June 9, 2012
It has been a few months since my last post. It's taken me some time to realize that this blog should not only be about places that we go to visit since everyday is part of the travel journey of our lives. Which recommends congrats to the Garcia's on their baby girl. Your new journey is just beginning.
We are currently packing to go to Tennessee. Thought it would be fun to take the kids cave exploring and hiking. Not so sure that Corey is going to want to go in the caves. Sarah seems to think she'll get to see giant spiders in the caves. I guess that means no more MegaAnimal movies on the scifi channel for her. As I write this the kids are in the other room watching Malibu Shark Attack.
I will try to update regularly while we are on the road.
Saturday, June 9, 2012
Monday, January 2, 2012
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
Today was Corey and my 9th anniversary. We decided to do something fun for the kids. We should have taken them to an inside playground at a mall since it was cold and windy.
Instead we decided to try going to Universal Studios. Usually Islands of Adventures is always crowded and Universal is empty. Everyone wants to go to Harry Potter in Islands. Universal is usually so empty they are even closing Jaws. But not on December 28th.
We forgot to factor in that most people had not left to begin going home after the holidays. It was the most crowded we had ever seen it. Rides that usually had no waits had 90 minute waits. We got some pictures of the kids with Scooby Doo and saw an animal show. The boys and girls each teamed up to make a spin art picture.
We finally left the park after not having gotten a chance to eat lunch because everything was so crowded. We made it over to Winter Garden Village a local shopping center and went to Mimi's for our anniversary. It had been years since I was at a Mimi's and the food was surprisingly good. Then we went home around 7 pm and the kids all passed out quickly.
Instead we decided to try going to Universal Studios. Usually Islands of Adventures is always crowded and Universal is empty. Everyone wants to go to Harry Potter in Islands. Universal is usually so empty they are even closing Jaws. But not on December 28th.
We forgot to factor in that most people had not left to begin going home after the holidays. It was the most crowded we had ever seen it. Rides that usually had no waits had 90 minute waits. We got some pictures of the kids with Scooby Doo and saw an animal show. The boys and girls each teamed up to make a spin art picture.
We finally left the park after not having gotten a chance to eat lunch because everything was so crowded. We made it over to Winter Garden Village a local shopping center and went to Mimi's for our anniversary. It had been years since I was at a Mimi's and the food was surprisingly good. Then we went home around 7 pm and the kids all passed out quickly.
Sunday, December 25., 2011
Merry Christmas.
Today we arrived in Tampa. We went to the dining room for breakfast and then to a special lounge to get off the ship. We basically waited there about 30 minutes and then got off the ship. We met a porter to help us with the luggage. The good thing about Tampa was they offered valet parking at the port. Basically it was like $15 more than regular parking but I didn't have to go get the car with all seven of us and ten suitcases. Well worth the extra $15. We all piled into the car and drove home.
Another successful cruise vacation completed.
Today we arrived in Tampa. We went to the dining room for breakfast and then to a special lounge to get off the ship. We basically waited there about 30 minutes and then got off the ship. We met a porter to help us with the luggage. The good thing about Tampa was they offered valet parking at the port. Basically it was like $15 more than regular parking but I didn't have to go get the car with all seven of us and ten suitcases. Well worth the extra $15. We all piled into the car and drove home.
Another successful cruise vacation completed.
Saturday, December 24, 2011
Today was the last day on the ship. We had a full day at sea before we get back to Tampa, Florida. Most cruises there are tons of things to do on days at sea. Norwegian not so much. The kids spent the morning in the kids pool. Corey had some problems with some teens playing in the kid pool because there was no Norwegian supervision at the pool. So she and some other parents had to call down to the desk to get it taken care of. The teens were being really rough with the little ones. Gaby came away with a lump on his forehead from them. Around 11am the girls wants to go to camp. The resto of us went to play bingo. Corey won $59. We picked up the girls for lunch and then after that it was back to camp for all of them. We really could not have gotten through the week without the camp. That was great. Tomorrow we try to get off the ship. Never done that before in Tampa. Have to see how it goes.
