GrandCayman

 (you all must be so totally bored by now hearing about this trip and looking at all these pictures!!! I will be back to normal blogging by end of week I promise! This is more for me and my family..as a record of our times together. Hang in there! Although I have noticed my blog traffic has tripled!) And sorry for any typo all were written on iphone 5 on a rocking ship!

 

It was another hot and beautiful day. I get it now ... Travelling in April vs November you seem to be guaranteed good weather.

Great excursion in a lovely boat snorkelling and then swimming with the stingrays. Then a 2 hr stop at the 7 mile beach for lunch and swimming.

The snorkelling was really nice and the boat ride relaxing. The stingray swim the family seemed to really enjoy. Personally not my thing... I prefer dolphins :) but it was fun watching my family like it. They even convinced me to kiss a stingray more than once since it guarantees 7 yrs. good luck ( therefore I kissed it 6 times just to be sure the luck does not run out) The stingray gave us all back massages too.. Strange experience to be rubbed by a slimy ugly fish :)

Then we went to the 7 mile beach and had a quick lunch. We are always starving coming back to the ship as we try to save money on food when off ship and order no more than 2 plates to share between us. This time caprese salad and naan bread with spicy hummus. Delicious.

The ocean was gorgeous and the water luxurious. The white sand beach and turquoise waters were breathtaking.

But...... Hubby won the bet we have been having for a long while.

We have been you go to Turks and Caicos Island for a decade now almost yearly. Started out at family resorts and for the last 5 yrs. just the two of us in an incredible condo belonging to my husband’s client that we are lucky enough to get at half price.

When I say incredible.. I mean incredible. This last November we made a deal last time there... Time to try other stuff. But my husband was upset- he vowed this was the best beach in the world and why bother anywhere else. Never mind that we get extremely luxurious rental at an affordable price available nowhere else. And full kitchen allows us to cook all of our meals.

It was still no. Need to see the world I said.

Grand Cayman was referred to me by about a dozen friends and colleagues as one of the most beautiful beaches and islands. I told hubby if nicer then Turks..... We would hold deal and not return. If it was less nice than Turks.. Then back to Turks we go on next adult vacation. He has been adamant that he refuses to even think about anywhere but Turks and thinks I am crazy

 

Guess what? We will be going back to Turks. Hubby is thrilled! Cayman super nice and gorgeous... But Turks is even better. Wider beaches... Less developed... Less expensive... Less crowed... The water is even more breathtaking in Turks and we live for the water.

I honestly don't think there is a nicer beach. Now having visited 4 beautiful new islands.. I am convinced

And we could never ever afford the type of place we stay in in Turks. Not ever. It is a huge favor on his client’s part and each time I think of it I want to get down on my knees and kiss his feet.

Too bad condo is up for sale :(L((((((((

Lucky for us his brother another super good cleint of my husband’s owns the one next door. Only half as nice but hey... Still beautiful... And still Turks.

 So Grand Cayman was a hit. We loved our time there today and wish we could have stayed longer. It's been a super busy vacation so far... And super wonderful too.

 

Dinner tonight is formal. Hubby and I would like to do buffet tonight as had a formal night in dining room already but kids won't hear of it . They are way more gourmet than either of us and although don’t really care about them or us dressing up much they like to see all the glitz and glamour and eat all the fancy lobster dinners.

I am still amazed that any man would rent a tux for a dinner like this or any woman waste precious vacation moments in the beauty parlor getting her hair and makeup done for a cruise dinner. But hey.. Clearly I am not the girly girl I thought I was! I would rather throw myself overboard than spend more than 15 minutes getting ready for any dinner.. Any party or any event. PS I still prefer formal night to any Halloween party by the way.
God we are boring eh??????
Savvy told me that I dress up most days and nights of the week! I never realized this about myself that I am I guess "naturally fancy???
I guess it is because I love nice clothes and accessories just cant bother spending any time on them except for putting them on.

 

My fave part of day today was when Bear decided that the cool American Eagle underwear normally worn religiously under his bathing suit were getting unbearably on his nerves. So we came up with the plan of  him taking them off far off into the ocean. Guess who was left with them in her hand to bring back to shore?

Ya. Me.

