Jeff
Sunday August 24th 2008, Atlantis Resort, Nassau

This image was captured in an exhibit featuring predatory species. Observers walk through a glass tunnel that affords some very interesting perspectives on the world.

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Jeff
Sunday August 24th 2008, Atlantis Resort

How this for a grouper close up?

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Jeff
Sunday August 24th 2008, Atlantis Resort, Nassau

This image is looking through the large window pictured in the last post.

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Jeff
Sunday August 24th 2008, Atlantis Resort, Nassau

Initially Atlantis reminded me of the typical Las Vegas Resort, but the aquariums and exhibits are beyond anything I have experienced in Vegas. "The Dig" resembles a movie set from a motion picture about the lost city of Atlantis. The entire exhibit weaves through dimly lit passage ways that open up to view various tanks. In the image included, Anne is standing before a window into the largest aquarium. This tank hosts many species of aquatic life and there are multitudes of windows into this tank. Some meeting rooms and dining rooms are surrounded on two or three sides by windows into the aquarium. Other than an obnoxious soundtrack and the gift shop stuck in the middle of the exhibit the experience is amazing.

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Jeff
Saturday August 23rd 2008, Atlantis Resort, Nassau

We spent the remaining day light sprinting from one water slide to the next in Atlantis' huge water park. After showers in the captain's lounge we returned to the casino to allow Anne to feed her first slot machine. No big winners so we migrated down to the pizza shop and purchased a delicious pie.

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Jeff
Saturday August 23rd 2008, Nassau

We were the smallest boat in the basin by a factor of two (read the next larger vessel was at least 70 feet). Most vessels in the basin were 100+ foot motor yachts with attending crew. The 30 foot skiff seen on the far left is a tender towed by the dark blue motor vessel to its left.
Along with access to the resort the dock fee includes access to the captains lounge, daily paper delivery to the boat, room service on the boat, and available spa treatments on your boat. If you hail the marina office the dock hands will meet you at your boat and drive you to other destinations in the resort via golf cart. Toto, we were definitely not in Kansas anymore.

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Jeff
Saturday August 23rd 2008, Nassau

Following the recommendations of guide books and fellow travelers we elected to front the big money and go highbrow during our Nassau layover. Arriving in a driving midday rain, we took a berth at the Atlantis Resort on Paradise Island. The dock fee of $3/foot with a minimum length of 40 feet was a bit beyond our typical budget, but the dockage included access to the resort's water park and numerous aquatic exhibits. Access to these attractions costs $30 per person for non resort gusts, but is fee for marina guests.

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Jeff
Friday August 22nd 2008, Exumas

After fueling up and some additional internet time, we managed a noon departure from the anchorage just off Thunderball Grotto. This departure allowed us to take full advantage of the ebbing tide when entering Exuma Sound. We spend the day racing against sunset and dodging thunderstorms enroute to Highborne Cay. We entered the cut at Highborne just as the sunset. We anchored on the sound side of Highborne. In the days fading light, we folded up and secured Origami on deck in preparation for the longer crossings that will deliver us back to the United States: Highborne to Nassau - Nassau to Chub - Chub to Bimini - Bimini to Miami. With any luck the next time Origami hits the water we will be back in the US.

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Jeff
Thursday August 21st 2008, Exumas

We got an early start to catch the low, slack tide in Adderly Cut (see image). The spire just behind Anne is the traditional form of navigational aid for these waters. During the salt trade in the 1600's fires would be build at the base of these spires to inform passing ships that this was a safe harbor with salt available for trade. Pirates and scavengers would build false beacons to lure unwary vessels into shoals Once grounded the hapless vessels were easy prey. The spires remain and we have yet to encounter any nasty pirates. We have encountered numerous wana-be pirates that are eager to share rum and stories.
During the day the winds were fickle and ultimately died. Passing in at Farmer's Cay, we found the banks side no more hospitable for sailing than the sound. Ultimately we ended up motoring the final 10NM into Staniel Cay.
The day may well prove to be the hottest day of our journeys. Any cooling breeze from our stern was neutralized by our forward speed and no clouds broached the banks to cast a cooling shadow. We hope that kinder winds prevail for the remainer of our journey north.
One bit of good fortune - entering Staniel Cay anchorage we did recognize Marion J and Karana from our time in the Abacos. We spend a couple hours catching up over cold beers at the SCYC.

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Jeff
Wednesday August 20th 2008, Lee Stocking Island

The winds out of Georgetown died as we reached the Sound. We anchored off of the Caribbean Marine Research Center at Lee Stocking Island. NCOBS Sea Kayak Staff know this area well and will recognize the image included of "tug & barge rocks". It is very odd to be in this area in a vessel other than a sea kayak. I am amazed how different everything looks being 7 feet above the water in the sailboat rather than two feet in a sea kayak.

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