Sunday, December 25, 2011
Friday, December 23, 2011
Cozumel, Mexico
Today we planned in our final port, Cozumel, Mexico. We've been to Cozumel so many times that we don't usually even get off the ship. But since we were on Norwegian they do not really have the activities to keep you occupied during the day in port. So off we all got. I had a tour that I had to be at the end of the pier by 9:50 am so I walked off the ship with my mother, Corey and the kids. They went shopping and I went on the tour.
Introduction to Scuba Diving. Basically it was scuba diving for dummies. Instructions like breath through the tub, clear your ears as you go down, and let us do the rest. Which worked for me since I'd never been scuba diving before. I did not realize how heavy those tanks are out of the water. Once you are in the water no problem, but before it felt like I was carrying Gabe around on my back. I will admit it took me a little while to get my breathing regulated. I would say after about five minutes I realized that I was breathing ok and decided it was time to go deeper. We never really went that far from shore. Saw a bunch of fish and reefs. We went to about 25 feet deep. Which for the first time I thought was pretty good. I would do another dive if I have time. I need to do three more in the next year to get certified. We'll see how that goes.
The kids had a blast walking around. Corey found some good bargains. And I got to go diving. A pretty good day in port all around.
Today we planned in our final port, Cozumel, Mexico. We've been to Cozumel so many times that we don't usually even get off the ship. But since we were on Norwegian they do not really have the activities to keep you occupied during the day in port. So off we all got. I had a tour that I had to be at the end of the pier by 9:50 am so I walked off the ship with my mother, Corey and the kids. They went shopping and I went on the tour.
Introduction to Scuba Diving. Basically it was scuba diving for dummies. Instructions like breath through the tub, clear your ears as you go down, and let us do the rest. Which worked for me since I'd never been scuba diving before. I did not realize how heavy those tanks are out of the water. Once you are in the water no problem, but before it felt like I was carrying Gabe around on my back. I will admit it took me a little while to get my breathing regulated. I would say after about five minutes I realized that I was breathing ok and decided it was time to go deeper. We never really went that far from shore. Saw a bunch of fish and reefs. We went to about 25 feet deep. Which for the first time I thought was pretty good. I would do another dive if I have time. I need to do three more in the next year to get certified. We'll see how that goes.
The kids had a blast walking around. Corey found some good bargains. And I got to go diving. A pretty good day in port all around.
Thursday, December 22, 2011
Costa Maya, Mexico
We were in Costa Maya a few years ago on another cruise. It was like a month after a hurricane so it pretty much was in a shambles. This time was completely different. You walk down the pier into a shopping area. Basically the same stores as most ports. But intermingled with the jewlery, cigar and liquor stores are stores to get local products. The girls got little bracelets with their names on them. Also the girls got there hair braided. That solved the problem of having to do their hair the rest of winter break.
My mother bought the boys little copper rings with their initials on them. Absolutely adorable. After that we went around the corner and found out that Senor Frog's & Carlos and Charlies had a big pool inbetween them for people to swim in. Of course we had gotten off the ship to do some shopping not swim, so Corey went back to get them bathing suits. While she was getting them I let them splash around in their clothes. So that by the time she got back the bathing suits were there dry outfits to go back to the ship.
Everyone was getting thirsty so Corey got me and her a drink from Senor Frogs. I think it was called Senor Frog's Special or something like that. It was apparently the mixed drink original something. Not really sure. All I know is that it came in this yard tall glass. It's been so long since I had anything to drink that I couldn't really taste anything in it. It kinda tasted like a smoothie only better. Unfortauntely I was playing with the kids and didn't really pay attention to how fast I was drinking it. I finished it in about 5 or 10 minutes. After that I decided to see what I had just drank. Apparently it was pineapply juice, orange juice, ice, 2 shots of rum, 2 shots of vodka, and 2 shots of tequila. I'd just downed 6 shots in about 10 minutes without even realizing it. Needless to say that rest of the day was pretty good. And I kept the yard glass as a souvenir.
We were in Costa Maya a few years ago on another cruise. It was like a month after a hurricane so it pretty much was in a shambles. This time was completely different. You walk down the pier into a shopping area. Basically the same stores as most ports. But intermingled with the jewlery, cigar and liquor stores are stores to get local products. The girls got little bracelets with their names on them. Also the girls got there hair braided. That solved the problem of having to do their hair the rest of winter break.
