Paradise

On our cruise this year Chet's sister and her husband came along. It was so fun! We had balcony suites right next to each other so of course we had to take a picture looking at each other.

Our first day in paradise was Paradise Island, Nassau. However this was not what we originally had planned. Originally we had planned a snorkeling expedition to a private island. When we got to the place where we were supposed to leave for the island they told us the trip had been cancelled but if we wanted they would give us 10% off  a day pass to Atlantis. We went to Atlantis last year and weren't that impressed. But since they were offering us a deal and Chels and Chuck hadn't been there we decided to give it another try. This time it was much better. When we got there there was a guide that told us about the "Cove" beach. It was a pretty far walk but I think it was worth it! It was way more secluded and quiet. As my sister-in-law said "it's paradise!"

We did a lot of snorkeling while we were there as well. There was a pretty good amount of fish, crabs and urchins. Chet's brother-in law, Chuck, had a great time in the water with us. His sister Chelsie was a little more wary. We eventually got her to give it a try and while she was a little freaked out by the fish she said she was glad she tried it.

When lunch time rolled around we ate and then decided to go see "The Dig", the aquarium at Atlantis. I love aquariums and this one is no exception. It was wonderful. They didn't, however, have the giant mantas this year that they did last. They only had little ones and by little I mean 12-15 feet instead of 20-25.  Next time though I think we will do the aquarium before we are all wet. By the time we were done walking around we were all walking like we had been horseback riding all day. ;)

When we were done with lunch we went back to the beach before we had to take the ferry back to the ship. We enjoyed dinner on the boat and then headed to our cabin to get a good nights sleep before our next port-of-call, Great Stirrup Cay.

Great Stirrup Cay had the best snorkeling that we have ever done! There was this giant rock that was easy to swim out to that was teeming with fish! We swam all the was around it. I was a little scared of the back side of the rock because it was fairly close to the sand bar, which is where all the sharks hang out, and the water goes from about 15ft to 50ft but we did it. It was awesome!!!

When we were headed out to the rock, still in the shallows, I saw something out of the corner of my eye. It was an octopus! It was sooo cool to see one not in an aquarium!

He wasn't the only cool guy we saw though. We saw puffer fish, barracuda, rainbow runners, tangs, damsel fish, angel fish, squirrel fish, wrasse, trigger fish and some I didn't know.  (you can click on the picture to see the fish better)

Since this was our third day in the sun we were starting to get a little crispy. (Some of us more than others.) Chet's sister made herself a shanty to not become extra crispy.

After fun filled days in the Bahamian sun it was time to head back to the boat and then on to Florida, South Beach this time, to wrap up our trip and head home. Maybe...