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.
Sunday, December 25, 2011
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.
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Today we arrived in Hondoras. I will upload some pictures later for all these posts after we return home. From deck 13 Hondoras looks very similar to Guatemala. The same trees covering most of the landscape as you see from the air approaching Guatemala City. For me this filled with me with remembrance of bad events in Guatemala and unfortunately I was unable to make myself get off the ship that day.
Which considering Corey took Luke swimming with the dolphins was for the best anyway. I was onboard with Sarah, Gabe and Lily. It amazing how much those kids love the water. At home we maybe use the pool for an hour each day over the summer. Usually we wind up skipping a week or two at a time depending on how busy things are. On the ship I we are lucky to get them to spend less than 5 hours in the pools. Which considering how few activities there are actually are on the ship is great. They have a kiddie pool with three little waterslides for the kids. It makes them very happy that they can go down them by themselves. Thats good for about 2 hours a stretch. However, because it is the kids pool there isn't anyone cleaning the area around it regularly. So it is not unusual to see dirty dishes or cups laying around.
While Corey at the dolphins I took the three of them to the big pool to go on the big waterslide. Only drawback is I have to take each one down with me. This resuled in about 20 trips up the ladders to take each one down multiple times. It is surprising how much exercise you get on the ship without realizing it. But I must say taking each one of them down has been one of the highlights so far.
I'll talk to ya soon.
Which considering Corey took Luke swimming with the dolphins was for the best anyway. I was onboard with Sarah, Gabe and Lily. It amazing how much those kids love the water. At home we maybe use the pool for an hour each day over the summer. Usually we wind up skipping a week or two at a time depending on how busy things are. On the ship I we are lucky to get them to spend less than 5 hours in the pools. Which considering how few activities there are actually are on the ship is great. They have a kiddie pool with three little waterslides for the kids. It makes them very happy that they can go down them by themselves. Thats good for about 2 hours a stretch. However, because it is the kids pool there isn't anyone cleaning the area around it regularly. So it is not unusual to see dirty dishes or cups laying around.
While Corey at the dolphins I took the three of them to the big pool to go on the big waterslide. Only drawback is I have to take each one down with me. This resuled in about 20 trips up the ladders to take each one down multiple times. It is surprising how much exercise you get on the ship without realizing it. But I must say taking each one of them down has been one of the highlights so far.
I'll talk to ya soon.
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Monday, December 19, 2011
This morning started out the same as every other morning. The kids got up the same ridiculous time. I was hoping since we had an inside cabin that the darkness would get them to sleep later. No such luck. Today is a day at sea we explored the ship and got used to the layout.
Morning, we went to breakfast in the dining room. Kids had pancakes and bacon. My mother and I had egg white omelettes. I'm trying to stay on my weight loss plan as best as possible while I'm on the ship. Corey of course had egg benedict. It wouldn't be a cruise if Corey didn't get her eggs benedict. It's one of those cruises staples for our family. Gabe ate his pancakes, his bacon, some salmon from mommy, 2 glasses of lemonade and half of Lily's eggs. That kid is going to be a football player some day.
Then it was off to camp for the kids. Sarah, Gabe and Lily were thrilled to go. Luke, however, would take until almost 4 pm that afternoon to get surgically removed from mommy's side. But eventually that worked to. Thank goodness for camp.
Activities for the day: For me I started off the morning at the health club and did some free weights and the an early morning stretching class. I'm going to try to do the early morning stretch class everyday we are hearing. Tomorrow morning I"m going to try to make the fabulous abs class and the early morning stretch class. Both before 8 am. I also managed to make it to the first art auction on the ship. It's been a long time since I've been ableto go to an auction at sea without all the kids. Thank goodness for camp. I might have already mentioned that but so far it has been greatly relaxing having camp. The art on the ship is a very interesting mix. I have noticed some interesting trends in peoples purchasing this trip. It has reached a point that the auctioner couldn't even give away Thomas Kinkade. He put up five separate paintings people could have all five for $900.00 and no one wanted them. I've always thought Thomas Kinkade was interesting but over exposed. I have trouble paying for an artist a lot of money if I can go to Office Depot and buy a calendar with his stuff on it.
For dinner we decided to try one of the speciality restaurants on the ship. We went to Endless Summer, it is a tex-mex restuarant. All I can see is so much more my diet at this meal. The food was pretty incredible. I had spicy spring rolls, taquitos with barbeque sauce, black bean soup, and a beef burrito. The springs rolls were good. The barbeque taquitos were unlike anything I've tried before. Delicous. Unfortunately the black bean soup has ruined me for having it at Panera. The barbequed beef burrito was huge and delicious. Interesting enough if the kids order off the regular dining room menu then they are free in the speciality restuarants and with four kids free is important. Corey had delicious lobster tacos. If she could have lobster at every meal she would. My mother had bbq ribs. They were the best she has ever had. I won't even tell you how great desert was.
Well tomorrow is another day. I will let you know how the day in Honduras goes. We've never been there before. Corey and Luke are going swimming with the dolphins. I am staying on the ship with my mother and Sarah, Gabe, and Lily.
Talk to ya tomorrow.
Morning, we went to breakfast in the dining room. Kids had pancakes and bacon. My mother and I had egg white omelettes. I'm trying to stay on my weight loss plan as best as possible while I'm on the ship. Corey of course had egg benedict. It wouldn't be a cruise if Corey didn't get her eggs benedict. It's one of those cruises staples for our family. Gabe ate his pancakes, his bacon, some salmon from mommy, 2 glasses of lemonade and half of Lily's eggs. That kid is going to be a football player some day.
