Atlantis turned out to be exactly what I needed this holiday weekend. With people everywhere looking for something to do it just so happened that our choice for Saturday afternoon was quite charming. As it turned out we got two gifts in one. Not only was Atlantis buzzing with activity as it was boosting almost full occupancy for this Easter weekend but the day was absolutely lovely. The weather itself was perfect the sun was warm and bright in the almost cloudless sky. It was neither too hot nor humid today; it was perfect for an afternoon of sightseeing and hanging out with friends.
We started out by the Coral Towers but before I get to that even the ride over the bridge and heading into the parking area turned out to fuel the excitement. The view from the bridge is spectacular. The glass blue vast ocean below, the ships and boats a sail on their respective journeys far out stretch the eyes view. The skyline peak of the Atlantis towers themselves along with the harbor, timeshare homes and varies bistros, gifts shops, restaurants and other hospitality ventures all come together as they should. The air is clean the sun is bright and the people, oh the people that litter the side walks and shops. The couples with their kids, the individual jogger, the friends all smiling and laughing; the hotel custodian, policeman, taxi driver or casual observer like myself all understand that visiting Atlantis on Paradise Island is not just a place it an experience .
We got started just shy of 3 o’clock in the afternoon. It is a quick walk to the Coral Towers and we meet up with our tour guide (a close friend) in Coral Towers lobby. Well actually Miaya is much more than our tour guide. She is in fact one of the Mangers that deal with marine life but in my daughters eyes she is the one who knows all about the fish and the aquariums so to her, Miaya was her own personal tour guide.
Our first stop is the fish hospital. As you can imagine it is where they tend to the fish, turtles, stingrays, coral yes I said coral in addition to other fun animals that make up one of the most fascinating and well designed aquariums’ in the world. Inside we get to hold the star fish, visit with a brother and sister turtle that are growing by leaps and bounds. A beautiful, tiny yet still dynamic silver stingray that is quite eager to have company as he happily glides up the wall of his tank to greet us. There are lots of oh’s and ahs from the adults along with child as we are all intrigued by the tiny sea creatures. Next we visit the area where the food is prepared for all of Atlantis’s marine life. A part from the wonderful smell (yum, yum) of fresh fish, squid and shrimp piled in to silver buckets it is pretty cool seeing how much and often they are fed.
Next we move on to the dig and tunnels that lead to the tanks to view the sea life. Now I have walked through these tunnels many times before but once again I found that each time was just as awe-inspiring of an experience as the other. Ashley is beside herself as she looks at the fish along with sea creatures, sharks; even the mother stingray of the little silver critter that eagerly greeted us in the fish hospital is there. Even in the underwater tunnel where the sharks gracefully glides over as the sun glistens brightly down upon us brings a renewed sense of wonder and awe. The underwater life is equally alive, even more curious about us as we were of them as they swam up close to the glass showing off their bright colors , gathering in schools or two’s and threes. The activity under the sea is alive, free. The yellow angel fish, the old brown oversized grouper, the shimmering silver jacks that and so much more have all come out to play.
From there Miaya clued me on to a pleasant surprise for Ashley; Atlantis is having an Easter Fair for the guest. Perfect! As we approach Ms Ashley can hardly contain her excitement. Within moments of entering the fair, she has powder blue cotton candy in one hand with the other eagerly outstretched for a snow cone to be placed in the other. From there we went on to make our own candles using crystals of pinks, blues, purples, yellows. She got to fills her glass container full and then watches as the lady places it in this heating contraption and melts the crystals into wax. Then we move on to play assorted games, miniature gulf, hoopla, filling a decorative bottles with colored sand crystals. All on the back drop of the pools and beach towers. Music playing, children laughing, parents content to watch the look of glee on their children’s faces.
It was indeed a wonderful day, ended only by the need of sustenance. A quick trip through Mariana Village passing the outrageous yet beautiful yachts I might add we end up at Johnny Rockets. It was burgers, chilly cheese hotdogs, fries and Strawberry milk shakes to boot. Only thing left is the rainbow ice cream I had promised. At just shy of 6 o’clock it was back over the bridge away from our reprieve. It is a perfect end to a perfect day in paradise.
