Pamela's Motorcycle Ride

After our cruise we got to spend a week with Grandma and Phyllis. Grandma's flight went out of New Orleans early Saturday morning so we headed out Friday morning and spent the night there. We had been invited to a temple sealing on Saturday afternoon in Baton Rouge, LA so we took a teenager with us so that she could help us at the zoo and then babysit at the temple. I now know why people hire nannies! It's wonderful! So, since we had the six people from our family, the two grandmas, and Sydney we couldn't fit in our van. Grandma and Dustin rode the motorcycle and I think grandma really liked it!

Stop Three: Cozumel, Mexico

Our last cruise stop was in Cozumel, Mexico. We decided not to purchase an excursion for this stop and we went shopping instead. Dustin is really good at bargaining for a great price! We made sure we got a little something for everyone and headed back to the ship. I wasn't really impressed with Cozumel in the past, and I wasn't that impressed with it this time, either. I did hear from other cruisers that the snorkeling was amazing so if I ever head back there a snorkel tour will top my list!

Stop Two: Grand Cayman

Grand Cayman is beautiful! The water is so amazing. This was my second time in Grand Cayman and again it tops my list of favorite cruise stops. Dustin and I went snorkeling and to Sting Ray City where we swam near a stand bar with huge rays that are not afraid of humans. I took lots of photos with a water-proof camera, but I haven't taken them in to be developed yet. Those will be coming soon!

Into the Caribbean Sea

Here are a couple of shots of us riding the horses in the ocean. There are only a couple because while the camera adds 10 pounds, the horse riding appears to add another 20! All kidding aside, this was one of the coolest experiences of the whole week. The horses went right out into the water. We really had an awesome day in Jamaica!

Horseback Riding in Jamaica!

Dustin really wanted to go horseback riding for one of our shore excursions. We chose to go riding in Jamaica. It was much more fun than I thought it was going to be. We first took a ride around the ranch and polo fields, then up into the hills around the ranch. Finally we got to ride the horses into the ocean! The horses were beautiful and healthy and our guides were superb. All of the guides were polo players on the ranch and were so comfortable around the animals. I was truly impressed. Prince Charles used to play polo here when he visited in the past. On part of the ride there was a steap drop off to the left and my horse wanted to walk right along that edge. So much for me leading the horse! The guide kept telling me that the horse wouldn't fall but he finally hopped off his horse and pulled mine over to the right until I was good to go again. I was very grateful for while I put on a brave face and laughed at the horses disobedience, I was very nervous we were going to go right over that edge and into the jungle!

First Stop: Jamaica

Our first stop on the cruise was Jamaica. The people of Jamaica were so welcoming and friendly to us. It was a beautiful island and we had a really great day there.

The Water Slide!

Dustin loved going down the water slide. He thinks he went down over 50 times! He was so funny. He and a couple of other cruisers kept trying to see who could make the bigger splash. I, on the other hand, only went down maybe five times, but I also finished my book on the cruise, too!

Mini-Golf

Dustin and I had a lot of fun on the mini-golf course. We also enjoyed playing ping-pong and playing scrabble. Cruises are awesome because you can do as much or as little as you want while someone drives you around the Caribbean! We took naps, we swam, we went to shows, and we ate. A lot! It was a great vacation.

Go for the Gold!

I have been on 2 Carnival cruises before this one. On both of those cruises I have played some sort of game and won a golden plastic trophy. I was extremely determined to go three for three, but, alas, had to settle for a golden (although non-plastic) medal. I played a team scavenger hunt and we did win first place. It was pretty crazy. It was on the main pool deck, the Lido Deck, and we had to quickly retrieve items from people who were attempting to relax in the sun. The wildest item to retrieve was a bikini top from a woman who had to take it off and give it to us. Surprisingly easy to come by on a cruise ship! It stayed family friendly since they came from ladies with cover-ups on!

Around the ship...

Our Cruise!

Back in mid-May, Dustin and I celebrated our 10th wedding anniversary (which isn't until July, yet we're hopeful that we make it!) by taking a cruise aboard the Carnival Elation. Grandma Pamela and her friend Phyllis flew down from Idaho to watch the crew for us. We sailed to Jamaica, Grand Cayman, and Cozumel. Of the three, we both agree, that Grand Cayman was the loveliest. We loved being pampered by the staff, doing whatever we wanted when we wanted to, and not answering to anyone! It was a super fun trip and I am excited to start planning the next one!