Monday, January 24, 2011

90 DAYS TO GO . . .

     SUNDAY JANUARY 23, 2011

     IN HONOR OF ALL THOSE TREKKING TO CHICAGO AND PITTSBURGH ON CHAMPIONSHIP SUNDAY I THOUGHT I WOULD LOOK INTO SHORE EXCURSIONS, OR AS DISNEY CALLS THEM, PORT ADVENTURES.  THERE ARE GREAT MANY OF THEM TO CONSIDER, SO I'LL JUST LOOK AT WHAT'S AVAILABLE IN OUR DESTINATIONS; NASSAU, BAHAMAS AND DISNEY'S CASTAWAY CAY.
     THE ARDASTRA GARDENS AND CITY TOUR INCLUDES THE GARDENS, ZOO AND CONSERVATION CENTRE, FAMOUS FOR ITS MARCHING CARIBBEAN FLAMINGOS (WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=GUU6YXXXLDU).  IT'S A FAIR AMOUNT OF WALKING THROUGH THE GARDENS AND ZOO, BUT KIDS WILL LOVE THE BIRDS AND ANIMALS.  THE CITY TOUR IS IN AN AIR CONDITIONED VAN INCLUDING SODA AND SNACKS.  WITH A GOOD TOUR GUIDE THIS CAN BE REALLY ENJOYABLE, BUT ONE YOU COULD DO ON YOUR OWN WITH A TAXI.
     THE ATLANTIS BEACH DAY ON PARADISE ISLAND INCLUDES YOUR BUS RIDE TO AND FROM PARADISE ISLAND AND YOUR MEAL AND BEVERAGE COUPON.  YOU GET A RESERVED SPOT ON THE BEACH COMPLETE WITH CHAIR WITH UMBRELLA AND TOWEL.  YOU CAN ALSO EXPLORE THE ATLANTIS RESORT'S CASINO, SHOPS, AND AQUARIUM, BUT THE POOLS AND WATER PARK ARE NOT INCLUDED.
     BLACKBEARD'S CAY BEACH & STINGRAY ADVENTURE (WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=FDKREKA3BRW) INCLUDES YOUR BOAT RIDE THROUGH NASSAU HARBOR TO A PRIVATE ISLAND TO SNORKEL WITH STINGRAYS, RELAX ON THE BEACH, AND A LUNCH BUFFET.  SNORKEL EQUIPMENT AND FOOD TO FEED THE STINGRAYS IS INCLUDED.  TIME WITH THE STINGRAYS CAN BE SHORT, BUT THE AREA IS BEAUTIFUL.
     CARIBBEAN QUEEN SNORKEL TOUR OFFERS SIGHTSEEING BY BOAT ON THE WAY TO THE ISLAND.  EQUIPMENT AND INSTRUCTION IS PROVIDED.  MOST LOVE THE SNORKELING AND THE AREA AND HOW HELPFUL THE STAFF IS.
     CATAMARAN SAIL & REEF SNORKELING (WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=XB85F2UT03A) IS ON A 65 FT CATAMARAN WITH A LARGE SUNDECK AND SHADED LOUNGE DECK.  A BRIEF TOUR OF THE HARBOR, EQUIPMENT, DRINKS, AND SNACKS ARE PROVIDED.  VIEWS ARE SPECTACULAR BUT THE WATER IS DEEPER FOR THOSE FAINT OF HEART.
     DISCOVER ATLANTIS INCLUDES A BUS RIDE TO AND FROM ATLANTIS RESORT, A BRIEF TOUR OF NASSAU HARBOR, AND A TOUR OF THE RESORT AND AQUARIUM.  THERE IS FREE TIME TO SHOP AS WELL.  SOME FEEL THE TOUR LACKED GUIDANCE, WHILE OTHERS THINK IT'S THE GREATEST.  YOU WILL SPEND THE ENTIRE TIME WALKING, SO BE PREPARED FOR IT.
