Life is a Journey

This morning started with our arrival in Labadee, Haiti. We were last here in 1999 and boy have things changed. But it still a very beautiful place.

We had breakfast in Windjammers before disembarking and heading to our adrenaline boat adventure. But after departing we came back to the dock as something was wrong with the boat. We were instructed to come back later in the day in the hope it could repaired.

We had 1.5 hours to our next planned activity. Kevin and the girls considered doing the hipline, until they found out it costs $85 per person (and lasts less than a minute)!!! The zipline was busy all day long though.

Instead we caught the tram to one of the swimming bays and had our first swim in the Caribbean in 8 years. Perfect temperature. Perfect view. Only problem here was rocks in the water but Christy and I just wore our Crocs in.. After our swim we lazied on the sun loungers (which are provided for you on the beach – in fact an attendant will get them and place them where you want them – sun or shade.).

Just before 11am we walked over the aquatic park. It’s really hard to avoid the sellers in the market place but unless you want to be talked into buying something, it’s the only way not to become engaged. Seems so rude and wrong to just ignore someone though. It wasn’t too bad though as they generally just called out hello and would like to look at this.

At the aquatic park we met up with Gerard, Jenny and their girls and everyone (except me because of my knee) had lots of fun on the inflatable slides & rafts.

I watched them for a bit then lay in the shade with an Island Special.

Kevin and Amy also got a drink when they returned and we all went to sit in the water and enjoy them.

Then it was time to have some lunch. Pretty good selections considering they had to bring everything off the ship.

We then headed back to check if our adrenaline boat ride was going and it was. This time we had a private tour. Kevin and Christy hadn’t been keen to go but we all had a ball and they were very glad I’d insisted we go.

Bascially it was a fast ride with stops to see & hear some points of interest like this shipwreck.

I loved being out on the water and we came back rather windswept. I’m still not used to dealing with long hair after a day of sea and wind!

After our trip it was time to get back on board and I decided I needed an ice cream. There is a free machine on board but I very rarely use.  After a day in the sun it really hit the spot. When we were finished eating there was quite the line at the machine so we weren’t the only ones wanting one.

The girls went off and we went back to our cabin. Kevin had a nap while I blogged. Internet is rather expensive but I figure you guys are worth it :-).

I then showed and tried to get all the knots out of my hair, put on some makeup and we raced off to dinner (late AGAIN). Amy was already there and we’d left Christy to finish getting dressed as she’d only just got out of the shower.

Dinner was more successful for Amy and I tonight we both enjoyed a very yummy spinach dip…

filled pasta…

and I had lovely pavlova for desert…..

We then split from the kids again and headed off to see a Illusionist.

Pretty impressive stuff. There were some thing we kinda guessed how he might have done them but some were pure magic and we were left quite speechless. Even Kevin was impressed.

We were both pretty tired tonight so headed back to our room (via a tea pick up) and to bed. I tried to wait up for Christy to check in after kids club but I was just too tired and went to sleep around 9pm. I did wake up when she called in but it was straight back to sleep.

My knee had still been pretty sore throughout the day but seemed to get better as the day went on. Hoping it will be good enough for our planned trip in Jamaica tomorrow.

Day 16 – An injury at sea

Kevin and I were still awake around 6am.  We didn’t have to rush anywhere since it was sea day but eventually I was motivated to get dressed and go and get a cup of tea and one my beloved chocolate donuts – which I sat outside and enjoyed. It was a lovely way to start the day.

We woke the girls up just after 8am and when everyone was ready we headed to breakfast at Windjammers. I LOVE the potatoes that are served for breakfast. YUM!!!

The girls then headed off to their activities and Kevin and I went for another exploration of the shops (where I got a new watch) and the photo gallery. Eventually we made our way back to the cabin where we got changed into our swimmers, met Christy and headed to the pool. Amy was in a bit of a mood so didn’t join us – she went back to the teen club.

Christy and I enjoyed a swim in the pool. It was cool when you got in but you quickly got used to it.

Kevin opted for the spa so I thought I should join him. Unfortunately on my way I slipped and fell hard on my left knee (and I was walking very slowly and carefully). I sent Kevin off to get some ice to help minimise any swelling.

I rested for a while before we went back to the room to changed for lunch. We managed to get Amy to join us (though she was still grumpy) and we had lunch at Windjammers.

The girls once again headed off to their kids activities and Kevin and I went back to our cabin, where he had a nap and I sat outside writing up yesterday’s blog post.

At 3pm Christy returned and we went to the ice rink to watch the ice skating show. It was cold in here and we’d left all our really warm jackets in the car so Kevin ended up going to buy a new jumper. The show as really good. So amazing what they could do with such a small rink. Christy was really glad she’d missed kids club to come and see it.

After the show she headed back to kids club for a bit and we went back to our room. I spent a bit more time on the balcony, then had to get ready for formal night.

We ended running late for dinner (again) – 5.30pm is just a bit too early – so didn’t have time for any portraits but we snapped a few as we raced into the dining room.

