I've been to Nassau quite a few times. As a guest on Celebrity Millenium, as a guest on Disney Wonder and many, many times as crew on Carnival Liberty, Freedom and now Sensation.
On this contract we dock here twice a week. It's not my favourite port. Usually I just go ashore for Internet. It's not the safest or prettiest of ports. It doesn't have the clear still blue postcard waters I'm used to in the Caribbean. I haven't really given it much of a chance.
So, if I'm going to be here twice a week for the next 6 months. Then I'd better give it a fair go.
In all the times I've been to Nassau I have never been to The Atlantis Resort. Not sure why. Takes too long to get there? Too expensive? Too far? Too touristy? Not enough time? Not really valid excuses. Just me being lazy.
Last week I took the little ferry from the cruise ship terminal to Paradise Island. It only took 10 minutes each way and the cost was $8 return. So too far and too expensive? Nope.
I walked from the ferry dock on Paradise Island to the resort. It took all of a few minutes along a well marked path. The resort is huge. Parts of it are accessible to the public and parts of it are only available to resort guests or guests with a day pass. I was neither. But I could still enjoy the Marina Village, the casino and other public areas.
I was quite content to wander the marina village and do a little window shopping and a little people watching. Oh I wish I had the courage to take photos of the outfits I saw! Instead I had to be content with photos of benches,
Heading inside the resort I was drawn to the artwork and fixtures. Pretty lights get me every time.
As do water features
and unusual light fixtures. They need these at Orana. (Orana is the girl guide campsite just outside Hobart, Tasmania). Their logo is a seahorse.
My aching feet needed a rest. Mmmm maybe that was just an excuse to stop in the Casino enjoy a free drink, throwaway $10 and admire the Chihuly pieces.
Almost. I didn't actually throw away $10. I did put $10 in a penny slot machine and win $30.
That $30.00 covered the cost of my ferry ride, my starbucks and my lunch which included smiley face tomato sauce. So it was a good day.
Lastly a coffee at Starbucks while I tried to read my book but drooling over the mega yachts took precedence and then it was time to head back to the ship.
On the ferry ride back the crew pointed out this shack that was used in the James Bond movie Thunderball with Sean Connery.
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