Come see the photos of my trip to the Bahamas!

 This past Sunday, I flew down to the Bahamas and met up with my television crew to shoot some segments for my show.  We visited the amazingly grand and beautiful Atlantis resort on Paradise Island.  I was particularly interested in experiencing the world’s largest open-air marine habitat.  There are fourteen lagoons in all, teeming with more than 50,000 marine animals from over 200 different species. Truly amazing!  We also learned all about Kerzner International’s Blue Project, which was founded to research the extensive damage of the ocean’s coral reefs and to hopefully discover methods of coral rejuvenation.  This is a most important study as coral houses 25% of marine life, and losing it would affect the entire planet.  On a lighter note, I had the great pleasure of cooking a meal with Frederic Demers, the executive sous chef at Jean George Vongerichten’s Café Martinique.  We made a most delicious Nassau grouper with aromatic black beans and seasonal vegetables.  The recipe will be available later on my Web site when the segment airs on television.  In addition, I really enjoyed visiting all the lovely and lush tropical gardens. Please enjoy these photos from Atlantis.    

Here I am trying on the biggest hat in the straw market.
 

Susan Magrino and Michele Wiltshire - Susan does our public relations and she works closely with Kerzner International - Michele does all of special events at Atlantis.

Here I am with Conray Rolle, the head gardener at Atlantis - he is very well-versed in all tropical horticulture and has planted the 171 acres that make up the Atlantis resort.

Michele took very good care of our group, which consisted of our TV crew headed by Gary Nardilla, Kim Miller - our field producer, and Maryann Vanderventer - our field unit manager.

The new Cove at Atlantis has acres of gardens including a water garden filled with spectacular water lilies.

Another water lily

Atlantis is a wonderful fantasy world of mythology and marine life.

Marlins cavort above rooftops.

Seahorses act as corbels.

Kim Miller - Supervising field producer, on my right and on my left, Frankie de Joseph - second camera, and Dave Pliskin - sound engineer.

Once the gardens are planted, they take about two years to mature.

Maryann Vanderventer and Sae Oh - utility - they work very very hard

The crew looks happy - who wouldn't be in such a beautiful place?

Gary Nardilla, our director and I have made many, many field segments over the years - we've worked together for more than 16 years

A large green turtles in one of the resort's many estuaries.

There are many manta rays in the park - the largest marine open air habitat in the world.

A very large bismarkia palm - one of my favorite palms.

A white bird of paradise - a nice change from the more common orange and blue variety. This one
actually looks more like a real bird.

We spent a good deal of time in wet suits - great protection against the sun, cold wind, the nibbling fish, and the rough coral stone.

The sun came out only briefly when we went to visit the coral reefs.

Kim hurt her leg and I rewrapped it with ace bandages. I also found her lots of aloe to rub on the wound.

Nathan Jones -- one of our divers and a serious security swimmer.

Susan looked very glamorous on the diving catamaran.

Sae Oh lugged a lot of equipment in the two days I spent at the Cove.

Liesl Menning, my assistant, was a very good sport and swam with me.

Nathan was just so handsome in his diving suit.

Liesl in the water -- it was very rough.

I had a great and vigorous swim looking a a somewhat destroyed reef.

Maryann handles the little panasonic 100A.

This is Michelle Liu - head of all marine aquarium operations.

I felt very good after my swim, which was exhausting in rough seas.

Makeup artist Vinnetta Scrivo got seasick -- poor Vinnetta.

Happy fellow, Nathan, always had a smile on his face.

On our way back to Atlantis aboard the True Blue, a 440 hp catamaran designed specifically for diving
expeditions.

Kim dolled up for dinner at Jean Georges Vongerichten's Dune Restaurant.

Ruins Lagoon, home of the giant manta rays - the only three in captivity in the western hemisphere.

Here are those marlins again - very impressive rooftop decorations.

A manta ray - 14 feet across!

I was taught by Michelle how to feed shrimp and crill to the mantas - it was very hard work.

Maryanne and Kim aboard the True Blue, on their way to learn about the Blue Project - the Kerzner
Marine Foundation's initiative to save the coral reefs.

Susan Magrino Dunning and Kevin Sharkey on the way to the coral reef.

Dave Pliskin is always wrapped up in wires and microphones.

Comments

[Celina]

What a fun and exciting trip. Thanks for sharing your adventure.

[Pam from California]

Beautiful!

[Nan Ashby]

Martha, I'm so glad that you made this trip after the loss of Paw Paw. It's hard to dwell on his death at home by yourself. Your sun hat looks very stylish and favors a southern style,You are so active and brave and I sit here in amazement Wishing you and your crew many more exciting and informative adventures. Nan

[Debbie Willis]

My husband and I spent Thanksgiving with our teenagers at the Atlantis. We have been to some wonderful places in this world, but this resort is the favorite for fun, relaxation, and beauty. Quite amazing marine life and the Lazy River!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Kathy]

Hi, Martha,
Thanks for the glimpse into the world of Atlantis. It certainly is grand and beautiful! This largest open-air marine habitat is, as you say, amazing as seen in your photos. I was glad to hear more about Kerzner International's Blue Project to research the coral reefs.
I can almost taste your description of the grouper with black beans and seasonal vegetables at Jean Georges Vongerichten's Cafe Martinique. I'm looking forward to the recipe.
The lush tropical gardens you describe in your photos remind me of my travels in Thailand, another place you should some time visit!
As you experienced this land of beauty I'm sure your thoughts were also on your frequent traveling companion, Paw Paw, whom you so loved. He will always be with you in spirit, Martha.
Kathy

[Kelly]

