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STORY: Bahamas on a Friday | Up | Bahamas on a Friday 2010

Bahamas on a Friday 2010

No-frills, perfectly decent flights to the Bahamas on ultra-low-cost carrier Spirit Air. NYC-Nassau, for under $100 one way. No-frills, perfectly decent flights to the Bahamas on ultra-low-cost carrier Spirit Air. NYC-Nassau, for under $100 one way.	Paradise Island by night: luxe boats galore. Paradise Island by night: luxe boats galore.	This skyscraper on water is called "The Mea Culpa" This skyscraper on water is called "The Mea Culpa"	It looks like a dentist chair with a great view! It looks like a dentist chair with a great view!	The Mea Culpa - which, in Larin, means "by my fault" The Mea Culpa - which, in Larin, means "by my fault"
The Atlantis resort lobby - a glass sculpture. The Atlantis resort lobby - a glass sculpture.	Hilge in the Atlantis casino. Hilge in the Atlantis casino.	A giant glass anemone ... A giant glass anemone ...	More aquatically-inspired glass sculpture More aquatically-inspired glass sculpture	one of New York's most exclusive eateries surfaces in Atlantis. And no, I didn't eat there. one of New York's most exclusive eateries surfaces in Atlantis. And no, I didn't eat there.
The Atlantis resort lobby, a mix of ancient influences rendered in plaster and halogen lighting. The Atlantis resort lobby, a mix of ancient influences rendered in plaster and halogen lighting.	A domed roof with seashell motif ... A domed roof with seashell motif ...	Close up of one of the frescos in the Atlantis Resport lobby. Close up of one of the frescos in the Atlantis Resport lobby.	Even closer - perhaps I can get a beach towel with this pattern on it in the shop? Cool! Even closer - perhaps I can get a beach towel with this pattern on it in the shop? Cool!	Another look at the Mayan-Egyptian-whatever columns, Another look at the Mayan-Egyptian-whatever columns,
This is a large granite "pearl" rolling around in this "shell". This is a large granite "pearl" rolling around in this "shell".	Very Hans Giger ... lobsters in the subterranean Atlantis aquarium Very Hans Giger ... lobsters in the subterranean Atlantis aquarium	Lobster tank in the Atlantis aquarium Lobster tank in the Atlantis aquarium	Jellyfish tank in the Atlantis aquarium Jellyfish tank in the Atlantis aquarium	Jellyfish tank in the Atlantis aquarium Jellyfish tank in the Atlantis aquarium
The gift shop at the end of the aquarium - an aquatic USB mouse. The gift shop at the end of the aquarium - an aquatic USB mouse.	The Atlantis resort hotel - the bridge is where Michael Jackson had a residence. The Atlantis resort hotel - the bridge is where Michael Jackson had a residence.	The Atlantis resort hotel - the bridge is where Michael Jackson had a residence. The Atlantis resort hotel - the bridge is where Michael Jackson had a residence.	The Atlantis resort hotel - the bridge is where Michael Jackson had a residence. The Atlantis resort hotel - the bridge is where Michael Jackson had a residence.	A Mayan ruin water slide - you plunge down the pyramid, shoot through a tube in a pool full of sharks, and get dumped out at the other end. A Mayan ruin water slide - you plunge down the pyramid, shoot through a tube in a pool full of sharks, and get dumped out at the other end.
Sharks in the water slide tank. Sharks in the water slide tank.	Sleeping sharks - well past their bedtime at 10pm. Sleeping sharks - well past their bedtime at 10pm.	Nope, he's awake! Nope, he's awake!	Another view of the Atlantis resort by night. Another view of the Atlantis resort by night.	The underground aquarium viewed from above. The underground aquarium viewed from above.
The Speeding tikit gets ready to explore the Bahamas. The Speeding tikit gets ready to explore the Bahamas.	Hilge relaxing on the porch as the Speeding tikit comes to life. Hilge relaxing on the porch as the Speeding tikit comes to life.	Hilge prepares to assemble her green New World Tourist. Hilge prepares to assemble her green New World Tourist.	Easy does it. One thing at a time. Easy does it. One thing at a time.	This one fitted very nicely into the old Carlton suitcase. This one fitted very nicely into the old Carlton suitcase.
