A Great Little Get-Away

George had a church assignment in Miami Thursday night.  We had to be there by 6:30 to set up, so I took a few hours off on Thursday, as well as all day Friday in order to come back.  It is nearly a six hour trip down there!  But George decided rather than come right back the next day and since we had Monday off, we should go on a little weekend cruise, so he set it all up.  It really turned out to be a very nice little "get-away!"

 Getting ready to check in for our four-day, three-night cruise to the Bahamas.

 Our view of Miami before we took off.

 We kept seeing a couple of Coast Guard ships buzzing by all the ships getting ready to sail.

 On closer inspection, we could see the guy up front with a machine gun--and his trigger finger ready!

 I guess they make sure that no other small crafts get too close with either unwelcome passengers or worse yet--any kind of explosive materials.  Isn't that so sad that we are having to be so careful after 911?!

It was a beautiful, clear day when we left.  We were so grateful!  I guess this same cruise ship last weekend when Tropical Storm Isaac was brewing out in the ocean, just went a little ways off the path of the storm and kept the people on board the entire time.  They didn't cancel the cruise--only just kept the people on board because the islands they ordinarily visited were near the path of the storm.

This is the first time we have ever cruised without family, so we were very apprehensive about who we would get at our table for the evening meal.  We were so pleasantly surprised when we enjoyed the couple that were seated with us--they were both Jewish who had lived in Israel at one time or another, and he was actually from Germany.  They had never met Mormons before, and we both educated each other about our beliefs and really enjoyed the conversations we had.  (Plus, they said they were voting for Romney after they saw the convention and heard what a great humanitarian he is!  They said anyone that kind would have a vested interest in his fellowmen.  We certainly cheered about that!  We love to talk to Romney supporters!!!)

Cocoa Cay  There were only two stops on this cruise.  The first was Cocoa Cay, Royal Caribbean's private beach.  

We had to be "tendered" over to the island. 

 I will tell you--George and I aren't much for the beach--unless we have the grand kids along to watch them play and have fun.  Basically, we were pretty boring and chose to just get our feet wet.

After looking around the island a little, we headed back to the ship.  I guess you could call us beach "party poopers!"  But, we still had fun!

Nassau, Bahamas (a part of the British Commonwealth.)  The next day we went to Nassau--much more interesting to George and me because we love to see new and interesting places.  

 This time we could just get right off the ship and walk along the pier.  

 Waiting for our van to take us on our tour:  Atlantis on Paradise Island.

 Along the way, we saw some of the island flowers and buildings.

Atlantis on Paradise Island is a resort and water park.   It officially opened its two towers in1998 as the Trump Plaza, then changed its name to Atlantis when the Royal Towers were built. 

 

 

Atlantis is included by Forbes as one of the most expensive hotels in the world; The Bridge Suite, billed at US $25,000 per night, is listed at number 10 on the World's 15 most expensive hotel suites in 2012.

This suite is, also, known as the Michael Jackson Suite, since he was the first one to stay in it when it was built.  It rents out at $25,000 a night, and you must reserve it for at least four nights  (That's a cool $100,000--if anyone is counting).  The amazing thing is, it is booked up for the next two years straight!

 

Inside the hotel is just elegant with all its growing vegetation, plus its huge aquariums which are throughout all of the hotel areas.  Atlantis is actually the largest outdoor marine habitat in the world with over 20,000 marine animals.

This is called "The Great Hall of Waters."  It is so majestic with its ornate Atlantean pillars and eight murals which tell the story of Atlantis from its glory days to its final days.  

In the fifth century BC the Greek philosopher Plato describes the disappearance of the island of Atlantis, basing his tale on the account of Solon in the sixth century BC. Solon in turn had received his information from Egyptian priests.

Many scholars have speculated that Plato’s account of the destruction and disappearance of the island of Atlantis is a legend that is derived from the great eruption of Santorini in the Bronze Age. Most or all legends are based on some grain of truth, some natural or historical event, that has been re-told, modified and magnified with time.  

 

 

 

The coolest acrylic tunnel where you had a great view of many types of fish and sharks.

The goliath grouper - It can grow to a length of 8 feet (about the size of a Volkswagen) and weigh more than 800 pounds!

I love this picture!  Grandpa George is feeding the fish some of his water, while another fish rests on his head!

Another area had the largest stingrays I have ever seen!

Walking through the hotel toward the casino.  Instantly, I recognized the glass works of Dale Chihuly since I had just been to his museum with Kent and Natalie in Seattle.  Each of these glass works and chandeliers cost a million dollars apiece!

This beautiful piece represents the sun . . . (It is almost identical to the one we saw in Seattle.)

The moon, with its craters . . .

The ocean with all kinds of ocean marine life made of glass.

Gemini - for me

Scorpio for George.

 



These were some of the mythical artifacts of the Atlantean inventors.  


 These were the diving suits that the Atlanteans wore to save their beloved land.  The helmets had specialized lenses that corresponded to either land, sea, or air travel.  In this way, they could use information about the weather, routes, and planetary positions. 


 It was interesting to note that expeditions are still being organized to find this lost city--whether it was real or unreal.  But, this was a fascinating way for us to see how some very ingenious people made such a beautiful place to visit, as well as to enjoy all the marine life there.

Cassie, aren't these the biggest craw fish you've ever seen!  Wouldn't you love one of these!

This is what the little animal inside the conch shell looks like.

The strange looking items next to the starfish are sea cucumbers--mostly they just eat and go to the bathroom (so said the guide).  In some countries, they are grown for food. 

Jellyfish - look like jello, but the string from their tentacles is how they capture their prey.  Very painful for anybody who gets stung by them.  Best remedy for a sting is exactly what you've always heard about--human urine!

Interesting note:  a jellyfish is 98 percent water and does not have a brain, central nervous system, or eyes.

Moray eels have found homes in these old clay pots.  The green color of these animals is produced by a yellow mucous layer, which overlays the darker blue skin.  They grow to the length of 6 feet!

Outside, you cross a bridge, and if you look below, you can see the acrylic tube that we walked through.

Beautiful plant life--the grapes are just starting to ripen.

So many places to explore.

Of course, there was a beach access.

Then we made our way over to the Mayan Temple.  This one is called the "Leap of Faith," where the daredevils go down a near-vertical plunge.  It looks like they go into shark infested water, but actually they are in a tube with the sharks swimming all around and over the top of them.

Leaving Atlantis, I had to take a picture of some of the yachts--some larger than most houses!

Going back to the city, we saw beautiful costumes of the Mayan people.



After seeing all of the beautiful marine life at Atlantis, I thought this was interesting how a shopkeeper had decorated his Christmas tree--with real starfish who had passed away.

Well, that's a wrap-up of the cruise--is there anything better?  Wonderful food, clean bed at night, you don't have to keep moving all your belongings, but just get moved from place to place, cute animal creations on your bed at night . . .

Of course, we would have loved to have family along which would have made it perfect!  But, we did meet some new friends . . .




and we had a great time together.  Thanks, George, for planning such a perfect little get-away!