Martha,
I loved the pictures. One of my dreams is to visit the Bahamas someday. It always looks so beautiful. My favorite part of your show is the field pieces that you do, especially when they feature you. I can't wait to see the final product. I'll be watching. Until then thanks for sharing your personal photos.
Respectfully,
Kelly

[theresa]

Gosh I was still crying over Paw Paw because your loss was just like the one I had a few years back. She too fit me like a kid skin glove. I know that you are lucky if you should ever happen to get one of those- just one.
I am glad these pictures are the last I will see tonite before I hit the sack. They will make me feel better. The water is soo beautiful and so are the buildings and the palms, water lilies and the bird of parpadise. You look really festive and happy. So you are a lover of the sea too? I used to have salt water aquariums- one for vertebrates and one for invertebrates. then I got real good and was able to combine. The creatures of the sea are so coloful and interesting that you wonder if god didnt waterpaint the fish him/herself. I support greenpeace in their endeavors to protect the whales and I wish that corals would be left alone. It is about time they were seriously protected. I really wonder about this world now. Will it be able to survive? I think the new jobs of tomorrow will consist of undoing the damage we have done. CO2 is only a problem that's above the ground. It competes effectively with the damage we have and continue to cause in the ground and sea. gosh let me not start. I better look at your vacation pictures before I retire for the evening. love to you and yours martha. chin up chin up
PS you really handled yourself like a champion on your show despite the circumstances. You are so admirable.

[Maureen]

As always another interesting and informative blog.

Also, condolences on the passing of Paw Paw.

[Linda]

Martha,
Just missed you by one day. Was at the Atlantis and Straw Market on Saturday. Took my mom on her first cruise to celebrate her 80th birthday! Isn't the Atlantis beautiful!

[KellySchwark.com]

Martha, you are making me homesick!

My husband and I lived in Hawaii for more than four years, and it quickly became "home." We are now happily settled in Connecticut, but your tropical pictures tug at my heart just a bit!

Thanks for sharing!
Kelly

[lana8may]

Dear Martha
I too lost my best friend my 6 lb. pomeranian she was so special in every way! She went with me everywhere , she was only 3 years old . I lost her to soon. Martha how are you getting over your loss with paw paw , I am having a very hard time getting over my precious?

[Jo-Ann Sutherland]

Hi Martha
So sorry for the loss of your love Paw Paw. I am not a dog lover but I did very much love to see paw paw on the show. My husband and I spent 6 days at the Atlantis what a great place we are going back in 2009 with our 3 kids they cant wait. Glad you could go. Again I will miss seeing Paw paw.Jo-Ann PS I love your show.

[Peggy]

Martha,
I am so sorry for your loss of paw-paw. I loved seeing him in the magazine and on the show. He seemed like such a gentle peaceful dog. I will miss seeing him.

[Desiree']

Martha,
I always love when you and your crew go on field trips! This looked like a very exciting adventure. I look forward to seeing the whole segment on your show. I love to see you when you are laughing and enjoying yourself! You are an inspiration and thanks for sharing!

[Trish]

I live so close to the Bahamas yet I have never been there. Shame on me! Maybe my son the diver will take me one day.

Excellent pictures and I can't wait to see the segment on your show when it airs! Trish

[Andrew Ritchie]

Martha, you look stunning in these photos! And I'm so glad you had such a good time. Thanks for sharing these!

-Andrew

PS: Nathan is quite a catch!

[Jan Starnes]

I absolutely love the pictures! I was to be there while you were there, got sick at the last minute and didn't make the trip but sent my husband on since it was an incentive trip for him by his company. I'm sure you saw them as they did you. My husband forgot his camera, so it is just wonderful that you were there and got such amazing pictures. Maybe I'll get there one day to see for myself.
I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your precious Paw Paw. I enjoyed seeing him on the shows.
I have a precious lil guy that is special needs that I just love to pieces and don't know what I will do when he is gone. He is an 8-1/2 yr old yorkie that only weighs 1.8 lbs. I used to be able to keep him up at the 2 lb mark. He has just had so many issues as of lately. I'd send you a picture if I knew how on here because he is just too precious and is sure to bring a smile.

[IV]

Martha,

You rock! :)

[My Sweet & Saucy]

What an amazing trip! Wish I was one of your staff!

[DF]

Hi Martha,

Good for you, going on a trip to an Earthly paradise after the death of Paw Paw.

Your segment with Joan Rivers was hilarious! Matza houses. Ha, cute.
The most beautiful thing about you is your laugh and sense of humor with those, sometimes, out of control comics. You handle them well. Keep laughing.

Best,

DF

[Jan Erickson]

Hi Martha, Thank you once again for taking us on a beautiful, informative field trip. I have never been to the Bahamas or heard of Atlantis. Your photos of your trip are absolutely gorgeous. It's great to see your crew members as well as the wonderful adventures all of you were having. I can't wait to see all of this on your show. You look fantastic on turquoise! Thanks again for sharing. Jan

[Ghia]

Thanks for sharing!! Your pictures are beautiful---
It looks like the staff has such a blast working with you...any chance you are hiring!!??

[Heidi - Botanical PaperWorks]

That looks like SO MUCH fun!! Lovely photos and lovely people.

[Deb]

What type of camera do you use? Your photographs are excellent!

[Kaylie]

I was very sorry to hear of Paw Paw's passing. I can empathize with you since on April 1, 2008 our beloved Shih-Tzu, Bella passed away. She had been ill since early December and we, along with her vets desperately did all we could for her, but God had other plans for her. Her companion, Tyler (our older Shih Tzu) misses her very much and my husband and I who are empty nesters will miss her even more.