Atlantis, Paradise Island: Just across the Paradise Island bridge, Atlantis is now taking over Paradise Island. Atlantis has shopping malls, a cabaret theater and unlimited choices in dining and drinks. Many of the facilities of the Atlantis are open to non-guests on the “Discover Atlantis” self-guided tours. A must see is the waterscape with its series of walk through aquariums, the recreated ruins of the lost continent in “The Dig,” and the area’s largest casino surrounded by restaurants.

Cabbage Beach: This beach is a stretch of white sand along the north side is one of the prettiest beaches on New Providence. Although resorts line the majority of its shoreline, if you will stroll for several minutes to the east you will find a nearly uninhabited area of beach overlooking emerald waters and tiny offshore cays.

Cloisters: At the top of the Versailles Gardens stand the remains of a 14th century French stone monastery, which were imported to the United States in the 1920s by newspaper baron William Randolph Hearst. Forty years later the cloister was purchased by the grocery-chain heir Hartford and had them rebuilt in their present location. At the center of the cloister is a statue by the name of “Silence” by U.S. sculptor Dick Reid. Tourists on a daily basis are taking their wedding vows or renewing their wedding vows under a delicate wrought iron gazebo overlooking Nassau harbor.

Potter’s Cay: Beneath the bridge from Paradise Island to Nassau lies Potter’s Cay. This is a place where you can watch sloops bring in and sell loads of fish and conch. Many of the local and the hotel chefs will come here to purchase the fresh catch of the day, which they clean on the spot. Vegetables, herbs, and such condiments as fiery Bahamian peppers preserved in limejuice are sold at nearby stalls, along with locally grown pineapples, papayas, and bananas. If you have never handled a conch, you would have to learn the exact spot to bore a hole to sever the muscle holding the creature in the shell. You will find stall of local delicacies such as conch salads being sold. The empty shells are sold as souvenirs.

Versailles Garden: fountains and statues of luminaries and legends such as Napoleon and Josephine, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, David Livingston, etc. are arranged around in the garden, the terraced lawn at the Ocean Club Golf & Tennis Resort, which was once the private hideaway of Huntington Hartford.

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The Bahamian island of Guanahani was called San Salvador when Christopher Columbus first came ashore. The original residents of the island were the Lucayans, Columbus described these people as peaceful and loving and generous of heart. Columbus claimed this land for Spain. In Spain’s quest for gold they focused on other places in the Caribbean. In 1629, Charles I of England claimed the Carolinas and threw in the Bahamas. Little did he know the effect this small gesture would have on the future of the Bahamas. The English and the Americans have the major influences in the development of the Bahamas.

In 1648, William Sayles and his Eleutheran Followers landed briefly in Nassau’s harbor during their search for a place to establish a Puritan colony. They sailed the south to the island known today as Eleuthera Island. Their ship wrecked on the reef known as the Devil’s Spine, which chose their home for them. Those that survived were the first English settlers in the Bahamas.

In Nassau, which was first named Charles Town in 1666 and renamed Nassau in 1695, wrecked ships were the livelihood for the residents. If bad weather or poor maps didn’t bring enough wrecked ships their way, then the townsfolk would light lamps and place them on the reefs to lure ships to their downfall. The English government approved none of this activity, but the English did however put a seal of approval on piracy.

England was constantly at war during the 17th century and the Royal Navy was kept busy. So a Letter of Marque was given to all sea captains called “privateers”. This letter gave them permission by the government of England to attack any enemy ships they run across. Piracy was born and was quickly out of control. In Nassau a “Privateer’s Republic” was born.

Edward Teach, also known as Blackbeard, declared himself Nassau’s magistrate. Calico Jack Rackham, Anne Bonney and Mary Read were just some of the infamous pirates who made their home in Nassau.

After England signed treaties with their enemies, the privateer who had taken advantage of the Letter of Marque and exceeded the limits set by the letter, were considered to be criminals. Their republic in Nassau ended in 1718. England sent Governor Woodes Rogers to Nassau with three well-armed warships and the motto Pirates Expelled-Commerce Restored.

