Finley got taken to the Pooch Pad on Monday evening before they closed, which he seemed a little unsure about. We got up bright and early on Tuesday morning (4:30am!) and were on the road to the airport before 5:00. We had no problems getting our bags checked and through security, and our flight to Fort Lauderdale was on time! We had a 2-hour layover there and got some lunch (pizza for Anna and Bob, and a meatball sub for Erin and me) and took it on to the plane to Nassau. Between eating and filling out customs forms, the very short flight felt like no time at all! We flew over a large island that looks to be mostly uninhabited and then landed in Nassau. The airport is new and clean and we didn't have to wait long at all for immigration. We did have a short wait at baggage claim, but we didn't mind. There was a band playing near the immigration area!
Once we got our bags, we got in a taxi and had the girls' and my first experience riding in a car that drives on the left side of the road. Between that and all of the traffic circles where they entered on the left instead of the right, it did seem really different! It was about a 15-minute drive to the resort, and we passed many nice housing areas and shopping centers. We got checked in and our room was ready early! We had a really nice room in the West Tower on the 7th of 27 floors. The Grand Hyatt had 2 towers, plus 2 other hotels were also a part of the resort. We settled in and checked out the Club Lounge, which Bob had gotten access to with his points, and then suited up to see the pools and beach! First, we went to the beach and were amazed at the calm, clear water. The sand part wasn't very big, but there was some space to play in the sand. There also was not any notable tide that we could tell. The resort had a long dock that they own, and we enjoyed walking out on that and seeing boats pulling up there. Bob and Anna got a kayak and took it for a spin! Then we went on to the pools and tried a couple out before dinner. We went to the lounge, which had salads, meats and cheeses, some appetizers, drinks, etc...and used that for our dinner. The first night, the girls mostly ate tortilla chips and ham and cheese, but it was free! Then it was back to our room for showers and bed.
The next day, Wednesday, we got up and went to the lounge for a yummy (more American) breakfast on the balcony, then off for a day of fun in the sun!
We had heard about a flamingo parade at 9:30, so we were sure to join in on that...they had 4 ambassador flamingos who were all about a year old walk around the property and then stop in a grassy area for a meet and greet. It was super fun and a unique experience! We also learned some neat facts, like flamingo eggs are not very big, the pink color is fully established after a year old and is due to beta carotene in their diets, and they hardly ever sit or lay down.
The rest of the morning was back and forth from the beach and pools. They had large green foam mats and hard plastic orange rings anchored and floating in the ocean which we enjoyed floating on (or doing ballet, depending on who you are). For lunch, we got burritos/burrito bowls/tacos at the El Jefe food truck right near the beach and flamingo area. Then, more fun! Anna and I took a short break in the room after lunch while Erin and Bob swam in one of the pools. We brought snacks and drinks back down from the lounge and we all swam until dinner, and the kids got ice cream on the beach with lots of sprinkles! Anna and I also tried the paddleboards and she did some snorkeling too. This time, we got the kids burgers from the burger food truck and brought them to the lounge where Bob and I ate so everyone was happy. We also learned that the lounge had desserts available from 7-8pm, so we made a second trip back there for some yummy treats!
Thursday was more of the same fun! It did rain some this day, and while we were able to eat lunch mostly shielded from the rain by an umbrella (fish tacos for all but Erin, and she had mac and cheese)...then it started pouring so we raced back to the room and waited it out/had cookies and candy from the lounge. Finally, it stopped raining so we went back out for more swimming. We also visited the aviary and really enjoyed feeding the birds there.
Then it was back to the beach! For dinner, I went and scoped out the lounge and saw that they were having shrimp lo mein and spring rolls...sent a picture back to the room, and that food was deemed worthy by the kids. So, we all ate there and walked around the resort for awhile (especially enjoyed seeing the fountains up close and a band playing traditional music outside) before coming back for dessert. It is important to note that Anna really liked the "rum punch" that they had in the lounge each night (without alcohol).
Friday morning, I left early to attend Gramma Ambrosini's funeral in Charlotte, so I left the hotel at 5:30am and had no issues getting from Nassau to Atlanta, other than a short delay leaving because of a computer issue. My short layover in Atlanta ended up being even shorter and I had to run from the E terminal to the very end of the C terminal, but I made it and there was even one person after me! Whew! So, I got to Charlotte just fine, rented a car, and went to the funeral and nice dinner after made by Kathy Summer. Bob and the kids slept in a little bit, had breakfast, and swam some more, including another trip to the swim-up bar (a hit) and feeding the birds at the aviary again. They had El Jefe for lunch again and then changed clothes and headed to the airport where they enjoyed Dunkin Donuts for National Donut Day before takeoff. They too had no issues getting home, despite some heavy rain and thunderstorms in Fort Lauderdale during their layover. They had pizza for dinner at the same place we had eaten on Tuesday. We were able to work it so I returned the rental car to RDU and met them as they arrived at 9:40pm. The girls were tired, but Erin had slept on the flight so she wasn't too bad. Then, home to bed and picking Finley up the next morning! He got a good report from the kennel and was exhausted all day after his bath!
So, we had a wonderful time and would definitely recommend the Baha Mar! The resort was beautiful, really clean, not too crowded or loud, easy to get around, lots of fun activities, delicious food, and the staff was really excellent. There were people everywhere to help, lifeguard, anything at all. The 6 pools were amazing and all had their own specialty...one with the swim up bar/curved sitting nooks, one with rain showers/infinity edges overlooking the ocean, the one with two big fish/sea turtle/shark tanks and two high diving areas, a pool with zero entry, a circular pool with big covered seating in the middle, and one with curved fountain jets. There was also a big pond with huge fish swimming in it! We would definitely go back! All of our pictures are HERE.
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