The Fennels: Our Honeymoon! (Nassau)

Friday Morning:

We sailed into Nassau around 6:30 in the morning. It was so incredible to stand at our balcony and look at the city from the ocean's view.

Matt decided to pose like me, too.

Then, show off his yoga skills

Once we got off the ship, there were tour guides practically begging to show us around Nassau. We previously made arrangements through Atlantis to swim with dolphins at 9am, so my first priority was finding a reliable cab -- that would not abduct* us -- to take us to Atlantis.

*This was the first time we were going off somewhere without the help of Carnival. I didn't know how much we could trust locals. I've seen too many episodes of Criminal Minds and the movie "Taken" scared the shit out of me. Matt thought I was overreacting a little bit. Looking back, I'd have to agree.

We found a taxi VERY easily --- and before we knew it, we were on our way to Atlantis.

This was our cab driver. Yes, I sat up front with him. Yes, they drive on the opposite side.

I don't want to get abducted! EEEK!

Once we made it to Atlantis, our mouths dropped. It was beautiful. Here is some the of "beauitful-ness" I got on camera.

We walked around Atlantis for about thirty minutes before we headed over to the Dolphin Cay. For me, this was by far the most anticipated moment of our honeymoon. I could not wait to get in the water with the dolphins. Just like with the stingrays, I purchased two underwater disposable cameras to capture every moment....

BUT THEN---

Atlantis told us that cameras were not allowed.

WHAT!

Oh right, its Atlantis. Of course they had photographers and we had to purchase the pictures. Well I, being the untraveled, inexperienced woman that I am, left my Visa on the cruise ship. Thank God they put pictures online for us to purchase. But even after purchasing, I didn't get a digital copy of it. So I, being the ghetto rigged Rockford woman I am, took pictures of the pictures on the computer screen. HA!

Enjoy.

This was before Matt and I got in the water. Don't you love our wetsuits?

This is Kelly, our dolphin. She could high five, cork screw swim, jump and do flips, and she was so so so friendly!!! (I wanted to take her home and let her live in my tub!)

Matt wasn't even listening to the photographer. He was so amazed.

Kelly and Matthew Time:

Kelly and Jaclyn Time:

We spent about an hour and a half in the water with Kelly and it was worth every penny spent (and let me tell you -- it wasn't cheap) But would I spend the money and do it again?

Absolutely.

Friday Afternoon:

Because we were so burnt,

(Remember this?)

We decided to NOT go to the beach. Instead, we took a tour of Nassau. It was so much fun to learn about the culture, the city, the people, and shop along the streets.

Courthouse

Old Jail -- Now a Library

House

Police Department

Mansion

College

Market

Hospital

We learned so much about Nassau and really enjoyed the tour. At the markets, we were also able to get souvenirs for family, friends, and ourselves.

At one of the markets, Matt and I found a conk shell and starfish shell that we wanted for our upstairs beach themed bathroom. I asked the local woman how much she wanted for both.

She looked at me and said in her Caribbean accent,

"Normally these are 45 dollar, but for you, I will give it to you for thirty."

Thirty bucks? I thought. Not bad. I've spent more on shirts that I don't even wear.

So I bought them.

THEN --- We went back to the dock and saw other markets with conk shells and starfish shells for....... how much, you ask?

FIVE DOLLARS!

Can you say.... HUSTLED??

Yep, I was hustled in Nassau

Oh well, both shells sit pretty in my bathroom now. Even if they were thirty bucks. Pfff.

After we got back to the dock from our tour, we boarded our ship. It was a bitter sweet feeling knowing that this was our last stop but we also had three more days of time off together. We laid out and enjoyed our Miami Vices (half strawberry daiquiri and half pina colada) as our ship left Nassau and started on its way back to Miami.