The Bahamas became an English royal colony. During the American Revolution many of the Loyalists fled the war and went to Nassau, some of them brought slaves from the plantation with them. But there were no plantations in the Bahamas and the way of life never caught on. In 1807 England’s Parliament banned slave trade, many slave ships were intercepted by the Royal Navy and the West Africans on the ship who had been captured were set free on the Bahamas. By 1834 three quarters of Bahamas residents were from West Africa when England declared general Emancipation.. A settlement was established for the West Africans called the Over the Hill district.

During the American Civil War, privateering was brought back to life. England and Nassau ignored the North’s blockade and traded with the Southern states. The character Rhett Butler was a well-known man in Nassau. Later during the Prohibition Nassau ignored the United States again by smuggling liquor into Southern ports, until President Roosevelt repealed the amendment.

In the 1940s, King Edward VIII relinquished his throne to marry the women he loved. They settled in Nassau and were known as the Duke and Duchess of Windsor. This began a new era of peaceful glamour and brought many visitors and developers to the island.

In 1952 a young politician named Lynden Pindling formed the Progressive Liberal Party. Pindling had grown up in the Over the Hill district where the other West African lived, but it was the party he created the Progressive Liberal Party, which led the nation 20 years later to vote for independence from England. The islands still have strong ties to England. They have chosen to remain within the Commonwealth and they declare allegiance to the Queen. The Government House is the official residence of the governor-general and you can witness the Changing of the Guard twice a month or even have a cup of tea with the governess.

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Nassau is in the heart of this chain of more then 700 islands. It has been the home of Amerindians, pirates, Spanish conquerors, British colonists and rumrunners during the Prohibition in the United States. Sixty percent of all of the Bahamians live in Nassau, so there are about 210,000 people living in Nassau.

Nassau has two very large casinos – the Atlantis Resort and Casino on Paradise Island and the Crystal Palace Casino on Cable Beach. You can play the slot machine at anytime day or night, but the gaming tables are only open from 10 am to 4 am.

All of the cruise lines offer a several types of shore excursions to Nassau, but if you wish you can do it on your own. Taking a ride on the horse drawn surreys waiting for passengers at Rawson Square is one way to take a quick tour of Nassau. Make sure to the statue of Queen Victoria at the Government buildings, which all date back to around the 1800s. You will love the British-style “Bobbies” you will see directing traffic. Try to save time to look at all the tempting shops on Bay Street.

Additional modes of transportation include buses, rental cars, motorbikes, bicycles, taxis and limousines. Taxis are available at all times. Jitney buses, which run from downtown and Cable Beach, are government controlled. Water taxis also make the trip from the port to Paradise Island.

Lunch

Everyone in the world does lunch. You will find ethnic foods from around the world. You will recognize some of the fast food chains, which are here in the Bahamas, such as Wendy’s, Pizza Hut etc., but don’t skip out on trying some of the local dishes. You might try a slice of guava duff, which is a pastry from a local bakery. Conch, a shell dwelling creature is a local staple and is delicious when prepared correctly. The Bahamian lobster, a clawless variety, is quite tasty. Fried fish and johnnycakes are other local treats. You will find many places where you can have lunch, and you can find just about any kind of food you might be looking for. All of it with a Bahamian twist.

Shopping

It’s great. If you are looking for jewelry or stones, along Bay Street are two shops bearing the green awning of Colombian Emeralds, where stones and jewelry are in all sizes, shapes and colors.

Little Switzerland is known for fragrances, jewelry and watches. You will also be able to find the local shops as well as the chains including Solomon’s Mines. Liquor shops are everywhere. For a souvenir you might want to get a bottle of Nassau Royale, which is a local liquor. Androsia features batik cotton clothing from the island of Andros, while the Straw Market offers hats, purses, bags and dolls.

Attractions

Paradise Island, once known as “Hog” Island, is now one of the Bahamas’ biggest tourist attractions in part because of the Atlantis Resort and Casino. An African developer whose name is Sol Kerzner and his Sun International created Atlantis. There is a “Discover Atlantis” Tours available, but you can get a better deal through your cruise line.

