Day 7: Today we are were supposed to port in Cozumel Mexico but because of the Swine Flu we were told that the ship would not be going there. We were definitely disappointed. This day ended up being a full day at see instead on our way to Key West, FL which is where Carnival decided to take us instead. Another restful day with sleep, reading and just enjoying our time together.
Day 8: Today we have docked in Key West, FL. There were some very large yachts docked by our ship so I took a picture of them. One even had a helicopter on top of it. We walked around Key West and finished our shopping for the kids. I liked Key West as it reminded me most of Martha's Vineyard. The people were very friendly. We loved watching the ski boats, catamarans, sail boats and yachts as they passed our ship while docked in Key West. We marveled at how blue and clear the water was here. The sunset was beautiful was we started back toward Miami.
Day 9: Today we docked in Miami, FL at about 7:30am. We were off the ship and on our way to the airport by 9:30am. Our flight home was uneventful and we were so excited to see our kids when we got home that night. We are grateful that we were able to take this trip together. It's weird to think we have been married just under 2 years when it feels like 10 years. We needed this and can't wait for whatever trip we decide to take next year together...that is if we can find people to stay with our 7 kids again. ;-)
Friday, May 8, 2009
Western Caribbean Cruise - Day 6
Day 6: Today we docked in the country of Belize. This was by far our favorite place to visit. The country still had the poverty that we experienced in Roatan but it didn't seem quite as bad as Roatan. We have booked an excursion to see the Mayan ruins of XUNANTUNICH which is only a couple miles from the boarder of Guatemala. XUNANTUNICH is estimated to be a Mayan site from 300 AD – 900 AD. There are large temples, buildings and a partially uncovered ball court at this site. It was a 2 hour bus ride to the site but our guide spoke almost the whole time there telling us about history of Belize, customs, ways of life, how most people live etc.
We arrived at our starting place and boarded a small man powered ferry across a small river. At one point you could see ladies at the shore of the river washing their clothing. Our tour guide said that this is the best way that the women keep in touch with each other and with what is going on in their villages and towns. We could see clothing drying on lines under and around houses. Most homes are built up on stilts. We were told this is for protections from animals and for during the rainy season when everything gets flooded. Very few homes had glass windows as most had just curtains, wooden slats or metal grates over them.
After our quick trip across the river we boarded small vans and were taken up the mountain about 2 miles to the base of the Mayan site. Then we started our walk up to the sites. Once there we were amazed by the grander and beauty of these ancient sites. We were told about the rituals and sacrifices the Mayans performed. Then began our climb up the largest temple. Wow...this was fun, exciting and frightening all at the same time. We laughed about how if this was in the USA then there would be railings all over but here you were on your own on small ledges and steep stairs. The carvings that are still on this temple were amazing.
Once we were on top you could see the magnificent area around the site as well as the other buildings. We could understand why they built there as it was possible to see miles in all directions. As you can see we took lots of pictures so that we could try and take home what we experienced. When we got back to the river and the little shops we bought a carved Mayan calendar, carved jaguar (the Mayan sign of royalty), a hand crafted and painted pottery and jewelry. We were excited to see 2 LDS missionaries with a lady at one of the shops and found out they were from Guatemala and Honduras. The lady was baptised a year ago and she said that in the area there were about 80 members that attended their church.
When we were done seeing the site we were taken to a restaurant and served a lunch of rice with beans, chicken and cold slaw. On the way back to the bus I kept looking for the kids of the country as they were in their schools or waiting on the side of the road for a bus. Most of them were dressed in school uniforms. I was able to catch a school with kids outside it through the bus window and was excited to show our kids how the children of Belize attend school.
We arrived at our starting place and boarded a small man powered ferry across a small river. At one point you could see ladies at the shore of the river washing their clothing. Our tour guide said that this is the best way that the women keep in touch with each other and with what is going on in their villages and towns. We could see clothing drying on lines under and around houses. Most homes are built up on stilts. We were told this is for protections from animals and for during the rainy season when everything gets flooded. Very few homes had glass windows as most had just curtains, wooden slats or metal grates over them.
After our quick trip across the river we boarded small vans and were taken up the mountain about 2 miles to the base of the Mayan site. Then we started our walk up to the sites. Once there we were amazed by the grander and beauty of these ancient sites. We were told about the rituals and sacrifices the Mayans performed. Then began our climb up the largest temple. Wow...this was fun, exciting and frightening all at the same time. We laughed about how if this was in the USA then there would be railings all over but here you were on your own on small ledges and steep stairs. The carvings that are still on this temple were amazing.
Once we were on top you could see the magnificent area around the site as well as the other buildings. We could understand why they built there as it was possible to see miles in all directions. As you can see we took lots of pictures so that we could try and take home what we experienced. When we got back to the river and the little shops we bought a carved Mayan calendar, carved jaguar (the Mayan sign of royalty), a hand crafted and painted pottery and jewelry. We were excited to see 2 LDS missionaries with a lady at one of the shops and found out they were from Guatemala and Honduras. The lady was baptised a year ago and she said that in the area there were about 80 members that attended their church.
