All the way from Japan to enjoy the WONDER of Disney--The Cruise

[tokyodisneydad]

After a great breakfast (even though I missed the made to order omelettes) it was time to get off the ship. The ladies of my life had been looking forward to going into port in Nassau. They wanted to go shopping and I had promised they could shop as much as they wanted. I did ok for the most part, but by the middle of the day I was tired and a little grumpy. (SORRY )

Well I can say there was good and bad about Nassau and I'm looking forward to going again, although I plan on exploring the Atlantis side of the island next time.

When we first got off the ship we stopped and took a few pictures of our ship. Then we headed through the welcome center area. As we were walking through there was a man wearing a funny costume and a band playing. Both wanted dollars for pictures. But they weren't pushy if you said no. I noticed all the color and the girls were happy . After exiting the Welcome Center there were alot of ladies offering hairbraiding. The girls wanted it done so I said ok and started bargaining. Sorry I was on a budget . The starting price was 2$ a braid, but in the end I paid about $1.25 per braid.
It took about an hour to do and one of the ladies was really nice. The other was not bad, but I think she was upset that I was a cheapskate. In the end DDJ had 43 braids and DDA had 44 braids with beads. I paid $50 for each.
Kiyomi kept saying that in Japan it would have cost about $7 a braid, but I don't know. Never had my hair braided.

 

[silmarg]

I plan on exploring the Atlantis side of the island next time.

we did Atlantis (we did not do the DCL excursion, rather we booked a day room at Comfort Suites which gave us rights to the facilities Atlantis).

it was totally great and i highly recommend it (if you are into pool / water park type activities).

for those interested in cost of this:
room:$199
taxi (for 4): $20 each way includes tip
lunch: $50 for some burgers and chicken fingers! (now that was a rip off)

but $300 for 4 of us was not bad vs shopping or even the DCL sponsored excursion (which does not include the use of Atlantis' pool/water park.

 

[Lifelong_Dreamer]

I am glad that you are starting to get interviews. I hope everything gets all worked out for you soon.

 

[starrzone]

You seem like a really cool person who takes things head-on, with a calm approach. I think you'd be a great English teacher, and I hope things work out like you want them to. So many things are uncertain these days...at least you have your beautiful family (even if 2 of them ARE moody teen girls...I'm 25 and I shudder to think of what I put my parents through...!)

Starrzone

 

[winkers]

The girls look so cute with their braids!

 

[disneyholic family]

yes the girls look adorable with braids....but $50 a pop....wow!!!
apparently i'm an even bigger cheapskate than you....

as for atlantis..
we did the comfort suites atlantis thing and we didn't think it was worth it...

if you really want to see atlantis, just take a taxi over there and walk around....and then go into the casino, if you're into casinos...

on our first cruise we did the pools at atlantis, but on the second cruise we stayed on the ship....more fun...

 

[tokyodisneydad]

yes the girls look adorable with braids....but $50 a pop....wow!!

The next day at Castaway Cay and on the ship braiding was $2 a braid non-negotiable....so I guess it wasn't so bad....but I agree I pay $10 to get my haircut

 

[Tink rules]

The next day at Castaway Cay and on the ship braiding was $2 a braid non-negotiable....so I guess it wasn't so bad....but I agree I pay $10 to get my haircut

Yeah... that's guys for ya!!!

(But I'm not getting my hair braided...)

 

[CriminyCrafft]

Hey there, I'm so sorry to hear about your job and health woes. I'm familiar with CML - I was diagnosed with another form of leukemia about a decade ago. Hang in there! If it makes you feel better, I was laid off from my job a month before I was schedule to have surgery. It was an extremely stressful time, but everything turned out okay. It sounds like things are getting better since you have interviews! Things will turn 'round!

 

[tokyodisneydad]

Hey there, I'm so sorry to hear about your job and health woes. I'm familiar with CML - I was diagnosed with another form of leukemia about a decade ago. Hang in there! If it makes you feel better, I was laid off from my job a month before I was schedule to have surgery. It was an extremely stressful time, but everything turned out okay. It sounds like things are getting better since you have interviews! Things will turn 'round!

