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!