1st Half of the Western Caribbean Trip

My cruise to the Caribbean was awesome! I can't believe it's over already, but it was just about as good a vacation as I could have wished for. Plenty of dancing, karaoke, tropical weather, gorgeous scenery, and fun people to play with! It was rainy and cloudy most of the trip, but since the "cold" was a good 70 degrees I won't complain too loudly! I am so glad I got to go! Perfect timing :)


First day: I took a red-eye flight to Miami, and found Shonni (above) after we had both checked in and made our way onto the boat (here, I am pictured with the first of many, many soft-serve ice cream cones). We were roommates with two girls we didn't know but who were great. That first day was spent mostly hanging around the ship meeting people, attending a mixer, eating really, really tasty food, and sleeping through the introductory cabaret show. Busy day!

[below: Shonni and I with our creme brules]

The second day was our first day out to sea. There was lots of volleyball, laying out, and, yes, ice cream. I was proud to wear my new swimsuit. I feel so sassy in it!


Also, that first night at dinner was a "formal" night. I absolutely loved my purple dress! I can't wait for another opportunity to wear it in public. It was fun seeing everyone dressed to the nines! The photo below is of Shonni and I with our two charming dining partners, Jared and Pat. We were assigned a table near the front doors, so we had plenty of opportunity to greet friends and take photos as they came in. It was fun to share meals with them each night, talking about what we had done that day and making plans for the next. They were good guys.

[above: posing with a "Zonkey" - zebra and donkey - which I think has something to do with a restaurant]

Day three, we stopped at Cozumel. I joined Michelle B and her friends at Playa Mia for some sun, relaxation, and swimming in the ocean. The water was colder than I thought it would be, but it was worth it to swim out to the trampoline just offshore. Michelle and I even kayaked for awhile (and sang, too, of course. We love to harmonize). I had wanted to spend at least one day at the beach -- I got my wish and it was a wonderful day!
[below: Michelle, my brother Aaron, and I at the beach. Notice the newly acquired braids and beads around my face.]


That night, I tried out to impersonate Britney Spears in the final night's karaoke "Legends" show. I didn't get the part, but at least I lost to someone freakishly talented. Aaron tried out for Ricky Martin and lost to a guy who did not sing well and looked horrible without a shirt on (I know this because he removed it during the performance and it was funny but painful to watch). Michelle and I later sang "My Boyfriend's Back" and we both agree it was a disaster. She didn't know the song very well, and my voice was failing. Oh, well.

I discovered on the first day that my cousin Shelby was on the cruise, too! Small world, eh? We didn't spend much time together, but she and Aaron sang at least one karaoke song together. (There was a lot of karaoke going on with our group.)

[below: me, Aaron, and Shelby]

Day four, we took a ferry to Belize, where Shonni and I joined a big group for some cave tubing. We hiked through a gorgeous, lush jungle and then floated through some caves and then in the sunshine while wearing head lamps. It was nice and relaxing, but not terribly exciting. Now that I've done it I probably don't need to do it again. The group we were with was really fun, though, and I met a guy with a British accent, of which I am always a fan!


Continued in 2nd Half of the Western Caribbean Trip.