TCC Territory #12
The Bahamas. Feb 10-19, 2026.
The Bahamas is, of course, where Columbus first landed when he “discovered” America. Note he never set foot in what is now the USA. The specific island on which he landed within The Bahamas is not definitely known.
The Lucayan people had inhabited The Bahamas for hundreds of years before Columbus landed. After Columbus arrived, he and Spanish raiders kidnapped and enslaved the Lucayans, and within 28 years of Columbus’s arrival, the Lucayans were completely eradicated from their homeland. The main Bahamian population now consists of descendants of enslaved Africans who were brought to The Bahamas during the 18th Century.
Part One: Nassau, Feb 10-15, 2026
Stayed at the locally-owned budget hotel Da Pink and White Palace. The owners recommended a driver who picked me up from the airport at a fraction of the taxi’s set prices. Arrived at the hotel and was immediately put off by the male owner, Troy, who came out shirtless, made fun of my name, and spoke in Bahamian Dialect to the driver while looking me up and down. I hadn’t yet paid for my stay or given them a credit card, and I was just about to turn around and walk the three blocks to the downtown area to find somewhere else to stay when an extremely polite and apologetic sounding employee showed up and offered to show me to my room.
I hesitated, then followed the employee. This place has a decent amount of good reviews from the past year or two, so I chalked up my encounter with Troy to him perhaps being drunk. The one other time I encountered him during my stay, he was as polite and friendly as could be.
The main areas, shared bathroom, and my private room were squeaky clean and had everything I wanted for my stay. Min, the other owner and wife to Troy, came over to greet me, and she was kind and hospitable. She also checked in with me frequently during my stay to see if I needed anything. The lodging sits at a good location as one can walk to anywhere one wants within Nassau, plus it’s two blocks away from Junkanoo Beach.
Spent my time visiting various locations including Ardastra Conservation Center. 80% of the animals there are rescues, the others were born in captivity. Saw flamingos and different kinds of colorful talking birds plus one lonely-looking monkey.
Visited Pompey Museum of Slavery and Emancipation, also saw the outside of a couple government buildings, plus walked past the British Colonial hotel a few times. The British Colonial was built on the site of a 1666 European settlement/fort and opened in 1924. Also ascended the Queen’s Staircase, 65 steps carved out of limestone by enslaved Africans in the 18th Century. The staircase connects Fort Fincastle (currently closed for renovations) to downtown Nassau.
The busy and crowded Junkanoo Beach was fun to walk through…once. Too many people for me. I did visit the area during early mornings a couple of times. Much nicer then. And the water itself is gorgeous no matter how many people are on the beach.
Did one snorkeling excursion. Wonderful! Small groups (only four people on my boat), no alcohol. The captain took us to two remote locations. Saw a turtle with a remora companion in the first location. The second location was right on a reef. It was like being dropped off in Times Square except with fish all around me instead of people. So many fish! Schools and schools of them, swimming right by and nearly bumping into me. So many different kinds and colors! I did not have an underwater camera, so I did not get any photos. I will remember that experience forever, though. Nassau Snorkeling. Highly recommend.
Random unrelated tidbits: Lots of docile street dogs roam the residential areas. A Jamaican peanut-based drink called Irish Moss is sold in grocery stores, and it is delicious.
If you visit Nassau, I think two days is enough unless you enjoy spending tons of time laying around on the beach in the sun. More days if you are doing excursions. I spent five days, which I felt was two days too many.
Part Two: Paradise Island, Feb 16-19, 2026
I consider myself a traveler and not a tourist. This means I try to stay in locally-owned lodging, grocery shop, and use public transit/taxi/Uber or walk as much as possible. My purpose in visiting all these TCC territories is to experience things unique to the specific areas. Therefore, I generally avoid vacation-type resorts since I feel they are all the same regardless of locale.
That being said, when I planned my Bahamas trip, I figured I would allow myself a few days of excess. I’m so grateful for my plans, because given the horror of the Epstein files, and given how certain people I know want to stick their heads in the sand about it, I was happy to shake off my stress and slip into tourist mode and stay at the adults-only, all-inclusive RIU on the beautiful and pristine Cabbage Beach for a few days. I do see the attraction of a large hotel room overlooking the ocean since the different beautiful shades of blue are indeed restoring, and swimming in both the Caribbean and the RIU’s infinity pool did not exactly suck. The food tasted incredible. There was a large variety, and it was available 24/7. I plundered my room of its different sodas but avoided the many types of provided alcohol (I’m 2 1/2 years sober). Even joined in some of the late afternoon games like BINGO. Total tourist mode. Enjoyed myself immensely and, at the end of my stay, felt emotionally restored.
I made reservations for the RIU by telephone back in early December. By doing so, I was able to ask about the different prices for each day and book a three-night stay for the least amount of money possible. This is my kind of Olympics, researching the least expensive way to travel and do what I specifically want to do. My three night splurge was just over $400 a night including taxes and fees. For everything that is included, and especially if one drinks alcohol (I do not), this is a great price. I’ve spent almost that much on a mediocre hotel in Boston.
The giant and expensive Las Vegas-type Atlantis is a ten minute walk from the RIU, and you don’t need to buy the $250 day pass if you show up after 5pm. I headed over one evening and checked out “The Dig,” which is the marine exhibit. I am proud to say my cousin Shawn was one of the main designers of this exhibit. Such a beautiful series of displays! I took eight million photos but will include just a handful here.
Random notes: The seagulls enjoy the infinity pool, and I finally got a waterproof container for my phone.
Heading back to the States soon where I will spend about two and a half months continuing my TN and NY LifeQuest goals. Will return to international travel in May.
