Thursday, January 31, 2008

Back from vacation

Well, I'm back. We had a wonderful time. The first day at sea was a little rough since were sailing though the middle of a storm. I woke up around 3:00 AM and it was rocking quite a bit. I looked out the window and saw lightning striking all around the boat. Okay, I had a brief feeling of anxiety about being hit by lightning but I talked myself out of it and went back to bed. The next day the weather cleared and the rest of the trip was fabulous. Weather was around 85 degrees and the water was about 85 degrees and crystal clear, turquoise. Lovely. We sailed on a catamaran and went snorkling and played on a white sandy beach. Here's a picture of me on the beach in Jamaica after swimming & snorkling (lovely hair - don't ja think):



We did the Cayman Island tour and visited the turtle farm and the Tortuga Rum Factory (the rum cakes come in about a dozen flavors and I bought a bunch to bring home). Here's our ship in the Cayman Islands. The water is so clear you can see the white sand at the bottom of the harbor.



We went shopping in Cozumel and I only bought a T-shirt for Bob. The water was the most beautiful there and I would really love to go back there some day and stay in a resort. On the last day at sea the Gulf of Mexico was a smooth as glass (to make up for the rough first day).

I ate too much but I managed to avoid the midnight chocolate dessert buffets. Most of the nightly entertainment was pretty good for the most part but the motown singer sucked (who told him he could carry a tune?) and the ventriloquist/comedian was not funny at all. But the dance reviews were wonderful. Our cruise director was a hoot with his British accent. Very funny guy. Overall a great trip .... I didn't want to go home. Got home at midnight Sunday night and woke up the next morning to 4 inches of snow. ... Sigh, the vacation was officially over.

What I Read:

The Duke by Gaelen Foley Grade: A-
Started this before we left on the trip and finished it on the plane to Houston. Great book with a wonderful hero and heroine. Turned out to be a keeper.

Lord of Danger by Anne Stuart Grade: B+
Another great anti-hero but this time in a medieval setting. The hero is fascinating along with the heroine. And a great secondary romance.

Lord of My Heart by Jo Beverley Grade: B
I haven't read Jo Beverley in quite a while and have forgotten how much I enjoy her work. This book was set shortly after William of Normandy invades England in 1066. There are several misunderstandings made by both the hero and heroine that take awhile to get ironed out but I enjoyed this book overall. It seemed very realistic for the time and well-researched.

Lethal Lies by Laurie Breton Grade: B
This is another romantic suspense set in a small town featuring the hero as the chief of police. Heroine returns home to care for her niece who has been orphaned when her mother is killed. No violence and the story focuses more on the relationships than the mystery.

I stayed home from work on Monday to get unpacked and do laundry. Now I need to get back to Weight Watchers. I've got to lose some weight before going shopping for a dress for Angie's wedding. Sigh.

10 comments:

CindyS said...

Except for that first night it sounds like it was a dream cruise.

And other than people like me, who ever really wants to go home?

How did you get on a catamaran, go snorkeling and get to a beach? Did you get two days on shore at a time? My parents and Bob have mentioned how if you aren't back to the ship in time they don't care, they'll leave without you. Now me, wouldn't care but I hear it causes stress ;)

CindyS

nath said...

Wow! Look like you had an awesome vacation! and at least, you got one :) it's better to come back from vacation and see 4inches of snow than to just wake up to it :P

Rosie said...

Very nice Renee. My parents went to Jamaica years ago and it was one of their favorite vacations ever.

Jennie said...

Lucky!! I am going on a cruise one day--I have to. :) I'm glad you had such a good time!

I read Lord of Danger last year and I thought it was fabulous. The hero was fascinating.

Dev said...

Beautiful pictures, Renee! Sounds like you had a wonderful vacation. :-) And it's a plus you got some good reading in, also.

~ames~ said...

Lovely pictures! Glad you had a good time. :P

Kristie (J) said...

Welcome back!! And a cruise - how nice - hot, sunny, warm, no snow, sunny, warm, no ice

Anonymous said...

Glad to hear you had a nice time and got to read some good books :) I just put a hold at the library on Lethal Lies based on your review :)

Gigi said...

That was the same cruise I went on my honeymoon. It was seven years ago and I still remember it like it was yesterday. Did ya go to see the pyramids in Tulum while in Cozumel?

ReneeW said...

Cindy: When we got off the ship, we walked over to the end of the pier and got on the catamaran. The catamaran sailed through the harbor over to the reef where we tied to an anchor and then snorkeled. The reef was only a few yards out from the resort with the beach so after we were done snorkeling we sailed over to the dock beside the resort. Then got off the catamaran and played on the beach for a couple hours. Then we sailed back to the big ship. Very fun. We booked this excursion through the cruise line. So if our little catamaran trip was late we were guaranteed that the ship would wait for us. So no worries.

Nath: You are so right :)

Rosie: The people are so friendly too. And they really talk like they do in the movies :)

Jennie: Lord of Danger was great! I have another historical by Stuart in my TBR I need to dig out.

Dev: Perfect vacation. Cruising is a great way to travel.

Ames: Thanks!

Kristie: No snow and ice was the best part. I love warm weather.

Alie: I hope you like it. Breton is a good RS author to try. I especially liked the fact that there was no blood.

Giselle: No I didn't get to the pyramids but a couple in our party went and loved it. But it was a very long day and they were exhausted when they got back. I want to go back to Cozumel and stay at a resort someday, then I'll get a chance to see them.

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