Boat jobs and Nassau
We needed to get to Nassau for Pete to fly back to the US for work, and it was quite a shock to enter the busy harbor there surrounded by cruise ships from all over the US and tourists all around. Some of the super-yachts we saw coming in next to the yachts were just incredible. Not one but two helicopter pads, a private chef and crew of 10 at least, including a yoga teacher on some. We had nearly two weeks to kill there whilst we waited for Pete to get back and to re-provision on the island. We also used the time to do engine checks and maintenance, which is a pretty constant ask, usually hot, and in a definitively cramped, squashed area doing yoga-like pose to reach something! But the marine stores in Nassau were good for us to get these things done, as well as Pete bringing extra parts back on his trip. We are lucky on our boat that we have 2 engines, which means that is one were to go wrong on a trip then you have the security of knowing you have another to get you somewhere safe (as we had already experienced earlier in our travels when our Port Engine died in rough seas, coming into Georgetown SC). However this does mean you need 2 of everything so it costs twice as much! Fuel and oil filters get checked and / or changed at regular service intervals, as do impellers and all manner of hard to reach bits. We make our own water on the boat with a reverse osmosis system so that needs flushing the filters changing on that also. We are starting to teach the kids where possible to do these jobs themselves, not only because they can fit in these spaces but its important that they know how it all works as well!
Oscar, Bethan and I explored the older part of town whilst the others were away, which interestingly starts a block behind the crazy busy and posh cruise ship terminal area, but no ‘tourists’ go there we found. Good for us, a shame for them missing out on what Nassau was really like though. Why would you come to another country only to go shop in the fashion and jewelry stores you can find at home??? We loved the brightly colored houses, the bougainvillea and music coming from them. We went to the Pirate Museum with friends which was a bit of fun. The kids had a lot of adventures in the Straw Market, getting their first taste of bargaining with the local stall holders to use some pocket money. Both sides felt that they came out with a deal which is how it should be :)
