Our Honeymoon Continued...

What we neglected to mention about arriving at Atlantis in Paradise Island was that we were aggressively targetted for sale of Timeshare in Atlantis. While we generally wouldn't consider buying timeshare, what did entice us was the free $125 worth of vouchers which we could use anywhere. So this morning Sydney and I woke up and attended a timeshare presentation for villas in Atlantis Resorts. It started out with a FREE buffet breakfast, which we ate our fill at the Seagrapes restaurant. We then listened to a 15 minute presentation, and had the opportunity to view a model villa in the Harborside resorts which is across the harbor from Atlantis. It was tempting, I mean who wouldn't want to be able to have their own 2 bedroom home when they vacationed in the Bahamas complete with full access to Atlantis Resorts amenities. After the tour we were brought back to the sales office, and were again tried to be convinced on buying a timeshare. $1400 down and just $130 a month for 10 years. It seemed like a bargain. Sydney turned to me, and I looked at the salesperson and said, "No thank you.." We exited the sales office and spent our $125 of vouchers on a Dolphin Encounter which costs $170 usually. Thereby making our cost $45. Hmmm what a bargain for eating a free breakfast and listening to someone talk about timeshare..

Later that day, we took a ferry to downtown Nassau which is on the mainland. We went shopping at the Straw Market which is their version of a swap meet. It was located in a large thatched straw structure with no ventilation. Already I could feel myself getting clausterphobia. We shopped a little their and then explored Nassau and looked at the shops. We ate at the Twin Brother's Restaurant, which was recommended to us. I had the Grouper Fingers, and some Rice & Peas which is a traditional Bahamian dish. Sydney had the BBQ Ribs. The food was decent. I also had some beer called Kalik, which is probably worst than Budweiser, but oh well.. Sydney had the Bahama Mama, which she didn't finish. We walked around town more, and bought some sundries and souvenirs and headed back on the ferry to Atlantis. The round trip was $6 per person.

At night we decided to visit the Casino. Sydney in the kindness of her heart, donated some of our money to Sol Kerzner (owner of Atlantis) via the Blackjack Tables. I'm sure he was appreciative. We did so for a few hours and later retired to our room for the night.

7/9/2004- Friday- This morning we woke up early and decided to have a morning view of Predator's Reef, which is a large shark and manta ray tank along with a glass tube walkway. We then lay out by the pool, and caught some rays, caught up with magazine reading, etc.. After some lazy enjoyment by the pool we went back to the nearby town next to Atlantis for some souvenir shopping. We bought a lot of souvenirs today and I don't know how we'll carry them home. Maybe someone can pick us up from the airport (hint hint..) We grabbed some lunch at a local eatery called Choosy's. This is a sandwich shop/grocery store combo. The food here was actually pretty good. I had the Fish Sandwich and Sydney ate the Stir Fry Beef & Snow Peas.

When we got back to the resort, we decided to play Bingo... BINGO!!! Okay playing that game automatically places you in the Senior Citizen's category, but we wanted the cool prizes. Of course we lost, and we went back to our room after touring the other wings of the resort. I have to describe the resort as a combination of Disneyland, Venetian, Raging Waters, and Sea World all in one. There is a lot to look at, and it is very creatively layed out. You do indeed feel like you are in the sunken city of Atlantis.

Nighttime, and now we are going for a nice dinner. We dine at Villa D'Este, an Italian Restaurant. They started us off with some Foccaccia Bread which is still in the baking pan. It was delicious! Our appetizer was the Lobster and Artichoke dip, which again was delicious. So delicious in fact that it ruined our appetite for dinner. I had the Penne Bolgnese with Meatballs, and Sydney had the Halibut with Dried Proscuitto. We didn't get to finish our main courses.

After dinner was another quick donation to Sol Kerzner via the Casino. Oh well you win some and you lose some... and then bed. Tomorrow is the Bahamian Independence Festival, and we will tell you all about this tomorrow. Also Sunday we have a Dolphin Encounter scheduled. Stay Tuned!!