It is no secret that we enjoy traveling; always have and always will. Even with The Lou, we haven't let it slow us down. In fact, The Lou had been on 13 flights by the time she was two! That is more than the average Utahn in their life! We have been so blessed to be able to do so and we do not take that blessing for granted.
We love experiencing other cultures, people, culinary fare, lifestyles and making memories. After all that is what life is about, no? Our travels usually fall into one of three categories; 1) family, 2) culture/history or 3) relaxation. Our most recent trip was one of relaxation.
I believe I have mentioned it a few times before, just how lucky we are to live where we live. We have the most amazing neighbors and ward. We truly are grateful and enjoy learning from all the wonderful examples around us. We take them in as much as we can and are fortunate to be able to travel with them from time to time. About 7 years ago, a couple dozen couples got together for a cruise in the South Caribbean. It remains one of our most memorable trips. The next year a few of us got together for an "Adults Only" trip to California and Disneyland. A couple years after that, a dozen couples from the neighborhood got together again and visited Hawaii. This year, 9 couples went on that very same cruise we went on 7 years ago.
We enjoyed this trip, but it was different. The first time we visited the islands, we were up early every day, had excursions booked, culture to experience, food to taste, places to see and history to learn. This time, having already done everything before, we took a more relaxing approach to things. We woke up whenever we wanted, had breakfast in bed, left the ship at our leisure, caught a cab to the beach, sat down, drank blended drinks, bobbed in the ocean, sat some more, talked and went back. No shopping, no running around....nothin'! I didn't even bring my camera! We had already taken pictures of the places we visited. All a camera would do is document how much weight I have gained in 7 years! Pooh did bring her camera, but we only took a few pictures. Here they are:
These are our waiters from the Philippines. They took great care of us.
And even sang to me for my birthday. Those who know me know I am not a big birthday dude. I enjoyed this birthday thoroughly. This year it fell on Super Bowl Sunday and I was in another country without cell phone service.
I have no idea what this is all about. I swear the drinks were virgin.
Pooh looking sexy
We love Bingo. Pooh won 75 bucks!
Pooh chillin' in our room between events.
I love Caribbean sunsets.
On the island of Dominica (pronounced Doe-mee-nee-kah), we visited the museum of their history and peoples.
In Antigua we swam with stingrays. What an awesome experience.
We drove 45 minutes to the other side of the island to catch a skiff.
Then that skiff took us 25 minutes straight off the coast into the middle of the ocean.
In the middle of the ocean was a sandbar where they dropped us off to swim with the stingrays. We went with our good friends, Brandon and Dana.
Here is Brandon holding a stingray. Luckily the stingray didn't mistake him for the Crocodile Hunter. RIP Steve Irwin.
These amazing creatures were quite gentle. They are known as the "puppy dogs of the sea".
Here is Pooh trying to feed squid to a stingray.
Showing off her rented gear.
We love these guys. We went with a good group of people. We ended up spending much of our time with Brandon and Dana and Steve and LaRae.
Antigua
The Caribbean Princess.
Here is Brandon and Dana on our way out to Virgin Gorda from Tortola in the BVI.
What a hottie!
Something tells me she could get used to this.
I know I could!
Chillin' at the restaurant above The Baths on Virgin Gorda, BVI.
The view was great.
I love this chick!
I always hate getting dressed up for dinner, but it makes for a decent pic.
John and Michelle went with us too. I got pictures of all the couples that went with us, but most of them didn't turn out.
Brandon and Dana on formal night.
Our table mates were Garry and Heidi. It was fun getting to know them over dinner. The food was great this time around, but the entertainment was mediocre at best.
These bad boys were everywhere!
Me doing my best Captain Morgan pose.
We had a fun time bobbing in the ocean with Steve and LaRae. Good peeps for sure!
Sarah has an extensive collection of shells, sand and coral from each beach we have visited around the world.
This is the overrated and overcrowded Coki Beach on St. Thomas, USVI.
I still enjoyed myself. Life is always better when there is sand between your toes.
We ate at this cool little tavern in Old Town San Juan, Puerto Rico. Puerto Rican cuisine is, hands down, my favorite cuisine. So flavorful and delicious.
Brandon checking out El Moro.
Pooh doing her best impression of a WWII big gun fighter.
Somebody's being naughty.
San Juan Cemetery
We really are so blessed. Thank you to the Mark, Ruth, Michelle, Mark, John, Michelle, Frederick, Frederick's wife (for the life of me her name escapes me now), Steve, LaRae, John, Lynette, Garry, Heidi, Melissa, Jeff, Brandon, Dana and Pooh for such a wonderful time. It was a great idea, Brandon. Thanks for all your coordination, Mark. Can't wait for the next big trip out of the atmosphere on Virgin Galactic. Who's in?!
