Nassau, The Bahamas Series - My first week

A tree along Bay Street, downtown Nassau

Ah, the Caribbean. Doesn't it immediately conjure up the image of a sub-tropical paradise?  Here at Nassau, the Bahamas, away from the manicured lawns and colonial grace of gated mansions, the wealth has not trickled down to the population. The infrastructure is quietly crumbling away, not that the tourists that come here on cruise ships will notice. 

On arrival at the Nassau International Airport, one immediately sensed the slowing down of the pace, almost to a grinding halt. It's a place to chill out, a place to lie in the sun, sipping rum punch and building up the tan by the swimming pool. It is not designed for those who come to work. It took well over 35 minutes for the baggage to arrive, and there were only two planes being serviced by the baggage handlers at the time. It's a new dimension of time as I've never known. It's the kind of time that requires the quiet cultivation of patience. 

A local band playing B-Gees downtown

The cost of living here is expensive. Tourists not on package tours are hit hard by hotel rates in particular. On top of the room rate, there are added costs such as service charge (as much as 40%), maid gratuity, energy surcharge, and resort tax. There is no easing up on fleecing the tourists. Gratuity is a standard 15% and added to all service bills. 

Now now onto service. There is no shortage of manpower on the New Providence Island. Just don't equate manpower with effort. In a 7-table restaurant, you might find 4 to 5 waitresses, only one of whom is serving, the rest are busy doing things on their mobile phones. Service is at best indifferent, at worst non existent. Things are slightly better at the high end shops. 

A wedding party posing for me at the hotel

The private beach at the hotel

On the plus side, the weather is in the high 20's and very pleasant for this time of the year, whilst London is experiencing sub zero temperatures. For those who like sun, sea and sand, there is an abundance of these three eternal S's on the island. The local people, away from a service environment, tend to be friendly and will greet strangers with "How are you today?" I hope there are more pleasant surprises to come.



At the back of the hotel is a stretch of private beach, with a swimming pool, a bar, and plenty of places to lie down, to chill out, to read a book, and to be fried under the sun. At the edge of this private beach is Senor Frog, a bar/cafe, pumping out loud music to enhance the drinking stupor of some of the punters.