A Day in Nassau – Exploring Atlantis and Lunching at Oh Andros

Photo info: FUJIFILM X100T, 23mm, f/2, 1/125 sec, ISO3200
“Aquarium Window” Nassau, 2019

*note: when this blog post is published, we will have already returned back from vacation*

Our morning in Nassau was spent exploring the aquariums of the Atlantis Paradise Island resort. Atlantis is a giant hotel with casino, water park, and aquariums. It’s pretty incredible!

While most of our group went to the water park, Mariko, Bay, Koa, and I opted to just check out the aquariums around the “Dig” area. The area is themed similar to the Disney animated Atlantis movie, with ancient Atlantean technology and artifacts. Very cool. And the aquariums were really nice, with the star being a huge manta ray – I mean who doesn’t love manta rays?

Photo info: FUJIFILM X100T, 23mm, f/7.1, 1/850 sec, ISO200
“Cruise Ships” Nassau, 2019

We finished up the aquariums and Atlantis around noon and then headed to “Fish Fry”, which is a small area of local restaurants. My cousin told us to meet them at Oh Andros, and while we were walking there using Google Maps, a local couple who were sitting in their car heard me mention the restaurant name and told us that Oh Andros was definitely the place to go! They even gave us directions.

We arrived at the restaurant ahead of my cousins and parents so we went ahead and ordered first. A couple of local beers and the Seafood Combination plate were fantastic! Lobster, fish, shrimp, peas and rice, etc… and a huge portion!

Photo info: FUJIFILM X100T, 23mm, f/8, 1/850 sec, ISO200
“Fish Fry” Nassau, 2019
Photo info: FUJIFILM X100T, 23mm, f/2, 1/125 sec, ISO3200
“Seafood Platter” Nassau, 2019

When the rest of our group arrived, they ordered even more fish, shrimp, and conch fritters and everyone was stuffed. So good… I definitely recommend Oh Andros at Fish Fry. Yummy!

Photo info: FUJIFILM X100T, 23mm, f/2, 1/125 sec, ISO3200
“Local Brew” Nassau, 2019

We had to be back on the ship by 3:30 pm, which honestly seemed way too early, so after a little shopping, we met up with the larger family and boarded together. The final night’s dinner and show were especially good, which was a nice way to end the cruise.

Photo info: FUJIFILM X100T, 23mm, f/16, 1/850 sec, ISO200
“Rain Showers” Nassau, 2019
Photo info: FUJIFILM X100T, 23mm, f/13, 1/800 sec, ISO200
“In Flight” Nassau, 2019
Photo info: FUJIFILM X100T, 23mm, f/5.6, 1/170 sec, ISO200
“Last Light” Nassau, 2019

I hope you had a good day!

またね~

Sea Day – Cozumel to Nassau

Photo info: FUJIFILM X100T, 23mm, f/2, 1/125 sec, ISO640
“Magic Show” Caribbean Sea, 2019

Today was our second “sea day” and we spent it eating, drinking, hanging out in the pool, eating more, going to see the show, enjoying chocolate cocktails, and eating more. That’s cruise life, I guess!

Photo info: FUJIFILM X100T, 23mm, f/2, 1/125 sec, ISO500
“Chocolate Drinks” Caribbean Sea, 2019

I have to say that I’ve been pleasantly surprised at the shows on the MSC Seaside. Even though we listen to the same five main singers, they have been really good, and the variety of shows is refreshing. Everyone especially loved the magic acts and acrobats. Very impressive! And we even saw a 30-minute version of Madame Butterfly opera in the afternoon. Very nice and unexpected. I thought it was great.

Photo info: FUJIFILM X100T, 23mm, f/2, 1/125 sec, ISO640
“Acrobats” Caribbean Sea, 2019

I hope you had a nice day!

Cozumel, Playa del Carmen, and Tulum

Photo info: FUJIFILM X100T, 23mm, f/7.1, 1/850 sec, ISO200
“Ruins” Tulum, 2019

Today’s port-of-call was Cozumel, Mexico. We’ve been here once before, but this time we took a ferry to Playa del Carmen on the Mexican mainland and then joined the tour to the Tulum Ruins. The ruins were the one thing I really wanted to see on this trip so I was stoked to be able to visit them with a tour guide who explained the history and of course the human sacrifices! 🤯 But seriously, although the ruins are not very large, the history was amazing and the setting, right on the cliff was stunning. It was well worth the trip!

Photo info: FUJIFILM X100T, 23mm, f/10, 1/800 sec, ISO200
“Ruins” Tulum, 2019
Photo info: FUJIFILM X100T, 23mm, f/7.1, 1/800 sec, ISO200
“Ruins” Tulum, 2019

After finishing our visit to the Tulum ruins, we had a few minutes to grab a bite to eat at the restaurant. The chips and salsa were so good (and spicy!), the ceviche was fresh and yummy, and the enchiladas verdes were delicious. I had the fish tacos which were pretty good, except the tortillas basically disintegrated when I tried to pick them up, so I had to eat them with a fork. But still enjoyable, especially washing it all down with an ice-cold Negra Modelo. 🍺🌮

Photo info: FUJIFILM X100T, 23mm, f/2, 1/125 sec, ISO200
“Enchiladas Verdes” Tulum, 2019
Photo info: FUJIFILM X100T, 23mm, f/2, 1/125 sec, ISO250
“Chips, Salsa, and Ceviche” Tulum, 2019
Photo info: FUJIFILM X100T, 23mm, f/2, 1/125 sec, ISO400
“Tacos de Pescado” Tulum, 2019

Next, it was back to the shops near the dock in Playa del Carmen, and then we caught the second-to-last ferry to Cozumel and the ship.

