While the Alice and Wonderland ball in itself would have been the perfect way to celebrate New Year’s Eve, I had insider’s information that the best way to celebrate the holiday in the Bahamas was to attend Junkanoo in downtown Nassau. Junkanoo is the pride and joy of the Bahamians. It is a street parade, similar to Carnaval, that begins around 2AM on January 1st and continues for almost twelve hours. On January 2nd, participants already start planning next year’s event. It is done in complete secrecy and thousands upon thousands of dollars are spent on the costumes and floats.
Our Dad decided that it was past his bedtime (can you blame him after all of the dancing he did?), thus it would just be my brother and I attending. We quickly changed and then hailed a taxi to take us across the bridge. By the time we arrived it was nearing 2AM and the streets were saturated with some of the happiest people I have ever seen. While we were waiting for the parade to begin, we struck up a conversation with some locals who explained to us that while this is a joyous celebration, it is also a competition and is taken very seriously. They tried to convince us to cheer for their group, however we decided that we would stay neutral for the time being. In the distance we could hear the steel drum bands approaching and we knew we were in for yet another great show!
First up was the group The Prodigal Sons:
Next up was the first group’s biggest competitors, The Shell Saxon Superstars:
Around 7AM, after our voices from cheering for countless hours had disappeared and our energy that was once exuberant was now exhausted, we knew it was time to return to the Atlantis. In the end, our favorite group was The Shell Saxon Superstars (and no it was not because they had a giant butterfly float as seen above, though I did get extra excited when I saw it).
Instead of taking a taxi, we decided to do something we had never done before — we took a boat ride back. A new year, a new experience! As the sun began to rise, I closed my eyes and let the salt water spray against my face as I reminisced about everything I had just experienced. While the magnificent ball was something I will never forget, it was true, the best way to celebrate New Year’s Eve when in the Bahamas is Junkanoo. I travel to engage with the place and with the people. Junkanoo allowed me to do both, it felt deeper and more meaningful. The perfect way to end a year and begin a new one.
You’re making me miss the Caribbean! Love the elaborate costumes, the energy of the people. 🙂
Isn’t the Caribbean such a gem? I think as Americans, because of its proximity to us, we tend to not think of it as an exotic place, but it truly is!!!
What an unbelievable New Years! I feel like I need a nap just from reading about all of it – you must have been exhausted by the end of the night (er, mid-morning). So, how are you gonna top it next year???
It sure was unbelievable! I would LOVE to repeat it in the future if possible. I needed a nap just recalling it through words and photos haha. That’s a great question! If my soon-to-be hubby has his green card by then, who knows? Could be anywhere in the world! If he doesn’t, then we’ll have to stay within the States, so maybe Miami or Puerto Rico?
More fun than Mardi Gras? Looks like it might be.
I think so!!!
You look like you still had some energy left at 6am in the morning. I would have been exhausted!
I think I was feeding off the energy around me? Normally I’m in bed waaaaaay before then! 😉
What a party! I love all the videos you’ve been doing 🙂
Thanks love!!! I wish I had a better camera to shoot videos though.
How fantastic!!!! I love places with awesome NYE celebrations
I’ll remember this NYE forever and ever! 🙂
Just the name Junkanoo is awesome! I can’t believe you stayed up past 7am. I’m such a granny I prefer to be in bed by midnight!
How cool is the name??? Actually by the time I went to bed it was 9AM! I can’t believe I made it that long either. I did have a lot of coffee…
It’s so festive and colorful Andi! Now, I can’t help but notice that the Junkanoo participants in your pics and vids seem to be themed after the western culture and the good ol’ days of the cowboys 😀
Haha yes they did have a cowboy theme!!! They came out to Bob Marley’s song “Get Up, Stand Up.” It was a fantastic party! Something you would enjoy for sure.
Seem to be having troubles replying to your comment Andi :/ Anyway… YES. It definitely sounds like something I’ll enjoy 😀
Sorry my comment thing is messed up! I send you a hug for finding a way to leave a comment though. 🙂
I had never even heard of this and getting to the Bahamas is much easier (read: affordable) than going down to Rio for Carnivale (which, in my mind, is what this looks like. I’m sure someone can tell me I’m completely wrong). Plus, how awesome is any party that starts at 2am!?
