Nassau Arrival
G.W.S…
I was wakened by the ships engines stopping to pick up a pilot (6.30am) and looked out of the porthole, all I could see
was shadowy mountains, then suddenly the sun popped out over the top and what a marvellous sight! All beautiful colours,
green, purple, gold the smooth sea, reflecting, and the tall Palms coming down to the shore.
There’s no doubt dear, you have to see these places to appreciate them. I must say however, that the view from the sea
was better than the sights we saw on land. The place is absolutely teeming with people. All locals of course with quite
a lot of Chinese, and the usual sprinkling of white people. It is a mixture of luxury and poverty.
Touring Nassau
G.W.S…
The tender from the Ship dropped us at a big hotel. We walked through the luxurious grounds to get to the main road.
In the forecourt of the Hotel is a semicircle of shops with a calypso band playing. Here we were given free rum punch
in welcome to the town. We then made a brief tour, and were amazed at the sights we saw!
One which gave us a big laugh, but was really very sordid, was a call-girl beckoning us through the door of a public
house. These are plentiful, about every few yards, and look like the saloons in Wild West films. Made of wood with the
short swinging doors, and in a shocking broken down state.
Naturally we didn’t go in any of them, strangely enough there is only one drinker in the band dear, and only a moderate
one (Johnny the Trumpet)
Funny Snaps - Not-so-Funny Hawkers
G.W.S…
We took a funny snap of Harry the drummer (he is a great comic and very good company; a huge chap 15 stone) he is
sitting down outside one of the pubs pulling a drunken face holding a pair of maracas. Jeff and I are trying to
get him on his feet, above our heads is the sign “Shanghai Lil’s”!
Every few yards, someone is trying to sell you something, or offering a taxi, but the worst nuisances are the ones that
tag on and tell you about a “nice drinking place; plenty pretty girls”! Others try to cadge money and it is
the devil of a job to shake them off.
Even at the Post Office there are swarms of children selling stamps! And if you stop to buy one you're immediately
surrounded with cries of: “Nice stamps Mister, buy from me”. There are also lots of girls selling postcards
with the same results.
If you stop to look you can’t get away. I finally bought one from each of four, one of which I sent to you dear.
Everyone is good tempered and if you refuse to buy, they don’t mind, but you feel so sorry for them trying to eke out
an existence. I can understand why there are so many going to England.
Stifling Heat & Shy Cops
G.W.S…
The heat was terrific and yet we didn’t seem to mind it, I suppose after the heat on board anywhere is bearable. We had
a nice cool drink in a big store with a big verandah on the first floor. We sat there and had a good view of the crowds
passing. Our drink was lime and soda in a pint glass; very refreshing.
The policemen are smart, coloured of course. They wear short sleeved blue and white striped shirts, sun-helmet and
shorts. They are very big chaps and very shy. We asked one or two to have their photographs taken but they just looked
very bashful and refused.
Well dear that is about all I can think of at the moment but we are returning to Jamaica so will have more time to look
round next time and can tell you more about it. We were only ashore from 12 noon until 2.30pm.
If you can contribute any information, do please get in touch…
