Caribbean Cruising!!!

While planning out our year of vacation time, we realized that we didn't have too many major vacations this year.  That was, until Jared's mom wanted to go on a cruise, the very cruise that she missed last year with us due to cancer treatments.  So what were we going to say...uh, YES!  We were in from the get-go.  Any chance we can, we cruise.  It's Jared's favorite way to vacation recently.  I get my sun and beach time, he gets his exploring and sleep time and we're both happy!

 So, with a willing sister who came to watch my children with her little boys, who I more than need to return the favor someday, 4 weeks later after planning, we were off to the Caribbean!

Of course, we have to take a coming aboard picture....Steve, Natalie (who joined us on our adventure as well) and Dorene refused.  They by passed with the elevator - Cheaters!

 

 Then there was the safety first mandatory meeting...

 

 And then meal time....

After exploring the ship, we headed to bed because the next morning we docked in Cozumel, Mexico.

Here, after realizing that Jared AND Steve forgot sunglasses - so they stopped at Del Sol to purchase some, and Dorene in need of a sun hat from Panama Jack's, we jumped aboard a shuttle boat over toward Cancun.  It was a rocky ride and many on the boat had sea sickness - thankfully I got a good picture before the ride and not after.  You're welcome, Natalie.

 

 Then Natalie had arranged a LDS tourguide to take us around Tulum.

Some ancient ruins and he gave us more than just the regular tour, but added in tidbits of information relating to the Book Of Mormon times.  Super Cool!

 

 

Another family joined up with us on the tour.  They were from Las Vegas, and after talking with them, they knew of my sister, Jenny!  Crazy little world we live in!  

We got to hang with this family and get to know them better!  What a neat family!  Wished we lived closer with them!

 

 It took nearly the whole day to explore Tulum and get back to the ship.  We got to stop in a few shops on the way back but all in all, a great day in Mexico!

 

 The next stop was in Belize.  Here we hooked up with the White Family again who had arranged to go Cave Tubing and do a zipline tour.  Of course, we had to drive almost an hour in from the shore and then hike up a ways, so Dorene and Natalie went on another boat tour that took them around Belize.  It was overcast and even rained on us that day, but it was warm!

Cave tubing was fun, it got a little fast on some parts but our guide kept us in check and made us keep our helmets on!

Then after a yummy lunch, the restaurant collapsing as we sat in it, we headed over to do a quick 8 line zip line.  I think Jared is becoming an adventure junky the older he gets!

 

 On our way back, our driver was even nice enough to take us by an LDS chapel there in Belize.  It's amazing how no matter where you go, the church is there.

Natalie and Dorene decided to take a safer route and took an air boat tour around Belize,  At least, they thought it was going to be safer.  They said that it was pretty fun until the rain descended and the tour guide ran out of ponchos for everyone, so they got SOAKED!  They saw what they wanted to in Belize and headed back for the ship to dry out and get some rest.  All in all, a good day in Belize.  Amazing little place and it was neat to see another way of life!

Our final stop was in Roatan, Honduras.  Here we landed on Mahogany Bay, a private section built up just for the cruise ships where there was a private beach you could go and play on or grab a taxi and head out to explore the island and the public beach.

We had arranged to take a tour around the island.  Due to some last minute changes here's what our tour ended up being....

Cultural Dancing at a local resort.  Yes, I did dance with them....AND SO DID STEVE!!! Who knew he was such an amazing dancer?!!! Watch out at the next family reunion!

We got to taste some watermelon drink and pita-type bread

The next stop was at a Botanical Garden place.  We got a personalized tour of the plants that grow here and how things are harvested, etc.  It was amazing to see all the hard work that goes into the food that we take for granted that come packaged and ready for us from the store!

I thought this sign for their weather rock was pretty funny!

Then we got a quick stop at some butterfly gardens and a little petting zoo.  Walking amongst the Butterflies was kind of crazy as they just flew all around you!  The girls would have loved to stay in there for hours.  I thought the girls would love the blue one the best.  Trying to get pictures of them was harder than it looked!

Some of the animals there that we got to hold were the Macaw - I couldn't believe I was holding a bird and their creepy little claw feet.  But a beautiful bird.  I just kept thinking maybe this was Jose from the Tiki Room at Disneyland.  Then I could hold him.

 

Then they called this the Island Bunny.  After I held this one, our tour guide chuckled because it was really a rodent.  Yuck!

And then, as our tour guide shoveled us quickly back on to the bus, I lingered to see another couple handling a Boa Constrictor.  I couldn't help myself and just asked if he'd help me hold it too.  Hey, when you're in roam....hold the Boa.

Then they dropped us back to the cruise ships and since we hadn't had a beach day yet, we had to soak up a few more rays at the beach and put the sand between our toes, well, really, my toes, while Jared and Steve snorkled off the end of the pier.

There is just something about laying on a beach that it is so beautiful!

Us on the beach

Then it was two days of cruising back up the Texas where we enjoyed movies on the deck, playing games, soaking up the sun, and eating, eating and more eating.

On our last formal night, we even found our hair friend!  He told me it takes 8 hours for him to get his hair to stand up and to get the stencil to stay on his hair.  CRAZY!!!!

I couldn't believe that this was really the only picture I got of us dressed up all fancy.  Not the best, but at least you got to see how I belong to a good looking family!

Natalie, because she's a food teacher, we took pictures of our food for her class.  But I think this was one of my favorite desserts.  The chocolate Love boat.  Yum!

I am so grateful that I have a husband who enjoys traveling and who pampers me beyond belief.  I love spending time with this man and am so grateful he married me almost 18 years ago.

Every year it just gets better and I am lucky I married into such an amazing family!

Thanks to Natalie for planning it, and thanks to Dorene for wanting to go!  I'd go cruising with you anytime!!!