Florida Vacation (Part 2 - The Cruise) - Bahamas

On the third day our ship arrived to Nassau, Bahamas.  I could not wait to get off the ship and feel the solid ground under my feet.  But before leaving the ship, we wanted to figure out what to do and where to go.  We really wanted to do some sightseeing, visit Atlantis - their biggest hotel, and maybe go on the beach.  There were "Land Excursions" available for purchase on the ship but they all were very expensive.  We decided to try our luck in the port.

As we were leaving the ship, there were photographers taking pictures of happy travelers with a Bahamian Jun Kanoo.   As we proceeded further, we saw several people offering sightseeing tours.  When we asked the price we were pleasantly surprised.  The cost was a fraction of the "Land Excursions" offered on the ship. And the kids were going for free! Our guide, Antoinette,  found another family and took us to her van.  Her tour was suppose to include only sightseeing around Nassau, gift shopping and Atlantis hotel, but she agreed to take us to the beach also.

As we drove around the center of Nassau, we saw administration buildings, banks, expensive mansions.  Then, Antoinette took us to the poor section of the city.  She said that even though most guides don't take visitors to the poor neighborhood, it gives a better picture of how people live on the island.  She told as that there are no unemployment on Bahamas.  When people loose their jobs they work for the city, cleaning streets, painting curbs.  There are also no homeless as old houses are donated for poor.

We made a stop at a street market to buy souvenirs.  The guides mom was one of the vendors.  (Smart idea- take tourists to your mom).  Most vendors has similar souvenirs and similar prices.

So, we were on the way to Atlantis.  It is a beautiful hotel with restaurants, shops, a casino, an aquarium and a private beach.  There might be other things there that I am not aware of.

Atlantis is located on the Atlantic ocean side of the island.  Therefore the owners made a private beach that is protected from huge waves.  The public beach was not protected so it was a bit scary to walk into the water. Well, see for yourselves...

Well, the waves did not stop us from getting our feet wet :)