Golf

You can book a round at the 18-hole golf course at Cable Beach.

Water Sports

If you are interested in scuba diving, snorkeling, fishing, boating, para-sailing, windsurfing, shark diving, or just swimming on some of t h world’s best beaches like Cable Beach and South Ocean Beach. Any cab driver will be able to take you to any beach you would like to go or to any water excursion you might wish to try.

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Eclectic Cuisine

Crocodiles Waterfront Bar & Grill: This is an informal outdoor grill, with deck table, which are shaded by palms and decorated with signs from a plethora of Nassau establishments. You may want to just sit back under the thatched umbrellas and take in the view of the harbor. If you get hungry you can get something light to eat such as conch, salad, burgers, standard or conch, calamari, nachos, and sandwiches or try one of the heartier choices such as the huge T-bone steak.

Café Matisse: Low-slung settees, stucco arches, and reproductions of an artist’s works help set the casual tone for this restaurant, owned by husband and wife team – he’s Bahamian and she is northern Italian. The restaurant is in a century old house, and is a favorite with those who want an unforgettable dining experience. Consider starting with salmon carpaccio or crispy fried calamari, then continue will popular curried shrimp on jasmine rice, freshly made pastas such as duck-filled ravioli and lobster cannelloni, or such delights as pizza topped with fresh local seafood. You can dine at candlelit table inside or outside on the ground-floor garden under large white canvas umbrellas. Cigar smokers gravitate to the second floor veranda. Jazz is performed on Thursday and Saturday nights.

Chippies’s Wall Street Café: This restaurant doubles as an Internet café and art gallery, this spot is located in a second story at the entrance to Bay Street. You can enjoy a pleasing lunch or a leisurely dinner. Live music sets the tone of the place along with the contemporary art scattered on slanted walls. If you choose to sit outdoors you will have a view of Bay Street. This restaurant is named for beloved local performer John Chipman and managed by his grandson. The cuisine is eclectic, which might include such nightly specials as grilled banana and corn soup, a “Junkanoo” concoction of lobster, lamb, chicken, and vegetables, or a white-chocolate and guava terrine with hibiscus-sea grape sauce.

English Cuisine

Green Shutters Restaurant & Pub: This restaurant is housed in a 190-year-old building. Once you have stepped inside you will feel just like you are magically in jolly old England. This is not really all that amazing because the entire pub area including the tables and chairs were sent over from England and reassembled. While you wait on your steak and kidney pie you can sip a pint of Guinness or Boddingtons. If you prefer, the restaurant also offers Bahamian gourmet dinners like Grouper Marsha, grouper stuffed with minced lobster, and coconut-crusted snapper.

French Cuisine

Chez Willie: This elegant, romantic restaurant specializes in French cuisine with a Bahamian twist. Dine by candlelight in the intimate dining room or outdoors on the patio, which overlook the lush gardens. Start with caviar or goose liver pate, then try the signature grouper served in a puff pastry with crabmeat and coconut cream sauce. Or you could share a chateaubriand for two.

Greek Cuisine

Athena Restaurant: This is a pleasant Greek restaurant in a central Bay Street locale, Athena offer diners the choice of the second-floor interior, filled with Grecian statuary, or a balcony overlooking the main drag. You will have the opportunity to enjoy souvlake, moussaka, spanakopita, and other Greek specialties in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere.

Indian Cuisine

Gaylord’s: This Indian restaurant is in a handsome historic building, which dates back to the 1870s. Decorative plates, plaques, and other Indian art works decorate the walls of the two dining areas. Draped silk adorns the ceilings. Begin with samosa, a savor y vegetable or meat filling enveloped in pastry and then deep-fried. Next try one of the tandoori dishes cooked in a special clay oven. Or select one of he nan breads, stuffed with chicken, cheese, garlic, or lamb, and sample offering from mild korma, lamb or chicken in a rich cream sauce, to fiery vindaloo. Vegetarians will really enjoy a wide selection here.

