Bahamas 2013

TUESDAY. After a long morning of traveling, meeting Oma and Papa in DC, customs, taxi ride - we arrived at Atlantis. As quickly as we could we changed into our bathing suits and hit the pool and checked out the beach. We cleaned up and walked to the Marina village, checked out the yachts, and had a tasty dinner at Bihimi Road.

WEDNESDAY. We walked over and had coffees in the morning and then changed into our suits and headed over to the water slides. Eric and Zach raced down the challenger and the boys checked out some of the kiddie slides. It was a breezy, cloudy, cool day so we decided to walk around and check things out. We visited the Dolphin Cay but decided to pass on swimming with the dolphins this visit....the boys didn't express much interest. We had some really good pizza (and salads) for dinner at Anthony's. Eric and Papa checked out the Casino after dinner.....they stayed out for quite a while....and did not come home with more money than they left with! :(

THURSDAY. We woke up and watched the fish get fed (8am) at Predators lagoon. We could watch from our balcony but walked over for a better view and to listen to the trainer. The trainer let us know that Atlantis was "releasing" their 13 foot Mantra this morning because it had gotten too big for its tank. A few minutes later we watched a helicopter arrive and pick up a huge net carrying the mantra.....it flew from the resort right out to the ocean in front of the resort and set him free. It was very cool to witness! More coffee and breakfast before heading to the cove beach and pool for the day. We all (except Oma) tried the rapids tube ride - it was a lazy river with some waves and "rapids" - fun for all! The boys played football on the beach and just enjoyed a beautiful day. We decided to get subs for dinner and ate back in our rooms while watching college basketball. Unfortunately Jake got sick Thursday night.....he complained of a stomach ache before dinner, didn't eat....and then was up all night sick- yuck!

FRIDAY. Jake and I hung back in the morning while the rest of the crew watched the animals get fed and picked up coffees. Jake seemed to be doing okay - but definitely was not himself. Mid-morning we checked out another pool at the resort and decided to spend the day there. Friday was the best weather day.....and the only day that I would consider actually hot. The boys played ping-pong by the pool, football, checked out another lazy river, etc. Eric and I took a beach walk and saw some beautiful homes/beach. Unfortunately Jake was just not feeling up to par - he relaxed/slept in the shade by the pool most of the day. Friday night we decided to be adventurous and headed to the "Fish Fry" for some local Bahamian food. It was a $35 cab ride across the bridge (from Paradise Island back to Nassau). Twin Brothers was the name of the restaurant the cab driver suggested so we decided to check it out. It was quite the experience. So Conch is the infamous food of the Bahamas. We tried the Conch fritters (pretty good) and the Conch Salad (not so good) as our appetizers. The menu was pretty interesting overall - Eric, Papa, and I all chose the grilled shrimp skewers but I talked Eric into choosing something different so that we could see another option - big mistake. Eric chose the snapper and it arrived at the table WITH EYES. At this point we got a tad out of control....the kids were a little in shock and the adults at the table could not stop laughing. So, the shrimp was good, the salmon dish Oma ordered was good, the grouper sticks Luke ordered was good.....otherwise....we will chalk it up as an experience.

As a side note, Jake seemed to be feeling better until he downed a can of cranberry juice at dinner (after not really eating too much all day). The bumpy cab ride home was another experience not to be forgotten.

Friday night Eric and I went out to meet up with Centric folks for a happy hour. It was a beautiful night and the event was held outside on the Big Deck.

SATURDAY. Saturday was the day we tried to do all the things we had yet to do and wanted to do before we left. We went over to another pool/area and checked out a few more water slides/tube rides. Eric was the brave one who did the plunge thru the shark tunnel.....no one else attempted this. Zach, Papa and I went on the tube ride thru the shark tunnel.....unfortunately you had to be 48 inches to ride most of the slides. Jake and Luke did find a few more water slides and enjoyed playing in the pool and doing the rapids river again. Saturday was fairly overcast and at times "chilly" (probably in the 70s) - it did not bother the boys but had some of us covering up with towels at times. After a full day by the pool we went back to clean up for a night out. Oma took the boys to see Frankinweenie at the movie theatre at the resort and then they all went to Jonny Rockets for dinner. Eric and I had a Centric "Dinner and Dancing" in the Grand Ballroom. It was a fun night for all!


Unfortunately we had an afternoon flight to Charlotte (all together) and then had to part ways with Oma and Papa to head back to the Burgh.  It was an amazing vacation and we are so glad that Oma and Papa were able to join us.....fun memories for all!!!

Enjoy the album from our trip below:

Bahamas 2013