MORE LAND BASED ADVENTURES

March 13, 2012  Dateline: Atlantis, Paradise Island, Bahamas

Yesterday I posted a picture of SERQUÉ and MARY JEAN II comparing the size of the two yachts.  Last night another yacht named BOARDWALK docked next to SERQUÉ.  BOARDWALK is only 165 feet long, 30 feet longer than SERQUÉ.  BOARDWALK also has a helipad and a helicopter on its stern.  The point of the picture is that even 135 foot yachts can look small when docked next to much larger boats.

Rich and Carol had an interesting day walking around Atlantis today.  Atlantis has an extensive aquarium as well as shallow pools where they keep many kinds of fish.  In one pool they keep mako sharks and sting rays.  Some of the sting rays are really large as this picture shows.

Every year on Boxing Day, the day after Christmas, there is a Junkanoo parade in many areas throughout the Bahamas.  The event originally started by the slaves as a way for them to celebrate some freedom.  The participants in the parade dress in very fancy costumes.  The parade is becoming commercial and most large resorts now put on Junkanoo Parades for their guest.  The costume pictured below won the first prize in last year’s big parade, it is quite elaborate.

It is difficult to describe the beauty of the Atlantis property.  This picture taken from the hotel looking toward the beach gives you some idea just how pretty the property is.

When walking out of the hotel yesterday Aaron, one of the doormen, started talking with Carol and said that it was almost 20 years since he last saw her.  Carol played along with him and Rich took this picture.  To enter certain parts of the hotel you need either a bracelet or your room card.  When Rich and Carol walked back in the door, Aaron told her she did not need either and just gave her another big hug.

Perhaps Aaron was good karma from the other night.  When returning from dinner a few days ago, a man on the street asked Rich and Carol if they could help him get some food.  They walked on by, but Carol said let’s give him my leftover dinner; after all, it was almost half a meal.  Rich walked back and offered it to the man.  He smiled and showed off his mouth full of gold teeth and said he could not take our food.  Rich insisted and he took it, one more beggar forced to accept food and not get any cash.