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Fort Montagu: This fort is the oldest of the three forts on New Providence Island. Montagu was built of local limestone in 1741 to repel Spanish invaders. The only action it saw was when it was occupied for two weeks by rebel American troops – among them a lieutenant named John Paul Jones – seeking arms and ammunitions during the Revolutionary War. The fort is well maintained, although there are not guided tours, you are welcome to look around at your leisure. A public beach stretches out more than a mile beyond the fort, which looks out onto the Montagu Bay. At this location there are international yacht regattas and Bahamian sloop races are held every year.

Fox Hill: This area was settled by the freed slaves who were given land grants, which they paid for either in cash or labor, this residential area was originally four smaller settlements. Today there’s not much here of tourist interest with the exception of the second Tuesday of August. On this day the community holds its annual Fox Hill Day celebration. It falls a week after the rest of t he island celebrates Emancipation Day. Some say that it is because back in 1834 it took a week for them to get the news of the emancipation. Festivities include music, home-cooked food, and arts and crafts booths.

The Retreat: Here there are nearly 200 species of palm trees, which grace the 11 luxuriant acres known as The Retreat. The Retreat serves as the headquarters for the Bahamas National Trust. Stroll in wonderful silence through the lush ground, past smiling Buddhas, and stone arbors overhung with vines.

St. Augustine’s Monastery: This is the Romanesque home of the Benedictine brothers, which was built in 1946 by a monk name Father Jerome. Father Jerome was well-known for his carvings of the Stations of the Cross on Cat Island’s Mt. Alvernia. The buildings are also home to a college as well as a religious complex, and overlook the beautiful gardens. This is an out of the way sight you won’t want to miss.

Western New Providence and South Coast

If you travel west out of downtown on Bay Street the road will follow the coast past the resorts, posh residential homes and neighborhoods and the new developments of Cable Beach. Then keep going past the popular Love Beach to Northwest Point. Much of the interior and southwestern coast of New Providence is undeveloped. There are some sights to be seen out here, so you may want to pack a picnic lunch for the outing.

Adelaide Village: This small community on the southwestern coast of New Providence Island sits quietly between the busy Adelaide Road and the ocean. It was first settled during the early 1830s by Africans who had been captured and were bound for America aboard slave ships. They were rescued by the British Royal Navy and were then taken to Nassau. The first freed slaves arrived in 1832. Today only a few dozen families live in Adelaide. They grow vegetables, raise chickens, and live in old pastel painted wooden homes, which are sheltered by bougainvillea and other vegetation. The village has a primary school, small grocery stores and a locally popular restaurant & bar called Avery’s Restaurant and Bar.

Arawak Cay: This is better known to Nassau residents as “The Fish Fry”. This is one of the best places to drink a Kalik beer, which is brewed right here on the island, talk to the locals or sample traditional Bahamian dishes. Small noshes or full meals are available at one of the pastel colored shacks, newly redone, which line the large fairgrounds’. You can order some fried fish or fresh conch salad, which is a spicy mixture of chopped conch mixed with diced onions, cucumbers, tomatoes, and hot peppers in a lime marinade. Goldie’s Enterprise is on of the most popular stalls located on the cay’s western side. Try their cracked conch and Goldie’s famous Sky Juice made with a potent gin and coconut water.

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Contemporary Cuisine

The Pink Pearl Café: Written on the menu of this restaurant is “Welcome, Relax. Taste the Rhythm.” The Pink Pearl continues to thrill with its inventive menu, flawless service and distinct atmosphere in a former house. You can choose to be seated surrounded by contemporary art or on the porch, which can have a wonderful breeze. The Bahamian-Caribbean-Continental cuisine is creative without being fussy. When you arrive aromatic bread arrives in a large calabash shell. Start with creamy conch chowder. Entrees might include an elaborate roasted grouper with a ragout of onion, tomato, thyme, mushrooms, and potatoes, or a simple grilled conch drizzled with tamarind barbecue sauce. Leave room for the tropically flavored desserts such as tempura-style banana fritters with nutmeg ice cream and butterscotch sauce.