     NASSAU HARBOR CRUISE RIDES THROUGH NASSAU HARBOR AND AROUND PARADISE ISLAND ON A CATAMARAN.  THIS IS A COMFORTABLE AND RELAXING TOUR WITH ISLAND  MUSIC PLAYED IN THE BACKGROUND DURING, BUT NO RESTROOMS ON BOARD.
     BLUE LAGOON ISLAND DOLPHIN ENCOUNTER (WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=AJWSFLKZAY) IS BY FAR THE MOST POPULAR EXCURSION AND SELLS OUT QUICKLY.  WHO WOULDN'T WANT THE CHANCE TO PLAY WITH A DOLPHIN?  GUESTS STAND ON A PLATFORM A FEW FEET DEEP IN THE WATER TO INTERACT WITH THE DOLPHINS.  IT INCLUDES A FERRY TRIP TO BLUE LAGOON ISLAND (SALT CAY) WITH A CALYPSO BAND, COMPLIMENTARY LOCKERS AND CHANGING ROOMS, AS WELL AS WETSUITS WHEN NEEDED.  YOU CAN PURCHASE PICTURES, PACKAGES, MOVIES AND FOOD AND BEVERAGES WHILE THERE.  THERE IS SPACE TO SWIM, PLAY AND SUNBATHE AS WELL SO THEY ALSO OFFER AN OBSERVER PACKAGE THAT HAS ALL THE BENEFITS WITHOUT DOLPHIN INTERACTION.  INDIVIDUAL TIME WITH THE DOLPHINS IS SHORT, BUT MOST LOVE IT.
     BLUE LAGOON DOLPHIN SWIM (WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/?V=8BEV2SQRNSY) INCLUDES ALL OF THE ABOVE EXCEPT YOU ALSO GET THE CHANCE TO "SWIM" ACROSS THE LAGOON AS A DOLPHIN PROPELS YOU FORWARD BY PUSHING YOUR FEET!
     ATLANTIS RESORT OCEAN CLUB GOLF COURSE IS A CHAMPIONSHIP, TOM WISSKOPF-DESIGNED COURSE AND HOME TO THE MICHAEL JORDAN CELEBRITY INVITATIONAL.  AN 18 HOLE DAY INCLUDES TRANSPORTATION, GREENS FEES, SHARED CART, CLUBS AND SHOES.  PRICEY, BUT IF YOU'RE A GOLFER THIS MAY BE FOR YOU.
     SCUBA DIVE AT STUART COVE (WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=KC2V6FDREAA) IS FOR CERTIFIED SCUBA DIVERS.  IT INCLUDES REGULATOR, TANK, WEIGHT BELT, BUOYANCY CONTROL DEVICE, MASK, SNORKEL AND FINS.  WET SUITS ARE EXTRA.  SEAS CAN BE ROUGH AND YOU'RE ONLY ABLE TO DIVE 10-15 FT DEEP, BUT THE WATERS ARE CRYSTALLINE.
     ATLANTIS AQUAVENTURE (WWW.ATLANTIS.COM/THINGSTODO/WATERPARK.ASPX) INCLUDES BUS RIDE TO AND FROM PARADISE ISLAND, USE OF THE BEACHES, ADMISSION TO THE AQUARIUM AND THE 141-ACRE WATER PARK.  YOU MUST BE 48" TALL FOR ANY OF THE 9 WATER SLIDES, BUT THE REVIEWS OF THIS PARK ARE PHENOMENAL.  JET PROPELLED LAZY RIVERS, TUNNELED SLIDES, SLIDING THROUGH SHARK TANKS, IT'S ALL HERE.  I'M SERIOUSLY CONSIDERING THIS ONE WITH AN 8 YR OLD THRILL SEEKER.
     ATLANTIS DOLPHIN CAY & AQUAVENTURE (WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=T_KPINR5TWI) INCLUDES THE WATER PARK AND DOLPHIN INTERACTION.  A BIG DAY, AND PRICEY, BUT IF YOU CAN AFFORD IT, HOW MANY CAN SAY THEY DID ALL THAT IN A DAY?
