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BAHAMAS For some reason it seems like the Bahamas and especially Nassau have always gotten a “bad rap.” We have been to the Bahamas three times---each time to Nassau---and we’ve enjoyed each and every trip. Despite what you may have heard, Nassau people tend to be quite nice and many will go out of their way to help you find whatever it is that you're looking for. Our first trip there was in 1972. We usually stay on Paradise Island just a bridge away from the main island and a short distance from downtown Nassau. Snorkeling is quite good right off the beach at the Paradise Island Sun Spree Holiday Inn. At --I think--17 stories, it’s the tallest building in the Bahamas. It now goes by a different name. Conch is a local favorite food---or as they spell it in Nassau---favourite! It’s the meat from a big, pinkish seashell and it’s usually served in chowder, in fritters and in my favourite form---cracked conch. That’s where they take the entire critter out, pound it out to tenderize it, and then bread it and pan fry it. Yum Yum!!! It’s kind of like a sweet fried clam. One disturbing thing we noted on our last trip to Paradise Island was that a lot of hotels and restaurants had “changed hands.” They were still there and looking great but with new ownership. Merv Griffin’s huge Paradise Island Resort and Casino has turned into an even better resort called “Atlantis.” Even our own favorite “Pirate’s Cove” Holiday Inn on Paradise Island had become the “Sun Spree” Holiday Inn. Talk about a mega complex, Atlantis is incredible. It's got everything that you'd find in a mega hotel and casino complex in Vegas and more. They've got every water activity you could imagine including a neat water slide that takes you through a shark filled tank! It's right on the beautiful tropical Atlantic. But if you're going book early. The place is jammed solid much of the year even during the summer time. The currency in the Bahamas is just beautiful. They have a fifty-cent bill and even a three dollar bill, believe it or not! If you’re going to Nassau and want to really “put on the Ritz,” one night for dinner I would like to suggest the Buena Vista in downtown Nassau. It’s not the most elegant restaurant on the island but it is extremely good and not quite as expensive as a couple of other of their world class restaurants. Try the grouper a La Bimini. It’s deee-lish. For more casual seafood try the Poop Deck. It's a busy restaurant right on the water. But be advised, if you plan to eat there on a Friday or Saturday night, make a reservation as early as possible. We usually call ahead from the U.S. a week before we head down there. It's worth the long distance call! Their number is (242) 393-8175. I don't know about you but I miss the old, standard 809 area code for most of the tropical Atlantic and Caribbean! And I also miss Black Beard's restaurant in Nassau, lost to fire years ago. I would highly recommend Nassau to you---especially if you’ve never been to an island before. It’s a short hop from Miami (or you can fly there from Atlanta, Orlando, etc.) and I think you’ll enjoy it. On our next trip down there we’re going to try and get out to some of the “out islands.” I hear they are absolutely beautiful. (A lot of folks think of the Bahamas as just Nassau and Freeport but in fact there are over 600 islands in the chain and the water is some of the prettiest anywhere. The Bahamas are technically in the sub-tropical Atlantic and NOT the Caribbean, FYI.) One final note on Nassau. While we've never been exposed to any crime nor have we even felt the slightest bit uncomfortable there, I'm told that the cruise ships caution passengers to stay in groups and keep to the main drags while exploring Nassau. I was rather surprised when I heard this from several different people although the U.S. State Department's section on the Bahamas looks pretty run of the mill. Currency is the Bahamian (Ba-hay-mian) Dollar. Driving is on the left. IMPORTANT: All Americans visiting the Bahamas now need a valid passport.
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