And we're off! SLC to Dallas to Houston to Galveston to Paradise!!!
A week long vacation with my husband was long over-due. And it was just what the doctor ordered. I boarded the Navigator of the Seas, tucked my children safely in my heart, hugged my husband and breathed a sigh of relief. Time to relax.
Our first port was Cozumel. We didn't stay in Cozumel for long though. We quickly boarded a ferry and made our way to the Yucatan Peninsula. I had heard the ferry ride was turbulent so I took some motion sickness medicine. Well, it made me so tired, I felt like I was in a haze for the rest of the day. Add to that, heat and humidity that threatened to suck every will to live from my body. Notice my face.
Once on the Yucatan Peninsula, we took a bus to the Tulum Mayan ruins. Even through my daze, it was pretty fantastic!
One of the coolest parts was how the city of Tulum was surrounded by a wall. Outside the wall, the city is surrounded by thick, jungle foilage. Inside the wall, it was clear. Stunningly clear, with grass, which brought out the harsh strength of the stone buildings.
The city only has three walls, because on the fourth side, the city is protected by a drop-off to the ocean.
After the tour, we had lunch and played in the water. SOooo refreshing. I cannot emphasize how refreshing that water was in the heat and humidity!
Our next port was Grand Cayman. No pictures. Not one. We walked to a snorkeling rental place and snorkeled for a while then headed back to the ship. So in place of pictures, her are some of our towel sculpting master pieces from our room attendant, Darin.
Our third and final port was Jamaica.
We piled into a minivan (D/S, C/M, C/W and S/K) and took a tour to Montego Bay.
On the way, we stopped off at this beautiful hotel over-looking the bay. I took a picture of the sign so I'd be able to look them up later if we ever planned a trip to Jamaica. :)
Here is a view from the hotel. In front of us, not pictured, is a beautiful swimming pool.
This dog was standing at full attention and I thought he was a statue, until he turned his head to watch me walk.
And just look at the beauty of the hotel behind me. It was stunning.
The next two days were full days at sea. We found our way to the very, very front of the ship. It was very windy. It was also where the heli-pad was located. Later that night, we snuck away and laid on our backs on the heli-pad and looked at the moon and stars.
We also had our second formal night. (Didn't get a picture of the first formal night. Man, I didn't take enough pictures. I was trying to 'live in the moment' but now I wish I'd taken more pictures.)
The best part of being on the boat for 2 days straight, was the flowrider. They offered both stand-up surfing and boogie boarding. We did both. It was so fun.
Ster's first time boogie boarding, Ster went in from the top on his stomach, flowed to the front and then was pushed right back over the top again. It was very humorous and thanks to the stadium seating around the flowrider, many people were entertained by his quick ride.
But the coach person helped Ster learn how to enter the water and then to move side to side. The crowd was going wild, because we all related to him. He totally failed the first time and then learned bit by bit, in front of an audience who were now totally invested in his flowrider journey.
Then the coach encouraged him to get up on his knees. When he made it, the crowd cheered. Then he did the snake/wave/breakdance thing he does with his arms and shoulders. The crowd went WILD. It was Awesome. (No video, of course)
It was a great vacation. Wonderful to be with Ster's dad and Aunt Brookie and with several of Ster's brothers and their wives. As soon as the plane hit ground in Utah, though, I was anxious to see my kids, as I always am.
Which happened to be a Super Blood Moon night. We got home just in time to be welcomed by kids outside running circles around my parents, looking at the Super Moon lunar eclipse.
