course catch nothing.  We have no visiting dolphins and do not see anything but the odd flying fish which are still cool to see. 

Nassau-Atlantis marina

The tall buildings of Atlantis come into view about 8 miles away from Nassau.  We watch them get larger slowly and after an hour we are calling into the harbour control asking permission to enter the busy Nassau Harbour.  We are a bit nervous as Nassau has been built up as busy and dangerous with no good anchorage, so we booked into one of the marina’s that someone along the way had recommended.  There are 2 bridges to go under and we only have about 7 feet above the top of our mast which does not feel like much as we go underneath.  The 7 feet is also dependent if we cross under at the highest point which we have to guess at.  We get through okay and see the dock staff ready to assist us with our lines.  Of course it is now blowing about 18 knots on the nose just in time for us to dock.  Luckily it is on the nose so that makes it much easier when pulling into a slip. 

Lion fish Atlantis Aquarium

The marina we are staying at is the Nassau Harbour Club Hotel and Marine located about 1 mile east of the new Paradise Island Bridge.  It is alright but has defiantly seen better days.  But it does have a pool, laundry facilities and the showers are clean, it however does not have wi fi unless you pay for it.  But Starbucks is across the road which provides wi fi with a coffee.  The price is right at marine at $1.75/ft compared to $4 to 6 some of the other charge.

Dawson adn Ross in front of large boat with submarine

As soon as we are docked, Ross goes for a run and gets a take on the lay of the land.  We caution him about safety as the drivers are nuts and they drive on the opposite side of the road.  Ross returns with great stories of Atlantis and the huge boats in the marina.  We all decide to head over for dinner and a look at the aquariums.  It is about a 2 km walk from the marina to Atlantis.  The route takes you along the harbour to the bridge across to Paradise Island.  The bridge starts at a place called Potters Cay, which is packed with small bars and restaurants.  It is quite a sight and sound different beer ads and competing music. We had enquired about docking at the Atlantis marina, but there was no room.  We would have looked quite out of place as there are no sailing vessels anywhere amongst the patron boats.  Most boats are multimillion dollar boats, the kind of boats only very wealthy people own.  There is even a boat with it’s own submarine aboard. 

Conch cleaning at Pottters Cay on way to Atlantis

We had a great evening and enjoyed dinner, topping it off with a stop at Starbucks to pick up emails etc. and head back to the boat for our evening cribbage game that Ross can tolerate.

Cheers

Julie and Dawson