Eastern Caribbean Cruise: Day 3, Grand Turk

We LOVE Grand Turk! We took a bus ride around the island and then went to the beach. It was great to see the island. And the beach....WOW! Probably the most beautiful beach we have been to. Camille said, "I am never leaving Grand Turk. I am moving here and you can't make me go home." It really is incredible!

Donkeys are EVERYWHERE- one local called them cockroaches. They came over at the time of slavery to help cart wagons for making salt, and they still roam the island causing chaos to the locals but enthralling the locals.

Unfortunately, towards the end of our stay, Camille got stung by something. We were told Grand Turk doesn't have jellyfish,but it sure seems like it was a jellyfish sting. The poor girl was in tears and really sad for quite awhile. The only thing that could cheer her up were the donkeys.

We all got some delicious spice cake as part of our tour- so yummy! The donkeys kept trying to eat our cake.

Here is the NorthWest part of the Bermuda Triangle- thankfully we made it out safe!

We stopped and saw some sea cucumber and a conch and a very small jellyfish that isn't dangerous at all.

Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip stayed at this house in 1966.

John Glenn landed here so they have lots of capsules to commemorate him.

The bus ride

Apparently this is the only pink Starbuck's in the world, so we had to get a picture

We all got sunburned, but we still had the BEST day.

Eastern Caribbean Cruise: Day 2, Sea Day

 It was a pretty calm day on the ship today. We slept in, ate a delicious breakfast at the main restaurant, went to a dance class (so fun!), decided to go work out in the work out room (running on a treadmill while overlooking the ocean is pretty darn amazing), played mini-golf and went on the ropes course (a ropes course in the middle of the ocean on a cruise ship- yes, please!), and just relaxed and had a perfectly lovely day.

The speed ice sculpting is always a favorite for me- he made this in about 20 minutes. It's incredible!

It was our first formal night and it was lovely. How did we get so lucky?

       

Eastern Caribbean Cruise: Day 1

We love it when the countdown gets done!

We went on another cruise!!!! It was glorious!

We sailed out of Miami. Ben and I sailed out of Miami way back in 2006, but we really didn't remember any of it.

We stayed at this quirky hotel in Miami the night before we embarked. The girls really wanted to stay here because of the bunk beds- they thought it would be so fun.

I would personally not stay here again. It was definitely a college party hotel- people go here for spring break. And it is perfect for that- but not great for old people who want to get some sleep before embarking on a cruise.  Nevertheless, it was an adventure, and the girls enjoyed it's quirkiness, even if I was up all night worried Camille would fall of her top bunk and break an arm because the railing wasn't really attached to the bed and it was very unsafe.                          

                                               

Claire did everyone's hair in the morning

In the morning we went to a cute Italian bakery and got some yummy breakfast foods

And we are headed to the cruise! Finally!

                                               

Embarkation in Miami was not nearly as easy as in Tampa. Oh, well. But we were sure happy to get on the ship- Carnival Magic. We immediately went to get some Guy's Burgers and then to the slides before it got too crowded.

Of course we joined in for the YMCA!

Leaving the port- and we are off!

Our first dinner had beef wellington- Audra was the only one who ordered it, and everyone was jealous because it looked really yummy! Once again we lucked out with incredible dining seating- every time we have gotten great views.

We did all order the chocolate lava cake- our favorite (this isn't a picture of them, though).

Promposal

                         

Dr. Seuss Day

 10 years ago, the Bingo Card for "What Christina's future looks like" had things like, "Living on a cruise ship" and "Becoming a master chef and opening a French cafe" and "Game show host." It most certainly did NOT have, "Elementary teacher."

Therefore, a wardrobe needed for teaching at an elementary school is lacking. When Dr. Suess Day arrived today, I had to turn to Pinterest, and I think things turned out quite nice.