Islands of Perpetual June

Bahamas: Islands of Perpetual June

Monument Beach Anchorage Bahamas

Looking beyond the obvious American influence, the Bahamas, a member of the Commonwealth of Nations (once British) and generally peopled by descendants of African slaves brought in to work cotton/sugar plantations.  It isn’t exactly obvious how these original settlers even began to think they could make viable fertile farming land out of desolate sand cays, even with lots of “free” labour.  Nothing much seems to survive other than sparse native vegetation, including a few very ancient-looking palms. 

Conch shell- a rather sad and neglected one at that...

Columbus arrived in the Bahamas in 1492 and he too, lost no time in shipping out any original inhabitants as slave fodder.  Later any remaining locals were subject to the charming ways of pirates and cut-throats as the neighbourhood became the sailing ground for many a fearsome adventurer.  Nassau in 1666 was a lawless city of brothels, taverns and enterprises of dubious character.  Runaway slaves, vagabonds, beggars and pirates roamed the streets.  Blackbeard (Edward Teach) a former resident is said to have kept his adversaries off guard with a technique of decorating his matted beard and hair with flaming fuses.  During the American Revolution this same city, now a mecca for the pristine Caribbean “white ship” cruise industry was the once the centre of illegal rum running.  My, how things change!

There's always chores to do

Unfortunately, drug trafficking problems remain, as do corruption charges but these issues don’t seem to affect the hundreds of cruisers, both sail and power that ply these waterways each year.  Even if our cruising permit did cost us $300!!  Today, all across the Bahamas, areas of intense tourism contrasts with perfectly natural idylls.  All on coral cays of pure white sand and glistening turquoise waters.  Is it any wonder Juan Ponce de Leon visited the area in 1513 in his quest to find The Fountain of Youth?

*Islands of Perpetual June. So said, George Washington.