The crossing from Chub Key to Nassau is only 35 miles, but it proved to be uncomfortable all the way. The seas were 3 to 5 footers and right on the nose. A ten bell ringer. For a while I hand steered the boat and managed to pick paths through the troughs and traverse the back sides of the waves. I'm not convinced I did any better than the Autopilot. I does, however, keep one occupied and alert.

As we pulled into the Nassau Harbor Club Marina we met Doug and Marylyn Langdon, M/Y The Landon Sea.  They were in the slip next to us. Last June they were stuck in the Erie Canal with TMCA Great Loop Cruisers: Manana, Tom and Ann Caywood, and Dos Amigos, Frank and Sue Clements. They went on to do Lake Champlain and Rideaux Canal before returning down the East Coast.

Junkanoo

That evening we went to the Junkanoo Festival on Arawak Cay. Junkanoo is a Bahamian equivalent of Mardi Gras. Originally it was a holiday granted the slaves by their owners. The slaves made their own horns and drums and costumes and went into the woods, out of sight of their masters. They danced and played their instruments non stop till dawn.

The Junkanoo Holiday is around New Years, but the Festivals are so popular that the Bureau of Tourism promotes then every weekend in June. We attended the last night in June.
 

There are Bahamian dishes to eat. Arts and Crafts are on sale. And the parade of Junkanoo Bands. There were Five Bands competing the night we went. The music was compelling, thunderous and non stop. "Dumm ta da Dumm Dumm...  "Dumm, Dumm." "Dumm, Dumm." Over and over... for the full length of the parade.

 

The Music Makers had a Goulish Theme. This band had three bass horns, five trumpets and four trombones. Plus cow bells, and uncounted number of drums; many were obviously unique handmade drums.

 
 

Atlantis   Atlantis was the main reason for going to Nassau...  SPECTACULAR in every way.  And also very EXPENSIVE.

We visited the Harborside Time Share project. The units are all brand new and more are under construction. They are quite comparable to the newest Royal Resorts' time shares in Cancun. They have even adopted the Split able Villa and copied the plans of the Cancun properties. For listening to their sales presentation you are rewarded with $75 worth of vouchers which can be redeemed at Atlantis in the restaurants or for their tours.
 

We used them to buy lunch at Murray's Deli and to take the tour of the Atlantis Aquarium and Gardens. Everyone has seen this Waterslide on TV. On TV the action is slowed to about half speed and the beautiful lady glides serenely down into the aquarium below. In real life it's a virtual free fall. I just barely caught this fellow before he disappeared down the tube.

 

The finest part of the tour was the Aquarium.  Most of it is open to sky above.  These are three of my favorites. The Sawfish left.

An underwater passageway called The Dig allows a great view of the fish.
 

The Lookdown fish have their own private aquarium. (Left) I always look for the colorful Wrasse when I snorkel. (below)

The winds were whipping up the seas, so everyone was staying in port. It was on our third do nothing day that Marion said, "I sure would like some conch."

"You know, I would too," I said, "I will get us some down by the bridge."

I rode my bike down town to the stalls near the bridge. "How much for conch salad?" I asked the man.

"Seven dollars... how many do you want?"

"Depends ... How big are they?" I asked.

"Good size ... " he said, and he shrugged.

"I'll have one," I said, expecting him to dish out a batch from the refrigerator behind him.

Instead he took a fresh conch, cracked off the end with a hammer, then pulled out the conch and cut off all the inedible parts. Then with his very sharp knife he finely sliced and then chopped the meat. Then a second conch. He minced a half an onion, a whole small tomato, the juice of an small orange and two limes.

All this time he was in a heated four letter word argument with a worker who insisted on being paid right then and there. "I don't have money to pay you... you must see the owner."

"You want it hot or mild?" he asked.

"The way you sell the most," I said deferring to his better judgment.

He took a small dried red pepper and minced it very fine. I may have forgotten an ingredient but that was essentially it.  I paid the man and left the two to continue their argument.

Moving down to the next stall I asked, "How much for conch?"

De mon say, "Two dolla."

I say, "Gimme six."

I watched carefully as he cleaned the six conch. I was hoping to do the same in the near future.

Back at the boat, Marion and I devoured the salad.  Then I took the conch, a small cutting board, and a meat tenderizer to the dock. Hammer it out thin then hammer it a few more times.

While I was cracking the conch, Marion prepared a batter and a skillet for sauté'. She cooked some and I ate most of it. She observed how fast they went. I cooked the rest of them so she could get a fair share. Secret: Cajun spices in the tempura, not too much batter and not deep fried. They were the best we had in the islands.  Rating **** $$

Fourth of July party

The Atlantis put on fireworks for the Fourth of July. They are just about a mile away. I decided to celebrate the fourth with my Dr Zeuss star spangled hat.

"Come bring your drinks and chairs to the end of the dock," I told everyone I saw, "There will be fireworks after dark."

Everyone came and shortly after dark someone in the Atlantis Marina set off a good sized rocket. Then nothing happened for a very long time..  Several got discouraged and headed back to their boats. The fireworks were apparently on Island time... they finally came and we all enjoyed our Fourth on Dock.

Next morning as we were fueling up. I asked the attendant if he knew the Rakel's.  We had seen Sabbatical  docked at the next pier from us. He said, "Yes, they came in last night."

Before we left, we decided to look them up. They were not on board,  but their grandson told us they went shopping for groceries.  Bob and Peggy were greatly surprised when I walked up to Peggy in the frozen food section. We exchanged news and contact information and planned to meet them in Ft Lauderdale in about three weeks.