Then it was off to camp for the kids. Sarah, Gabe and Lily were thrilled to go. Luke, however, would take until almost 4 pm that afternoon to get surgically removed from mommy's side. But eventually that worked to. Thank goodness for camp.
Activities for the day: For me I started off the morning at the health club and did some free weights and the an early morning stretching class. I'm going to try to do the early morning stretch class everyday we are hearing. Tomorrow morning I"m going to try to make the fabulous abs class and the early morning stretch class. Both before 8 am. I also managed to make it to the first art auction on the ship. It's been a long time since I've been ableto go to an auction at sea without all the kids. Thank goodness for camp. I might have already mentioned that but so far it has been greatly relaxing having camp. The art on the ship is a very interesting mix. I have noticed some interesting trends in peoples purchasing this trip. It has reached a point that the auctioner couldn't even give away Thomas Kinkade. He put up five separate paintings people could have all five for $900.00 and no one wanted them. I've always thought Thomas Kinkade was interesting but over exposed. I have trouble paying for an artist a lot of money if I can go to Office Depot and buy a calendar with his stuff on it.
For dinner we decided to try one of the speciality restaurants on the ship. We went to Endless Summer, it is a tex-mex restuarant. All I can see is so much more my diet at this meal. The food was pretty incredible. I had spicy spring rolls, taquitos with barbeque sauce, black bean soup, and a beef burrito. The springs rolls were good. The barbeque taquitos were unlike anything I've tried before. Delicous. Unfortunately the black bean soup has ruined me for having it at Panera. The barbequed beef burrito was huge and delicious. Interesting enough if the kids order off the regular dining room menu then they are free in the speciality restuarants and with four kids free is important. Corey had delicious lobster tacos. If she could have lobster at every meal she would. My mother had bbq ribs. They were the best she has ever had. I won't even tell you how great desert was.
Well tomorrow is another day. I will let you know how the day in Honduras goes. We've never been there before. Corey and Luke are going swimming with the dolphins. I am staying on the ship with my mother and Sarah, Gabe, and Lily.
Talk to ya tomorrow.
The first night on the ship
Sunday, December 18, 2011
Traveling to this ship was a new experience. The seven of us had never left out of Tampa, Fl before. Once we found the right terminal it was easy. I'm not used to ports being right in the middle of downtown, however, so the roads were a little tricky.
Norwegian was really easy to do the bordering process, except when we set up the keys to our rooms they automatically gave the kids purchasing rights. I do not know about you but I do not want my six year old having the power to buy as many tokens in the arcade as he can want. So went to the pursers office and took care of that.
We went to the main dining room for both lunch and dinner. The food has been great so far. The sail away was a little surprising in that it was very windy and cold. I do not think we've ever gone on a cruise in December before. It wasn't as windy and cold as that when we left Seattle three years ago to go on an Alaskan cruise. At dinner that night everyone was wearing pants or jeans to dinner, but in Alaska it was so hot when we were there everyone was wearing shorts the whole time. Ah, maybe its global warming who knows.
I'll try to figure out how to upload pictures later in the week.
Traveling to this ship was a new experience. The seven of us had never left out of Tampa, Fl before. Once we found the right terminal it was easy. I'm not used to ports being right in the middle of downtown, however, so the roads were a little tricky.
Norwegian was really easy to do the bordering process, except when we set up the keys to our rooms they automatically gave the kids purchasing rights. I do not know about you but I do not want my six year old having the power to buy as many tokens in the arcade as he can want. So went to the pursers office and took care of that.
We went to the main dining room for both lunch and dinner. The food has been great so far. The sail away was a little surprising in that it was very windy and cold. I do not think we've ever gone on a cruise in December before. It wasn't as windy and cold as that when we left Seattle three years ago to go on an Alaskan cruise. At dinner that night everyone was wearing pants or jeans to dinner, but in Alaska it was so hot when we were there everyone was wearing shorts the whole time. Ah, maybe its global warming who knows.
I'll try to figure out how to upload pictures later in the week.
Friday, December 16, 2011
Before I Begin
December 16, 2011
Before I begin this journey I want to introduce myself to those of you who I do not know.
My name is David. I am thirty-six years old married man with four children six and under.
I decided to start this travel blog as an alternative to a more traditional midlife crisis. Rather than buy a sports car or have an affair, I have decided to experience new travel destinations as well as new activities in places I've been before.
I would like to share them as they happen with you.
On Sunday December 18, 2011 my family and I leave Orlando to travel to Tampa. In Tampa we are going to board the Norwegian Star for a 7 day Western Caribbean cruise. We will travel to Hondorus, Belize, Cozumel and Costa Maya. Usually we stay on this ship or go shopping in ports. But this trip I decided it was time to do some more extreme tours.
I will try to post while we are on the ship.
Talk to ya then.
Before I begin this journey I want to introduce myself to those of you who I do not know.
My name is David. I am thirty-six years old married man with four children six and under.
I decided to start this travel blog as an alternative to a more traditional midlife crisis. Rather than buy a sports car or have an affair, I have decided to experience new travel destinations as well as new activities in places I've been before.
I would like to share them as they happen with you.
On Sunday December 18, 2011 my family and I leave Orlando to travel to Tampa. In Tampa we are going to board the Norwegian Star for a 7 day Western Caribbean cruise. We will travel to Hondorus, Belize, Cozumel and Costa Maya. Usually we stay on this ship or go shopping in ports. But this trip I decided it was time to do some more extreme tours.
I will try to post while we are on the ship.
Talk to ya then.
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