When we were done seeing the site we were taken to a restaurant and served a lunch of rice with beans, chicken and cold slaw. On the way back to the bus I kept looking for the kids of the country as they were in their schools or waiting on the side of the road for a bus. Most of them were dressed in school uniforms. I was able to catch a school with kids outside it through the bus window and was excited to show our kids how the children of Belize attend school.
Western Caribbean Cruise - Day 5
Day 5: Today we are on the island of Roatan off the coast of Honduras. As we dock there is a group singing and dancing to native drums. We decided today to go to a private beach. We are put in buses and driven about 20 minutes away to the beach. On the way we are surprised but the horrible poverty that we see. It seems that there is no trash pickup and there are open sewers along the homes. Everything is so dirty and it's hard to imagine how people can survive living like this. It explains why they suggest us going to this private beach as when we get there you can tell they have done a lot to make this area nice. We find out the this is a private area that Carnival is buying. We did see LDS missionaries walking along side the road and we wished we could stop and talk to them about their mission and the area.
We sat in our chairs under and umbrella and looked out at a ship wreck just off the shore. There are people snorkeling and we see a turtle off in the distance by the dock. There are sand crabs everywhere and it was like walking in a mine field in the water but it was so beautiful, blue and clear. The water really was quite warm and we enjoyed just being out in it to cool off. We ordered lunch and I did great until Matt said that this was interesting mystery meat in our hamburger. I lost my appetite the rest of the day on the beach.
When they took us back to the boat we could see small open shops along the road selling items but once the bus stopped at the ship we were told by a Honduran security officer that we could not go past the gate to shop there. We wondered if the shopping areas by the ship were owned by the government and they did not want the tourists going outside that area. One of the couples that we dine with in the evening said he did walk out and bought some things. I guess we were not sure if we should go against what the officer had said to us.
We sat in our chairs under and umbrella and looked out at a ship wreck just off the shore. There are people snorkeling and we see a turtle off in the distance by the dock. There are sand crabs everywhere and it was like walking in a mine field in the water but it was so beautiful, blue and clear. The water really was quite warm and we enjoyed just being out in it to cool off. We ordered lunch and I did great until Matt said that this was interesting mystery meat in our hamburger. I lost my appetite the rest of the day on the beach.
When they took us back to the boat we could see small open shops along the road selling items but once the bus stopped at the ship we were told by a Honduran security officer that we could not go past the gate to shop there. We wondered if the shopping areas by the ship were owned by the government and they did not want the tourists going outside that area. One of the couples that we dine with in the evening said he did walk out and bought some things. I guess we were not sure if we should go against what the officer had said to us.
Western Caribbean Cruise - Day 3 & 4
Day 3: This is our first full day at sea with no stops. It is choppy and windy but that doesn't seem to matter and we are just enjoying our time on deck reading and relaxing. Tonight is the formal dinner. Boy...some people really go crazy with their dress for this night. We are at a table with 3 other couples. They are all nice and very different from us but we have an enjoyable evening.
Dayr 4: This morning we stopped at the island of Grand Cayman. The ship anchored and they put us on small ferry boats to go to the island. We have not booked a tour and decide to just enjoy walking around town and shop. It rained for about 2 minutes but that only cooled the humid air already there. Matt was feeling sea sick today for the first time. Going on and off the ship REALLY messes with your head. We did take a cab to 7 Mile Beach and just enjoyed the area for an hour or two. The cabs drive CRAZY there. The water was so blue and clear.
Dayr 4: This morning we stopped at the island of Grand Cayman. The ship anchored and they put us on small ferry boats to go to the island. We have not booked a tour and decide to just enjoy walking around town and shop. It rained for about 2 minutes but that only cooled the humid air already there. Matt was feeling sea sick today for the first time. Going on and off the ship REALLY messes with your head. We did take a cab to 7 Mile Beach and just enjoyed the area for an hour or two. The cabs drive CRAZY there. The water was so blue and clear.
Our Western Carrbbean Trip - Day 1 & 2
Matt and I returned from our trip a couple days ago and I thought I had better write what we saw and did before I start forgetting the great places we visited. Each stop had it's own characteristic. We enjoyed so much just having the time to be together, relax and rest. As you read our days you'll probably say we were pretty boring...but that was just fine with us.
DAY 1: We left on Saturday, April 25th. The days leading up to our leaving were so busy and hectic as we got ourselves, the house and all the kids ready for us to be gone. In all my hurrying I pocked my left eye and scratched it pretty badly. Yes, I'm a dork and for some reason accident prone now that I have had eye surgery. What's up with that? It makes no sense. We left for Miami, FL on a 6am flight and by the time we got to Miami I knew I needed to see an eye doctor. We found and eye hospital (yes...believe it or now they have one in Miami) and we went right over at about 5pm. They may be one on the best in the country but they were HORRIBLY managed and it took 3 hours before I was able to see a doctor. After 5 minutes of cleaning up my eye of the loose and rough edges of the scratch on my eye, he send us home. He said that it would be a rough 1 or 2 days of pain as the Epithelial layer of the eye healed. We got back to the hotel and I asked Matt for a blessing.