Thanks for the words of encouragement. I know it will all work out in the end. It's just getting there that is so difficult.

 

[FSUDisneyGirl]

i am loving your trip report (including the part at wdw!) hope those interviews go well! thanks for sharing!

 

[spacerangerqueen]

The trip report is fabulous! I love how excited you are about every little detail!
Your wife is a very lucky woman by the way.
I know everything will work out for your family
Looking forward to reading more

 

[KimAshton]

Just read your DCL TR. Loving it so far.

You are in my thoughts and prayers. Be positive.

 

[Ellielovesdisney]

I'm loving your trip report...can't wait for more. Good luck with the job and health situation. I lived in Tokyo for several years in the 80's and am enjoying reminiscing.

 

[MAGICFOR2]

Subbing! I thought I had before, but I guess it didn't go through. You and your family are in my prayers - I know you will get a job soon! Thanks for sharing your trip with us! Your family is beautiful, and you are so sweet to your DW!

 

[tokyodisneydad]

Hi everyone. Thank you for your kind thoughts and prayers. Sorry I haven't written lately. I will soon--I promise.
As the BAHA men say we will GO BACK TO THE ISLAND

 

[tokyodisneydad]

Welcome back to the island!

After DDA and DDJ finished having their hair braided it was off to do some sightseeing and shopping. We passed a line of horse drawn carriages that were offering tours of the island, but my girls were making a beeline for the nearest shop.
On the way we passed a pink city hall. It really gave that island feel. Then it was off to the shops. Now for me each shop looked the same and had the same items, but for Junna, Akane and Kiyomi each shop held a new treasure yet to be discovered.
There was a shirt and matching skirt in island patterns and colors that I wanted to buy for Me and my angel but I never found one shop with a shirt in my size that had a skirt that matched. I could have bought the shirt in one shop and the skirt in another, but couldn't be bothered. I kind of regret not picking them up now. But it gives me a reason to go back. And next time we go it's just the two of us, so the girl's wont be embarassed if we wear matching outfits.
As we went down the street we would stop in a shop and I would end up having a new bag to carry. We went into a jewelry store and I thought the prices were crazy. Luckily so did Kiyomi. We then went into a perfume shop. Kiyomi bought a bottle of her favorite. Akane bought a bottle of POWDER PUFF girl perfume because she thought the bottle was cute. She also bought a bottle of INCREDIBLE HULK cologne for THE BOY I just hope it didn't smell like the HULK
IN and OUT. SHOP after SHOP. They all looked the same to me. We were on our way to the STRAW MARKET.

 

[disneyholic family]

HI there TDD!

i'm just back from the states.....i didn't have computer access while i was there (for a whole month!)..

i hope that you and your family are well and the job situation has worked out.

 

[Disney owl]

thanks for sharing

 

[tokyodisneydad]

Sorry it has been so long since I've continued my report. Things are just beginning to settle back down kind of.

Well when we left off we were going from shop to shop, basically seeing the same thing in each one. The girls and the wife were on I had heard about the Straw Market here on the boards and most of it was negative. So for that reason I had concerns about going there. We decided to check it out because we didn't know how long it would be before we got back to Nassau.

Here is what I think---AVOID THE STRAW MARKET AT ALL COST---the people were pushy, pushy, pushy!!! Buy my tshirts, buy my bags, etc. We only went down one row and I panicked a bit when DDA got seperated from us. I left DDM alone to find DDA. When I came back this old lady was pushing her T-shirts onto my wife. We purchased 3 shirts and got out of there.

The things you can find in the Straw Market can be found at the main stores and the prices are not so different. You will feel alot more relaxed and safe in the main stores.

Well after the Straw market we looked at the ocean. It was beautiful and the boats were very colorful. DDJ was getting hungry and I was getting tired. It was about 3 in the afternoon. DDM and DDA wanted to stay a bit longer, but I convinced them to go back to the ship to get ready for formal night and play a little BINGO.
To be honest they were a bit disappointed that we didn't spend a little more time shopping, but I told them they could stay if they wanted. A short followed, but it was short.
On the way back to the ship I had quite a few extra bags.

Next up--Formal night