Gators

Before we went on the cruise, we spent a couple of days with Tim's dad & step mom in North Port, FL. They live in a community that supports local wildlife. Directly outside of their home was a pond that featured animals such as snapping turtles & gators. Here is a shot of a little guy that was literally right outsidetheir patio. Every morning became "gator watch" (amongst being waited on hand & foot while down there)

Shots

This lady came around with shots & was relentless. However, it was worth the money for the pics that came out of them.

Cozumel-Thursday

I know that this thing is out of order. I had the Cozumel pics uploaded, & then it punked out. Anyway,Cozumel was a fun time. We started the rainy day out at Fat Tuesdays for a drink. Then we did some shopping. Bought t-shirts, tequila, cigars,magnets, & jewelry. Finally,we went to Senor Frogs & finished out the rest of the day there. We danced the afternoon away by doing shots & buyng yards of margartitas.(yes, yards) It was a lot of fun.Enclosed are how some of the shots went down.............

Rock City

Okay, so we totally were not ready to give up on vacation.Therefore, we stopped in Atlanta for the night on the way back after we departed the ship. On the way back from Atlanta, we kept seeing signs for Chatanooga, introducing us to some "Rock City". At this so called Rock City---there was an attraction called Ruby Falls. Ruby Falls is this waterfall underground in this cave. Anyhow, it was a good side trip to take on the way back, & gave us time to stretch our legs during our long voyage back to Indiana.

Grand Cayman-Wednesday

Today was so much fun!!! I have plenty to write about. First, we started the day walking 7 Mile Beach. As you can tell from the pics, the beach was glorious!! Everyone had told us how clean/wonderful it was---but it's definitely better in person.
Next, we went to Margaritaville before getting back on the boat. We had a blast there. They had a water slide at this one. It was way different than the Indy location. We grabbed a few drinks there, listened to the cool bartender tell us stories, & then took free tequila shots.

Lastly, we had to take a ferry (tender boat?)back to the ship. A storm rolled in just as we were boarding the boat to get back on the ship. The waves were so high that we were on the boat for 2 & 1/2 hours. We had to go to the other side of the island & have the actual cruise ship come & get us. Talk about high adventure. Woohoo!!!

Finally, the evening was spent with more adventure. It seems as if we were riding right into a storm. They put steel windows over our windows, as not to have the waves crash the windows. It felt like being on a rollercaoster. Ordinarily, I wouldhave beenlike the otherhalf of the boat puking my brains out.Instead, Tim bought me these pressure point wrist bands from the gift shop that kept me from barfing all night. I was none the wiser & ralphed none.....

Ship Day-Tuesday

Today was spent on the ship doing a couple of things:

1) Realizing that even cruises have happy hours. However, they try to get ya. The happy hour is 9-12 in the morn. Always thrifty, the bloody mary & mimosa special was just my size......

2) Met some people at breakfast today. They were a son/mom from Boston. They were highly entertaining & were as obnoxious as Tim & I. They had a fatty VIP room that we partied off of (deck) to boot. People keep Tim & I around because we laugh at everything, so we were a good audience for the duo.

3) Ate way too much. There is something about someone else making my sandwiches for me that made me want to try different varieties at my leisure. Did I mention that there was an ice cream machine as well? Thank God we got off the boat on certain days.

4) Today I got to redeem myself a bit at dinner for my ridiculous behavior at the dinner table on New Year's Eve. It was very apparent that Tim & I were the funnest couple at our table. However, everyone else was nice. We sat next to a nice couple from Tucson. Therefore, we decided against being Chi Chi & Clark. We fessed up to our real names of Tim & Starr.

New Years-MONDAY

Headed to Tampa on New Year's Eve. What a kick! Seemed like ages ago that we were counting down from 165 days. We boarded the ship at 4pm, said bon voyage with a bunch of rum, & then got ready for the evening. It was definitely a night of overindulgence, as our 1st meeting with our 8pm dinner seating was met with me asking people questions over & over. Needless to say, we didn't stay for dessert. Oh well, that's why they call it "The Fun Ship", right?

Christmas Break

This Christmas Break was a whirlwind. The good part of winter vacation was that I did not have to go back to school until Jan 7th. With that being said, we did not get out until Dec 21. This did not leave a lot of time to spend with Natty & Jack---but you only get to go on a cruise every once in awhile.

As soon as break came at 3:20 on Friday (no that I was counting or anything) Tim & I finished last minute gifts. Saturday we took a quick road trip to Evansville for Tim to put together his mom's new computer. Sunday, I wrapped as much as I could. Christmas Eve was spent during the day with dad as usual. Then Christmas Eve night we went to Tim's moms to visit her for the holiday. Then, this year we tried something different & went to Heather's for Christmas Day. We did this so the kids didn't have to travel all over the earth & got to stay home & enjoy their toys.
Finally, finished up Christmas day at Grandma Hock's & then headed home. The whole long weekend was a blur. 2 cool gifts that I got were new speakers for the ipod.
(Now I don't have to lug around my dilapitated speakers to the hottub every time) & a wine making kit. Everyone else pretty much gave me travel money for the cruise----which I greatly needed!