     DOLPHIN TRAINER FOR A DAY IN NASSAU IS REALLY EXPENSIVE BUT INCLUDES YOUR RIDE TO AND FROM TO ATLANTIS, INSTRUCTION ON CARE AND FEEDING OF DOLPHINS, LUNCH WITH A MARINE MAMMAL SPECIALIST, MEET THE SEA LIONS, ALL NECESSARY GEAR, HANDS-ON INTERACTION WITH THE DOLPHINS AND A POWER SCOOTER TO RIDE ALONG SIDE THEM.
     SUNSHINE GLASS BOTTOM BOAT TOUR (WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=JBHAK2NKN_A) IS A 70 FT GLASS BOTTOMED BOAT WITH A SUNDECK, COVERED DECK, RESTROOM AND CASH BAR.  YOU CRUISE NASSAU HARBOR, THE CORAL REEFS AND A SUNKEN SHIP WRECK.  KIDS TEND TO LIKE IT, BUT ADULTS SAY THE VIEW ISN'T THAT GOOD AND YOU HAVE TO STAND TO SEE.
     BLUE LAGOON SEA LION ENCOUNTER (WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=Q2GDJZ9TRGS) INCLUDES A HIGH SPEED DOUBLE DECKER CATAMARAN RIDE THROUGH NASSAU HARBOR TO BLUE LAGOON ISLAND WHERE YOU'LL GET IN WAIST DEEP WATER TO INTERACT, LEARN, FEED, COMMUNICATE AND PLAY WITH SEA LIONS.
     NASSAU FORTS AND JUNKANOO DISCOVERY IS A CULTURAL HIGHLIGHTS TOUR OF NASSAU.  IT USES AN AIR-CONDITIONED VAN BUT INCLUDES A LOT OF WALKING TO NASSAU'S MOST FAMOUS SPOTS.  YOU CAN PROBABLY DO THIS YOURSELF WALKING OR BY TAXI, BUT HERE IT'S ALL ARRANGED.
     SEE AND SEA ISLAND TOUR (WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=NW1C5WJOGAK) IS A SEALIFE VIEWING TOUR ON A SEMI-SUBMERSIBLE SUB, CALLED THE SEAWORLD EXPLORER, MUCH LIKE THE 20,000 LEAGUES UNDER THE SEA RIDE DISNEY WORLD USED TO HAVE.  FAIRLY NEW AND PROMISES TO BE A LOT LIKE SCUBA DIVING WITHOUT GETTING WET.
     BLUE LAGOON ISLAND BEACH DAY INCLUDES A CATAMARAN RIDE TO BLUE LAGOON ISLAND FOR A DAY OF FUN AND RELAXATION ON THIS PRIVATE ISLAND.  BEACH GAMES AND SPORTS AND LIGHT LUNCH AND BEVERAGES ARE PROVIDED WITH MORE AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE. 
     GRAYCLIFF ESCAPE NASSAU TAKES PLACE AT THE GRAYCLIFF, NASSAU'S FIVE-STAR DELUXE HOTEL.  IT INCLUDES TRANSPORTATION TO AND FROM, A TOUR OF THE PROPERTY ENDING AT THEIR BEAUTIFUL GARDEN AND POOLS, BEVERAGES AND FULL LUNCH, WITH MASSAGES, WINES AND CIGARS AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE.
     GRAYCLIFF HOTEL CIGAR AND RUM EXPERIENCE (WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=JSUQEIWLWDW)  INCLUDES YOUR TRANSPORTATION TO AND FROM, A LESSON FROM A MASTER CIGAR ROLLER ON SORTING, CLEANING AND ROLLING YOUR OWN CIGAR, A LESSON ON RUM APPRECIATION, YOUR OWN ROLLED CIGAR AND CUTTER.

