Go to Atlanta Georgia, wriggle into a tight lycra wetsuit and get in the 6.3 million gallon tank at the Georgia Aquarium. Yes, I say, jump right into the Ocean Voyager exhibit and don’t think too much about it.

Your tour guides are four whale sharks named Alice, Trixie, Yushan, and Taroko. These mega beauties average 18-32 feet long, but they won’t eat you. They’re vegetarians. This wildlife encounter is more exciting than anything you’ve ever done in any cosmopolitan city, I promise.

 I’ve signed up for the Aquarium’s new “Swim with Gentle Giants” program, a unique opportunity for wildlife lovers of all ages to snorkel or scuba dive with the world’s largest fish. After a comprehensive Orientation session, I pull on a sexy blue and white wetsuit, mask, snorkel and fins. Sitting at the edge of the Ocean Voyager tank, I watch a hammerhead shark and a fierce looking largetooth sawfish cruise past. Might this be my last great adventure? The Aquarium’s team of expert divers and marine curators are already in the tank, so I jump in.

 Face down, arms splayed, the beauty is beyond belief. Even on a dive at the Great Barrier Reef or Belize’s famous Blue Hole, you’d never see this diversity of marine life on one reef: crimson snappers, humphead wrasses, zebra sharks, bowmouth guitarfish, spotted wobbegongs, thick lipped potato groupers, and southern stingrays. A veritable Fish Palace.

An elegant manta ray named “Nandi” undulates by, the first and only manta ray living in a US Aquarium. Just as I squirm around to see where the four whale sharks are, one floats under my belly. Seconds later, another one cruises past my left hip.

 Did I win a Gold Medal splashing out of the water in fright? Truth: I forgot my name. Forgot I was in the Georgia Aquarium. I simply felt awe for these gentle giants and grateful to be among them.  

                               

 Our 45-minute snorkel was over too soon. The Aquarium dive team dragged me kicking and screaming OUT of the tank. “I’ll be back, “ I promised Alice, Trixie, Yushan and Taroko. “Thanks for your magnificent whaleness.”

A TALE OF SUBLIME SHOPPING

The rest of the day I miss my whale sharks. But since I’m still a landlocked human who can’t live with whales, I calm down with shopping therapy.

We head back to our Girl’s Getaway hotel to change clothes. The plush Ellis Hotel, located in the heartbeat of downtown Atlanta, is minutes from the Aquarium, and shopping in Buckhead, dubbed “the Beverly Hills of the East.” Ten miles north of downtown Atlanta, Buckhead boasts grand homes and enticing shops at Lenox Mall and Phipps Plaza. With over 200 restaurants and 60 art galleries, you and your credit cards will be happy.

 Imagine a decadent day browsing Bloomingdale’s, Neiman Marcus, Macy’s, Nordstrom, Louis Vuitton, and specialty stores like Gucci, Giorgio Armani, Jimmy Choo and Juicy Couture. Bliss.

We drive back to The Ellis laden with new treasures, feeling not once ounce of guilt.

 

GIRLS GO WILD

We’ve swum with whale sharks and crowned ourselves Queens of the Mall; we’ve relished sumptuous rooms on the “Ladies Only” floor at The Ellis Hotel. Can we pack in more hedonism before our Girlfriends Getaway is over?

How about a relaxing sugar/lime body scrub at Nani Salon, followed by a cultural spin through Atlanta’s legendary High Museum of Art, then dancing the night away at Opera nightclub, in company with the city’s hip trendsetters?        

                   

Just to keep our energy going, we dine on Spanish tapas at Noche, seared tuna at TROIS, waffles at Buckhead Diner, and stuffed mushrooms at Seasons 52. A girl’s gotta eat right?

We head home, exhausted but exhilarated. Can’t wait for next year’s

Girl’s Getaway to Atlanta. Gotta get my whale shark fix.  Reserve room # 1010 at The Ellis.

IF YOU GO

For your next Atlanta Getaway we recommend these restaurants:

Noche, Spanish tapas and world famous margaritas. 404-815-9155.

Trois, Modern French cuisine in a sophisticated brasserie restaurant. 404-815-3337.

Buckhead Diner, Funky and fabulous, waffles, eggs, homemade desserts. 404-262-3336.

Seasons 52, A casual grill and wine bar serving healthy delicious cuisine. 404-846-1552.

Atlanta’s Attractions:

Georgia Aquarium, The world’s largest collection of aquatic animals. Where else can

you swim with whale sharks? 404-581-4000.  Georgiaaquarium.org.

The High Museum of Art, The leading art museum in the Southeast U.S., with over

11,000 works of art. 404-733-HIGH.  www.HIGH.org.

Opera, A 1920’s opera house, now a 13,000 sq. ft. lounge for dancing and enjoying Atlanta’s nightlife. 404-874-0428.

Nani Salon and Spa, a full service salon offering a range of rejuvenating beauty and wellness treatments. 404-516-8893.

Where to Stay:

The Ellis Hotel is a friendly cosmopolitan boutique hotel in the heart of Atlanta. This newly rennovated 1913 landmark is an oasis of luxury, serenity and modern amenities: LCD flat screen TV, Wi-Fi access, and a 24/7-business center. Women may opt for the “Ladies Only” 10th floor, where comfortable rooms feature curling irons, flat irons, bathrobes and Ermenegildo Zegna bath amenities. The e Street Grille specializes in American favorites with a southern twist. Don’t miss the Hotlanta Bloody Mary. 404-523-5155, www.ellishotel.com.

Story and Photos c2008/9 Sharon Spence Lieb