Definitely closer and cheaper than Carnaval in Rio! It’s A LOT like it, just less people. And yeah, any party that starts at 2AM and goes until 2PM is pretty freaking awesome in my book!!!
I have never been to the Caribbean, but man that looks like fun!
As someone who is bed before 10 usually, I am soooo impressed.
What a fabulous night!
OMG, you have to go to the Caribbean sometime soon!!! I promise you won’t be disappointed, it’s incredible!
That looks awesome! I love seeing parades/festivals where people truly get creative.
The creativity was ooooozing that night!
Andi, this parade looks amazing! I would definitely love to see it someday!
I hope you can make it there!!!
Great way to start the year Andi!!
I agree completely! 🙂
What an incredible experience. I love that no matter where you go you always try to find a way to connect to the culture!
Thanks love!!! To me it makes the act of travel just that more enriching!
Love it! Looks like a great time! I don’t know you did it until 7am, I feel so old and lame by 2! haha. Glad you had a great time and took the boat back!
I don’t know how I did it either??? Guess hanging around an 18 year old will keep you young at heart?
Your blogs always put me in the moment. With your pictures and descriptions, you have a good way of doing that.
I loved my time in the Bahamas. Thanks for making want to go back.
I’m SO touched by your comment. Thanks from the bottom of my heart! I wanta go back again already haha. 🙂
What a great time! I enjoyed looking at the beautiful and fun pictures.
Awww thank you so much, I’m touched!
Wow …I miss this one ..great costumes n looks attractive ..Thx for this post !!!!
You’re sooo welcome!!! Glad you enjoyed!
Looks like a wild party!!! You look fabulous, especially considering you were up all night celebrating 🙂
It was definitely a wild party, they continued on for at least another 10 hours! Thanks for the compliments babe!!!
Your dad looks like SUCH a hoot, and those dancers are super hot. Keep on adventuring, Andi. You’re quite good at it 🙂
He is SUCH a hoot, you’re so right!!! Thanks for your sweet comment darling!
Wow, what a sight. I wanted to see more photos. That must have been absolutely incredible to witness.
And what a night, Andi! I don’t know how you’d ever be able to top that one, girl! 😀
Haha and I thought I had posted TOO many photos!!! Glad you enjoyed the post. I’m definitely going to be brainstorming over the next year how I can top my last 2 NYE’s!!! I guess this is a good problem to have right? 😉
What a neat experience! Just reading this makes me tired haha. I feel way too old to stay up all night too.
It was SUCH a neat experience!!! Nah, you would have made it to 7AM I know it!
Hi! Stumbled upon your site after seeing your comment on my guest post on 2backpackers. Great pictures and looks like you’ve done a lot of travelling (keep it up!). Did not know about Junkanoo until I recently saw it featured on an episode of Top Chef. Looks like a real party place…
Cheers, Meliha
Hi Meliha, thanks for stopping by! Always nice to “meet” new commenters. Glad you enjoyed the post! That’s cool that Junkanoo was featured on Top Chef! I’ll have to find that episode. Best wishes 🙂
Looks like so much fun. I wish I enjoyed the Bahamas and Atlantis as much you did. I’ve been there several times. At one point, I was working on a yacht docked in the Atlantis marina for two months. It’s really difficult to go to work everyday when there’s so much temptation to party every night! I don’t share your love for the Bahamas as much as you, I’m totally burned out. But it’s refreshing to see your enthusiasm for it!
Oh wow, you worked on a yacht docked at the Atlantis? Must have been some yacht!!! Well, I think it’s sometimes each to become jaded, you know? Maybe if you return in a couple of years you’ll have the same enthusiasm that I had?
i’ve MISSED reading your posts lady!!! what an awesome experience, and as usual told in vivid colors both written and digital! 🙂
I’ve missed seeing your awesome comments! Thanks for your sweet words, it was definitely an awesome experience!!!
Oh Andi I’m so glad you got to go and so jealous I didn’t! I was supposed to be there for the boxing day Junkanoo but due to weather didn’t get in until the day after. And then of course I was in Eleuthera for this one!
Awww what a shame you didn’t make it, I think you would have LOVED it! Always another year though!!!