Updates

I know it has been a few weeks since I've actually written something meaningful and informative. The past month passed in such a flurry I barely had time to sit and think; let alone organize my thoughts into a coherent blog post. So, here goes...

May was a busy month. We had to prepare for our vacation... meaning getting the things set up in the house for the caretakers of our pup, Apollo and generally getting other things done like testing the alarm and putting lights on timers. Once the last items were packed; and the suitcases were lined up at the door, reality sunk in - we were leaving on a 7-day Western Caribbean Cruise on Disney Cruise Lines!!!

Ports of call were: Key West, Cozumel, Grand Cayman and Castaway Cay (Disney's private island getaway). So... here is a rundown:

Key West - it was really hot in Key West. But we wandered around. We actually found Hemingway's house, I really wanted to pay the $12 fee to get in, but no one else in the party wanted to... so we skipped it. I figure there's always next time. After roaming about for a while; Dad, Rob and I went to the Southern-most point in the US to take a picture. I absolutely refused to skip that as I'd already skipped going through the museum. Then, we all converged on Jimmy Buffet's original Margaritaville for refreshments and food before shopping and returning to the ship.

Grand Cayman - okay, so we thought it was hot in Key West... that didn't hold a candle to the heat in Grand Cayman! We walked a few miles to get to 7-Mile Beach... when we got there, I think I was the first one in the water. The water itself was so clear and beautiful... and the water was perfect!
As we were walking around, we kept hearing a small cannon go off... and later noticed a pirate ship floating around in the bay. It was later that we found out it was going up to all of the cruise ships that were anchored, and "shooting" the Disney ship! What a great way to end the day - with a giggle at the pirates and a dip in the ocean.

Cozumel - the day in Cozumel started out a bit cooler than the past few days had been. I got to hold a Capuchin Monkey when we were in the port shops... and then we tendered a taxi tour around the island. We stopped at the Mayan Ruins and wandered around for an hour and a half or so.. then continued our trek with one more stop at a beach location where the driver stated there were always weddings going on. I could see why, the location was absolutely gorgeous... especially with waves crashing into the rocks behind them. We managed to get a little bit of shopping done... and then got back on the ship and prepared for the Pirates in the Caribbean dinner and party that night.

Castaway Cay - the weather was absolutely perfect in Castaway Cay. We lounged around on the beach chairs, had lunch... and then wandered around the island taking pictures. Rob and I attempted to go on a glass bottomed boat tour - but the sea was a little too violent that day, so the tour guide turned us around and refunded our money. It was alright, though... because we really enjoyed just lounging and relaxing on the beach.

Upon return from the cruise, we went to Epcot before returning home. The trip was so much fun... and the weather was so warm, that we had a hard time staying in Minnesota once we returned. It was over 30 degrees cooler here than it was in Florida the day we left. :( I definitely think we will be going on more of the longer cruises in the future - we had such a wonderful time.