Back to reality

I am trying to adjust to real life...with a job..and 2 kids...and chores...and no fruity drinks on demand. 

But, we had so much fun on our trip!  Paul said we need to stay longer next time- I agree.  I missed the kids, but man it was soooo nice to just relax, have no schedule, sleep in....we are going to need to do this more often.

We got to our hotel at about 4:30 on Friday and immediately went to the beach.

The view from our room

They told us that all the restaurants were booked for the night, but if you know my husband, you know that he doesn't take no for an answer.  We stayed at the RIU (in Paradise Island, Bahamas for those who didn't know that's where we went), and it is all-inclusive.  There are 4 restaurants that require reservations and then a buffet that is open everyday.  We just showed up at the Japanese restaurant the first night and waited for an opening, and we got in.  All of the food there was just alright, but it was nice that it was all included in the price.

Breakfast from the buffet

Our routine was pretty much wake up, eat breakfast, come back to the room to change and head to the beach.  We would stay out there a while, and then come back to the room, take showers, eat dinner, then either just relax or go explore.

Most of these pictures are awkward solo pics or selfies.  I occasionally asked someone to take our picture.

This view did not get old.

We decided to do a snorkel trip on Sunday.  I will say I was a little disappointed in the trip.  We did one in Aruba that was awesome.  It was super relaxed.  We literally walked out of our hotel to the beach where they picked us up, we saw lots of cool fish, and we were able to just chill on the boat.  This one was very different.  First of all we had to take a bus to the sight which took an HOUR to get there.  We learned that our hotel was always the first pick up and last drop off, which was rather annoying.  So, we had to pick a bunch of people up, and we thought we were never going to get there.  When we finally got there, we were packed like sardines on the boat, so there was no relaxing on the ride.  I also got sick, because it was so rough at places.  BUT, I did get in the water with sharks which is something I NEVER thought I would do.  I even laughed when they said they were taking us to a shark place like, "yea, ok".  Once we were there I just felt like I needed to do it.  They placed the bait box about 20 feet below us, and we all got in and held a rope looking down at the sharks.  There were about 4 or 5 circling the bait.  It was crazy.  After we got back on the boat, the captain lifted the bait box for everyone who didn't get in the water to see the sharks.  They all started swimming right around the boat. It was a really cool experience.

Fun fact: this is actually where they filmed "Flipper".

Yes, they were RIGHT there.

And, they weren't small. I think I lost my mind.

Our last night we went to dinner where we met our friends, Tastey and V (Orange is the New Black, anyone?). Seriously, Paul is the one who pointed it out to me, and he hit the nail on the head.  I didn't realize that "Tastey" was a woman until "V" kept referring to her as she....but anyway...they told us that the Aquarium at Atlantis was free after 6pm.  Our hotel was right next door to Atlantis, so we decided to check it out.  It was so cool.  It was like walking through a dark cave with fish tanks lit up all around.  We decided that we really need to take the kids back there sometime, because they would LOVE it.  After wandering around the aquarium and walking all around Atlantis we decided to check out the casino.  AND, we won some dolla dolla bills y'all.  I'm not talking thousands, but we basically won enough to cover all of our "extra" expenses on the trip.  We mainly played black jack and a few slot machines.  All of my practice growing up at Geno's house paid off.  We both hit black jack on the same hand one time.  And for the record, I won the most money.  Paul actually had to "borrow" from my stack a couple of times.  I also was the voice of reason of let's quit while we are ahead.

Anyone spot Tastey and V behind us??

That is Atlantis behind me.  It's huge!

Our flight didn't leave until 2:30 on Monday, so we headed to the beach in the morning to soak up our last few hours there.  So long Paradise, until next time!