Tweet
Just got back to warm Arizona--I have to admit we're weather wimps and found last week in NY and NJ really chilly! THE UPS OF THE TRIP: We stayed a week at the Atlantic Palace (AKA Fantasea Resorts) in a 2 bedroom/2 bath timeshare exchange. The condo itself was on the 30th floor (remember that fact for the following DOWNS part). Decor was not a style I especially like but nicely done. It was quite modern with blacks, lightish tans and whites. The living room had black leather furniture including a sleeper sofa which was one of the most comfortable hide-a-beds I've ever sat on. The TV was LARGE which was nice. Kitchen was basic but had everything we needed, didn't do any cooking other than warming left overs so no problem. The eating area was smallish but very well done in a creative tiered way that was fun. The smaller bedroom had lovely city light views and a full bath including a tub with shower. The master bedroom was not large but had a feature I loved! Tucked into an alcove was a LARGE tub with a picture window at the end overlooking the ocean! Doesn't get much better than that!!!!! <g> There was also a shower in the main bathroom area. The day views of the boardwalk and the ocean were fabulous, the night side view of the city lights was pretty, too. Staff was friendly and helpful so that was an added bonus. Location was so-so, restaurants right around there varied from OK to no way (think dirty). However, a short stroll or ride on those cute carts was a much better selection including a Hard Rock Cafe. Now, THE DOWNS! The first day after we arrived our daughter and SIL arrived to spend the day and night with us. We had dinner at the Hard Rock and the next morning the guys headed to a golf course. My daughter and I hung around the condo enjoying our time together. THEN: "THIS IS AN EMERGENCY! IMMEDIATELY EVACUATE YOUR ROOM! DO NOT TAKE THE ELEVATORS BUT PROCEED TO THE CLOSEST EXIT! EVACUATE NOW!" Opps, I grabbed my shoes and purse, our daughter grabbed her computer and purse. (My hubby and I always located 2 emergency exits as soon as we check into a place so I knew exactly where to go). NOW, remember that floor 30 thing????? Well, we were quickly going down the stairs and going down the stairs and going down the stairs--all 840 of them!!!!!! We kept hearing loud booms (which may have been firemen checking???) and visions of the World Trade Center falling were going through both of our heads. About the 10th floor my thighs were starting to spasm (good thing I do water aerobics 3 times a week) but we kept going down down down. Finally we emerge into the lobby, see fire trucks and fire men (I was sooooo tired I didn't even look to see if they were cute!!). We collapsed into a chair and waited to see what was going on. After about 10 minutes the all clear came--some idiot had smoked a cigarette somewhere above setting off the alarm! At that point I was ready to kick that person anywhere it would really really hurt. The next two days I could barely get up, get down or walk! My thighs were telling me exactly what they were thinking about the whole thing and I told my hubby that if another fire alarm went off I'd have to do some serious thinking about burning or totally ruining my legs! Next chapter the INS and OUTS of our trip!
shaggy
Comment