I have learned that faith is very interesting. We can pray and pray for a loved one or ourselves and the Lord will do something contrary to our desires. I have also learned that He will grant our desires at other times. Why does He choose one over the another? I have yet to figure that out except that it is His will and that we still must have faith in His decisions and help in our life. I had been praying almost hourly all day that the Lord would take away the pain that I was experiencing and after the Blessing that pain began to lesson. In the morning I felt no pain. No matter how I would have felt in the morning, my appreciation and love for my Savior has once again been strengthened.
DAY 2: We were picked up at the hotel in Miami by the tour bus and taken to the docks where the ship was waiting. We were on the Carnival Valor ship. Wow...it was huge. We went through lots of lines before we were allowed on but that gave us time to meet some people while we waiting. You could just feel the excitement in the air as we all waited and anticipated starting our vacations. We set sail at 4pm. It was windy and the ocean choppy but we did not care. We were on our way.
The Birthday Boys
Wow...my boys are getting so big. Justin has just turned 15 and Abraham is now 5. Where has the time gone.
I remember when after only 5 months of marriage I was told I had less than a 5% chance of ever getting pregnant. It was such devastating news to me as I had wanted to be a mother so badly. Three years later we were very surprised and delighted to know that I was pregnant. I was so excited when I felt my baby move for the first time. Toward the end of my pregnancy I would pull my shirt real tight and watch my belly roll and move for hours. It was such a thrill. When Justin was born on his fathers birthday we were so happy. What a beautiful boy. I am so grateful that Justin gave me those first experiences of motherhood and he has filled my life with such joy and love.
I remember the first time I met Abraham. It was Easter weekend and Matt was bringing the kids to my house to meet me for the first time. Abe was 3 weeks away from turning 3 and he was such a sweet and cute little boy. I can remember sitting in Church with him a couple weeks later and him sitting on my lap. He would snuggle with me and he fit so perfectly there. It was fun at his birthday to give him the medieval castle set and see him playing with it with his sisters.
I love these boys. They have such sweet and fun personalities. They make me laugh with the things that they say and do. I am proud of them and how they are learning to become brothers. Abe asked for a medieval castle cake so I attempted to make one with the help of my good friend Shauni Snow. Thank you Shauni for all your help. You just don't realize how huge this cake was until you see the picture of the boys standing next to the cake. Abe loved it so that is all that matters.
It was so nice to have family come to celebrate the boys birthday. Thank you to Nana, Papa, Christopher, Kris, Brielle, Bruno IV, Heidi, Lexi, Bruno V, Ashley, Karmen, Rodrigo, Joaquin, Ezekiel, Grandma & Grandpa Curtis and Andrea for coming to our party and making the day such a fun time. We love our family and were glad that we could share these special birthdays with each of you.
I remember when after only 5 months of marriage I was told I had less than a 5% chance of ever getting pregnant. It was such devastating news to me as I had wanted to be a mother so badly. Three years later we were very surprised and delighted to know that I was pregnant. I was so excited when I felt my baby move for the first time. Toward the end of my pregnancy I would pull my shirt real tight and watch my belly roll and move for hours. It was such a thrill. When Justin was born on his fathers birthday we were so happy. What a beautiful boy. I am so grateful that Justin gave me those first experiences of motherhood and he has filled my life with such joy and love.
I remember the first time I met Abraham. It was Easter weekend and Matt was bringing the kids to my house to meet me for the first time. Abe was 3 weeks away from turning 3 and he was such a sweet and cute little boy. I can remember sitting in Church with him a couple weeks later and him sitting on my lap. He would snuggle with me and he fit so perfectly there. It was fun at his birthday to give him the medieval castle set and see him playing with it with his sisters.
I love these boys. They have such sweet and fun personalities. They make me laugh with the things that they say and do. I am proud of them and how they are learning to become brothers. Abe asked for a medieval castle cake so I attempted to make one with the help of my good friend Shauni Snow. Thank you Shauni for all your help. You just don't realize how huge this cake was until you see the picture of the boys standing next to the cake. Abe loved it so that is all that matters.
It was so nice to have family come to celebrate the boys birthday. Thank you to Nana, Papa, Christopher, Kris, Brielle, Bruno IV, Heidi, Lexi, Bruno V, Ashley, Karmen, Rodrigo, Joaquin, Ezekiel, Grandma & Grandpa Curtis and Andrea for coming to our party and making the day such a fun time. We love our family and were glad that we could share these special birthdays with each of you.
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