Well this last week Landon and I got to go on a Royal Carribbean Cruise. It was my first cruise ever and since we were told about it at Christmas, I have been so excited. There was a group of 34 made up of family and friends. It was so much fun to have such a big group. The boat was absolutely amazing. I don't know how that building can float. Every detail inside was beautiful and I was in awe of all the things to do on a boat. We played mini golf, full court basketball, went to shows, an ice skating arena, casino, piano bar and the pool. We were due for a break and vacation and what better place to do it than in the southern Carribbean.
We were lucky enough to visit St. Maarten, St. Croix, Barbados, and St. Thomas. Unfortunately two of our scheduled stops had to be cancelled. We were supposed to get to go to Antigua and St. Lucia but because of someone who had a common cold, those countries refused to let us port because they were fearful of the swine flu. We were all pretty bummed but were able to make the best of it anyway.
All of the workers were foreigners from all over. Many happened to be from India which made landon happy. We had boys who could speak Tagalog from the Philippines, and Czech which got us some funny looks because people were amazed that these young boys spoke so many different languages. I guess that happens when you're Mormons right. Landon even got a special order of indian chicken curry made by an Indian chef which made him SO happy since he claims none of the Indian restaurants in america make it right or spicy enough.
The boys took part in the basketball tournaments and won the gold in two separate tournaments. Colie was brave enough to enter into the Ms. Biceps contest, and I took a crown in one of our group games of SPEED with 30 people. It was so much fun!
Getting to go to all these beautiful places only reassures me that Christ created such an amazing place for us to live. There truely are so many majestic places for us to just stand in awe. It was also another time for us to reflect on how blessed we are. The culture and lives of the people who live on these little islands are so different than the life we live. America really is the best place in the world!
After the cruise was over (tear) we were lucky enough to stay an extra night in Puerto Rico. We spent the day touring the town of old San Juan. We went to El Morro, a fort built hundreds of years ago. It was beautiful to see the spanish influence on the little town with beautiful colors and structure. Later that night we went to what may have been my favorite part of the trip. We went to Biluminecent Bay. The night was perfect because it was so dark outside. Basically you kayak through a narrow canal in the pitch black. All of our kayaks has glow sticks at the front and back because it was that dark you couldn't see two feet around you. Anyway, as you paddle in the darkness you start to notice that the wake of the boat in front of you is glowing. Each movement in the water starts to glow and then everyone is just slapping their ore's on the water amazed by the glow it creates! Eventually we ended up in the bay where the microorganisms are so concentrated. He let us get in an swim and warned us about peeing because we'll all be able to see it. Of course, everyone who was there had to try to see if he was just messin with us. Some claimed they could see it, but I didn't see mine haha. It was so fun to watch the water roll down your arm. Landon and I paddled around being ecstatic everytime we saw the fish under our boat swim away. It was pretty dang cool folks. I recommend going to Puerto Rico and doin that. You don't even need a pass port! :)
After the cruise was over (tear) we were lucky enough to stay an extra night in Puerto Rico. We spent the day touring the town of old San Juan. We went to El Morro, a fort built hundreds of years ago. It was beautiful to see the spanish influence on the little town with beautiful colors and structure. Later that night we went to what may have been my favorite part of the trip. We went to Biluminecent Bay. The night was perfect because it was so dark outside. Basically you kayak through a narrow canal in the pitch black. All of our kayaks has glow sticks at the front and back because it was that dark you couldn't see two feet around you. Anyway, as you paddle in the darkness you start to notice that the wake of the boat in front of you is glowing. Each movement in the water starts to glow and then everyone is just slapping their ore's on the water amazed by the glow it creates! Eventually we ended up in the bay where the microorganisms are so concentrated. He let us get in an swim and warned us about peeing because we'll all be able to see it. Of course, everyone who was there had to try to see if he was just messin with us. Some claimed they could see it, but I didn't see mine haha. It was so fun to watch the water roll down your arm. Landon and I paddled around being ecstatic everytime we saw the fish under our boat swim away. It was pretty dang cool folks. I recommend going to Puerto Rico and doin that. You don't even need a pass port! :)
Well to summerize, it was an amazing vacation that wouldn't have been possible without Blaine and Brenda's generosity. Its so fun to spend vacations with people because you learn so much about them from vacations. We had a great time! I'll definitely look forward to having food readily available, fresh towels folded into animals, regae music everywhere, and the beautiful ocean surrounding again! 