IN CASTAWAY CAY:
    
     SNORKEL  EQUIPMENT IS AVAILABLE FOR A FULL DAY RENTAL OF MASK, FINS, SNORKEL AND LIGHT FLOTATION VEST TO USE IN DISNEY'S 12-ACRE SNORKELING LAGOON.  DISNEY HAS TRAILS DESIGNED FOR BEGINNERS OR MORE EXPERIENCED SNORKELERS MAPPED OUT.  IF YOU OWN YOUR OWN OR BUY THEM CHEAP AND BRING THEM IT MAY BE A BETTER VALUE.  OR RENT ONE SET AND SHARE FOR THE DAY.
     FLOAT/TUBE RENTALS ARE AVAILABLE FOR THE DAY FOR ADULTS & KIDS ALIKE.
     BICYCLE RENTALS ARE AVAILABLE BY THE HOUR WITH TRAINING WHEELS, CHILD SEATS, AND HELMETS AVAILABLE AS WELL.  MOST FEEL THIS IS A GREAT VALUE AND THE BEST WAY TO SEE THE WHOLE ISLAND.
     CASTAWAY CAY GETAWAY PACKAGE (WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=NU04B6C4GEQ) INCLUDES YOUR SNORKEL EQUIPMENT, FLOAT RENTAL, AND ONE HOUR BIKE RENTAL.  IT SAVES A FEW BUCKS BY DOING THE PACKAGE VS. INDIVIDUALLY AND COVERS ALL THE BASES.
     PARASAILING (WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=RPHQNH_1H2Q) IS AVAILABLE SOLO OR IN TANDEM.  YOU'RE AIRBORNE FOR 5-10 MINUTES WITH 600 FT OF ROPE BETWEEN YOU AND THE BOAT.  BRING A CAMERA AND YOU CAN GET SOME AMAZING SHOTS FROM ABOVE.
     CASTAWAY CAY ISLAND CRUISE IS A SCENIC CATAMARAN CRUISE ALL THE WAY AROUND CASTAWAY CAY.  YOU'LL LEARN ABOUT THE HISTORY, GEOGRAPHY, AND FUTURE PLANS AND ENJOY A COMPLIMENTARY BEVERAGE WITH SHADED AND UNSHADED SEATING AVAILABLE.
     CASTAWAY CAY BOTTOM FISHING INCLUDES TACKLE, BAIT AND BEVERAGES FOR A 2-3 HR CATCH AND RELEASE FISHING TRIP AROUND THE ABACO ISLANDS.  NOTE THERE IS NO RESTROOM ON BOARD.
     CASTAWAY RAY'S STINGRAY ADVENTURE (WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=R41YFEQYVFE) INCLUDES ALL SNORKEL EQUIPMENT, ORIENTATION ON STINGRAYS, TIME TO WADE IN TO TOUCH AND FEED THE STINGRAYS, THEN SNORKEL AMONG THEM FOR A BIRDSEYE VIEW.  THIS  HAS BECOME ONE OF THE MOST POPULAR AND ENJOYABLE EXCURSIONS THERE IS.
     GLASS BOTTOM BOAT SCENIC VOYAGE IS ON A 46 FT TRAWLER WITH A GLASS BOTTOM FOR AN HOUR LONG TOUR OF THE REEFS AROUND THE ISLAND.  REVIEWS ARE NOT VERY GOOD FOR THE CROWD, THE VIEWING, THE AMOUNT OF FISH, LIMITED SEATING.  LITTLE ONES MAY ENJOY IT.
     WATERCRAFT SKI ADVENTURE IS A GUIDED ONE HOUR JET SKI TOUR AROUND THE ISLAND.  GREAT FUN FOR THE ADVENTURE SEEKER WITH GOOD PHOTO OPS AS WELL.
     SEAHORSE CATAMARAN SNORKEL ADVENTURE TAKES YOU ON A 63 FT CATAMARAN TO A PRIME SNORKELING AREA WITH EQUIPMENT AND INSTRUCTION PROVIDED.  PROBABLY BEST FOR MORE EXPERIENCED SNORKELERS.
     WALKING AND KAYAK NATURE ADVENTURES EXPLORES AREAS OF CASTAWAY CAY NORMALLY OFF LIMITS.  IT INCLUDES A NATURE HIKE TO YOUR KAYAK WHERE YOU TAKE A ONE HOUR TRIP THROUGH MANGROVES TO SWIM AT A DESERTED BEACH THEN A HIKE BACK.  YOU SHOULD PROBABLY BE INTO NATURE FOR THIS ONE.

     WELL THAT ABOUT COVERS THAT.  AS YOU CAN SEE, IN THESE TWO SPOTS ALONE THERE ARE TONS OF CHOICES, SO CHECK YOUR BUDGET, YOUR TIME, AND YOUR COMPANY AND SEE WHAT BEST SUITS YOU.  MAYBE WE'LL SEE YOU ON THE WATER SLIDE?!  SEE YA REAL SOON.  ºOº

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