You can edit the photo, but not the memory

The last time I saw my Happy Place, I wanted to mark the moment with a photograph. Isn't that what we all do? Aren't we all documenting our lives through photos and photo sharing these days?

Well, I was looking for the photo to capture the place and time that I absolutely cherish. And then, there was this guy. This guy and his laundry.

My Happy Place, is a palm tree on a beach, outside the Atlantis Hotel, on Paradise Island in the Bahamas. It's just a single palm tree, on a tiny stretch of beach, surrounded on two sides by the ocean, but for me it's Utopia. It represents all that is bliss and perfection in a holiday. I love this palm tree. Seriously. Now, of course, as a traveller I've seen hundreds, maybe thousands of palm trees and sure, I like them all. But this is the ONE. It's my screensaver. It's my wallpaper. It's.... it's..... my HAPPY PLACE.

When I am stressed, or scattered and I need to find my peace and my focus, I take my mind to this tree. I feel the breeze, I hear the ocean and I go back to a time when I was there and I was calm and rested.

So, back to the guy and his laundry.....

My family goes trotting out to this area of beach to see the palm tree, and along comes another tourist with an armload of towels. He unceremoniously tosses them down on the sand, in a heap. Then he proceeds to walk another 12 feet or so, to the palm tree and park himself underneath it. He just lay there. He just lay there....completely ruining my shot. Him and his pile of laundry!

See him and his pile of yellow towels?

"What the Hell? This isn't your laundry room!" I thought. "Not your basement! Not YOUR tree!" But of course, it really isn't my tree either. I shook my head and smiled, "what luck" I thought. So I simply encouraged my family to enjoy the beach. Play in the water, relax and take your time. Do whatever. "We'll wait." I figured at some point he'd get up, gather his laundry and go. Then I could have my postcard photo, and blissful moment to capture.

But no. Laundry guy thinks it's a jolly idea to linger, to "camp", if you will. Dozens of other tourists come and go in the area. They take photos. They're obviously posing. They're taking their photos in spite of his presence. He is, of course, oblivious.

"Get your picture and let's go" says my husband. "Just edit him out like you would a zit."

Now it's sunset & he's still here! Him and his laundry!

Really? Is this a school photo? I'll just blend him into the sand? Is that what my husband thinks? Now, yes, I do have the skills and it's not that hard to do, but how do I edit the memory? I can wipe Laundry Guy off the beach with a swoosh of my mouse, but how do I get him out of my relaxation ritual?Laundry, is not exactly what I would consider peaceful, or happy. Laundry is a chore! I have two sons. They play hockey. Laundry is not my happy time. Ugh.

The birds are a nice distraction, but I still see him in this sepia version.

Obviously, I'm left with no other choice than to call a do-over on this vacation. I simply must return to see my tree again, and make a new postcard memory. Frankly, I don't see any other choice. So, thanks, "Laundry Guy" I'm going to have to go to the Bahamas again. "Darn!" (She says squealing with joy and dancing a jig.) I'm just going to have to go back!

Simply cropped. But "yuck" my tree doesn't grow in the water. I NEED sand in the photo!

Favourite Trip

Without question, my favourite destination has been The Bahamas. I have an almost spiritual connection to the pace, the landscape and the turquoise water. I just feel at home. It truly is, as corny as it sounds, my happy place.

The first time we went to The Bahamas was in 2009. We went in August and split our stay between two different hotels. We stayed at The Atlantis Resort for four nights, then the Sheraton at Cable beach for another four. There were two key reasons for splitting the stay. The Atlantis is very pricey, with rooms averaging over $300 per night. As well, the Miss Universe pageant was taking place at The Atlantis Hotel and I wasn't so sure that I wanted to spend my whole vacation amongst the most gorgeous young women on the planet.

As it turns out, the beauty queens hardly bothered us. LOL.  It was though, a fast paced and exciting time at The Atlantis. The grounds are expansive and we walked a lot.  There are more than a dozen pools, incredible aquariums, exciting night life, a grand casino, amazing restaurants and exquisite shops. At every hour, of every day, there is something to do at The Atlantis Resort.

We stayed in the Coral Towers. It was an ideal location to everything we wanted to see and do. My kids loved the water park. I feel head over heels in love with the Marina and the boardwalk area. My husband enjoyed the thrill of the challenger water slides and we all loved the pools.  I just can't think of anywhere on earth that suits our varied interests better. And since it was our first time, we tried to do it all.

We went swimming with the dolphins. We took a boat ride out onto the ocean. We walked the beaches. We went to the straw market and we sought out local cuisine. But it was a little tiring. CJ, my youngest child, was a mere 4 years old at the time. He couldn't even do the waterslide through the shark tank because he was too young. And since that is a "must do" activity, we had to take him back.

The second part of our trip in 2009 was to the Sheraton at Cable beach, as mentioned earlier. Ahhhh. It was so relaxing! It too felt like home. But with a clean, modern, beach-y decor. Our room was at the far end of the hotel, but hardly half the walk of The Atlantis.  There at the Sheraton, we enjoyed the 2 pools and the oceanside. The beach was gorgeous and hardly crowded at all.  While there was only 2 restaurants and a snack bar, we found they more than met our needs.

We won't forget the hospitality shown to the kids at the fine dining restaurant at the Sheraton. It was of Italian cuisine and had remarkable food. Our waiter, Charles, made a lasting impression. He introduced me to Nassau Royale Rum, and served the best chocolate cake that I have ever had in my life. I swear our second trip to The Bahamas was so that I could have that cake again, and pick up a couple more bottles of rum!

The Sheraton took the speed of our trip down from a 10, to the pace of a 3. That, was amazing. We felt rested and safe and re-charged. By the time we left for home, I feel that everyone in the family was completely satisfied and indeed had their personal perfect vacation.

Our second trip, we stayed exclusively at The Sheraton. Our third trip back, we stayed exclusively at The Atlantis. But would we do a split stay again? Yes. Would I go back there tomorrow if I could? Yes!

I really can't wait to go back to The Bahamas. I love to travel and I like to try new destinations, but I really can't think of anywhere I'd rather be, than The Bahamas.