COZUMEL

It was time to relax, and we had picked Cozumel as the place to do it. No excursions booked and no predetermined destination in mind. We were going to hang around the port. Walking towards Cozumel we noticed to our left another ship, something so large that even with 500 yards between it and us it was monstrous. It was the largest ship plying the Ocean to date, it was the "Oasis of the seas" by Royal Caribbean. From the distance we were at we could clearly see the rock climbing walls on the ship, and the center opening that creates an amazing central park on the cruise ship was clearly visible, the ship was a spectacular achievement.

Stepping onto the dock at Cozumel, it was clear this was going to be our shopping stop, and my girls did not disappoint. Before we ventured into the first store we stopped to snap some shots of some very cool usable displays and a central water fountain.

My daughter discovered where the free wifi was by using her Ipod touch and we headed straight to the coffee shop to hook on. Of course we had to spend $4.00 to use their free wifi, where they came up with that number, I have no Idea. I bought my daughter a cookie and myself a coffee and we were online.

My wife seeing that we were online, took Brittany and as she walked away, held up her credit card and made a straight line to the shops. This wifi thing could be damn expensive, I thought.

After a long relaxing 5 hours of drinking tube drinks, watching girls dance on a pole on top of a table, in a very loud and happy bar. It was time to head back to the ship. Cozumel had served its purpose, we were relaxed, burnt by the hot sun and just a little bit poorer. OK, a lot poorer. On the stroll towards the cruise ship a shirtless man wearing a cowboy hat walked by me with quite a brisk stride. He had my attention, this man had a plan, this man had a purpose, this man had on brand new Mexican cowboy boots. I'm

sure your thinking so what, but all I could think off is "The Village people". Dear lord whats next.........well next was Belize.

ROATAN

Many of you have never heard of Roatan, I share that same ignorance....."where in the world is Roatan". Well it is a jewel off the coast of Honduras, and I was very excited to get to see this small and yet very pristine Island. We all headed off the ship this morning without a plan, and no direction. Roatan was a mystery for us to solve and we were so ready to play detective. The entry to this beautiful and well kept port was very attractive, we headed up towards the exit, of course as is customary the cast of culprits were there trying to sell you things, however the pressure did not seem to be very intense here, and we strolled to the exit unscathed. On the way out a trio where playing some traditional music for our entertainment, and listening to them put us in the mood to head out and see Roatan. After listening for a bit, I turned to my wife and asked her what time we were suppose to return, "I dont know, thats your job" she responded. JOB! I came on this vacation to get away from a job.

I decide to head back to the ship to ask about re-boarding times, my oldest daughter Brittany volunteered to join me. As we approached our cruise ship I noticed an old fellow sitting with his legs crossed on a bench, he seemed familiar to me. As people approached and spoke with him, his voice was unmistakable, the man was Jerry Van Dyke from the popular sitcom "Coach" and also the brother of the very, very famous Dick Van Dyke. I approached him and shook his hand and of course took some complimentary pictures with him. I was star struck.

As I returned with the information my wife had demanded from me, we decided to book a car for the afternoon with a local driver acting as guide. He was a nice man who had a tendency to inform us at every turn, "American people live here" and then "Local people live here" not the type of tour guide I was looking for but we had a giggle every time he said those two phrases.

Our driver was doing an excellent job of showing us Roatan, from tourist sites to small venues. He drove into a very small quaint town that we just fell in love with. A beautiful white sandy beach, crystal clear waters and the main road maintained its original dirt look. It was paradise, we spent an hour and a half relaxing and swimming before we decided it was time to head back. On the way back to the ship we got to see how locals lived and also had an opportunity at every stop, to give the local kids candy that my wife had bought with them in mind. Most kids had rats as pets, and I found that interesting. I asked our guide if rats were a problem in Roatan, in broken english he said...."local people live here"

.

We said our goodbye's to our driver and headed back towards the ship. Roatan had left a gentle and friendly impression on me and I thought as we boarded the floating resort....I'LL be back little Roatan, I'll be back.

NEXT COZUMEL

CAYMAN ISLANDS

Well after a busy first day of getting acquainted with the cruise ship, we got up early to go on an excursion, snorkeling and swimming with the stingrays. we tendered into the island early, and once there quickly made our way through the barrage of " look at my shit " street vendors. At the excursion sight, they loaded us all into a boat to take us out to the coral to do some snorkeling. As the time approached to jump into the ocean water, I could feel my 'bits and pieces' cringing at the thought of this very chilly water hitting them so early in the day, but like a real trooper and the fact that my wife and daughters had already jumped in, I took the plunge.......OMG that was a very cold "how do you do". Snorkeling for me was a filler to the more anticipated stingray swim, so I went through the motions. After several dips and swims with the fish and coral, we were finally heading to the stingrays, and I could see the excitement in the faces of my fellow travelers.

