Showing posts with label Photos. Show all posts

Tuesday, November 4, 2025

Fort Montagu: Nassau's Oldest Coastal Sentinel

Fort Montagu, Nassau, Bahamas. - ©A. Derek Catalano

Fort Montagu: Nassau's Oldest Coastal Sentinel

Perched gracefully on the eastern shore of New Providence Island, Fort Montagu might be the smallest of Nassau's remaining historical fortifications, but its significance is arguably the greatest. As the oldest fort still standing in the Bahamas' capital city, this limestone bulwark is a testament to the island’s turbulent colonial past, playing a critical role in battles and diplomatic chess games that spanned two major conflicts.

If you’re seeking a slice of history paired with stunning coastal views, Fort Montagu is an essential stop on your Bahamian journey.

Yellow Elder - National Flower of The Bahamas

"Yellow Elder" - ©A. Derek Catalano

The Yellow Elder: An Ode to Bahamian Gold

Upon the arid limestone, where the spray
Of ocean kisses coral every day,
There stands a bloom, a bush, a sunlit tree,
The heart of all the bright Bahamian sea.
The Yellow Elder, or the Ginger-Thomas,
Whose glorious gold no shadow can embarrass.
Tecoma stans, the name the botanist knows,
But to the islands, it’s the light that glows.

It wears the crown, the emblem finely spun,
The chosen symbol of a nation's sun.
No fragile bloom that seeks the humid shade,
But one in tropic glory fiercely made.
From Bimini's shore to Inagua's south,
A golden trumpet at the summer's mouth,
A sturdy sentinel of vivid green,
The brightest standard ever to be seen.

The petals cup a sunshine soft and deep,
Where nature's purest, richest pigments sleep.
A bell-shaped treasure, trumpet-like and proud,
It clusters thickly, lifting past the cloud
Of darker foliage, saw-toothed, serrated bright,
A canvas painted in the day's full light.
A hundred suns upon a single spray,
To chase the slightest gloom of doubt away.

Bush Medicine Pot

"Bush Medicine Pot" - ©A. Derek Catalano

Bro-in-law preparing to boil another batch of bush medicine to drink.

We have a tradition of using homeopathic remedies in The Bahamas and Caribbean.

Using these leaves:

Moringa
Guava
Avacado
Soursop

After boiling, pour in a cup and drink it down.

Good for various ailments and keeps you in good health.

Download full size: 2652x2766

Related pic: Bush Prep

Related article: Bush Medicine in The Bahamas

Monday, October 6, 2025

Full Moon Sail

"Full Moon Sail" - Bahamas AI Art

©A. Derek Catalano

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Sunday, October 5, 2025

Hibiscus Sea - Wallpaper

"Hibiscus Sea" - Bahamas AI Art

©A. Derek Catalano

Download full size: 1920x1088

"Hibiscus Sea" - Bahamas AI Art
©A. Derek Catalano

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Wednesday, October 1, 2025

Pirates of Nassau

"Pirates of Nassau" - ©A. Derek Catalano

Tuesday, September 30, 2025

Souvenirs at Nassau Cruise Port

"Conch Shells and Jewelry Souvenirs" - ©A. Derek Catalano

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"Paintings and Bags Souvenirs" - ©A. Derek Catalano

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Friday, September 26, 2025

The Justice System of The Bahamas

"Bahamas Supreme Court" - ©A. Derek Catalano

Bank Lane, Nassau, Bahamas

The Justice System of The Bahamas

Introduction

The Commonwealth of The Bahamas, an archipelagic state of more than 700 islands in the Atlantic Ocean, operates under a justice system shaped by its colonial history, constitutional framework, and evolving social and political needs. Rooted in English common law, the Bahamian legal system reflects both its British heritage and its adaptation to a sovereign democratic state. This essay examines the structure, principles, institutions, and challenges of the justice system of The Bahamas, highlighting how it balances tradition and modernity in the pursuit of fairness, order, and the protection of rights.

Treasury Flora

"Treasury Bougainvillea" - ©A. Derek Catalano

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"Treasury Golden Trumpet" - ©A. Derek Catalano

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Nature Cottage

"Nature Cottage" - ©A. Derek Catalano

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Tuesday, September 23, 2025

Souvenir Jewelry

"Souvenir Jewelry"- ©A. Derek Catalano

Fortfincastle area, Nassau, Bahamas

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Monday, September 22, 2025

The Water Tower on Bennet's Hill, Nassau, Bahamas

"The Water Tower on Bennet's Hill" - ©A. Derek Catalano

The Water Tower on Bennet's Hill, Nassau, Bahamas

Introduction

The Water Tower on Bennet’s Hill is one of Nassau’s most prominent landmarks, combining utility, history, architecture, and tourism. Rising above the city from one of its highest points, the tower has come to symbolize both the physical height and historical depth of Nassau. As a structure, it has served vital municipal functions, but it also plays a key role in heritage, identity, and public space in the Bahamas.

Pablo's Coconuts

"Pablo's Coconuts" - ©A. Derek Catalano

Fort Fincastle area, Nassau, Bahamas

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Friday, September 19, 2025

SeaView - Wallpaper

"SeaView" - ©A. Derek Catalano

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Wednesday, September 17, 2025

The Queen's Staircase aka The 66 Steps

Towards the Queen's Staircase - ©A. Derek Catalano

The Queen’s Staircase in Nassau: History, Architecture, and Travel Guide

When you step into Nassau, the capital of the Bahamas, you’re surrounded by colorful streets, colonial architecture, and turquoise waters. But tucked away from the busy harbor and tourist markets is one of the city’s most striking landmarks: the Queen’s Staircase, a 66-step limestone staircase carved by hand in the late 18th century. It’s not just a beautiful historic site—it’s a story in stone, shaped by enslaved laborers, tied to the island’s military history, and later dedicated to a monarch who ruled over half the globe.

This guide explores the history, significance, architecture, and visitor experience of the Queen’s Staircase, so you’ll know exactly why it’s worth the stop when you’re in Nassau.

The Benefits of Sitting by the Sea and Breathing in Salt Sea Air

The Benefits of Sitting by the Sea and Breathing in Salt Sea Air

Sitting by the sea and breathing in the salt-rich air offers a variety of benefits for both your physical and mental well-being. This is a practice that has been recognized for centuries, and many of the reported benefits are supported by a growing body of scientific research.