Next up on The Wirld tour, was the beautiful Bahamas for a weekend of rest and relaxation. Located just off the Florida coast, the Bahamas is hugely popular with American tourists jetting in for a short trip and the many hundreds of visitors who arrive daily from huge cruise ships in Nassau. Yes, that means it’s pricey central!
Friday
I made my way to JFK in plenty of time before an 8am flight direct to Nassau. I was lucky enough to be sandwiched between too larger than life ladies, who exclaimed, “These seats are very tight” the second they sat done…needless to say it was a long 2.5 hour flight!
Once we landed I was out of my seat as quick as possible and into immigration. Without doubt the Bahamas has the most fun immigration process I’ve come across. There is a full island reggae band playing while you chat to the custom officer. I was through in no time and into cab to take me to the Atlantis resort. Now usually I am not one for resort, but I thought if I’m going to be here for a few days, I might as well splash out. Needless to say after 3 days, I’m still no resort fan.
I arrived at the Atlantis within 40 minutes, checked in, dropped the bags and headed out to see what the resort had to offer. The complex itself has pretty much everything you’d want if you’re a family but not sure I’d recommend it for a solo traveller. It stretches about 2 miles long with numerous waterparks, casinos, restaurants and beaches along the way. Pretty family orientated to be honest.
After some food and pool time I made my way back to my end of the resort and grabbed some ice cream and water en route back. $22 for a scoop and a bottle! Tourist trap. After a quick nap, I popped down the pool for an evening swim and then headed over to the main casino floor for the evening. Again, depend what you’re into but not really my scene sitting around people smoking at slots machines. But sure look one night. I managed to end the night up $3.25 on the 5 cents slot machines, but did spend $60 on drinks. So whose the real winner?! Off to bed for me.
Saturday
The weather took a turn for the worse on Saturday morning so the tanning plans were out the window early. After a quick breakfast in the hotel I made my way across to the waterpark for a couple of hours. Yes I am a 31 year old man going to a waterpark alone. The waterpark has about 10 rides or so, which are decent and definitely cater towards families.
I must admit I did feel a little bit out of place in the queue for one ride with about ten 8-year-old kids, who starred at me for 5 minutes straight and couldn’t figure out why this man with a baby face had a hairy chest.
The sun peaked its way out for a few hours so I managed to grab a few rays by the pool before the clouds set in and eventually the heavens opened. So I was out of there faster than Mr Bolt himself. I picked up some lunch and then went for an hour in the gym before chilling back in the hotel room. Its tough work being an 8-year-old kid again!
With no sun on the horizon, I realized the casino was my only option again for the evening as The Atlantis is on an island all by itself. Took the house to the cleaners again for a good 65 cents.
Sunday
As I could take no more of the commercial Atlantis any longer, I checked out as early as possible and decided to head into downtown Nassau for the day. Instead of getting a cab I walked my way towards the town over the Sydney Poiter bridge and arrived in about 45 minutes or so….sweating. A cruise ship was just arriving so the town was beginning to fill up and I stopped off at the main market to check out their wares.
While in the market I randomly bumped into a couple of Americans I had met at the casino the night before, and we decided to grab a few local Kalik beers by the port which has amazing views of the town. After an hour or so, we began to walk along the coast and make our way past some lovely beaches and eventually to Fishtown?? , which is infamous for its fried fish. Really cool vibe in the area and more authentic than the Atlantis. With my flight fast approaching I had to jump in a cab and make my way towards the airport after a fun last day wandering around Nassau town.
Overall The Bahamas is a beautiful place - with the right weather. It is definitely more catered towards families or tourist who are willing to spend obscene amounts on everyday items. But each to their own. I’d recommend staying in a small hotel or Airbnb near Nassau tan to get a real feel for the culture and steer clear on the resorts. Cheers!
Friday
I made my way to JFK in plenty of time before an 8am flight direct to Nassau. I was lucky enough to be sandwiched between too larger than life ladies, who exclaimed, “These seats are very tight” the second they sat done…needless to say it was a long 2.5 hour flight!
Once we landed I was out of my seat as quick as possible and into immigration. Without doubt the Bahamas has the most fun immigration process I’ve come across. There is a full island reggae band playing while you chat to the custom officer. I was through in no time and into cab to take me to the Atlantis resort. Now usually I am not one for resort, but I thought if I’m going to be here for a few days, I might as well splash out. Needless to say after 3 days, I’m still no resort fan.
I arrived at the Atlantis within 40 minutes, checked in, dropped the bags and headed out to see what the resort had to offer. The complex itself has pretty much everything you’d want if you’re a family but not sure I’d recommend it for a solo traveller. It stretches about 2 miles long with numerous waterparks, casinos, restaurants and beaches along the way. Pretty family orientated to be honest.
After some food and pool time I made my way back to my end of the resort and grabbed some ice cream and water en route back. $22 for a scoop and a bottle! Tourist trap. After a quick nap, I popped down the pool for an evening swim and then headed over to the main casino floor for the evening. Again, depend what you’re into but not really my scene sitting around people smoking at slots machines. But sure look one night. I managed to end the night up $3.25 on the 5 cents slot machines, but did spend $60 on drinks. So whose the real winner?! Off to bed for me.
Saturday
The weather took a turn for the worse on Saturday morning so the tanning plans were out the window early. After a quick breakfast in the hotel I made my way across to the waterpark for a couple of hours. Yes I am a 31 year old man going to a waterpark alone. The waterpark has about 10 rides or so, which are decent and definitely cater towards families.
I must admit I did feel a little bit out of place in the queue for one ride with about ten 8-year-old kids, who starred at me for 5 minutes straight and couldn’t figure out why this man with a baby face had a hairy chest.
The sun peaked its way out for a few hours so I managed to grab a few rays by the pool before the clouds set in and eventually the heavens opened. So I was out of there faster than Mr Bolt himself. I picked up some lunch and then went for an hour in the gym before chilling back in the hotel room. Its tough work being an 8-year-old kid again!
With no sun on the horizon, I realized the casino was my only option again for the evening as The Atlantis is on an island all by itself. Took the house to the cleaners again for a good 65 cents.
Sunday
As I could take no more of the commercial Atlantis any longer, I checked out as early as possible and decided to head into downtown Nassau for the day. Instead of getting a cab I walked my way towards the town over the Sydney Poiter bridge and arrived in about 45 minutes or so….sweating. A cruise ship was just arriving so the town was beginning to fill up and I stopped off at the main market to check out their wares.
While in the market I randomly bumped into a couple of Americans I had met at the casino the night before, and we decided to grab a few local Kalik beers by the port which has amazing views of the town. After an hour or so, we began to walk along the coast and make our way past some lovely beaches and eventually to Fishtown?? , which is infamous for its fried fish. Really cool vibe in the area and more authentic than the Atlantis. With my flight fast approaching I had to jump in a cab and make my way towards the airport after a fun last day wandering around Nassau town.
Overall The Bahamas is a beautiful place - with the right weather. It is definitely more catered towards families or tourist who are willing to spend obscene amounts on everyday items. But each to their own. I’d recommend staying in a small hotel or Airbnb near Nassau tan to get a real feel for the culture and steer clear on the resorts. Cheers!
