For example, this year we stopped at Belize (4th visit for me), Roatan Island (3rd visit for me), Cozumel (geez, half dozen or more visits for me?), and the cruise line’s private island (I think I’ve been there before, but I’ve been to so many – they start to run together).
But – any cruise trip is a great vacation – and there’s always something new to see in the ports if you want to get beyond the usual tourist stuff.
This trip there were my sister (GH), brother-in-law (CH), brother (CA), sister-in-law (BA), aunt (SG), a friend of GH and CH (CF), two friends of mine (SL and DB) and a friend of DB’s (NH).
Saturday
SL and I flew down late in the afternoon. I really didn’t think it through and should have booked an earlier flight. No problems, arrived on time, easy cab ride from the airport to the ship – but I misread the departure time – we made the ship with less than 30 minutes to spare. Any airline delays and we’d have missed the boat. Note to self – next time – pay attention!
Sunday
Sunday was a day at sea. I went to the ship’s library and checked out 3 books. Did nothing but lay around and read.
And eat of course.
Monday
Roatan Island, Honduras.
DB, NH, SL and I went to a ship’s beach excursion at West End. DB and NH also went to a Dolphin swim as well. Typical rustic style resort but a new modern condo building is under construction next door. GH, CH, CF and SG ended up at the same place via taxi.
CH announced authoritatively that the condo’s were for sale – cheap - $29,000. Bullshit. The kitchens alone (cabinetry, sub zero appliances, granite counter tops, etc.) probably cost $29,000 to build / up fit. My guess is about $200,000 for a small unit.
Late day and early evenings are spent on DB's deck. He always gets a nice room on these trips and it's a great place to relax and unwind.
Working on 2 very silly light weight novels by Christopher Moore. Sort of a juvenile sophmoric gonzo prose. Now that’s a combination - juvenile, sophmoric and prose in the same sentence.
Tuesday
Belize City, Belize.
I walked around the city by myself. Went to the National Museum to see the worlds largest carved Jade Head – discovered in the Altun Ha ruins not too long ago.
Turns out – the actual jade head is kept in a vault in the central bank and is only brought out a couple times a year for viewing and ritual Mayan sacrificing and such.
But – the bones and other artifacts that the head was found with are on display along with a replica of the jade carving.
The National Museum was an operating prison till about 1998 when a new prison was built and the old one converted to a museum.
Also went to the National Handicraft Center which was OK. Walked around and just looked at the local architecture and kept getting pestered by the local street people. Note to self – next time – don’t walk alone.
SL, DB and NH went zip lining and cave tubing.
Everybody else hired a cab and went to the Altun Ha ruins and the Belkan Beer plant.
Wednesday
Cozumel Island, Mexico.
SL, CA, BA and I went on a jungle ATV tour. Man – that was fun. Mudding through the jungle and stopped at a small Mayan temple / observatory and the tomb of what is thought to be the last Mayan King of the Island. That was a blast – now I know why all the kids in my neighborhood have ATVs.
DB, NH, and CF went to Tulum.
GH, SG and CH walked around town and shopped.
Thursday
Another day at sea. I really like the way the sea days are interspersed during the trip. It’s nice to just hang around without having to do anything.
Got both Christopher Moore books finished. While his stuff won’t exercise your mind, they were humorous light weight books – perfect for cruise reading.
I also finished an Atlantic Monthly and passed it on to DB. I wonder if he’s got to the Middle East political article and found the small box item about how engineers seem to be drawn to terrorism?
I checked the internetubesweb for email. Also looked at a Raleigh TV station site. Uh oh. The weatherman is saying there’s a possibility of serious snow in Raleigh when I’m supposed to fly back Saturday. As in 6 to 12 inches.
Friday
Stirrup Cay, Bahamas.
This is a private island beach owned by the cruise line. Next door is another private beach island that had a Celebrity ship anchored.
Nice day to just laze around on the beach – snorkel – wade – swim – sleep – read – eat – and basically do nothing productive.
That evening we had a small birthday celebration for Aunt S (SG). I got her a Bob Marley tee shirt. I hope she wears it around her retirement community.
Saturday
Back in Miami.
Checked the airlines – the snow event isn’t that big of a deal in Raleigh but Atlanta has serious delays due to icing and such. BA and CA can’t get out of Miami till Monday. My and SL’s flight is direct to Raleigh so we’ll be OK. The only downer is that our flight didn’t leave till 8 PM. Tried to get standby for an earlier flight but it was over booked already.
SL, GH, CH, CF, SG and I went to the condo GH and CH were using (a friend of theirs own it - Blue Condominium for what its worth).
Later, SL and I went to Bayside Park and Market and did some sight seeing and basically just hung out. Being in Miami, we had Cuban Sandwiches for lunch - at a restaurant named Latin America - flattened of course.
Finally, we took a cab back to the condo and picked up our luggage that the front desk was holding for us as everybody else had gone to the airport or were on the road back to their respective homes.
Snowing some and darn cold when we got back to Raleigh but no big deal – maybe an inch or so of snow.
So that’s about it – great trip – had a good time with everybody – and nice to be home.
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