February 2009 Western Caribbean Cruise with Mom & Dad

For our 7 day cruise of the Western Caribbean,

we met Mom and Dad in Miami.

We watched Miami disappear as we sailed away bound for Belize,

Roatan, Honduras, Cozumel and Key West.

We had adjoining staterooms with a common balcony.

 

 

 

We played cards all over that ship!

 

 

And had some great meals!

Roatan Island, Honduras

We booked a tour with Victor Bodden before our cruise. Ronald picked us up at the pier in an air conditioned van. We had him as our guide and driver for the entire day. First he took us on a driving tour of the island, giving us some history and stories along the way.

Victor Bodden has a small zoo on his property with exotic birds,

coatamundis and, of course, white-faced monkeys!

 

 

 

 

 

 

What's he looking for, Ricky???

After the monkey experience, we moved on to The Mayan Princess Resort on Tabyana Beach. We paid a small fee to be able to use all of the facilities at this beautiful beach resort. All along the beach, the restaurants and resorts charge a fee to use chairs on the beach. It was worth the money at the Mayan Princess. We had lunch and played some cards. Ruth and Willis snorkled while

Pat and Rick chilled on the beach.

 

 

 

Belize

In Belize we booked a cave tubing excursion with Nacho and Cynthia. Nacho called us twice from Belize while we were still in Colorado. What customer service! They met us at the pier and Cynthia drove us inland to the Jaguar Paw resort.

 

We picked up our tubes and floated through a series of caves. Very beautiful and relaxing. We had the guide to ourselves, which was great. We saw other groups with 15 people, so we felt like we found a good company. Afterwards, we had lunch and toured the Jaguar Paw Resort, a real gem. Big gardens, pool and interestingly decorated guest rooms. One had a full wall made of seashells.

 

 

 

 

A howler monkey spent his time napping with the resort dog.

Cozumel, Mexico
We grabbed a cab when we got to Cozumel and headed to Chankannab National Park, which is a protected reef and fresh water lagoon. It can be good for snorkling and diving, but was a bit
choppy the day we were there.

We found a neat little palapa, ordered a bucket of Coronas and began relaxing.

 

We had lunch in the restaurant. Ruth did a little snorkling.

Shopped in town on the way back to the Norwegian Pearl. A really nice, easy day in Cozumel!

Key West, Florida 

The Norwegian Pearl was supposed to stop at an island for a beach day, but it was too rough, so she headed to Key West. We were glad because we had never been to Key West. We took a trolley around the city learning lots of history.

We saw the most southern point in the contiguous United States and Hemmingway's home.

Had a beer at the Boar's Head Inn where the chickens have free range. Another fun day off the ship.

Miami, Florida
After our cruise we spent five days in the Miami area. Mom had a mini-reunion with her Van Slyke cousins in Pompano Beach, where cousin Jack and his wife, Sue live. Jack is a real cut-up and had us on our toes.

Cousin Glen and his wife Marion drove over from Naples for the day

 

Here is the group.

 

 And the three cousins.

We were so fortunate to have had this visit with Glen because he passed away not long after the reunion. Mom was very happy to have been able to see him. Glen was a gracious and generous man.

 

One day we drove to the Keys. Our goal was to drive over the Seven Mile Bridge. We only made it as far as Islamaroda. Found a neat place for lunch before we headed back. I still would like to drive over that bridge someday.

We could not leave Florida without visiting Everglades National Park. We went to Shark Valley and took a tram ride through the park. Saw lots of gators.

 

 

 

A great vacation!

Puerto Vallarta ~ Part Three

For our last four days in Puerto Vallarta, we wandered down

the beach to Fidencio's where our Vancouver friends hang out.

We met Linda and Geoff three or four years ago at Lindo Mar. Each year we meet up, since we travel at the same time of year. We were introduced to their good friends and traveling companions Goeff and Gail from Vancouver and Sesha and Mirdou from San Francisco. There are 3 Geoffs in the group - from left to right: Apprentice Geoff, Original Geoff and Wanabe Geoff.

On our last night we met up with Geoff and Linda for sunset viewing at Cuates y Cuetes.

 

Then we had dinner at Cafe Bohemio up the street. Always yummy!

Our favorite Puerto Vallarta mariachi duo, Veracruz, played La Paloma for us. Love them!

All in all ~ a great trip but time to go home.

Puerto Vallarta ~ Part Two

Mary and Bob arrived on Halloween for a quick three day stay. We hit the beach as soon as they got in for some beer and sand between the toes.

That evening we took a street-side table at Andales, which makes for great costume viewing. Halloween is really taking off in PV. There were probably twice as many kids this year. We brought 3 big bags of Costco candy and still ran out.

 

We stopped by Bohemios and said hi to Sal. He is quite the character. Later we ran into our Vancouver friends, Linda and Geoff and Gail and Geoff.

The next day we took the bus down to Mismaloya, Mary & Bob's favorite spot in PV. Enjoyed some beach time in the pretty cove.

 

Mary found the BEST restaurant. Esquina de los Caprichos is up near the cathedral on a very steep cobblestone street. It is really tiny with only about 7 small tables. The owners are from Spain and serve the best tapas I have ever tasted. We just kept eating and eating. Everything was so tasty. The papas with garlic butter - oh my! Rick and I will be going again before we leave.

 

Puerto Vallarta ~ Part One

 

We met our friends Barb and Bill at the Puerto Vallarta airport and taxied off to Vista del Sol, our 2 bedroom condo on Los Muertos Beach. We love this location. Our condo is ocean front with a huge balcony that faces the sunset everynight. We also are right in the Romantic Zone of PV. Love the great restaurants, the French bakery and the cobblestone streets.

We took our umbrellas and towels to the beach. Rick and Bill made "beach chairs" for us. Very comfy.

Hurricane Rick passed by Banderas Bay. Even though it was very far out there, we saw the effects of the storm on Wednesday. The Crazy Lobster was flooded.

The next day we took a walk down the beach to check out the flooding. We continued up Santa Barbara Street and looked at the neat homes tucked up in the side of the mountain.

We had a great dining experience at Teatro Limon.  Bruce, the owner and chef, invites you into his kitchen, which is set up as a stage. He comes by and chats with his customers, decides what to cook for them, preparing the meal as they watch. After the meal, he had Barb and I join him as he made sauces for the next set of diners. Really a unique and fun experience.

Barb and Bill had to leave after the week was up and we missed them. They are great traveling companions. We have been guests at Las Brisas, their beautiful timeshare in Santa Fe twice and they have come to Mexico with us two times.