Continental Cuisine

Buena Vista: Located high on a hill above the Nassau Harbor, this serene restaurant sits secure in its reputation as one of the city’s dining institutions; it draws a loyal local clientele. Established in 1946, it occupies what was once a rambling private home built in the early 1800s. Tuxedoed waiters whisk about the dining room, where tables are set with china, crystal, and silver. Jackets are required absolutely, but you will find most gentlemen wearing them. The menu has both Continental dishes as well as Bahamian seafood specialties. You may want to start with escargot or cream of garlic soup. Exemplary entrees include grouper and rack of spring lamb. Leave room for luscious cakes from the dessert trolley or Mrs. Hauck’s Orange Pancakes, bake in a Grand Marnier sauce a house specialty for decades.

Graycliff: A meal at Graycliff begins in the elegant parlor, where drinks are served and orders are taken, when your appetizer is ready, you will be escorted into one of the several dining rooms. The cuisine is continental with a distinctly Bahamian touch; Graycliff’s signature dishes range from the pepper fillet and roast rack of lamb to grouper in cream and Dijon mustard and the ever-popular Lobster Graycliff. The clientele includes presidents and celebrities, but the prices are surprisingly no higher than other top-notch Nassau restaurants. Dress leans toward the formal, but jackets are not required. Beware of the tempting wine selections. The cellar contains more than 175,000 bottles, some running into the tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars. Finish with a hand rolled cigar produced in Graycliff’s own factory, accompanied, perhaps, by fine port, cognac, or Armagnac.

The Sun and …: If you are hoping to catch a glimpse of international superstars, this is the place to look. The restaurant has a policy of “jackets strongly preferred,” proper attire will certainly help. Dine in a series of rooms surrounding an enclosed garden area with a rock pool and fountain. You can feast on such creations as salmon mousseline and crayfish tails rolled grouper fillets, topped with Chardonnay-lobster sauce, or veal with porcini mushrooms and white truffle oil. But be aware that you’ll be denying yourself heaven if you don’t end your meal with one of Belgian owner-chef Ronny Deryckere’s six incomparable soufflés, which range from almond amaretto to guava.

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Junkanoo Expo: The handmade floats and costumes used during the annual Bahamian Junkanoo celebration are exhibited in an old customs warehouse at the wharf’s entrance. Junkanoo celebrations are held on Boxing Day, which is the day after Christmas and New Year’s Day. The festival is a lot like the frenzied activities of the Mardi Gras in New Orleans or the Carnival in Rio de Janeiro. By visiting the Expo it is the next best thing to being there.

Nassau Public Library and Museum: This octagon building is located near Parliament Square was the Nassau Gaol; this is the old British word for jail around 1797. You are welcome to browse. The small prison cells are now lined with books. The museum has a collection of historic prints and old colonial documents.

Parliament Square: Nassau is the seat of national government. The Bahamian Parliament has two houses; a 16 member Senate and a 40 member House of Assembly, and a ministerial cabinet headed by a prime minister. The Parliament Square government buildings were constructed in the early 1800s by Loyalists who cam to the Bahamas from the Carolinas and the beginning of the American Revolution. In the center of the square there is a statue of Queen Victoria, which was set up on her birthday, May 24 in 1905. Surrounding the statue is the magistrates’ courts, which are open to the public. Just get a pass at the door to view a session. Behind the House of Assembly is the Supreme Court. The opening ceremonies for the Supreme Court take place four times a year you will see the pomp and the pageantry during the opening ceremonies and usually the Royal Bahamas Police Force Band is usually on hand for the event.

Pirates of Nassau: This is an interactive museum taking you through Nassau’s pirate days devoted to some of the most notorious members of the city’s past as Blackbeard, Mary Read, and Anne Bonney. Costumed guides greet you at every turn. Some of them will even give you some dialog in character from a period adventure novel. You will get to board a ship where there is some historical narration, and live through the sound effects re-creating some of the gruesome highlights, and you will get to see some dioramas of the adventures on the high seas.