By the way, on the bus to Tulum, I was able to snap a few photos which I thought I’d share:

Photo info: FUJIFILM X100T, 23mm, f/2, 1/125 sec, ISO200
“Street Art” Playa del Carmen, 2019
Photo info: FUJIFILM X100T, 23mm, f/7.1, 1/950 sec, ISO200
“Busy Port” Cozumel, 2019
Photo info: FUJIFILM X100T, 23mm, f/4, 1/140 sec, ISO200
“Breakfast Menu” Playa del Carmen, 2019

The clouds this evening were the best of the trip, and I got plenty of good photos. We’re really fortunate to have some awesome weather so far!

Photo info: FUJIFILM X100T, 23mm, f/5.6, 1/600 sec, ISO200
“Clouds” Caribbean Sea, 2019
Photo info: FUJIFILM X100T, 23mm, f/5, 1/125 sec, ISO200
“Sunset” Caribbean Sea, 2019

And I also got photos of people taking photos. 😆📸

Photo info: FUJIFILM X100T, 23mm, f/2, 1/125 sec, ISO250
“Sunset Photographers” Caribbean Sea, 2019
Photo info: FUJIFILM X100T, 23mm, f/2, 1/20 sec, ISO6400
“Dark Cloud” Caribbean Sea, 2019

I hope you had a nice day!

またね~

Snorkeling in the Cayman Islands

Photo info: FUJIFILM X100T, 23mm, f/5.6, 1/200 sec, ISO200
“Tenders” Cayman Islands, 2019

こんばんは。How’s it going?

Today we arrived at the Cayman Islands for our next stop. Mariko, Bay, and Koa’s excursion was on a submarine ride, and I chose to go snorkeling. It was a beautiful, sunny day on the island, and the sea was amazing. I didn’t realize it at the time, but the water temperature was just about perfect for our two 40-minute swims. It was cool enough to be refreshing, but not too cool where I got cold. Just right!

Photo info: FUJIFILM X100T, 23mm, f/5.6, 1/420 sec, ISO200
“Off to Snorkel” Cayman Islands, 2019

I took my Victure 4K action cam with me and tried some video. I think it turned out pretty good, even though I wasn’t really prepared. I mean, I hand-held the camera in its waterproof case, and it was haphazardly attached to a lanyard around my neck. Definitely NOT the optimal set-up. My niece, on the other hand, had her camera mounted to a handle which floats if “dropped”. Next time, I’ll get one of those for sure!

After snorkeling, we went for a quick drink at Rackams before heading back to the tender which took us back to the ship. It was a nice excursion, although I wish we could spend more time on the island exploring. I guess that’s the nature of cruise travel though… once you realize and accept the fact that you won’t be spending much time at the ports-of-call, it makes the cruise experience much nicer. Or at least a little less disappointing.

I hope you had a great day!

Photo info: FUJIFILM X100T, 23mm, f/5.6, 1/240 sec, ISO200
“Rain Cloud” Cayman Islands, 2019
Photo info: FUJIFILM X100T, 23mm, f/2, 1/125 sec, ISO2500
“Dusk Clouds” Caribbean Sea, 2019

Bamboo Rafting on the Martha Brae

Photo info: FUJIFILM X100T, 23mm, f/3.6, 1/140 sec, ISO200
“Rafting” Martha Brae River, 2019

Our Jamaica day was spent mostly on an excursion to go rafting on the Martha Brae River. When I was little, we went rafting but I only have a vague memory of it. I do, however, remember a small bamboo toy raft that I got as a souvenir which is probably still in my old room at my folks’ house.

So I was excited to go rafting as a grown-up, and take my own kids. The trip down the river was really fun and relaxing, and our boatman, Derek, was a cool rasta, who talked to us all about the river, the local fruits and vegetation, and even about the “old days” in Jamaica which was when most of my mom’s family was still living there. Derek, who was in his sixties, even told us about the political situation of the time, and how he remembered that many of the Chinese-Jamaicans left after Jamaican independence because of the political uncertainty. It was really interesting to hear about the situation from someone outside my family.

“With Derek” Martha Brae River, 2019

The rafting lasted about 45 minutes, and I wish it were longer because I enjoyed myself so much. It was so peaceful, cool with a gentle drizzle at times, and not too many mosquitos.

Photo info: FUJIFILM X100T, 23mm, f/4.5, 1/125 sec, ISO200
“Special Performance” Martha Brae River, 2019

Soon, though, we were on the mini-bus back on our way to Ocho Rios. We did have a quick stop at a local market and I bought some jerk chicken to see how it compared to my cousin’s. It was yummy!

Photo info: FUJIFILM X100T, 23mm, f/5.6, 1/220 sec, ISO200
“Rain” Ocho Rios, 2019

After we got dropped off in Ocho Rios, we met up with my cousin who drove over from Port Antonio to see us. She showed up with a basket full of fresh fruit which we all sloppily enjoyed near the dock.

Although our stop in Jamaica was very short, it was fun to see a bit of the country where my Mom was born and raised. We’ll be back!

Photo info: FUJIFILM X100T, 23mm, f/5.6, 1/850 sec, ISO200
“MSC Seaside” Ocho Rios, 2019