Somewhere Beyond the Sea

For Christmas, Joe gave me something that I have always wanted....a cruise. So on the 3rd of May, we went on the trip of a lifetime. We chose the Carnival cruise line, started in SanDiego and stopped in two ports: Ensenada and Cabo St. Lucas. It was more fun than I ever imagined it would be! I could probably write a novel about it and still not get in all the fun facts, but since a picture is worth 1,000 words, I'll let them do the talking and I'll subtitle this blog:

CRUISING BY THE NUMBERS




ONE awsome Michael Buble concert. He is the best! It was held at SanDiego State University and the place was packed! I was suprised how many 20 somethings were there, I thought the place might only be filled with "women of a certain age" - but there were plenty of those in attendance too. Michael Buble did not disappoint. His band was excellent, the music was smooth, and I got to hold Joe's hand for 2 hours straight. Good times.

FIVE days on this beautiful ship. The crew was great, the activities were endless, but the rocking and rolling of the floor took a few days to get used to.





FIFTEEN games of Rook. Joe and I haven't been able to play cards together (meaning at the same time) for I don't know how many years. I am glad I thought to throw this deck in my carry-on. There was a lovely card-room on board and we enjoyed playing, and I beat Joe just about every hand! Lest you think we were card sharks the whole time we were on board here's a picture of what Joe did in between games. Sore loser!



Just Kidding! When we weren't playing cards, we played mini golf, ping pong, went shopping, or layed on deck chairs in the sun.

FORTY FIVE minutes of swimming with dolphins. It was amazing. It didn't change my life, but it was something that a country girl like me doesn't do every day. The dolphin's name was Felicia, and she seemed to really take to me. She kissed me, clapped for me, and even jumped over my head, twice! For those of you who are very perceptive, you might detect a hint of suprise on my face. Who knew dolphins could swim so fast? I mean seriously, I am not a small woman and this dolphin swam with me on her back like it was nothing. Holy Torpedos, Batman!




TWO HUNDRED dollars for deep-sea fishing, sight-seeing and paragliding. Joe made a deal with some of the locals on the dock. We were warned against doing this on the ship, because if anything goes wrong, you can't get your money back, and these operations don't have insurance to cover any accidents. Joe didn't worry much about such trivial things, UNTIL he was 600 feet in the air and the motor on the boat died in the middle of his parasailing experience! Yes, he was dumped in the ocean, Joe, harness, parasail and all. The wintch didn't work to pull the cable and Joe back in and the men panicked a little trying to figure out how to get Joe out of the ocean and back into the boat. Joe said the girl waiting to go next started to freak out, as the owners kept bumping Joe's head against the side of the boat when they would try to pull him up. I was glad that I didn't see any of this, I came along for the fishing and sightseeing, but I was swimming with my new best friend, Felicia when Joe became "one with the ocean". Finally Joe struggled back in the boat, and when we met up again, he was drenched and bleeding from his left temple. He said he loved it and he'd do it again. And for my tight-wad land-loving husand to say that, the only thing I can say is it must've been a pretty good blow to the head! Below are some pictures of the tour and fishing. Joe caught a deep sea bass.









FOUR HUNDRED SIXTY EIGHT pages of suspenseful romance. I didn't buy this book for me to read, I bought it for Rach. I strongly did not like some of the elements in Stephanie Meyer's vampire books (see blog I don't get it - in archives) and I was not planning on reading this one, but I bought it at the airport and began browsing thru it while waiting for our flight, and for the next 4 days I could not put it down. Sorry Rach, you don't mind a used book, right...after all, it's the thought that counts. So, here's your present, I know you'll love it. It's as good as warm chocolate melting cake. Almost.


SIX HUNDRED CALORIES. One name: "Warm chocolate melting cake" Two words : "Me Likey"


EIGHT people happy to be together again. FIVE kids satisfied that Rachael's "reign of terror" is over, and ONE Rachael, happy to return her whip and her chaffeur's hat back to me in exchange for some well deserved free time.