Pirates Museum of Nassau; Yo Ho Ho and a Bottle of Rum!!
Written: Mar 10 '08 (Updated Mar 24 '08)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Well displayed. A couple of costumed characters
Cons: nothing worth noting.
The Bottom Line: If at all interested in pirate lore and enjoying air conditioning on a hot humid day, I say this is a must stop in Nassau, Bahamas.
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| popsrocks's Full Review: Pirates Museum of Nassau |
My wife and I recently embarked on an eight day cruise out of NY with a few stops in the Bahamas. We pulled into Prince George Wharf in Nassau on New Providence Island, Bahamas and made way for two excursions on our own that one day. The first was a visit to the downtown area including the Straw Market and the Pirates Museum of Nassau. Our second was a snorkeling trip and swimming with sharks in open waters. The day with pirates and deadly sharks was an exciting one!
The Pirates Museum of Nassau gave me more than I expected. After being directed into a small shop filled with pirate flags, mugs, costumes and such we purchased our tickets and made our way to the main entrance to the museum. There we were greeted by a couple of fierce looking but friendly pirates who guided us to the doors of the museum. Inside we were on our own. A small scale pirate ship docked gave a real deal feel of a small nautical town with figures sitting about and dioramas presenting scenes we have learned to expect in pirate lore.
Throughout the museum were questions and answers under flaps with the question on the outside, Were most pirates hanged if caught? Lift the flap and find out the answer to this and many other questions. Did pirates make people walk the plank? Were most pirates black? and many many more.
Other placards gave good information about methods of battle, origin of the Jolly Roger, and drinking habits of the men.
A brief walk through the ship showed the life of a pirate and the conditions of a ship, rats and all. A couple-a-few pirates were recalled by name too.
There were a few other surprises during our self-guided walk. I won't mention all but will state that my wife and I were particularly impressed with a diorama depicting a famous painting of Marooned, 1909 done by illustrator Howard Pyle (1853-1911) whose original work we have seen in the Delaware Art Museum. From their site they state of this work, In Marooned, the narrative resides not in the pirate's actions or character, but in his hopeless state of abandonment. His face is hidden, as if his expression, reflecting the brutality of his fate, would be too hard to bear.
Marooning was the most extreme punishment for violators of the pirate's self-imposed code of conduct. Stealing from fellow-crew and deserting one's post in battle, for example, merited marooning: the pirate was put ashore on a deserted sand bar with a days supply of water, and no food or shelter, but often with a loaded pistol.
Once again we both thought the 3-D image of that painting by the museum awesome. I did feel that the artist name should have been noted on the placard describing the scene. There was no credit to his name.
Last Thoughts
It was particularly enjoyable for us because we were just two of perhaps six people that were in the museum at 11AM that morning. I know I would not have enjoyed having gone there on one of the tours with a crowd of people.
That said, the tour ended in an open air bar area that was not yet opened. That bar and music if opened might have taken the edge off of being in such a museum with a large crowd.
The museum cost us about $15 each but being able to walk at our leisure, take many unobstructed photos and spend some time with the "real" pirates made it well worth the time. The museum is a ten minute walk from the piers where the cruise ships come in and just two minutes from the Straw Market so I would recommend your own self-guided tour rather than joining up as an excursion.
If at all interested in pirates and enjoying air conditioning on a hot humid day, I say this is a must stop in Nassau.
Sandals Royal Bahamian Our five star choice
Pirates Museum of Nassau
Stuarts Cove Dive Snorkeling in Nassau
Ardastra Gardens, Zoo and Conservation Center Just one mile west of Nassau
Nassau International Airport
Nassau, Bahamas
Foder's Bahamas Guide
Recommended:
Yes
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