The casinos, especially at the Atlantis, are the reason why my Dad is so enchanted with the Bahamas. Because he takes his gambling seriously, everything is comped and we are treated like royalty. I am not used to this kind of traveling, so I made sure to appreciate (and indulge) in every single second of the trip.
My Dad’s game is craps and he always wins. I know that seems impossible, however the man is blessed with lady luck when it comes to dice. I also think that he is as successful as he is, because he only gambles a couple times a year and he knows when to walk away. While my Dad went straight to the tables, my brother and I decided to go for a walk around the Atlantis’ massive grounds. The following photos are from our walk:
Sadly during our walk we discovered that our favorite beach had disappeared several months ago due to changes in the environment. This news broke both of our hearts and we decided to sit down near where the beach used to be and reminisce about all of the special memories we both had there. Here are two pictures that I had taken of the beach on my last trip to Paradise Island in 2007 (excuse the quality of the pictures, as they were taken with an underwater disposable camera):
Then it was time to get ready for dinner at one of our favorite restaurant’s not only at the Atlantis, but around the world, Nobu.
After dinner, my Dad returned to the tables. Since the table minimum was $25, we decided to people watch instead of play. Imagine my brother’s surprise when he spotted one of his idol’s, Yankee pitcher A.J. Burnett. My brother asked him if he could take a picture with him and he said yes, although only if we helped him find his ‘lucky bracelet.’ We looked for a good ten minutes without any luck. Finally, A.J. mumbled to my brother as he visibly walked away upset, “Kid this is why I only stick to online slot machines.” We were not quite sure what that meant, but it was definitely an interesting start to our trip!
What a way to travel!!
Yes, total luxury!!!
These pictures are GORGEOUS!
Thank you!!!!!!
your post made me miss Resorts World Manila… i miss playing slot machines… i vowed not to go back a couple of days ago after losing some $$$ … though i hate to admit that it’s really fun and exciting… especially after seeing someone win $12000 in slots… wish i was that lucky…
I used to love playing blackjack, but now that they’ve raised the table minimum in the Bahamas to $25 I don’t play anymore. I miss it though! Sure is a rush!!! Would be fun to gamble in Manila.
hmmm… arriving to the hotel in a limo? Yes, please!
Right!?! Ahhh, if only ALL of my travels were like that 😉
Black leather limos and beach views…makes me think I should pick up a deck of cards! Can i just pretend to be a serious big-wig gambler to get the perks…? sorry to hear about your fav beach 🙁
It still breaks my heart that the beach just vanished! They said it literally happened over night. What are we doing to our environment???
Listen get yourself a hot suit, throw back some shots, and go pretend to know what you’re doing! I’ll be your lady luck gladly. 😉
Honest to God, I had never ridden in a limo before until I went to the Bahamas last October. I love that that’s one of the main modes of transport to get around Nassau and Paradise Island. Then our limo blew a flat in the middle of nowhere and we were stranded 45 minutes from town and now I can precede my Bahamas stories with “before/after our limo blew a flat in the Bahamas” which sounds far more glamorous than it was.
I seriously can’t believe of all people that you only JUST rode in your 1st limo, how is that possible? Having said that, you and I both know that the best travel stories are when things go wrong LOL.
So, after watching Top Chef last night and seeing your pics today, I really think it’s time for me to go back to the Bahamas!
I’ll come with you!!! 🙂
Sounds like fun! Nobu is one of my fav restaurants too. The wagyu beef dumplings are insane! Sometimes they aren’t on the menu but if you ask for them they will make them for you!
I will let my bro know about them, as he eats meat and I don’t, I’m sure he’ll love them!!!
I’m SO glad you got to experience the luxurious side of travel with your family, Andi! I love traveling with my brothers and it sounds like your brother is the perfect companion too. 🙂
Oh my brother is the absolute best traveling companion! I found that out this past Summer in Europe!!! We had the BEST time together. I can’t wait to show him around Argentina in 2 months and then to visit him later in the year in Hong Kong!