Amy and I have been disappointed in the vegetarian options in the main dining room. She had the pasta for the second night in a row while I ordered a baked potato and some vegetables. Sounds plain and boring but it was delicious.

Our assistant waiter made this cute little napkin bird for Christy. Then our main waiter proceded to give all the girls instuction on how to make various towel animals.

Nothing on the desert menu appealed tonight so I go the cheese & fruit plate. I ate most of the cheese – but there were no crackers to be seen :-(. Kevin enjoyed his nightly nightcap.

After dinner the girls left us again and Kevin & I went to play Music Trivia. Tonight was love themes and we didn’t do too well, only scoring 11 out of 20.

My knee was getting VERY sore by now and it was getting hard to walk so we decided to head to the theatre early and wait for the show.

While waiting we enjoyed some mocktails/cocktails. I got my favourite Virgin Pina Colada – yum!

The show was fabulous and the singing and dancing amazing. We really enjoyed this and it was worth staying out till 9pm – which is pretty late for us.

Afterwards we headed back to the room and I got there (Kevin had gone for tea for me) just as Christy arrived back at 10pm.

I said goodnight to her and got myself organised and into bed. My knee was very sore so I wasn’t sure how well I would sleep.

And since we have two rooms, you get not one….

but two towel animals…. I know how much you love these on our last cruise….

This morning we were able to have a sleep but as expected we were all up around 7am (except Amy who slept a bit longer). I was able to see some of the sunrise, which was lovely. In the old days (before my arthritis) I would have been up and out walking on the beach :-(. Kevin went for a drive to Dunkin’ Donuts to get some coffee and I was able to make some tea (with tea bags I bought yesterday).
By 9am we were all up and dressed and went to have our free breakfast. It was a pretty decent spread but I just had half a bagel.

After breakfast we went back to our room and finished our packing, then had some free time (taking advantage of the last free internet we’ll have for a while). At 11am we checked out and made the short 10min drive to the cruise terminael. It was hard to find our way to correct car park but we eventually made it. Such a great set up for dropping off luggage. We then got a great car park and proceeded to make our way on board – first through security, then checking in, photos etc, and finally onto the ship. WOW!!! What a beauty she is. Rather different from the other Royal Caribbean ships we’ve been on but really lovely. This is the inside Promenade.

For some bizarre reason both room we’re seated at different table for dinner so our first stop was to the dining room to get this fixed up. Which we did without too much trauma.

Next we visited guest services to get extra room keys – so we’ve all got a key to both rooms – the girls are in a room just across from ours. We then went to lunch at Windjammers – which is always crazily busy on boarding day. We had a lovely meal and I felt there was a much bigger selection of food than on other ships.

My lunch… plus a bowl of potato and leek soup.

After lunch we went to see our room and there was another WOW!!! It was what I’d hoped for and more. It had a booked a standard balcony room but there are two rooms on the ships that are extra large with a rear facing balcony (which we love) and thanks to the Cruise Critics board I was able to get one of these rooms. What a bargain. The room is huge! And the balcony magnificent with 2 lounges and 2 chairs. The girls interior room is much more spacious than I thought due to all the mirrors and I think even I could sleep in there (I didn’t think I could before seeing it). It was actually cheaper to get a second room than to have them in with us – and to score and extra bathroom it was a no brainer to do this.

Our room…

The girls room…

At 3pm we went up to the kids pool to meet up with a fellow Aussie who had contacted me (via Cruise Critic) so our girls could all meet. We spent the next hour chatting with them (while Christy and her new best friend had a swim).

Then it was time for muster, which is always fun (not). At least we don’t have to don the life vests any more :-).

We then headed to the main pool for the sail away party and Amy, Kevin and I enjoyed a Miami Vice Mocktail (not my normal pina colada but it was still good).

The sail away party, however, was pathetic. Just the crew and some of the Dreamworks characters doing some dancing. I thought it would have been the Caribbean band playing. Oh, well, can’t win them all.

We went back to our room to find our luggage had finally arrived so we got to unpacking, saw our first sunset at sea and then headed to dinner.

Our dinner time is at 5.30pm so a bit on the early side but it should work out well for the kids heading off to kids/teen club.
We were seated with another older couple and a family of three (the daughter had just turned 21). We were able to have a pleasant conversation with the first couple but it was a big table so hard to talk with the other end.
I was feeling a little off at dinner so just ate half of my main – a Mexican tortilla.

The Creme Brûlée I had for the dessert was amazing. 

After dinner we went to sign Christy into kids club and meet up with Gerard, Jenny & kids – the family we had met earlier and chatted with them for a while before agreeing to the take the youngest two ice skating (the teens had an activity planned). Kevin also had a go and enjoyed himself. Christy loved it and I think being able to finally try ice-skating was what she’d been looking forward to most on the trip.

After skating we had a wander through the shops then said our farewells and went in search for tea. Alas I never got any so we just said goodnight to Christy (Amy was to return before midnight) and headed to our room, and to bed. I was tired tonight and could really have used an early night but it was after 10pm before I went to sleep, lulled by the gentle rocking and vibrations of the ship. Ah… it’s good to be back at sea.