Jeff
Sunday August 24th 2008, Nassau Harbor

We spent the morning sprinting through the Atlantis' aquariums and made the 11:00 check out time with minutes to spare. Despite the steep dockage fee, $130 for one night, we would entertain the idea of another visit. We left many water slides and exhibits untouched and left wanting to experience more of Atlantis' attractions.
The image is the view we faced as we began to exit the Nassau Harbor westward. The storm was all bark and no bite. Our 41NM passage to Chub Cay went smoothly and we were on the hook by nightfall.

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Jeff
Sunday August 24th 2008, Atlantis Resort, Nassau

Another atypical view from the predator exhibit.

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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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