Andi, as always traveling in style. The Atlantis looks great.
Awww, thank you sweetheart! The Atlantis is surely one-of-a-kind!
My parents love to gamble and their best friends are big time gamblers so they always get comped for stuff in Vegas, somehow I have never been able to coordinate a trip with them so I could take advantage too!
You MUST go, it’s a whole new level of luxury!
Your pictures are gorgeous! I can just close my eyes and pretend I am there right now 🙂 I just stopped over to you blog and glad I did! Have a great Friday and a wonderful time on vacay!
I’m glad you came over too! Welcome!!! I wish I could close my eyes and be there as well. Not on vacay anymore sadly. This was in January!
Looks amazing and definitely live it up- when in rome, right?!
When in rome! Love it!!!
Your brother looks like the younger, cleaned up version of AJ Burnett, how cool that he got to meet him.
Haha, I thought the same thing! My bro was a baseball pitcher too, until he had to have massive surgery on his elbow from overthrowing. He would have made it to the majors. Maybe if he had made it he would have looked like AJ? 😉
Sorry to hear that your favorite beach disappeared. That happens sometimes with shifting currents and water levels. I am confident that you found a new beach to play at.
I know it happens naturally, but this literally disappeared over night. The locals were in shock for days! That’s definitely not normal. And yes, we did find a new beach (but not as special as the old for sure).
Haha if only Vegas were half as pretty as the Bahamas! Although it’s my mom who gambles/gets the freebies; my dad doesn’t get it at ALL! I love Atlantis but haven’t been in years. Looks so fun!
Wish we could have my bachelorette party at the Atlantis!!! 😉
Love love love!! You definitely arrived in style to this beautiful paradise. Sorry to hear that your fav beach is gone, but it must have felt good to reminisce and think back on all of those memories spent on it. What a cool coincidence to bump into a celebrity as well, your brother must have been so excited.
Awww, thanks for such a great comment! It was such a sad moment. Imagine a place you had been going to for over a decade just GONE!!! What memories I have there though! I could seriously write a book just about my experiences there LOL. And yes, my bro was ELATED. For most of his life he wanted to be a pitcher for the Yanks, so it was a special moment for him.
Oh Andi I love your hair long! So pretty!
Thanks my darling love!!!
I have to say that I think the disposable camera pics look kind of cool and vintage style!
You are THE authority on all things photo related, so I’m gonna go with what you say!!! 🙂
Awesome pictures Andi… I love the splashing water in the background.. You look like Mariah Carey on that pic 🙂
Awww thank you what a great compliment!!! 🙂
WELL, I can see why you love the Bahamas so much, haha 😉 Fabulous!!
Haha, that’s the perfect word to describe the Bahamas: fabulous!
Love it!
Thanks!!!
One day I’ll know what it’s like to travel like that! It would be nice to do it once in a while, but not all the time. I think that I wouldn’t appreciate it as much if it was my normal way of traveling.
Agree 100%! Honestly, after a week I was done with it. I’m not saying it’s less of an authentic way to travel, but I was ready to get a little dirty again. 😉
Oh no, how awful about your favourite beach. 🙁 Sadly that’s the world we have right now. We have to love every moment and take in every piece of beauty today before it’s gone tomorrow.
But, wow, you guys in the Bahamas. This is so exciting. 😀 How nice aswell that your dad can travel with you guys before his daughter becomes a married woman and his son is on the other side of the world in Hong Kong.
You are SO right! It truly was a reminder to live presently, which is something I don’t do very well. I’m ALWAYS thinking about and looking forward to the future, when I should be enjoying the moment. It breaks my heart into a million pieces that our environment is being destroyed. And yes, this was SUCH a special trip for my Dad for those 2 reasons (I can’t believe you remember all of the details on my life, I’m touched!!!). XOXO
I wanta go!!!!!!!
You absolutely should!
Magnificent post, very informative. I wonder why I didn’t find your blog earlier. Great blog. Especially thank you for this entry – looking forward to next one.
Awww thank you so so so much!!!