On Thursday, Nathan and I took advantage of the day in the Grand Cayman’s and the awesomeness that is Camp Carnival (truly) Monkey has a major fan in the precious Daniela from Romania; she loves him and he can’t get enough of her) to enjoy a day to ourselves.
This is our first REAL vacation since our honeymoon 9 something years ago and our first real-honest-to-goodness family vacation ever.
We woke up to less than stellar weather but learned that our excursion hadn’t been canceled, so off we went. I mean really, nothin’ short of an actual hurricane would have kept us out of the gorgeous Grand Cayman Islands (Montego Bay) and this was nothing more than gray clouds and intermittent drizzle.
It was cool to see that most of our fellow cruisers went along with the flow, too. Bad weather? Meh.. we’re Carnival Cruisers… we can make good out of any situation.
Nathan an I decided to try the Shipwreck and Coral Reef Snorkeling trip, we’ve never ‘actually’ snorkeled before; it. was. AWESOME!!!!!f
Here we are on the way to the shipwreck.
Here I am IN the gorgeous green and blue waters
We spent about 2 hours snorkeling around a really cool shipwreck and an amazing coral reef.
Our tour guides, Paul and Steven, hysterical, informative, fun and super helpful.
Paul is from Manitoba, Canada and sitting listening to him made me miss my Tanis
We saw lion fish, a GIANT STINGRAY, squid, scorpion fish and so many gorgeous colored fish, coral reef and others… it was truly breathtaking. I took TONS of pics, will share more when I get home!
Today, we arrived in the simply stunning Cozumel, I honestly could have spent a couple of days here. I have never seen water so gorgeous. EVER.
We took the kids on land and shopped for trinkets, played around and then went on a stingray excursion.
Oh YES we did! We took the kids snorkeling with stingrays. It. rocked.
Look at Monkey and Me with the large female
We got to touch her, hold her and feed her and probably about 20 others. Their bodies are soooo smooth and slick and their “faces” SO sweet!
The kids LOVED the vacuum feeling of the stingrays sucking the ‘food’ right out of their hands. I was a tad bit hesitant at first but then, I could have spent hours in there feeling them swimming around my legs and watching them frolic with my kids. Seriously, the smile on my kids’ faces and the sparkle in their eyes… priceless.
Of course, there was also the moment that my husband kissed that other girl……..
I’ll share more about that and the rest of our days.. plus pics later, for now 😉 I’m off to get dressed and enjoy another meal in the Monet dining room and the kiddos are off to Camp Carnival 😉
The excerpt on Facebook cut it off at, “it was our first vacation sin” I had to click over to say, NO it wasn’t a sin, it would have been a sin if you didn’t take advantage of that camp service.
Obviously the word was since, but still.
I’m glad you are having a wonderful time. I don’t think if could happen to a nicer lady.
The cruise sounds awesome.
Ever more awesome? You and Nate. Its just about my most favorite thing in the world, the way you guys love each other and how is shines through. I kinda want to frame that picture.
How Amazing!!!!
Oh, wow! (Must look into GC vacation. Now.)
What a terrific post (that pic of you two is SOOOOO frame-worthy) thank you for sharing in some pretty AWESOME memory-making (yes, it’s a word!)
We went on a carnival cruise for our 10 anniversary–no kids (I have 4), and super fun. I think my hubby kissed that same girl 🙂 because I have the same picture. Great memories. Enjoy! Enjoy! (especially the food!!!)
Rachel!!! I love it! I’m so glad you and your sweet family are having so much fun! Thanks for taking all of us along with you, I’m loving the pics and updates! See you when you get home!!!
I was jealous of your vacation but then…Wait…9 years without a real vacation?! You DESERVED this.