Our trip to the Bahamas. It was really great to get away. It was really hard to get away. I loved being away. I hated being away. It really felt like being pulled in two very opposite directions; the old single (nonparent) me and the parent me. The first few days I practically had ADD and couldn't sit still, always thinking I had a million things to do. It got easier as the days wore on and then it was time to come home.
It was a company trip, so there were company events. But the first day and a half was just Lewis and I as we explored the resort. My opinion on all that at the end. But the first day we rode rides, sat on the beach, looked at the aquarium, ate expensive meals, and enjoyed not having our day dictated by a small person (whom was dearly missed).
Our first full day alone we rode the lazy river, some of the water slides ... we decided that I could safely ride the rides that required intertubes (as they were slowest) but I wouldn't even ride those over much. I'm a cautious sort and all the signs (for liability reasons) dissuade pregnant ladies from participating. We went to the "quiet" side and swam in the ocean and sat and enjoyed the sun and open air. For all the ocean we border, being as far north as we are we're practically land locked. It's nice to see the ocean.
We signed up for a dolphin experience for our second day. It's pricey but how many times will you swim with dolphins? I went first because I had to do the shallow water and Lewis wanted to do the deep water (they swim with them and get pushed on the boogie board - they wouldn't let me do that). The dolphin, who's name was Isis, swam up to me initially (picture top far right) and was responding to the hand signals, and then it was as if she smelled me and didn't like it and ran off. It took a solid 5-8 minutes to get her to come back. I just thought she didn't like me, but the trainer pointed at my belly and said, "newest form of sonogram ... she can hear the baby." Isis didn't want to get too close because of my delicate state! The trainers were determined that I get to perform some behaviors with her, I really wasn't going to force it. She's a 600lb wild animal; if she doesn't want to play with me I ain't about to make her! But they had me stand up out of the water (top center) so that the baby was higher. She started off pretty far away. They had me move in closer (side right center) and then slowly lower into the water to rub her belly (never the face, dolphins don't like that). I kid you not she stared at my belly the whole time and as soon as that whistle blew she was out of there. It was incredibly, and worth the experience. I can't wait to tell little #2 who we swam with dolphins and they could hear him!
Lewis had a great time on his too. He got to swim with them in the deep water with a propeller thingie that dove him down, and then do a few behaviors. Some of the dolphins, it seemed to me, got really tired of pushing people on boards and playing in general, and I was pleased to see no one forced the issue at all. If the dolphins didn't want to play, they got to go do what they wanted, if and when they felt like coming back, they did. Even Isis. No one made her come back (except maybe her stomach) to play with me. But she did eventually.
All of these dolphins were in an exhibit in New Orleans and were in Katrina. 8 of them were trapped under debris and 8 of them were washed out to sea. All 16 were brought to Atlantis. I honestly hope they are happy there.
Sunday night was the welcome reception. The company always does a big show with silly frivolities; like the mermaids. They put them in the pool at one point. Then there was a tight rope across the pool and acrobats tried to walk across it. They all fell in when they tried to walk long ways. Short ways they could make it.
We got to choose an acitivity. We like doing active things (there's spa treatments and golf) but I couldn't do the deep water things and deep sea fishing is always boring (so rarely do they catch anything) so we went on a catamaran and snorkeling. On the boat, they were handing out air filled life vests (the ones you have to self inflate?) and I didn't want one. I thought I could handle it. Lewis made me. It's a good thing too. The water was so cold, as soon as I got in I lost my breath and I was swimming away from the boat and I couldn't calm down. I struggled to breathe for a good 30/40 seconds (while struggling to stay a float) and then Lewis blew up my life vest for me. It was much easier after that! We saw some fish, not as many as others have said they've seen before. But I enjoyed looking at the coral.
The dine around. They give you a per diem and you make reservations at a local place and go eat with friends or if a lot of your team made it this is the night the team gets together to celebrate. We got together with our good friends from Boston and because Lewis and I were among the first to sign up, got swanky and great reservations at Dune at Oceanclub. Which, if I ever win a million dollars, I'll go back and stay there! It's so beautiful. And the food was probably the best we had the entire trip.
Other pictures from the next day. We were pretty lazy. By Tuesday Grady was adept at FaceTime and asking to see our "pictures" on the "phone". So here is Lewis doing facetime on the beach with Grady. Technology is amazing.
Tuesday night was the awards banquet and entertainment. They have a history of picking crap entertainment. Not this year! Matchbox 20. And it was awesome.
The last night and the going away party. Back at the Ocean Club, where we had our dine around meal, and it was great. They had magicians, glow in the dark flowers standing on stilts, ballerinas, good food, about 20 open bars, fire pits and guitar players and smores! And fireworks, right in front of us on a barge. It was incredible. Definitely the best party we'd been too, before or since. It was amazing.
We had a lovely vacation and it wouldn't have been possible without my mother (THANK YOU!). It was wonderful seeing our old friends and hearing how their recent additions are doing and hearing their plans for the future. I hope it's not another 6 years before we meet again.
On Atlantis. We went there because that's where we went (company picked it). I do not recommend it. It's over run with the cruise ship crowd during the day and it's kid mania. So than it's great for kids you say? Not so much. Food is outrageously priced (think $30 for lunch) and they charge you $2 to use the pools every day. There are few adult pools ... by adult I mean places without boom box shattering base rap music from the 90s blaring. I have heard people say they've been before and loved it, but Atlantis just recently started letting the cruise ship crowd use their facilities and I honestly think that's the difference. From their commercials (stay one night the seconds free! $400 airfare vouture!) I assume they are struggling to get overnight guests, but folks on a cruise out of Florida (like 100 miles away) will come and stay for a day. So ... if you have children, I think Orlando is the place to go. The same trip can be had.
If you're an adult, looking for quiet and relaxing beach and pool time in a spa or tranquil atmosphere? One and Only on the Bahamas looked Ah-MAZING. Or go to Anguilla. We love Anguilla.
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