The view from our Club Land' Or timeshare villa - a somewhat worn and dated establishment but unpretentiously low key as a result. The view from our Club Land' Or timeshare villa - a somewhat worn and dated establishment but unpretentiously low key as a result.	I rolled the semi-clothed tikit though the Atlantis lobby, casino and out to the resort grounds. I rolled the semi-clothed tikit though the Atlantis lobby, casino and out to the resort grounds.	I geuss those bikes are more suited to the terrain. Being careful to keep the Speeding tikit out of the sand. I geuss those bikes are more suited to the terrain. Being careful to keep the Speeding tikit out of the sand.	Locking up the Speeding tikit away from the beach. Locking up the Speeding tikit away from the beach.	The structure in the background carries funsters in rubber rafts up to a height then lets them yee-hah down slides into a pool below. The structure in the background carries funsters in rubber rafts up to a height then lets them yee-hah down slides into a pool below.
Managing to snatch a bit of reading. Managing to snatch a bit of reading.	There are warning, danger, and other authoritative signs on rocks, beach entrances, bar areas ... this is, after all, a completely manufactured environment. There are warning, danger, and other authoritative signs on rocks, beach entrances, bar areas ... this is, after all, a completely manufactured environment.	Baby manta rays in a pool. Baby manta rays in a pool.	Like autumn leaves! Baby manta rays. Like autumn leaves! Baby manta rays.	I was clearly captivated by these amazing little baby manta rays. I was clearly captivated by these amazing little baby manta rays.
There's no place a tikit can't go! There's no place a tikit can't go!	I'll have to add this to my "tikit visits Prada" multimedia. I'll have to add this to my "tikit visits Prada" multimedia.	The view from the Paradise Island Eastern bridge heading over to Nassau. The view from the Paradise Island Eastern bridge heading over to Nassau.	Hilge needs a bit of air in that back tire - we forgot to top it up after getting it out of the suitcase! Hilge needs a bit of air in that back tire - we forgot to top it up after getting it out of the suitcase!	Mural on entering downtown Nassau. Mural on entering downtown Nassau.
Pink is the new pink! Downtown Nassau. Pink is the new pink! Downtown Nassau.	The view from the Western bridge heading back to Paradise Island. The Atlantis Resort rises up like a salmon sphinx ... The view from the Western bridge heading back to Paradise Island. The Atlantis Resort rises up like a salmon sphinx ...	Close up of the approach to Paradise Island. Close up of the approach to Paradise Island.	Hilge brings up the rear ... Hilge brings up the rear ...	Heading off to The Cove, an exclusive part of the Atlantis resort Heading off to The Cove, an exclusive part of the Atlantis resort
The Atlantas resort and two Bike Friday adventurettes The Atlantas resort and two Bike Friday adventurettes	The Cove's Dolphin frolic, seen from the cheap seats. The Cove's Dolphin frolic, seen from the cheap seats.	The Cove's Dolphin frolic, seen from the cheap seats. The Cove's Dolphin frolic, seen from the cheap seats.	A great backdrop for a pink-is-the-new-black Speeding tikit A great backdrop for a pink-is-the-new-black Speeding tikit	One of the few cyclists seen on the island - a policeman. One of the few cyclists seen on the island - a policeman.
3pm, when school's out, is chaos hour on the roads - a brief moment when the main drag of Nassau isn't choked by cars. 3pm, when school's out, is chaos hour on the roads - a brief moment when the main drag of Nassau isn't choked by cars.	The Bahama Celebration is another way to get from Fort Lauderdale to Nassau - $300 round trip. The Bahama Celebration is another way to get from Fort Lauderdale to Nassau - $300 round trip.	Wood carvers in downtown Nassau. Wood carvers in downtown Nassau.	Conch remains piled up behind the fish fty merchants of Arawak Cay outside Nassau Conch remains piled up behind the fish fty merchants of Arawak Cay outside Nassau	Ex conch - the animal features in every seafood menu on the island Ex conch - the animal features in every seafood menu on the island
A conch fisherman perparing his catch of the day. A conch fisherman perparing his catch of the day.	"I like to see animals alive!" admonished Hilge. "Um, maybe you'd better not eat ham then," I added, remembering the delectable sandwich Hilge prepared a few hours earlier. "I like to see animals alive!" admonished Hilge. "Um, maybe you'd better not eat ham then," I added, remembering the delectable sandwich Hilge prepared a few hours earlier.	Arawak Cay, a couple of miles west of Nassau, is Ffsh fry central. Arawak Cay, a couple of miles west of Nassau, is Ffsh fry central.	It's actually cracked conch central too ... It's actually cracked conch central too ...	Hilge at Arawak Cay. She doesn't eat any of the local food as she brings her own. Hilge at Arawak Cay. She doesn't eat any of the local food as she brings her own.
