Along the way…

This was one of our best vacations to date. I’d have to rate it up there with Bermuda only there was so much more to do.

In the “tropical” vacation category, we have been to Aruba, Costa Rica, Jamaica, Bahamas, and the Florida Keys (and other beaches in FL. I am not comparing this vacation to anything in Europe. That is in a category all its own:). We had a great time in all of these places but I just wasn’t ready to leave Atlantis (or Europe…we lived in Spain for 3 years).

Aruba was a nice time but it is more of a desert island with man made tropical resort beaches scattered about. The sand was like white powder and the water aqua blue. (No shells for my collection). Unfortunately the winds, while we were there, left you feeling like a breaded veal cutlet when the blowing sand stuck to your sunscreen protected skin. I am glad I got to go but it’s not on my list of places I want to see again. And sadly, I’m not sure I could look out at the beautiful ocean and not think about Natalie Holloway.

Costa Rica was awesome. Howler monkeys and dirt roads. Gorgeous beaches and fabulous shells. Great bang for your buck. I could see myself going there again. I enjoyed the different foods and great scenery. Safety was more of a concern there than some other places but we had no close calls. I wasn’t blogging in my Costa Rica days but that would have been a great entry with awesome photos and memories.

The same could be said for Jamaica. I am glad I went there but probably won’t return. We had a great time but there are too many other places I want to see. We stayed at a Sandals resort there.

We’ll return to Florida because of it’s close proximity and the ease with which we can escape winter but Atlantis was awesome. Was it because I won in the casino; or the temps were in the 80s all week; or the food was fabulous everywhere we ate; or the water was gorgeous; or the snorkeling was great? Was it because I was surrounded by my adult kids and there was something for everyone (toddlers on up)? Was it because everyone was friendly and the rooms were gorgeous? Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, and yes!

Was it expensive? Yes

Was it worth it? Yes 

There is too much to tell in one post. I’ll save some travel tips and great things to do for my next entry. Right now I am trying to recover from the depression of leaving and the exhaustion of unpacking.

If you have any immediate questions about Atlantis email me or leave me a comment. Check back later for more pictures and tales. (Photos courtesy of Jess and Helene as my camera fell in the Lazy River…my old point and shoot camera, whew!)