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

[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.

[Linda Gail]

Martha:)
What marvelous pictures! I wish I could have been there with you. I probably would have been one of those who got a little seasick. But I could have enjoyed the beauty of the sea and the places around Atlantis that reminds one of a real paradise. Thanks for the trip.
Linda Gail

[Pat Dallas]

Thank you for sharing your beautiful trip! It was indeed an adventure! Pat Dallas

[Joan Fluor Mason, OH]

H Martha,

Thanks so much for your beautiful pictures from the Bahamas.

I have been in this area a few times, it is such a wonderful place.

Thanks again for another trip with you and your crew.

All the best,
Joan Fluor, Mason, OH

[Kathy]

Hi, Martha,
I enjoyed the segment with Arthur Schwartz making pot roast brisket and plan to try his recipe soon.
Thanks, too, for the Matzo House segment with Joan Rivers and all the wonderful laughs.
Kathy

[Evelyn Ackbarali]

Martha,

What a great trip! Thanks for the abundant number of photographs. Great fun to say the least. Loved your necklace. What is it made of.
Reminds me of the pearl/leather one you purchased in ST. Barts.

Please take us along on another adventure real soon.

[Barbara Siglin]

I too offer my condolences in the loss of your faithful companion. The lovely adventures and experiences you share help us all to realize we must live our lives to the fullest. Thank you for your example. I doubt you will ever say I should have done that or did I get everything in....A well lived life...congratulations.

[Susan Check]

Hi Martha,
I was saddened to hear of Paw Paws passing.I empathize with the pain you must feel;as I lost my 11 year old Golden Retriever, Hobbs in January. He was never ill, just had a stroke one Sunday morning at the bottom of the staircase. I have since then adopted two Goldens from the Delaware Valley Golden Retreiver
Rescue...Sam and Cassie, who have blended very well with our family.
I wish you all the best and truly enjoyed Joan Rivers on todays' show. She's a kick!!
All My Best,
Susan Check
Bethlehem, PA

[the farmers wife]

I was very sorry to hear about the loss of your beloved Paw Paw. He was such a good and loyal companion to you and your readers have always felt he was a part of your family.

The trip to the Bahamas must have been fabulous. How lucky that you were able to have some interesting experiences....not just laying on a pool deck! We were just browsing through the Atlantis website the other day, doing a little dreaming. It certainly looks like a place the entire family could enjoy. Thanks for taking us along!

- Suzanne, the Farmer's Wife

[Rick Burks]

Martha, I am sorry to hear about the passing of your beloved Paw Paw. I have enjoyed seeing him by your side all these many years. It now has been 9 years since my Sharpei Zachary died. He was my best friend and companion and like Paw Paw he also passed from renal failure. I was so blessed to have a friend like that and I know you shared the same with your chow. God Bless you for all the good you do for so many.

[Donna89]

Your trip looked like a lot of fun and the pix were beautiful!! I was so sad to read of Paw-Paw's passing in the newspapers. It was good that you went on the trip. My daughter lost her beloved friend last Sat. I advised her to go on their trip they had planned to Cancun. Thanks for sharing your trip with us.

[Renee Fitzgerald]

You look so beautiful and healthy! Oh, I can't wait for vacation.

[Eunice]

Martha I too love all animals and have 16 times, over the last 52 years lost a pet I loved dearly. I was so sorry to hear of your families loss. My little JT almost 2 years old, a female Border Collie, JT was almost called Never, as when my last dog Maxine joined all those before her I said Never Again! I guess I just have too much love not to share with God's Creatures. I so love you and all you set out to accomplish in your life we are truly fighters for sure. The trip looked fun but you need to take me to do the photos, in all that sun, so we can see all those happy faces! Hang in there Martha

[sandy]

I'm so sorry to hear of Paw Paw's passing. He was a fine boy.

I wanted to tell you about a local jewelry store here in Pensacola, Florida, that seeks out the conch pearls and makes jewelry with them. Here is the link. They have created beautiful pieces with the pearls and have their sources down the Bahamas!

http://www.jewelerstradeshop.com/conch.asp

[Fatimah]

Looking at those pictures I found that Bahamas is quite similar to my homeland Malaysia. We also have beautiful beaches in islands surrounding the mainland. Please do have a visit here, we are very pleased to welcome you, Martha.
Lots of love all the way from Malaysia.

[www.projectblancoyd.com]

That big hat of yours is fabulous!

[JBrennan]

Martha:

Thanks for sharing your fantastic photos with us. After everything you've been through over the past several months, you need a trip to "paradise".

My brother and his family stayed at the Atlantis a couple years ago and loved it as I'm sure you do, too.

Thanks, too, for covering the Blue Project to help save the coral reefs. It's so important that we all do our part in sustaining our environment. It's great that you are in a position to make others more aware.

Best Wishes!

Joseph Brennan

[Jutta Ruehl]

Martha,
I am watching your show almost every day - my Tivo saves it for me - and I am always intrigued by the beautiful, colorful cardigans you are wearing. Where can I find out about the dress designer and what brands you are wearing.
I am a long time admirer of your magazine, books and show.

Best regards, Jutta Ruehl

[Griggs & Judy Levy]

Martha, sorry we missed you. We were out to the Atlantis earlier this month. Mife wife, our two daughters & myself just visited the Atlantis for our yearly trip. Our 15th time. Hope you enjoyed it as much as we have. We are re doing our vows same time next year. Our trip is already booked. Maybe we will see you in "paradise" sometime. Love your show.

The Levy's

[Hulya Ak]

Martha,pictures are wonderfull.Bahamas, only dream for us (me and my husband).Becouse we live in Turkey..But when ı saw pictures,ı did happy..Thanks great Martha..By the way.your mama was very sweet.. Soke/Aydin/Turkiye

[robyn]

Hi Marth:

I was also just at the Atlantis from April 20-24. It's beautiful and the pictures just does not do it justice. Sorry I missed you.

[Rachel]

Hi Martha!!
I was there the same week you were becasue i remember seeing the setup for the show. The guys told us what was going on butwe couldnt watch because we were at dolphin cay=]

[Steve]

Martha,
I respect that your trip to the Bahamas is both recreational and ecological. As a Manhattan tour guide; I illustrate your career to my customers as the quintessential New Yorker.
Steve
Gray Line

[Karen Salvaggio]

Saw you in a wet-suit, Martha! We were there the same time you were (April 12-19). Always looking good... even feeding manta rays! We have been vacationing at Atlantis once a year since our honeymoon (almost 7 years ago) and now bring our two daughters with us. Atlantis is truly an experience with all it has to offer. 'Til next year!!!

[Laura]

Hello Martha,
The pictures of Atlantis are wonderful. I totally agree with you in saying that the people from Atlantis are so friendly and most pleasant. I stayed at the Cove last year with my family and it was the best vacation we ever had.