Western Caribbean Cruise

Greg's sister-in-law organized a cruise to the Western Caribbean: Grand Cayman, Roatan (Honduras), Belize, and Cozumel (Mexico). It was my first group vacation, and it was really fun. We sailed on the Carnival Valor. Greg and I arrived a day early to visit my friend Abbey in Ft. Lauderdale. Abbey and I met when we were working on cruise ships and I haven't seen her in about five years. Southern Florida was experiencing record lows and it was in the 30s, much to Abbey's shock.I'm still having problems moving pictures around with my blogging tool, so these pictures are all out of sequence. The picture above is from the first day of the cruise in Miami, and the picture below is the last day of the cruise, on our sea day.

Here's most of the gang at Fat Tuesday's bar in Cozumel. On the trip were Greg's brother and sister-in-law (Shaney), Shaney's two brothers, Shaney's three girlfriends, a friend of Greg's, Greg and me.Cozumel
Greg and his brother Mark climbed the "ice burg". I climbed it, too, and it was really hard. It seems much higher up when you're up there.
On a mountain bike tour in Belize, Greg ate termites from a tree.
Roatan, Honduras

Wild parrots
Cactus in conchs, cool.

Bacab Eco Park in Belize


The monkey held on to our hair for support. He didn't pull though; he was a good monkey.


Rorke and Logan crossing the bridge




A turtle farm in Grand Cayman


We didn't feel any effects from the earthquake in Haiti. The cruise line set up a way for passengers to donate to the Red Cross through them, which I thought was really nice. I hope you're each donating what you can. Here's one way you can donate: http://clintonbushhaitifund.org/
Grand Cayman

Pics from my Dad

The Children's Pool in La Jolla

Holidays at Home

I had an American Airlines flight on December 23 to San Diego. When I got to the airport, I was told that my flight was canceled due to bad weather in Chicago, where I was due to lay over. I had been put on a flight for the following morning, Christmas Eve. There were no available flights that day, even with any of American's partners. My only chance was with Jet Blue - not a partner, but I was welcome to go to their ticket counter and see about getting on their 6pm flight. Jet Blue to the rescue! With a manager's special help (the flight was sort of sold out), I was able to book the tickets, and even purchasing them day-of, it was cheaper than American had been. Jet Blue doesn't charge for your first checked bag, and my flights, there and back, were nonstop. Plus, the Jet Blue people were much friendlier. I'm a new Jet Blue fan! I got a refund on my previous tickets, and never looked back. I did, however, have to spend most of the day in the airport, so I had a nice long lunch at Legal Seafoods and a pedicure. See the snow on the runway?

After such a long travel day, I was glad to get home.

Check out the line at Honey Baked Hams on Christmas Eve!

Sunset in my parents' backyard

Mr. Stripey Pants is a good sleeper.

Sunshine's dad Robert played the bagpipes on New Year's Day.

My dad got the flu, but we were able to go out to La Jolla Cove when he was on the mend. Unfortunately, my stepmom got the flu next, and is still sick - feel better soon Mom!

It snowed in Boston while I was away.