As we arrived at the spot, we could immediately see the stingrays swimming freely among the other swimmers, who were already here from other tours. Both of my daughters and my wife were in very fast, and as usual I was last to make the plunge.

I was amazed, as was all involved, at the huge stingrays as they rubbed up against us, and some even seemed to climb up onto our chests as to say "hug me". Our guide then turned to all of us and said, "OK everyone you are going to receive a kiss from the stingray. It traditionally is 7 years of good luck." As I had not won any lotteries, I thought maybe this may be the turning point. So we all puckered up for a smooch.

It had turned out to be an awesome day. both my girls were exhausted and slept on the way back. I'm not sure if the exhaustion was due to the activities of the day, or all the activities in the evening and early morning.

Before we headed back to the Ship we decided to have

a quick lunch on a very nice patio, seemed to be a great way to say goodbye to the Cayman Islands. We all enjoyed what we had, however it came to my attention that the Cayman Currency was worth 25% more than the American dollar. So when the bill came, it seems the last laugh was had by the Caymans as my bill for a light lunch for 4 reached $133.00 US. Wow

Tomorrow we head to Roatan.

DAY 1 OF CRUISIN

Well today is a day at sea, so no need to rise and shine. after we wake up and drag ourselves to the lunch buffet.....yep I said wake up and lunch at the same time. We decided to peruse the Ship, see what it had to offer, so we went cruisin in the cruise ship. First stop, Casino, and it was awesome a small version of what Vegas has. All the bells and whistles as well as all the games. I was extremely grateful it had not opened yet. As we walked away and through the long shiny hallway we bumped into a coffee shop, a Disco, a Bar, a Video game room and a sushi bar ( my favorite ). Every night between 5pm and 8pm free sushi, and I have never had sushi up until this cruise, let me say this, best part of all the food on the cruise, I absolutely loved the sushi. We made our way back to the top deck where the buffet was and there were still many people lined up, all seeming somewhat impatient, all seeming to try and pass the person in front of them. As we walked toward the free soft ice cream station, we bumped into our MaitreD from the main dining room, I stopped and shook his hand, he was from Croatia, so we began a political discussion which involved some deep and meaningful banter, as our conversation seemed to get more enriched with culture my wife looked up at him and said casually, "I showed my boobs today"........WOW the look on his face was priceless. All he could say to that was " I love you guys"....LOL. Once again my wife was proving to me that this was going to be an awesome vacation.

TOMORROW WE DOCK AT THE CAYMAN ISLANDS

My 6th Follower

I found this picture and decided to post it specifically for one of my viewers on blogtv, who is known as butterfly81. Remember what they say about a butterflies wings.

CRUISIN

Well my family and I left on a cruise, Jan 2nd, 2011. We went on a Carnival ship called the Valor. Amazing holiday which included swimming and kissing stingrays, smuggling a conch shell back to Canada, ATVing in the bush, Cave Tubing, meeting Jerry Van Dyck AKA ( LUTHER )from the show Coach, and having a personal driver take us all around an Island called Roatan. The Cruise left from Miami, a beautiful way to start your holiday, great port of call. As we proceeded into the Caribbean sea we could feel an almost immediate difference in the air, there was a salt smell that welcomes you, invites you, and caresses your senses. I couldn't wait to get it started. As it is customary we found our way to the buffet the moment we boarded, great display of different fare that was more than a visual eater could handle. I was in SLOP heaven, and my stomach loved me for the first time in years. Later as the Ship hinted that Seas are not always smooth, my stomach went right back to hating me, UGH. Our cabin was amazing, with a great balcony looking out into the deep and clear Ocean, I stepped out to enjoy the whole Idea of a Vacation in the water, when my wife joined me. I pointed out a small boat coming up the side of the ship to her, and without any warning I heard a very Vocal "YAHOO" come from my wife. I looked over at her and in awe, saw my wife holding her shirt up and flash her breasts to the passing boat, I was very aroused...lol. I turned to the boat and thought, fuck it, so I yelled "YAHOO", and lifted my top also. As I did that the boat seemed to pull away at a fast pace, weird. It was at that moment that I realized, this is going to be a great Vacation.

WATCHING THE CRAZY CATS

Well having a late night talking to my daughter at the kitchen table. I glanced down to the kitchen floor to see our oldest cat "TOBY" doing accrobatics with a catnip bag.....Drugs for cats. I cant believe this shit isnt illegal, watch two cats high on catnip and you soon realize there is no difference between two people high on PCP. In the video you can clearly see the little cat thinks he is a giant who can take on anyone. His attempt to robb the other cat is evident by his malling attitude. There really seems to be something wrong with the system that allows Cats to get high, but it is illegal for humans who can at least comprehend their actions. Somehow I wonder who is the more intelligent creature, the cat or man. After all man cleans the cats shit, brushes them, is a scratching post for them and is held in contempt by them. Man what a raw deal.