Generator problems! We noticed an occasional, unnatural revving of the generator, accompanied by a surge in voltage – not good for equipment! Word has it that mechanical help is very sparse in the southern Bahamas, and if you have a problem, Nassau is the best place. We were only one day south of Nassau, so we left Norman’s Cay and headed back to our “favorite” marina, which we had only recently departed. The harbormaster helpfully introduced us to his favorite diesel and generator repair company; shortly after, two pumps were removed from Monarch and air-shipped to the States for rebuild. We are waiting at the dock for at least a week for this process. So we decided to make the best of it and have a “vacation.”
We are doing some sightseeing. The area is very walkable and we have been wearing out shoe leather! We visited the Queen’s Staircase, 65 steps carved out of solid limestone by slaves in the 18th century, in honor of the 65 years of Queen Victoria’s reign.
The staircase is 102 feet deep, with a cascading waterfall and lush tropical plantings – and a good number of souvenir shops.
We also visited Fort Fincastle, with strategic views of the Grand Bahama Bank. The fort was built in 1793 by Lord Dunmore,
and has cannons mounted on semi-circular tracks used to adjust their firing direction.
Sunday, we attended St. Matthew’s Anglican Church, the county’s oldest church edifice, which was dedicated in 1802. The church is located in a large, very old cemetery. As is typical of tropical low-lying areas, there were many aboveground crypts, unfortunately in poor repair. We attended the High Sung Mass, a 2½-hour long service of song, instruments, a firebrand preacher, and a very welcoming congregation. An elderly woman with a walker, who was seated right behind us, sang harmony with such gusto and volume, we could hardly hear the organist. The islander parishioners put on their Sunday finery, hats included, for this service.
We went back to the Nassau Yacht Club for a fine dinner of grouper and conch, and met a couple of local members, who were very hospitable. The Club is next to Fort Montagu, which protected the east end of Nassau Harbor.
This area is nice for walking, with some beautiful flora. Another benefit of our delay – we have made new friends!!! Chris and Lee are from Virginia, on a steel sloop berthed in our marina, on their way south as well. We have enjoyed cocktails on each other’s boats, and asked them to join us to watch the historic Presidential Inauguration. They have no TV aboard, so we huddled round our 17-incher to see the oath of office and inaugural speech – quite the occasion.
Generator problems! We noticed an occasional, unnatural revving of the generator, accompanied by a surge in voltage – not good for equipment! Word has it that mechanical help is very sparse in the southern Bahamas, and if you have a problem, Nassau is the best place. We were only one day south of Nassau, so we left Norman’s Cay and headed back to our “favorite” marina, which we had only recently departed. The harbormaster helpfully introduced us to his favorite diesel and generator repair company; shortly after, two pumps were removed from Monarch and air-shipped to the States for rebuild. We are waiting at the dock for at least a week for this process. So we decided to make the best of it and have a “vacation.”
We are doing some sightseeing. The area is very walkable and we have been wearing out shoe leather! We visited the Queen’s Staircase, 65 steps carved out of solid limestone by slaves in the 18th century, in honor of the 65 years of Queen Victoria’s reign. 
The staircase is 102 feet deep, with a cascading waterfall and lush tropical plantings – and a good number of souvenir shops.
We also visited Fort Fincastle, with strategic views of the Grand Bahama Bank. The fort was built in 1793 by Lord Dunmore, 
and has cannons mounted on semi-circular tracks used to adjust their firing direction.
Sunday, we attended St. Matthew’s Anglican Church, the county’s oldest church edifice, which was dedicated in 1802. The church is located in a large, very old cemetery. As is typical of tropical low-lying areas, there were many aboveground crypts, unfortunately in poor repair. We attended the High Sung Mass, a 2½-hour long service of song, instruments, a firebrand preacher, and a very welcoming congregation. An elderly woman with a walker, who was seated right behind us, sang harmony with such gusto and volume, we could hardly hear the organist. The islander parishioners put on their Sunday finery, hats included, for this service.
We went back to the Nassau Yacht Club for a fine dinner of grouper and conch, and met a couple of local members, who were very hospitable. The Club is next to Fort Montagu, which protected the east end of Nassau Harbor. 
This area is nice for walking, with some beautiful flora. Another benefit of our delay – we have made new friends!!! Chris and Lee are from Virginia, on a steel sloop berthed in our marina, on their way south as well. We have enjoyed cocktails on each other’s boats, and asked them to join us to watch the historic Presidential Inauguration. They have no TV aboard, so we huddled round our 17-incher to see the oath of office and inaugural speech – quite the occasion.
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