Jockey with the traffic in Nassau is really no different from riding in NYC. Jockey with the traffic in Nassau is really no different from riding in NYC.	Checking out the resorts at Cable Beach on a Friday Checking out the resorts at Cable Beach on a Friday	Parking the Fridays at the fancy Sheraton Cable Beach Parking the Fridays at the fancy Sheraton Cable Beach	The blue cement lagoon at the Sheraton is um, probably low maintenance. The blue cement lagoon at the Sheraton is um, probably low maintenance.	I decided to stimulate the local economy and order a $10 conch salad. It's basically a bland cerviche.The Giro helmet sympathizes with the bivalve creature. I decided to stimulate the local economy and order a $10 conch salad. It's basically a bland cerviche.The Giro helmet sympathizes with the bivalve creature.
A sunset on the way back to Paradise Island A sunset on the way back to Paradise Island	My Traffic Cone Bag made me feel safe riding in the frenetic traffic at dusk in Nassau My Traffic Cone Bag made me feel safe riding in the frenetic traffic at dusk in Nassau	Happy hour at Club Land'Or - two pina coladas for under $8 and I confess they barely touched the sides. Happy hour at Club Land'Or - two pina coladas for under $8 and I confess they barely touched the sides.	The bartender made them less strong but adding apple juice. This teetotaller sure felt mellow after! The bartender made them less strong but adding apple juice. This teetotaller sure felt mellow after!	Night time view from the balcony of Club Land'Or Night time view from the balcony of Club Land'Or
Local color. Gosh, that's a cliche of a caption but I couldn't think of anything else. Local color. Gosh, that's a cliche of a caption but I couldn't think of anything else.	The Atlantis resort convention center. Decor the usual corporate, thousand island dressing flavor. The Atlantis resort convention center. Decor the usual corporate, thousand island dressing flavor.	Atlantis resort convention center. Atlantis resort convention center.	When posters like this are plopped around the shopping mall you know you're somewhere fancy, right? When posters like this are plopped around the shopping mall you know you're somewhere fancy, right?	Sticker shock best demonstrated at the resort's Asian restaurant - $33 Pad Thai? Sticker shock best demonstrated at the resort's Asian restaurant - $33 Pad Thai?
Bahamian breakfast - steamed tuna and frieed potatoes. Resembles canned tuna with diced peppers and tomato sauce. Bahamian breakfast - steamed tuna and frieed potatoes. Resembles canned tuna with diced peppers and tomato sauce.	Hilge hits the hammock, the Friday hits the hedge ... Hilge hits the hammock, the Friday hits the hedge ...	"The Cloisters", a Versaiiles-style garden owned by the One and Only Hotel, Paradise Island "The Cloisters", a Versaiiles-style garden owned by the One and Only Hotel, Paradise Island	Looking across the road from the Cloisters Garden, Paradise Island. Looking across the road from the Cloisters Garden, Paradise Island.	Atlantis beach, deckchair supplied Atlantis beach, deckchair supplied
Catching up on my required reading as a newly qualifed yoga teacher - Yoga Journal. Catching up on my required reading as a newly qualifed yoga teacher - Yoga Journal.	One of the many bath-temperature cascading pools at Atlantis One of the many bath-temperature cascading pools at Atlantis	Moray eels play hid and seek in the urns at the Atlantis aquarium Moray eels play hid and seek in the urns at the Atlantis aquarium	Moray eels cavorting among the urns - Atlantis aquarium Moray eels cavorting among the urns - Atlantis aquarium	This and subsequent shots from the Atlantis aquarium This and subsequent shots from the Atlantis aquarium
Atlantis aquarium Atlantis aquarium	Atlantis aquarium - a cool school! Atlantis aquarium - a cool school!	Atlantis aquarium Atlantis aquarium	Atlantis aquarium Atlantis aquarium	Hilge communes with a curious creature through 6" thick glass Hilge communes with a curious creature through 6" thick glass
Spotted eagle ray Spotted eagle ray

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STORY: Bahamas on a Friday