Laydays at Atlantis

With the Arsenault’s and the Doneski’s no longer at Atlantis Nana and Nandad have an adult night out at the wonderful Cafe Martinique. We decided to rent a car for the next two days so we can explore New Providence by land. Due to weather conditions we have decided to remain here at the Marina until the winds calm down before heading to Great Harbour Cay in the northern Berry Islands. Unfortunately also due to weather we will not make it to Eleuthera on this trip. 

Saturday 24th : we drive over to the west side of the island to take a look from the land side at the area we anchored in West Bay. There is a beach called shark beach however it is not very well maintained and looks a little neglected. We then proceed to make a reservation for lunch at the Captains Table in  Lyford Cay Marina. This is a membership only marina so it was very nice to drive through and take a look at the boats docked in the Marina. The Marina has an actual security gate in the water that will shut down if a boat is entering without permission!! We had a delicious brunch and enjoyed the atmosphere. 

Next we visited the National Art Gallery of the Bahamas which is located at historic Villa Doyle 

We found ourselves in this very decorative area so took a short walk up Cumberland St Hill to the famous Graycliff Hotel , Graycliff Cigar and Chocolate factory.  History has it that the mansion was built by Captain John Howard Graysmith , a famous pirate of the Caribbean. During the American Civil War Graycliff was commandeered as an Officers mess for the West Indian Regiment. It is was purchased in 1973 by Enrico and Anna Maria Garzaroli and has hosted  several celebrities and nobility. 

Nana is admiring the wine bottle tree on display in the lobby. Apparently there are several priceless antiques still decorating the guest rooms and public areas from the time that Lord and Lady Dudley owned the property in 1966. 

We would like to have walked to Queen Elizabeth Staircase however the short cut would have meant walking through the Governors Mansion - which I doubt  we would have made it to the gate without being stopped! When we drove the car to the area there was no parking and it did not seem the safest place to hang around so we returned to the Marina.