My mother bought the boys little copper rings with their initials on them. Absolutely adorable. After that we went around the corner and found out that Senor Frog's & Carlos and Charlies had a big pool inbetween them for people to swim in. Of course we had gotten off the ship to do some shopping not swim, so Corey went back to get them bathing suits. While she was getting them I let them splash around in their clothes. So that by the time she got back the bathing suits were there dry outfits to go back to the ship.
Everyone was getting thirsty so Corey got me and her a drink from Senor Frogs. I think it was called Senor Frog's Special or something like that. It was apparently the mixed drink original something. Not really sure. All I know is that it came in this yard tall glass. It's been so long since I had anything to drink that I couldn't really taste anything in it. It kinda tasted like a smoothie only better. Unfortauntely I was playing with the kids and didn't really pay attention to how fast I was drinking it. I finished it in about 5 or 10 minutes. After that I decided to see what I had just drank. Apparently it was pineapply juice, orange juice, ice, 2 shots of rum, 2 shots of vodka, and 2 shots of tequila. I'd just downed 6 shots in about 10 minutes without even realizing it. Needless to say that rest of the day was pretty good. And I kept the yard glass as a souvenir.
Friday, December 23, 2011
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Today we arrived in Belize City, Belize. Yesterday Corey got to take Luke swimming with the dolphins which he loved by the way. So today I am going on a tour called Raiders of the Lost Mayan Caves. I am not usually the most adventurous person. Up until now I've been parasailing for about 8 minutes on a Disney Cruise once last year. So I decided it was time for a change. Hence the Raiders tour.
We were supposed to meet in the Stardust Theater at 9:15 am to go. We wound up leaving the theater around 9:30 am to go to the tender to get ashore. After a 25 tender ride to shore we met our guide, Marsha. We finally boarded the bus around 10:30am. It was a very nice school bus with air conditioning. Then we started on the first part of the adventure, the drive to the caves. Those of you who have been driving in a central american country will know what I am talking about it. There are six traffic lights in the entire country. Stop signs are kinda like a suggestion. Speed limits aren't even noticed. Driving here is like driving in Guatemala it would make the most seasoned New York driver scared for there life. The first 50 minutes of the ride is on a nice two lane paved road, the Western Highway. After that it is onto a dirt and stone road for the next 30 minutes. I felt like Tigger going bouncy, bouncy, bouncy. After that we stop off at a place at the entrance to the caves for chicken kabobs with baked beans. They really loved baked beans in Belize. Also they have about a thousand varieties of hot sauce here.
After lunch, we go to get our gear. Full harnesses for our bodies, along with gloves and a miners hat with light. We wearing this gear is definitely a picture I will upload later. Then we begin our 15 minutes walk through the rainforest. Aside from the vegetation and hearing animals we never saw any animals during the walk. But considering that we were climbing up hills and over trees and boulderings the size of ponys it was good there no animals. At the end of the hike we got a little glass of water and arrived at the entrance to the cave. I've never been into a cave before in my life. The only thing I know about caves is things I've seen in horror movies. Our helmet lights got switched on and in we went. We played telephone in our group to relay message from the front of the line to the back with safety notices. Things like watch your head, its wet here, watch your back. Eventually messages got shortended to back, head, and wet. Usually after the person in front of you hit there head. Which I will admit I did a few times myself. We saw broken pots, a Mayan fertility cave, stalgamites and stalgatites, basically different types of rocks. We then reach an area were we have to climb down using a special type of ladder that was invented during WW2 for cave transfer of ammunitions. Basically big steel looking staples, stapled into the wall as ladders. This was fun since you had to climb down without seeing were you were going. This lead into a cave filled with minature bats.
After the caves which took about thirty minutes. We made it the first zip line. I have never been ziplining before so this was going to be fun. However, the first zipline we were required to brake ourselves. I did not do so good at that. Basically you lean back and lift up your feet. With one hand you hold onto harness and the only one you keep it open in a C-shape above the braking cord. It was very difficult not to try to hold on and brake early. Also you have to keep your hand band your head or you start spinning. So halfway through the line while I'm spinning and stopping early I thought maybe ziplining wasn't such a good idea. But eventually after going hand over hand the last 10 feet I made it to the end.
