Cruise Dec 2011 - Cozumel, Mexico

The last stop on our cruise was Cozumel, Mexico.  We decided to visit the Coba Mayan Ruins in Cozumel.

As soon as we left the ship, we boarded a tender boat to take us to the mainland.  It was a very rough 35 minute ride, and lots of people got sick.  However, Steve and I were troopers and didn't get sick (Whew!!!).  Then we had to board a bus and had about an hour and a half ride to get to the ruins.  Once we (finally) got there, we immediately had to start walking into the jungle about a mile and a half to get back to the pyramid.  There were many things to see along the way, but not a lot of time to see them.  Anyway, we got back to the pyramid and we decided to climb to the top.  Steve didn't think I would make it all the way up, so he went ahead without me.  But, I'm no creampuff - I climbed all the way up.  OHMYGOD - what a climb. That thing is really steep, and I didn't realize I was so out of shape.  Anyway, I made it to the top and Steve was shocked to see me.  The view from the top was amazing.  Okay - now it's time to come down.  Because it's so steep, I wasn't comfortable walking down an I wasn't the only one.  Most of us came down on our butt.  By the time I got back down I was exhausted, but now it's time to walk (almost run) back to the bus.  There was barely enough time for a bathroom stop and then it's back on the bus for another hour and a half ride back to get on the tender boat.  Then there's a 35 minute (rough) ride back to the island.  We had just a few minutes to check out a couple of shops before boarding the ship again.

Even though there was a lot of travel time during this cruise, we got to see a lot of the area, and I'm anxious to go back to Cozumel again.  Another good day.

 
                                                       Yes, I climbed all the way to the top

 

                 The view from the top

Cruise Dec 2011 - Belize

The next stop on our cruise was Belize.  We got lots of warnings before we got to Belize.  Carnival kept reiterating that we should stay with the Carnival excursions and not wander off into the city on our own.  We were even warned by our tour guide in Honduras that we should follow those instructions because it can be very dangerous there.

We didn't plan any excursions, but decided to just do some shopping in the waterfront Tourist Village at the Belize City Harbor.  Neither one of us are big shoppers, but we were able to find a lot of bargains.  We did make our way through the gates leaving the Tourist Village and started walking through the town.  We only made it about two blocks, and then I was ready to go back. I'm sure everything would have been fine, but the people in the markets were so pushy and we kept getting stopped on the street with people trying to sell us stuff (that we did not want).  We found out that you really can buy anything there.   Steve wanted to keep going (adventurous soul), but I was extremely uncomfortable, so he gave in and we went back.

I would really love to go to Belize again, but this time we will sign up for an excursion.  All in all it was a good day.  

 
 

Cruise Dec 2011 - Isla Roatan, Honduras

The next stop on our cruise was Mahogany Bay, on the island of Roatan in Honduras.  We had decided before we went that we wanted to go zip lining.  Steve did some research before our trip and found a company that does excursions called Victor Bodden Tours.  So instead of signing up for an excursion through the cruise line, we got off the ship in Mahogany Bay and found a Victor Bodden tour guide named James.  James was our guide for the day.  We told him we wanted to go zip lining and he immediately told us that we didn't want to just go zip lining, instead, we should go "Extreme" Zip Lining through the jungle.  I was already scared enough at the thought of zip lining period, but now extreme zip lining through the jungle?  I don't know about this.  But Steve has been looking forward to it for months, so, what the hell, let's go for it.

James takes us about 15 minutes from port to a place called Pirates of the Caribbean.  First we get fitted and strapped in and then we get in a van and drive for about 5 minutes and all of a sudden, we turn off the main road onto a dirt/gravel road up the side of a mountain.  OH MY GOD - I can see straight down on each side of the road and I'm praying - please let us make it to the top.  Well, we made it ALMOST to the top when we came across a van on the way down that has turned over.  Okay - now I'm really scared.  We have to get out of the van and walk the rest of the way up.  The whole time, I'm thinking  I must be out of my mind.  Then we make it to the first platform and WOW what a view.  Absolutely breathtaking.  You can see the ocean all around you.

A View From the Top

After a safety briefing, it is now it's time to take the plunge.  Steve asked me if I want to go first or if I want him to go first.  I decided that since he was the one who really wanted to do this, I should let him go first.  If he didn't make it, I would sure miss him, but I would be walking down off of this mountain.  Before Steve jumped he told James to push me off the platform if I tried to chicken out (very funny).  So off he goes - I'm scared, but all of a sudden I hear Steve yelling WOOOOOOO HOOOOOOO.  It's almost 2000 feet from the first platform to the second.  I'm waiting and watching as he makes it to the next platform.  Okay - I'm a little more comfortable, but now it's my turn.  They hook me up to the cable and I'm saying under my breath, Ohmygod, Ohmygod, Ohmygod and then I jump.  Now it's OHMYGOD, this is so freaking awesome.  As soon as I got to the next platform, I'm ready to go again.  It took approximately 45 minutes from the first platform to the last.  Needless to say, it was the greatest 45 minutes ever.

 

                        Yes this is me                                                         And Steve

After we were finished, James drove us around the island to do some sightseeing before heading back to the ship.  We love Honduras and can't wait to return. 

 Steve and James

Cruise Dec 2011 - Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands

I recently went on two cruises.  The first one was in December with my husband Steve.  It was a 7 day cruise on the Carnival Valor.  I have cruised before, about 5 years ago, but this was Steve's first cruise.  We went to 4 different ports, Grand Cayman in the Cayman Islands, Mahogany Bay on the island of Roatan, Honduras, then to Belize and then Cozumel, Mexico.  We started in Grand Cayman where we went on an excursion called Dolphin Encounter & Stingray City.   We got on a bus that took us through the city to Dolphin Cove.  On the way to the entrance of the building, you walk through a beautiful bird sanctuary with many parrots and cockatoos.  Then it was time for the dolphin encounter.   We got in the water with the dolphins and stood on a platform.  Then the dolphins come up to you and you get to pet them, kiss them, and dance with them.  It was an unbelievable experience.  If you ever get a chance to do this - do it.  It is so worth it.  However, the next time, I will do the dolphin swim excursion instead of this one.  I didn't understand the difference until we got there and then figured out we had signed up for the wrong one.  Oh, well, it was still great.

Next, we went on about a 20 minute boat ride to a sandbar in the middle of the ocean where you get in the water with wild stingrays.  OMG - it was gorgeous there.  When we got into the water, there were immediately stingrays all around us.  They were a lot bigger than I thought they would be.   Once you're in the water with them, you take turns holding and petting them.  Then you get a stingray back massage.  There is a camera guy there to take pictures of everything and of course, you can buy the pictures.  After we were finished, we went back to the dock where we were able to hold some of the birds before boarding the bus back to the port.  It was a great day.