JB doesn't drive. She does however, love to travel. Bill wanted to get her something special for her 16th birthday, and since she didn't want (or need) a car, she asked for a trip to the resort
ATLANTIS in the Bahamas.
Bill travels. He travels A LOT. We didn't know it before we arrived, but the Atlantis Resort is actually a Marriott property. So, when Bill went to check in, there was a long line of people waiting for their rooms to be ready. When they saw he was one of their loyal customers, they gave us the VIP treatment. Instead of checking in at the regular lobby, they took us to a fancy office where there was no waiting in line. They upgraded our room, gave us coupons for free water bottles for each day we would be there, as well as discounts on dining and shopping. Then, instead of just telling us where our room was, our hotel clerk WALKED us to our door, and made sure we were satisfied with our accommodations.
View from our room day...
...and night
The Atlantis heavily advertises their many water slides, and the BIG one is called Leap of Faith. it is a 60 ft vertical drop through a tube that goes through a shark tank. On our first day, we took a good look at it, but choose to ride the other water slides/tube rides instead.
The morning of our second day, we ate breakfast next to a shark pool, then participated in a sea lion experience. They really are just silly water dogs.
We had lunch, then decided to take our leap of faith....
YES. We ALL did it. Bill went first, but when he got nervous, I started to freak out a little. JB just jumped in, had no trouble whatsoever. Me, I went last. Terrified. The young man running the ride told me (while I was standing there shaking) to hold my breath while he counted to 10. I did it. Then he said (cue HEAVY Jamaican accent)
"See mon, you ha' no problem. Dis ride only 8 seconds long. Off wid you now." And I went.
Bill and JB did it again. I did not. But I probably would if we ever go back. Maybe.
Atlantis also has a lot of aquariums and sea life to look at.
We really did have a great time.
But then...
On the last day, toward the evening, we decided to make one more run when JB got upended in the lazy river, which really wasn't that lazy. We were in a fast moving rapid section, and her tube flipped, knocking her upside down into the water. She didn't come up right away, so Bill jumped in to grab her. I thought he lifted her out, but they both say that she made it over to the side wall before he actually got to her. She didn't hit her head, but somehow managed to sand off a large portion of her hair. She also sanded both feet, her knees, wrists, and portions of her hands. We got her to the first aid station and they basically just gave her some band aids and told her to stay out of the water. Since our return, her right foot has developed a few complications We have seen the doctor twice, and now she is on antibiotics and it is finally showing some signs of improvement.
Leaving scars, and making memories.
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