After that it was on the rope bridges. Theres are two bridges to get across two bigs caves. I would guess maybe thirty or forty feet across. Maybe 20 to 30 feet in the air. Basically its a balancing act with your hands on the rails. Made it across both of those good. Didn't even fall once.
Finally the last zipline, this one was much steeper and much faster. But since we didn't have to brake it went much better. Just pick up your legs and hold onto you reach the bottom.
After that back to the bus for the return trip to the pier and the ship. By the time I got back to the Pier it was 4:20 pm. The last tender left at 4:30pm. as you would expect when I got on a line for the last tender it looked as if half the ship was trying to make that tender. I finall made it on tender at 5:00pm. There were at least 2 tenders after mine. However, because of the bad tendering experience they gave us free rum punch the next day. So I consider it a win whenever there are free drinks on a cruise.
Talk to ya tomorrow.
We were supposed to meet in the Stardust Theater at 9:15 am to go. We wound up leaving the theater around 9:30 am to go to the tender to get ashore. After a 25 tender ride to shore we met our guide, Marsha. We finally boarded the bus around 10:30am. It was a very nice school bus with air conditioning. Then we started on the first part of the adventure, the drive to the caves. Those of you who have been driving in a central american country will know what I am talking about it. There are six traffic lights in the entire country. Stop signs are kinda like a suggestion. Speed limits aren't even noticed. Driving here is like driving in Guatemala it would make the most seasoned New York driver scared for there life. The first 50 minutes of the ride is on a nice two lane paved road, the Western Highway. After that it is onto a dirt and stone road for the next 30 minutes. I felt like Tigger going bouncy, bouncy, bouncy. After that we stop off at a place at the entrance to the caves for chicken kabobs with baked beans. They really loved baked beans in Belize. Also they have about a thousand varieties of hot sauce here.
After lunch, we go to get our gear. Full harnesses for our bodies, along with gloves and a miners hat with light. We wearing this gear is definitely a picture I will upload later. Then we begin our 15 minutes walk through the rainforest. Aside from the vegetation and hearing animals we never saw any animals during the walk. But considering that we were climbing up hills and over trees and boulderings the size of ponys it was good there no animals. At the end of the hike we got a little glass of water and arrived at the entrance to the cave. I've never been into a cave before in my life. The only thing I know about caves is things I've seen in horror movies. Our helmet lights got switched on and in we went. We played telephone in our group to relay message from the front of the line to the back with safety notices. Things like watch your head, its wet here, watch your back. Eventually messages got shortended to back, head, and wet. Usually after the person in front of you hit there head. Which I will admit I did a few times myself. We saw broken pots, a Mayan fertility cave, stalgamites and stalgatites, basically different types of rocks. We then reach an area were we have to climb down using a special type of ladder that was invented during WW2 for cave transfer of ammunitions. Basically big steel looking staples, stapled into the wall as ladders. This was fun since you had to climb down without seeing were you were going. This lead into a cave filled with minature bats.
After the caves which took about thirty minutes. We made it the first zip line. I have never been ziplining before so this was going to be fun. However, the first zipline we were required to brake ourselves. I did not do so good at that. Basically you lean back and lift up your feet. With one hand you hold onto harness and the only one you keep it open in a C-shape above the braking cord. It was very difficult not to try to hold on and brake early. Also you have to keep your hand band your head or you start spinning. So halfway through the line while I'm spinning and stopping early I thought maybe ziplining wasn't such a good idea. But eventually after going hand over hand the last 10 feet I made it to the end.
After that it was on the rope bridges. Theres are two bridges to get across two bigs caves. I would guess maybe thirty or forty feet across. Maybe 20 to 30 feet in the air. Basically its a balancing act with your hands on the rails. Made it across both of those good. Didn't even fall once.
Finally the last zipline, this one was much steeper and much faster. But since we didn't have to brake it went much better. Just pick up your legs and hold onto you reach the bottom.
After that back to the bus for the return trip to the pier and the ship. By the time I got back to the Pier it was 4:20 pm. The last tender left at 4:30pm. as you would expect when I got on a line for the last tender it looked as if half the ship was trying to make that tender. I finall made it on tender at 5:00pm. There were at least 2 tenders after mine. However, because of the bad tendering experience they gave us free rum punch the next day. So I consider it a win whenever there are free drinks on a cruise.
Talk to ya tomorrow.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)