Each night our room staff made cute little towel animals for us. The first night was well, ummm interesting. 😉 We’re still not sure exactly what it is but if you use your imagination you’ll probably think what we did. 😀
A sting ray.
I’m pretty sure this is a butterfly.
Matt said this was a turkey but I voted him and said it was a Peacock.
A lobster!
I think the last 2 are my personal faves!
A cute monkey! Awww.
And an adorable doggy.
Also Patrick had the same room servers and apparently since he never opened his curtain they thought it would be funny to put a towel animal behind the curtain. He randomly discovered it one day and told us about it later. We all got a kick out of it.
Costa Maya Mexico was our last before heading back to Tampa.
We arrived at the port around 7am. The skies were blue, the water clear but Costa Maya appeared to be deserted. The port had 2 docks and what appeared to be a few little shops but otherwise there was nothing else to be seen. As Matt, Patrick and I took our little morning stroll around deck 6, this is the only walk around deck, we noticed an ambulance next to the boat. We all wondered what was going on. The guys headed up to breakfast and I realized I had forgotten my rings in the room so I ran to grab them. As I was waiting for the elevator up I heard a couple talking about someone having a heart attack. I guess that would explain the whitestar call over the PA last night at dinner.
After breakfast we hopped off the boat and headed for the port. The port had a few bars and restaurants as well as souvenir shops. Since it was only 7:30 local time it wasn’t too busy. Jill and Steve had arranged a beach day at Nohoch Kay, a local beach. Now we just needed to get out and find a cab.
It was a short ride to our destination. The beaches were okay but there seemed to be a fair amount of trash around. We settled in under our hut and I walked around and took some pics. I was oddly attracted to the dilapidation. The area is still being rebuilt from the destruction caused by a hurricane a few years ago.
Matt "walking" on water.
The staff was very friendly and kept the drinks coming. Apparently I was the only one that didn’t realize everything was included until later in the day. Anyway as the day went on the water started to turn beautiful shades of blue and you could see all the little channels between the grass. The water had tons of grass which we all thought was weird. Way out you could see the barrier that lead to the ocean.
Around 11am we walked across the road to the restaurant and ordered some food. We had shrimp tacos, ceviche, and nachos. The food was very good. Then Matt, Patrick and I set off down the boardwalk. We kept seeing signs for free wifi but all the networks were locked. Come to find out our place also had free wifi. Dammit. Apparently massages are big business down there because every feet we were getting asked if we would like one. We finally decided to walk the beach back to our spot. By this time the water felt considerably warmer so Patrick and I decided to go swimming with Jill. We could basically walk out to the bouys where the main channel was. The water was much deeper and super clear. We only stayed out for a few minutes because we would need to head back to the boat soon.
Our view at lunch.
After we dried off, Jaime (pronounced hi-me) the owner of Nohoch Kay, called us a cab. We arrived back at port and headed to the boat. As we were walking back I wanted to take some pics of the rocks by the ocean. By this time the water was crystal clear with shades of turquoise and dark blue. The colors were spectacular. At this point Matt is like Kelly look. Omg! There is a dolphin enclosure right beside the ocean and people are swimming with the dolphins. Of course now I am going crazy taking dolphin pics.
We finally get back to the boat and the kids decide to grab some ice cream and wait for the boat to leave. It was so hot outside and we couldn’t find any shade so we went back inside to cool off. As we were sitting there Matt spotted something really large in the water. I grabbed my camera and hauled ass outside to see if I could get a pic and figure out what exactly it was. No such luck in figuring it out but it was cool. A few minutes later the boat set sail.
Now we are on our way back to Tampa. We had a quick stop in Cozumel last night. Someone was feeling “poorly“ so they were removed from the boat. Still not sure exactly what that means. I asked the bartender while we were watching the NC State game but he wasn’t very chatty.
Okay I know its a cheesy title but just go with me.
Last night was pretty rough. All through dinner the boat was swaying and it only got worse. I woke up around 3am and it was crazy. The boat was really rocking. I looked out the window and it sort of liked like we were passing through a storm. I didn’t feel bad but I took a few more draminine and went back to sleep. This morning at breakfast the captain came on the speaker to let us know the weather was awful and at one point we were running 2 hours behind. The crew had managed to make up some time and by like 8am we were only half an hour behind schedule. We finally arrived in Belize around 8:30ish and in the process I’m pretty sure we ran aground.
Around 8:30 we headed to the theater to wait for our catamaran. It was close to an hour before we were able to get off the boat to head out for our snorkeling distination. Before we got off the boat you could tell the water looked amazing but omg! I never imagined just how beautiful everything would be.
It took about 20 minutes for us to get to the reef for snorkeling. We passed through a channel lined with mangroves. There were even some houses scattered around. Unfortunately the waters were pretty rough at the reef and the water was cloudy. Matt and I snorkeled for maybe 20 minutes before heading back to the boat. While we were in the water I managed to kick some coral, on accident of course, but owie. It definitely did not feel good. We saw some pretty fish, a few barracuda, and a large string ray.
