Nassau, Bahamas

We actually were not scheduled to come here, but because of high winds, this is where we ended up.  So not having anything planned, we just gave ourselves a self-guided tour.  Here are a few highlights...

I guess there was a time when Pirateering flourished here.

There was also an old fort, called Fort Fincastle built in 1793.  It was probably used to combat the pirates.  Se all the cruise ships?

 

There is also a large stone walkway called Queens Staircase, complete with waterfall, gardens, and a guy selling T-shirts.   

Ever heard of Paradise Island?  This is it from a distance.  We were trying to find the beach that was on the other side of this luxory resort, but we got lost and then kicked out for not being guests.  Jay's parents stayed here last August, and I believe Michael Jackson has his own wing.

We finally found the beach!  Too bad the winds were too high to be able to swim in the ocean.  We tried to anyway, but after getting slammed into the beach a few times with sand in every available socket, we gave up and just enjoyed the waves from a distance.

And that was our day, complete with beautiful sunset...

Cozumel--finally a sunny day!

Yeah!  The sun decided to come out when we got to lovely Cozumel, Mexico.  We took another tender boat, since there were 5 other cruise ships in town.  

We really didn't have much of a plan, except we wanted to parasail and snorkel.  So we got sucked into this resort presentation in exchange for parasailing.  The resort was beautiful, but not on the agenda right now.  After the tour, we were finally able to move on to the parasailing part. 

So we were given instructions to meet someone at the dock named Carlos in a red topped boat for our parasailing experience.  Instead we met these two guys in a little white boat, neither named Carlos, who repeatedly told us we were looking for them....for some reason they finally convinced us, although impending doom flashed before our eyes.  We asked if there was an instructional video or something that was supposed to tell us what to do, but they said, "No, I show you.  I show you."  I took this picture of them in case the police could use it to identify them...  I guess they would have to have all the men in the line-up bend over so they could identify the second guy.

Jay looking nervous...

Actually, looking back, we laugh at how nervous we were.  It really was very simple, and the guys were really parasail dudes and not tourist abductors.  Go Jay!    

And here's me with a sideways takeoff, sorry!

So after that experience, we decided to relax.  This is the little beach we went to snorkel and sunbathe.

What a hot babe! (and whiter than white!)

Time to return to the ship so soon....We tendered back with the beautiful sun. 

Back on the ship again...finally we look like we get a little sun!

Nov 13th--in Belize City

This day actually was my birthday..but it started out a little rocky.  We had to ride these tiny tender boats to shore and the waves were so choppy!  We both felt ill and were Very happy to finally land.

The first thing we heard in getting off the boat is someone yelling, "Take your picture with the Wench!  Take our picture with the Wench!"  A little strange, but she didn't seem to mind.....and neither did he.

Our plan for the day was to go on a cave-tubing adventure in the jungle.  We met up with our great tour guides, Major Tom, and his spirited son, Tom Jr.  There were only four of us in the tour, so they were very attentive.

We had to drive for awhile to get to the jungle.  Here are some shots, including the cemetery (graves are above ground here).  

     (See our ship way out there?)

Here we are.  We have all our gear and we are ready!  First we have to walk through the jungle and up the river we will be floating on.  A lot of groups pass us, but Tom gives us a full tour of the jungle,  including tips on how to survive off nature.

Some random jungle shots including bats in a cave and our tour guide eating termites...

Jay thought it was a better idea to chew on sugar cane...just like he did when he lived in the Caribbean years ago.  It's amazing he has such great teeth!

We get to the spot and pause for instructions...

 

Then it is sail away.  We saw huge stalactites and stalagmites, and learned the ancient history of the Mayan people who used the cave system for ceremonies and stuff.  

This is actually after our big adventure...it was too dark to take pics in the caves, but it was amazing! One of our favorite things!

Back on the road again.  And what did we almost run over?  The hand belongs to a man who is 6 ft 3...so it is quite the big arachnid.

Local lunch which was mighty tasty.

And of course what Caribbean trip would be complete without a fresh coconut from a sweet talking toothless man with a machete. 

Back to the ship on the tender boats.  Some parting shots...

We were much happier this time since the winds had died.

Back on the ship and what did we find?  That sneaky husband of mine arranged for a little birthday surprise!

(nice end quotations)

It was a very happy birthday---Thank you Jay!!

And goodnight little towel swan.