I was lucky enough to draw a window seat on Delta flight 425 from Atlanta to Nassau. We weary travelers held on through thunderstorms and turbulence that, if not quite apocolyptic, was still a little unsettling. Indeed, the good fortune of a window seat once again graced this poker blogger. For when the clouds broke and the azure water reflected the sun onto the big plane, all again was well. We were back above the Bahamas and just a short drive from Paradise Island, the Atlantis Resort and Casino, and the 2006 PokerStars Caribbean Adventure.

To be sure, there is still a lot of work to be done before the players start to arrive on Wednesday. Nonetheless, as the PokerStars staff makes its way here to set up the perfect week of poker, I thought it would be good to give the hundreds of people who are on their way here a little taste of what they are about to experience.

So, to whet your appetite, here is the first of many photo galleries you can expect to see on the PokerStars blog during the PCA.

If you're still packing and wondering what to expect when you get here, be sure to check out the PCA Primer I wrote last week.

The $28 20-minute taxi ride leads you through downtown Nassau and to Paradise Island


The Atlantis Resort and Casino, one of the largest and most luxurious resorts on the planet


On your day off, consider a little time in the sun. Today, it was a perfect 80 degrees with a 7 mph breeze


The Marina at Atlantis, home to yachts that are bigger than most homes and that cost more than most neighborhoods


A view of paradise sun from the marina docks


It's January and everything is in bloom


One of the insane water slides at Atlantis. This near-vertical drop sends you UNDER a giant shark pool


A shaft of light slips into one of the many aquarium/caves around the resort


My favorite piece of art at the resort, just outside the casino


The dolphins, the best landmark to find the poker room. Find the dolphins (in between the Coral and Beach lobbies) and then look for the Grand Ballroom




Sundown at Atlantis