Back on the boat we drank some rum punch and waited for the rest of the family to return. I also took like a million pictures. You just can’t even imagine how gorgeous the waters were. They were beautiful shades of turquoise. From the top of the catamaran you could see this neon blue strip of water snaking through all the way to the horizon.
When everyone was back on board we headed to our second stop at banister island. On the way we had a couple of dolphins come up beside the boat and play in the wake. I had a perfect shot of one but I missed it. Matt handed me the small camera but I couldn’t get the strap on my arm in time. 🙁
We pulled up to banister island and it was like heaven on earth. There were little thatched roofed huts, beach chairs, a gift shop, restrooms and a restaurant. Of course this the island had been reenforced but it was perfect. We grabbed a few beach chairs, set our stuff down and went off to take pictures. I feel like I could have taken pics for days. Every where you looked liked like it should be on a post card. There was even talk of missing the boat and staying forever. 😉 After about an hour or so we had to leave to head back to the port.
Once we were in the port city of Belize City we went to the Wet Lizard for lunch. The food was really good. Then we headed to the shops. Yay! The first thing I noticed was the rows and rows of fake handbags! Score! I think I walked in every store looking for the perfect bag. Finally at the last store I knew I had to pick one if I was going to get one because we were running out of time. I managed to find an amazing Prada bag. I probably overpaid a little but thats okay. I love it. 🙂 After I bargained for my bag we hoped on the tender and headed back to the boat. Everyone was pretty exhausted so we all headed back to our rooms for a nap.
The port at Belize City.Steve's lunch. He didn't keep the bucket.
As Matt and I were laying down we heard this really loud noise. It was the boat trying to back up. I think it took almost half an hour for the boat to finally start moving hence the I think we ran aground. When I finally woke from my nap we were back at sea.
I woke up around 7am and the boat was really rocking. I grabbed a coke and went back to slept. Matt and I were not meeting Patrick, his brother, for breakfast until after 9. I finally got up a little after 9 and decided to hop in the shower before breakfast. Let me just say shaving in the shower on a rocking boat is no easy feat but I managed. After my shower I knew I wasn’t feeling well. I hoped a little fresh air would help. I told Matt I didn’t feel well and he also suggested fresh air. We were headed out the door went I decided to go straight to the bathroom. I sat there for a few minutes but nothing happened. Matt told me to go get fresh air and I practically ran down the hallway and up the stairs to the deck. A few minutes later Matt and Patrick met me outside.
The guys stood with me for a few minutes before I said I thouht we could head to breakfast. We went to sit on the Lido deck and Matt grabbed me a Ginger ale. I sipped that while they got food. They weren’t back long before I ran to the bathrom to throw up. At this point I figured it wouldn’t get better so I asked Matt if we could go to the medic. The three of us took off to deck 4.
The nurse was really nice but she said that to get a shot I would have to see a doctor and it would cost around $100.00. Ouch! I knew I wasn’t that sick so I settled on the nurse and zofran. I took the zofran and prayed it would work quickly. I guess it did work but I threw up once more. After that I actually started to feel better. By lunch I managed to eat some fruit. The rest of the afternoon I laid out on the deck reading.
I am really glad I decided to go to the nurse early. I can imagine how much worse I would have felt had I not gone. Not to mention I would have been miserable on today’s excursion, but more on that later.
I’m actually a little surprised I got sea sick. I’ve been on boats in the ocean and been fine. Today we took a water taxi from Cozuemel to Playa del Carmen and that sucker was really rocking and I was fine. Crazy right? Matt was very surprised I was felt fine.
So that’s how our first day at sea was. We will have another full day on Saturday but a got a few extra zofran and I will continue to take my draminine.
~k
Quote of the day – Steve: I’ll have the rack of Lamb with a side of beef Wellington.
Saturday morning Matt and I got up and began preparing for our day. I started off cleaning the bathroom and Matt vaccumed downstairs. Then I headed to my Mani/pedi. I mean isnt that a great way to start vacation? I thought so to! 😉
It turned out the kiddos also needed more food so I made a quick trip to Petsmart beforing heading home. Matt had finished the last minute packing by the time I got back. Now let me just say Matt is a little neurotic about packing so I normally let him have it. I get the stuff I need ready and he makes sure it gets packed.
We arrived at the airport around 3:00pm and headed to AJ’s Tavern for a beer and bball before heading to our gate. The fight to Tampa was pretty unproductive. Matt watched an episode of Top Great while I read a new book on my kindle. Right outside of Tampa we went around stone huge storm clouds. Then we saw a gorgeous sunset from the plane.
We arrived in Tampa around 7:45. Matt’s parents and brother picked us up and we headed to dinner. They had all driven down earlier in the day.
Matt’s dad Steve made reservations at Charley’s Steakhouse and oh wow! You know how most restaurants will bring out dessert trays? Well our waiter brings out a steak tray! With no streaks under 10 ounces, Jill and I decided to split one. Ten ounces no, 7 completely doable. Needless to say dinner was delicious.
Before we knew it it was almost 11:00 so we headed to our hotel.
*we have some pics from the day but I’m not sure how to upload them right now. I am currently posting from my phone and tablet but pics will follow.
