We just got back from our cruise. We went with our friends, Eric and Laura and their adorable twin boys, and everyone had a great time. I must say, it is the only way to vacation with kids!! They have a fantastic camp carnival that the kids can go to when you want some time to relax, and the kids just loved it. As soon as the kids would turn the corner and see "funship freddy" on the wall, they would run as fast as they could to get there. Although with Ethan I don't know what he liked better, the camp or his bunk bed. The first thing he did when we got to our room was climb up and didn't want to get down. He would ask us when it was time for bed and tell us he needed to go "rest" in his bed. Quite the change from our regular bedtime battle.
The first few days we were at sea. We were told that we were close to a tropical storm, and we could definately feel the boat rocking more than usual. We were able to check out the ship, take the kids swimming, and just hang out. It was so nice to go to dinner without the kids, knowing they were having a great time too.
Every night when we came back to our room they had their signature towel animal and a schedule of the next days activities. This night the kids camp left cookies for the kids too. They were so excited to find them, but not so happy when we told them they couldn't eat them before bed.
The kids spent a lot of time at the camp, but don't feel bad for them, does this look like the face of a kid who's not having a good time?!
On Wednesday we made it to Puerta Vallarta. We were so happy that the storm hadn't caught up to us and it was a beautiful day. We were all surprised at how tropical it was. It was so pretty there, it is definately a place I would like to go back and be able to spend more time. We hopped on a catamaran and they took us to a private beach called Las Caletas. I would recommend it to anyone going there. Here's a pic of Laura and I on the way there.
The excursion was all inclusive, food, drink, snorkeling, and kayaking. The service was incredible! They even had hammocks tied between palm trees...isn't that how everyone imagines paradise?!
Back on the catamaran, leaving paradise.
When we got back the kids were happy to see us, and the elephant on the bed.
Porter crashed and Ethan was being so sweet. He started piling all kinds of stuff on him: the butterfly he colored, blankets, and even his favorite bear. 
The next day we arrived in Mazatlan, and the storm finally caught up to us. We had wanted to take the kids with us to explore the city, but it was pouring rain. Most people got off the boat only to turn around and get back on. But we decided we were up for an adventure and boy did we get one!! We wanted to go to the real city and not just the tourist area so we told our cab driver to take us the the mall! :) The streets were flooded in some places at least a foot deep. Well, when the cab stopped it was not at the mall, but at the "golden zone" where all the tourists go to buy jewelry. He told us because of the rain this is where he had to drop us off, and told us the mall was only four blocks away. What we soon realized (after getting out and paying him of course) was that he was probably getting paid more to drop us off at this place. So we started walking in the rain hoping we were going the right way.
None of us knew Rob was taking this pic, but it shows just how flooded the streets were.
It was interesting trying to find our way around the flooded streets. Rob had pointed out the water bubbling out of the sewers in the middle of the street so we REALLY didn't want to get our feet more wet than we had to. We had to do some fence hopping to avoid some really flooded spots, I felt like an illegal trying to sneak across the border. I was soaking wet by this time.
After finally finding the mall, Rob convinced us that if we wanted the real city life experience that we should take the bus back. We figured that it would cost us 50 cents each and we knew it would take us where we needed to go, instead of 15 dollars like the cab that took us to the wrong place. Let me say that was one wild ride, and actually a highlight of the trip. The bus drivers are CRAZY! We almost got into some very close accidents, and he was driving so fast through the flooded streets that we saw a tidal wave of water soak some poor chico. It was so funny...I mean, really sad. :) We were all laughing only to look up and see that the driver was laughing as hard as we were.
We ended up finding this great family owned restaurant not far from the ship. Good authentic food, and a Fanta always makes you feel better after a crazy day!
On Friday we were in Cabo San Lucas. We were happy to see that the skies had cleared and we would only be getting wet if we wanted to! :) We haggled a good price with some water taxi company to take us to Lover's beach. When we told the driver (not the same guy) how much we were going to pay him, he pretty much held us hostage on his boat just off the beach until we settled on a new price...what's up with these taxi drivers?! And all this with Rob there speaking Spanish. I can't imagine how they must swindle the people that don't speak the language. The beach was beautiful, there were butterflies EVERYWHERE!! It was like out of a fairytale. Rob asked a local about the butterflies and he said that he'd never seen it like this and that is was probably a result of the storm that had just come through.
After we left the beach we went walking through the marina area that had lots of shops and restaurants. After some more great authentic food, we headed back to the ship.