Pompey Museum: This museum is housed in a building where slave auctions were held in the 1700s. This museum has been named for a rebel slave who lived on the Out island of Exuma in 1830. All the exhibits focus on slavery, the emancipation and feature the works of local artists

Queen’s Staircase: These 65 steps are said to have been carved from a solid limestone cliff by slaves in the 1790s. The staircase was named in honor of the Queen Victoria’s 65-year reign. Innovations include a waterfall cascading from the top. There is a straw market along the narrow road on the way to the staircase.

Rawson Square: Many local gather at this square. The square connects Bay Street to Prince George Wharf. If you enter off Bay Street please make a note of the statue of Sir Milo Butler who was the first govenor-general, which has a Bahama native and not from England. Horse drawn surrey wait for their next customer on Woodes Rogers Walk who want to take a ride around the city. Across from there is the hair-braiding pavilion. This is a place where women work their magic with hair braiding. The prices can range from $2 to $100.

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In Nassau there are plenty of posh resort hotels, casinos, cabaret shows and cruise ship docks all of which make Nassau a lively center for entertainment as well as trade. Parliament Square in downtown Nassau is the center of the government. Pastel buildings built back in the early 1800s by Loyalists; including the Houses of Parliament, the old Colonial Secretary’s Office and the Supreme Court all surround a statue of Queen Victoria. There is plenty of pomp and pageantry with every Opening Ceremony of the Supreme Court at the beginning of each season.

Further downtown stands Fort Charlotte, which was built in 1788, and it is complete with moat, open battlements and dungeons. To get a better perspective go across the Cay to Coral Island. It has a hundred foot tower and a superior view or you can descend into its underwater observatory for a close up meeting with stingrays and other ocean going creatures. If you wish to have an adventure of a different kind, then head east and cross the bridge from the town of Nassau to Paradise. Paradise has resorts, casinos and exciting nightlife on an island formerly called Hog. For years the island stood completely undeveloped and unknown. Its beaches and tropical magnificence unknown to the rest of the world. With the plush hotels and a glimmering casino added into the landscape, it was immediately changed into one of the most stunning and distinguished resorts centers in the world. It blends together complete serenity and lots of action. Reclusive millionaire Howard Hughes and the former Shah of Iran are among those who have found sanctuary in Nassau. You can find the boating heart of Nassau if you go east, just past the bridge to Paradise Island. There you will find a number of marinas and boats for hire. The East End is a wonderful residential area showing the full sense of the colonial past in its architecture and horticulture. The residential area is full of large houses with wide verandas, which face the sea. Cable Beach got its name in 1907 from the laying of transatlantic telephone cables linking the Bahamas to the rest of the world. The Bahamas were isolated before the laying of cable, but now the world comes to the Bahamas.

If you prefer the serenity and a quieter place then you will need to head west. Once you leave Nassau and go west the pace is much slower. The section of West Bay Street, which leads to Cable Beach, is nicknamed “Go Slow Bend”. Beyond Cable Beach the island is like another place. There are large tracts of trees and rolling hills, which dominate the central areas of Nassau/Paradise Island.

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The historical sites of Nassau are all in and around the downtown area. With its downtown revitalized Nassau is recapturing some of its former glory of the past. Leading the way is the renovated British Colonial Hilton. There are additional sights you will want to see before you leave Nassau.

Bahamas Historical Society Museum: If you are interested in the history of Nassau and its origin such as life before the European settlements, this collection of artifacts will give you an idea of what life was like for those thousands of years.

Balcony House: This 18th century landmark is a pink two-story house named for its overhanging balcony. This is the oldest wooden residential building in the area. Its furnishings and its design are from a long past time era. The house was made from American cedar. The mahogany staircase is believed to have been salvaged from a ship during the 19th century and is the climax of the interior. There is a guided tour through this charming building is an hour well spent.

