Last month, Robert and I traveled to the Bahamas for an extended weekend. This was a short haul designed to recharge our batteries, and our stay at the Warwick Paradise Island-Bahamas definitely fulfilled our needs. With a flash of our purple wristbands at this adults-only, all-inclusive resort, we could rest by the water and enjoy activities as well as entertainment. We could also gain access to several dining options including five restaurants, 2 bars, and a poolside pizzeria/grill.

We woke up the second day of our trip to a beautiful view of the Nassau Harbor. The early morning weather was a bit overcast, but, luckily, it would eventually brighten up.

We then had breakfast at the Verandah which had a wide selection of delicious offerings.

While we were having a great time enjoying the resort’s facilities, we thought it would also be nice to explore the art and history of nearby downtown Nassau. Robert and I were fans of Black Sails  so we were looking forward to taking a look at the place where the real Charles Vane and Anne Bonny had called home.

As we’d experienced the day before, the Warwick’s staff was very helpful, and they quickly called us a nearby cab.  U.S. currency is widely accepted in the Bahamas, and we had been advised to bring cash for these rides.

Our first stop was the National Art Gallery of the Bahamas or NAGB.

Here we met up with Orchid of Islandz Tours  who was waiting to take us on this company’s often sold-out Art & Dine Tour.

A graduate of New York’s Vassar College, Orchid first gave us a history of this beautiful building which included the facts that it was originally a 19th century mansion known as the Villa Doyle and that it was situated on the previous site of an 18th century hospital for African slaves.

Our guide then showed us a collection of intriguing art exhibitions as well as beautiful views of the city from the upper outside terrace.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We then walked past a series of beautiful forms of street art.

 

Orchid later guided us passed a 19th century statue of Christopher Columbus that stood in front of Government House, the official residence of the Governor General of the Bahamas since 1801.

I’ve previously written that a well known part of this destination’s early history is that of Christopher Columbus’ first landfall in the New World. It was here that Columbus encountered the island’s original inhabitants, the Lucayans.

Our final destination for this tour was the Hillside House, the studio and gallery of artist Antonius Roberts. 

Inside were other unique forms of art.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The tour ended with a lunch that included delicious cracked conch.

 

Great time, but we wanted to explore even more of what downtown Nassau had to offer. We perused some of the local gift shops, but we were especially looking forward to visiting the Pirates of Nassau Museum.

This attraction did not have a huge amount of authentic artifacts, but we liked the recreations of many of the famous pirates of  Nassau.

There was so much more to see and do in Nassau, but it was time to get back to our chairs by the pool at the Warwick. So we took the Nassau Water Taxi from Nassau back to Paradise Island. This service is said to operate every thirty minutes on every day from 9 a.m – 6 p.m.

Once we arrived back on land, we walked the short distance to our resort. There was a nice selection of restaurants to choose from, but we decided to head back to the Verandah for that night’s featured mediterranean cuisine.

Tomorrow would be our last night in the Bahamas.  We would be heading back to Nassau for dinner at the legendary Graycliff.