Nassau

Arrived save and sound into Nassau  harbor around 2 pm today.  Quite a trip.  Last night took the dinghy into a small marina called the Berry Island Club.  After failing with the computor, watch some local fisherman clean their catch which consisted of hundred or so Conch, which are akin to giant snails.  Alot of surgery is necessary using sharp knives and a hatchet.  Had them as fritters before and now I know how to catch and clean them.  Did you know that Conchs have penises? Next morning, after listening to the shortwave weather elected to sail to Nassua once I heard that the low pressure system or cold front that you all dealt with a day ago is stalled over the central Bahamas.  The sail down was quite exilerating with 3-4 foot waves off the beam under cloudy skys.  Made 6 knots on a beam reach quite a handful.  Everytime I left the helm, some wave would rise up and bounce the Natie M. over on her rails.  Another bit of excitement was noticing water splashing up from the cabin sole.  Not good.  Turns out the bilge pump was clogged.  Took a couple of minutes to get it cleared as a thin film of water sloshed back and forth across the cabin floor.  Very sobering when one considers that its at least 2000 feet under the hull.  I'll have to keep an eye on that.  After 4 hours pulled into the little piece of south FL that is Nassau.  I'm anchored right across from the Atlantis resort.  Other than the pretty resorts and hotels on paradise Island Nassau on the big island side is pretty like any other commercial port.   As the weather is supposed to get worse over the next 24 hours will probably spend tommorrow here.  Have made some friends among the cruisers here, everyone keeping an eye on each other as we convoyed across the North west channel.  Haven't spotted any whales yet, but saw my first school of flying fish today.  At first I though they were birds flying just above the waves, but they would disappear into the water.  Hope some will jump on board, then its kippers for breakfast!   If its any consolation, its cool here, I actually had to break out the fleece jacket.   Thinking that the next weather window will head over to the Exumas.  Then I can take my time.  Been running at a bit of pace since the crossing from Florida.  Want to get to a place where I can take a break and gather myself. Maybe fish, catch a wave, and drink some rum.  mark