Central Bank of the Bahamas: Even though the Central Bank of the Bahamas monitors and regulates the country’s financial institutions, the cornerstone was laid by Princes Charles on July 9, 1973, during the country’s Independence celebrations, and the bank was opened by Queen Elizabeth II in February of 1975. All year exhibits on two floors of the lobby display Bahamian artist’ work.

Christ Church Cathedral: The stained glass windows are worth the walk off the main thoroughfare. This cathedral was built in 1837. The white pillars of the church’s roomy interior support the ceiling beamed with dark wood. The crucifixion on the east window’s center panel has the Empty Tomb on one side and the Ascension on the other. In the small Garden of Remembrance stone plaques adorn the walls.

Fort Fincastle and the Water Tower: This fort looks like the old paddle wheel steamer and is balanced near the top of the Queen’s Staircase. Fort Fincastle is named for Royal Governor Lord Dunmore also known as Viscount Fincastle was completed in 1793 to be used as a lookout post for marauders trying to sneak into the harbor. In the 19th century it served as a lighthouse. The fort’s 126-ft-tall water tower, which makes it more than 200 ft. above sea level is the highest point on the island. From here the view of Nassau and its harbor is stunning.

Government House: The official residence of the governor-general of the Bahamas since 1801. Located on Duke Street this impressive pink and white building is a good example of the mingling of Bahamian-British and American Colonial architecture. The graceful columns and broad circular drive are reminiscent of the Virginia or the Carolinas. The color of pink, the distinctive white quoins, which is the cross laid cornerstones, and the louvered wooden shutters to keep out the tropical sun is definitely Bahamian. Midway up the steps is an 1830 statue of Christopher Columbus. This is the location of the changing of the guards, which takes place twice a month, every other Saturday morning at 10. The pomp and pageantry are members of the Royal Bahamian Police Force Band. They wear white tunics, red-striped trousers and spiked, white pit helmets with red bands. The drummers wear leopard skins.

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Nassau Restaurants

Bahamian Cuisine

Conch Fritters Bar & Grill: This is a tropical themed restaurant is best known for conch and is one of the new favorites in downtown Nassau. You will have the opportunity to taste this Bahamian specialty in chowders, salads, and of course fritters. For those of you who do not like conch, you will be happy to know you will find a varied menu with burgers, sandwiches, pasta, and seafood. There is a live band playing six nights a week and a festive Junkanoo celebration on Saturday from 8 to 11 PM

The Poop Deck: This is a favorite hangout of the locals. It is located just east of the bridge from Paradise Island and is a quick cab ride from the middle of town. You will be dining on the large waterfront deck, which has a beautiful view of the harbor and the bridges. Because of its popularity, a second Poop Deck has been opened on Cable Beach’s west end for the residents. You can expect spicy dishes with such names as Mama Mary’s steamed fish and Rosie’s chicken; there’s also a large wine list. Just make sure to save room for the dessert of guava duff and a calypso coffee spiked with secret ingredients.

Shoal Restaurant and Lounge: Saturday morning at 9 AM you will find a crowd of hungry Bahamians digging into boil fish and johnnycake, the restaurants specialty. In a bowl of this peppery dish you will find chunks of boiled potatoes, onions, and grouper. After one bowl you may keep coming back for more. This is where Bahamian dishes, including peas-n-rice and cracked conch are staples.

Mama Lyddy’s Place: This old house just off the proverbial beaten path for tourists is a place for true Bahamian cooking. You will want to start with a local-style breakfast of souse or “boil fish” and watch for Nassau’s residents to be coming in for take out or sit down meal. For lunch or dinner you can try the fried snapper, cracked conch, minced or broiled crawfish, pork chops, grits and other typical Bahamian side dishes.

Chinese Cuisine

East Villa Restaurant and Lounge: This faintly lighted restaurant, which is set back from the street has been reported by the residents of Nassau to serve the best Chinese food in town. The menu, which features Chinese-Continental entrees such as conch with black bean sauce, hung shew or walnut chicken, steak kew, which is cubed prime fillet served with baby corn, snow peas, water chestnuts, and vegetables. The New York strip steak is wonderful. It is only a short cab ride from Paradise Island or downtown Nassau.

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