Saturday was another day at sea. We were paged that morning to let us know that my sweet little Porter was banned from camp for being a bully. We were warned the night before that he had was pushing kids and he only had one more chance. Poor kid, but it was nice to spend the last day hanging out with the little guy. The food on a cruise is amazing, every day the menu is different. Well, at lunch I ordered the italian antipasto appetizer thinking it was going to be meats and cheeses, but I was in for a surprise... Rob said that he heard me scream, and thought there was a rat on the table, close enough for me. Can you see the worry on Ethan's face too?
This is what was put in front of me....
If you can't tell, that's a little octopus on my plate....no thank you!! Rob actually ate some of this purely to gross me out.
It was interesting trying to find our way around the flooded streets. Rob had pointed out the water bubbling out of the sewers in the middle of the street so we REALLY didn't want to get our feet more wet than we had to. We had to do some fence hopping to avoid some really flooded spots, I felt like an illegal trying to sneak across the border. I was soaking wet by this time.
After finally finding the mall, Rob convinced us that if we wanted the real city life experience that we should take the bus back. We figured that it would cost us 50 cents each and we knew it would take us where we needed to go, instead of 15 dollars like the cab that took us to the wrong place. Let me say that was one wild ride, and actually a highlight of the trip. The bus drivers are CRAZY! We almost got into some very close accidents, and he was driving so fast through the flooded streets that we saw a tidal wave of water soak some poor chico. It was so funny...I mean, really sad. :) We were all laughing only to look up and see that the driver was laughing as hard as we were.
Here we are on the bus...
We ended up finding this great family owned restaurant not far from the ship. Good authentic food, and a Fanta always makes you feel better after a crazy day!
On Friday we were in Cabo San Lucas. We were happy to see that the skies had cleared and we would only be getting wet if we wanted to! :) We haggled a good price with some water taxi company to take us to Lover's beach. When we told the driver (not the same guy) how much we were going to pay him, he pretty much held us hostage on his boat just off the beach until we settled on a new price...what's up with these taxi drivers?! And all this with Rob there speaking Spanish. I can't imagine how they must swindle the people that don't speak the language. The beach was beautiful, there were butterflies EVERYWHERE!! It was like out of a fairytale. Rob asked a local about the butterflies and he said that he'd never seen it like this and that is was probably a result of the storm that had just come through.
After we left the beach we went walking through the marina area that had lots of shops and restaurants. After some more great authentic food, we headed back to the ship.
Our view from our window...not bad!
Saturday was another day at sea. We were paged that morning to let us know that my sweet little Porter was banned from camp for being a bully. We were warned the night before that he had was pushing kids and he only had one more chance. Poor kid, but it was nice to spend the last day hanging out with the little guy. The food on a cruise is amazing, every day the menu is different. Well, at lunch I ordered the italian antipasto appetizer thinking it was going to be meats and cheeses, but I was in for a surprise... Rob said that he heard me scream, and thought there was a rat on the table, close enough for me. Can you see the worry on Ethan's face too?
This is what was put in front of me....
If you can't tell, that's a little octopus on my plate....no thank you!! Rob actually ate some of this purely to gross me out.
The boys got a present from the ladies at camp carnival the last night, the picture says it all...it was a fantastic trip.
I almost forgot to mention the funniest thing that happened when we got home. Ethan walked into his room to take a nap and says "Hey, they didn't make my bed!" I think the kids were a little too spoiled on this trip!
10 comments:
Looks like you guys had a lot of fun!! Was that an octopus on your plate? Disgusting!! I love the look on your face.
We went on that cruise and had a blast!!! Looking at your pictures and taxi stories brings back fond memories.
the mexican rivera is WAY better than ensenada. next time we're going to have to hit the longer cruise. Nice window from your room as well - we stayed in the dark pit which was great for sleeping in but that's about it! I love trips that turn out just a bit different than you expect, like the storm stuff.
Wow! That looks like a great trip and I think it makes for a good family vacation everyone gets to have fun even Mom:)
Sounds like the best of both worlds vacation. You had the kids near but plenty of couple time too. Loved to read about your adventures.
So did the boat dock there on the street? I bet they caught that octopus at the intersection. Crazy stuff. How dare they ban Porter from camp! A little pushing and shoving never hurt anyone. Those little wimps just need to grow up and take it like little big people.
Me and Tim went on that cruise for our honeymoon and loved it! I'm glad you guys had so much fun. That's so funny that you mentioned the octopus cause we ate at whole foods for dinner last night and that's what Tim had. He thinks it's great, I think it a little tough to chew.
Looks like fun:) Relaxing and fun with the kids. Octopus Yuck!!!
scary octopus!!!
looks like so much fun!!
HOW FUN!!! I loved reading about your trip and looking at the fun pictures!!! I am sooooooooooo excited!!! AND, I will NOT be ordering octopus!!! HAHAHA!!!
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