Paradise Found

We're still alive. We have lots of catching up to do, so here we go.

We returned last week from an amazingly awesome vacation away from the kids. To celebrate both our 5th anniversary back in November and Kyle finishing Grad school a year ago, we finally took the plunge and went on a grand vacation. Up until this vacation the only real getaway we'd had since getting married was when we went to Vegas during our first year and stayed with friends on their air mattress that had a hole in it. This adventure was definitely overdue. Leaving the kiddos with Grandma and Grandpa Taylor for 5 days and Grandma and Grandpa Morrey for 5 days, we departed from Fort Lauderdale aboard the ms Eurodam and visited Grand Turk (a British territory), Puerto Rico, St. Thomas (one of the US Virgin Islands), and Half Moon Cay (the cruise line's private island in the Bahamas).

Our ship was amazingly gorgeous and elegant, though our rooms were small and simple. We didn’t pay for a grand suite though but didn’t spend a lot of time in our room anyway so we didn’t mind. There were lots of activities going on throughout the day and shows every night. We saw a magician, a ventriloquist, there was a comedian, and several dancing/singing performances. There were always several things to choose from. The food was fantastic. Every night we ate five course gourmet meals. Two of the nights were formal nights and were even extra special and fancy.

Our room:
The ship's main stage:

Bon voyage! (leaving Fort Lauderdale) Promenade deck and life boats:

Caribbean sunrise

Snorkeling in Grand Turk

barracuda

We got to swim with sting rays while in Grand Turk. This one was the largest one we saw, though they get up to 8 ft. We got to handle this one a little and feed it raw fish. Our guide told us that we would get seven years of luck if we kissed the sting ray's barb. We both did, and have video to prove it. (we're too lazy to post it now) Kissing it's face.

Getting a massage. You can see its mouth just over my shoulder.

sting ray swimming

This picture doesn't do this beach justice. The water here was turquoise and the sand was white and fine. It was 80+ degrees and a perfect day.

Wasting away in Margaritaville.
There was a John Glenn exhibit here to commemerate his splashdown here after becoming the first American in orbit in 1962.

My tribute to Daniel-san.

After returning to our room after visiting Grand Turk, we found a sting ray on our bed made out of towels and chocolate.

More of our adventures to come . . . .