So I decided to do what the book on adolescence I am reading prescribes. When a teenager is rude or does not comply with the Rules use humor. Get them back by embarrassing them. This morning my two boys left eaten fruit on the hotel floor to my dismay and it was gross! Chase also often on this trip tells me not to speak when anyone is around! Bear put a password-HIS on MY iPad mini.

 

Therefore I came towards those boys in the sea with a pair of underwear worn upon my head. Calling their names out clearly to make sure everyone around knew those kids were mine and that clearly I was their Mom:))))

 

Life is beautiful. Payback time boys!!! And I have plenty more of those moments in me so watch out.

 

Ps -dinner tonight needs a special mention. What a difference an amazing waiter and service can make. Most of trip we had a very inefficient and grumpy waiter. Changed sections to an awesome Indian guy who made our night. He even promised me special Indian dishes the next two nights! The shrimp and lobster plate kids loved and Bear said steak was amazing. My mushroom vol au vent was great. Best dessert I have ever had was Neapolitan baked Alaska yummy!!!!!!! Still does not compare to the menus last time on Mediterranean cruises but still soooooooo good. This cruise was worth it just so see kids eating and ordering the way they do. Gives me huge glimpses into them as adults. From a girl who did not try hummus until I was 20 yrs old ( my moms total fault!!) I have to say I am extremely impressed with their palates

 

Pss \ despite applying sunscreen 4 times in. 6 hrs we are all burnt quite a bit - except Chase bc no matter what he is always perfect when it comes to stuff like this. Menthol Aveeno is being passed around alot tonight

 

Jamaica

What an incredible day!!!!!!!

We had a driver for 6 hrs who took us on two excursions and then a nice lunch and dip into the beautiful and pristine Jamaica sea.

I wish the day could have lasted forever. The kids were so incredibly sweet today. Both boys feel somehow like they have to take care of me.. Telling me such and such a rock is slippy or be careful a car is coming. It is so sweet. Beauty also loves this trip and such an affectionate side she is showing.

 

Dunns river is AMA ZING. I never realized how beautiful and fun it was. I loved every single minute of climbing the falls and wading in the streams. The kids adored this and it was so nice all climbing up and holding hands together. We had a great guide who took lots of good pics allowing us time to just enjoy the moment.

 

Next excursion might have been the most beautiful scenery I have her seen in my life. A 45 minute tube ride down a beautiful  fresh water tropical river. A mix between lazy river in a tube and white water rafting. Heavenly. So serene and quiet you could hear the crickets in the trees. I have never seen the kids look so happy and relaxed as I did today. There was a break on the river with a swing and Tarzan rope right in the river.

Luscious ride down the river.

These two water excursions were perfectly suited to our preferences. Loved both.

 

To top it off  30 minute stop at a beautiful beach with a gorgeous view and warm warm water. The lunch we ordered was amazing and one of the best meals of the trip. Jamaican jerk chicken and fries with hot sauce. To save money we only ordered two plates to share... We looked like animals starving when it was served!!

Now back to cruise for a Mamma Mia show at 7pm and another great dinner in the dining room . We have been trying to convince the kids to go to buffet one night but they won't hear of it.. They want fancy all the way since it is "included"

(Included my ass!!  Hahahha)

 

Loving these excursions . The cruise part is ok but the islands rock. I love my family and in general being angels so far.

 

Thank god for separate rooms. Makes such a difference in my irritably levels.

 

Not much down time thus far. Busy busy busy X o xox

 

 

 

Labadi, Haiti

 

The private island of Haiti belonging to the cruise ship was our first stop. It confused the kids a lot and they asked questions all day about the poverty and corruption all over Haiti . It was a strange feeling to be so sheltered from this on this magical island. We at least could feel that we were adding to the tourism domain- but that was little comfort seeing what we see on the news weekly a out this desperate country.

Aside from this...

Highlights:

 

GETTING OFF THE SHIP WAS HEAVENLY. The waves and roughness and problem with boat stabilizer made for a very difficult couple of days and night. Hubby and I were up at 4am still talking about how crazy it was to literally not be able to stand up and go to the bathroom without falling over!!!! Chase and I especially were grateful to be on land

 

Great day!

Fun thing about cruise and excursions is that kids hang out with us a whole lot more than at all inclusive resort .This is good .

 

We hung out at beach on floating mat all of us:)

 

Went zip lining biggest zipline over water in the world. I panicked at the top.. Girl said to me " do things that make you scared " I did it and was breathtaking . I literally was in tears of fear looking doen at the top. Very strange for me to panic in this way. 

