Sunday, June 26, 2005

Carter's Story - Part V

Hey there little one,

I'm sorry I haven't written in a while. I still miss you as much as always.

Your Dad and I went to the Bahamas last week. While we were there, I kept thinking how much you would have loved it. Your Dad kept telling me that you were there with us but it still wasn't the same.

We stayed at the Atlantis Paradise Island resort. It was one of my dreams to go there someday! My boss, Katherine, gave me a FAM (familiarization) trip there so it didn't cost us much and I only had to work a little while we were there.

They picked us up in a limo on Wednesday, June 15th in Nassau. When we pulled up to the Atlantis I thought it was as beautiful as I had imagined. Wednesday night we ate at the Atlas Grill. We had a caesar salad and a turkey sandwich - neither of which was all that great for the amount of money we paid for them.

Thursday we had breakfast at Murray's Deli. I ordered a bowl of Special K cereal and a side of strawberries that cost $10! The rest of the day we spent wandering the Atlantis. The Atlantis is home to the largest marine habitat in the world. We walked through the Dig which is an area to view the archeological site and marine life of the lost continent of Atlantis.

We got to touch some stingrays in the Stingray Lagoon. I could picture you reaching your little hand out to pet the rays with your Daddy and I could see the look of amazement on your face.
They also have a few waterslides at the Atlantis. Two of the slides send you through the middle of the shark tank! You would have been so excited. Daddy went on the Leap of Faith slide on the Mayan Temple that is an almost vertical and shoots you through a clear acrylic tunnel submerged in the shark lagoon.

We got to try conch which is a Bahamian specialty. I think they made it for us in all ways that are possible. We had conch chowder, conch cakes (like crab cakes), and conch salad.
Friday was spent doing site inspections of the Atlantis, the British Colonial Hilton, and the Sandals resort. That night we went to the Radisson Cable Beach for dinner. They pulled out all the stops. On the menu was sushi (your Dad was thrilled), lobster, fillets, crab, etc. They had music and dancing. At the end of the night, they treated us to a Junkanoo celebration and escorted us out of the building.

Saturday your Dad and I went deep sea fishing. I got three barracudas! The largest one was probably 18 pounds. Your dad caught some skipjacks. They were smaller than mine. I win!
Saturday night we went out for dinner at Luciano's restaurant. It was across the harbor from the Atlantis. There was a fireworks show over at the Atlantis and so we got to see the Atlantis all lit up with the fireworks.

Sunday we went over to Blue Lagoon Island for a Dolphin Encounter. You would have loved the dolphins! They are so intelligent. We hugged them and kissed them and danced with them. It was a good time. Our dolphin was named Stormy.

That night we went to the Wyndham Nassau Resort and Crystal Palace Casino for dinner. We had lamb and lobster. Everywhere we had lobster in the Bahamas it was overcooked - bleh! But they had an awesome dessert bar. I had two desserts that night. Ha!

Oh how I wish you could have been there with us. I thought about you every minute (like always!)

Photos of the Bahamas trip are available here.

I love you forever, ever and always,

Mommy