 

Lounging aft at beach was really relaxing and nice

 

Lounging on cruise and reading after we got back. Beauty brought us a big plate of all dressed nachos to accompany our margaritas

 

Chase sneaked away and discreetly ordered room service and movie and lost track of time and broke rule of outside until 6pm. I forgave him quickly . He knows what he likes by 15yrs I guess!

 

Beauty and outstanding big heart for others less fortunate. She bought waterside pass and homemade bracelets for 5 friends to “help Haiti”. with her money. This girl will travel all over the world one day helping others: I can feel it building in her

 

Magic show at 7pm and me hour to myself . First hour since Thursday night!

 

Dinner with a calmer sea and a much better menu than the last few nights. It is amazing to watch our kids order rack of lamb, scallops in wine sauce , salmon in lemone sauce and spinich ricotta. All that pushing of food at home over the years is paying off finally it seems - especially with Bear. He has the most refined palette just like his Dad

 

We had a super entertaining dinner laughing and talking and taking pictures of each other’s teeth. The cherry on top was when Bear said " can we all come and crumble together in your bed? Aka cuddle

 

Ok so only 1/3 actually showed up .Not even Bear!) But it was the thought that counted anyways right ?

 

This is precisely what I will always love about vacations and unstructured time. What I love about disconnecting. We end up making what is truly a priority for us a true priority and a special 10 days

 

A perfect ending to a perfect day. Kids tucked in safely in room right next to ours attached only by our joint outside balcony . A romantic night for us- some alone time- time to stand out late at night on the balcony and do what we do best; gaze at the ocean and hear the waves lap . Look up at the sky and wish our hearts desires.

 

Feeling in that moment that I had it all. Health . My loving man. My beautiful children. My Mom back to good health and safe and wonderful friends that sustain me like oxygen . Both near and far. The real thing. And a future full of potential to realize everything I have built my solid foundation on.

 

And as the warm wind blew my hair and I felt my husband lean down and kiss my head I felt a feeling so often foreign to me most of my life. Peace . To just let life carry me to all the places I belong. Like the waves beneath me in that moment.

Goodnight.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Days at Sea

 

Yup lucky us.. Something seems to be wrong with the boat stabilizer on this cruise. Resulting in 4/5 normally never seasick people who are super used to boats barely being able to stand up or eat when inside the cruise!!!! A bit of a challenge so far I am thinking. I am praying that once we make it to Caribbean tomorrow seas will be calmer and maybe they can also fix this slight unpleasant technicality??? Perhaps??

 

 

Our first and last days are days at sea. Our least favorite. Lots of fun things to do and to eat but not half as exciting as the places we are on our way to. Most of us are a bit claustrophobic and love big vast land and sea at our disposal. Inside restaurants and bars just don't do it for us. But we still had great times on at sea days and very very relaxing to literally lounge around and read all day. This cruise is also very different than the Mediterranean one we did with Bear in that you can feel every movement of the boat. Let’s just say we did not bring enough ginger Gravol!

 

Highlights days at sea:

Getting used to lots of rocking (remember not sissies her boat lovers and sailors!)

 

April fool’s day joke and Easter chocolates

 

Waking up and Emma at door on balcony like a little angel

 

Luxurious day of reading and relaxing in the sun Emma made a friend ! An arranged friendship of sorts

 

Tristan and basketball all day!!

 

Nick the introvert in big crowds as us respecting that. Getting him to read “smoke and mirrors" will likely be the best thing that ever happened to him

 

Ping pong Formal night and show. Note : one of the downsides of cruises is getting dressed up at night. We hate that part- feels like we are on our way to Sunday church in the sun. Yuck. But we seem to be the only ones everyone else is out renting tuxes for tonight. I find this pretty strange but I am sure they find me equally boring!

 

Just having time with my kids. As a family. Together . Alone. Realizing that candy and music make Beauty happiest. Realizing how sporty and athletic Bear is. Realizing how absolutely funny Chase is and his amazing laugh

 

Getting to enjoy time without structure. Realizing what I fancy and what I don't

 

Planning our financial future as we bought two copies of the same book to read and learn from

 

Even if we are all a bit tipsy turvy.. It is an adventure that we are sharing. nausea together is very bonding:)