Monday, August 29, 2011

Our trip in pictures:






We stayed at a lovely motel while in Miami! It had the cutest decor, a throw back to times gone by, lotsa neon and a pool that was open 24 hours a day! They gave out earplugs (apparently my new favorite thing) and the staff were absolutely amazing! Seriously, the owners son offered to drive us down the street to the closest CVS to get beer so we didn't have to go into a shady corner store the next block over. We declined....the shadier the better but talk about customer service!


Sooooo cute inside the rooms!!!



This was the view from the condo/hotel/apartment (?) that their friend was staying at while completing a contract out in Miami. Seriously, what an amazing view from the 51st floor! Can you even imagine walking out onto your balcony every evening and seeing this?!?






We went to South Beach our first day and wandered around taking in all of the amazing art deco! Loved it!!! Dined at a cute little diner that was featured in 'Diners Drive-ins and Dives' and spent the day shopping! It was impossibly hot during the day so we took our time walking back along the beach as the sun started to set and it was a bit cooler! Absolute heaven!!!





J and I thought we were doomed as we arrived without booking a cruise ship and it proved rather difficult to find one with such short notice. J however worked her magic and voila we found a 3 night cruise to the Bahamas! We left the others and set sail on day 3! This was our view during breakfast early one morning! By early I mean ohhh 10am, we like to sleep in!



I was absolutely amazed at how crystal clear the water was! There was a big group of hilarious cops floating around in the ocean beside us. All of a sudden they all moved away so we were like "WHAT"? Turns out there was a jelly fish right beside us, oops! I probably would have swam right into the bloody thing I'm soooo not observant LOL!



This was a private island owned by the cruise ship so we spent the entire afternoon, laying in the water enjoying the sun! Mmmm big pina coladas, the ocean, sun, clear blue sky and hot hot weather, what more could we have asked for! It was soooo relaxing which is just what I needed!


We docked in Nassau for an afternoon and wandered around on a bit of a death march in search of Fort Charlotte! J and I snapped a few photos along the way of abandoned houses that we thought were quite stunning! We also enjoyed some island food which was really delicious and flavourful, J tried the conch and loved it!


Yay we made it to Fort Charlotte! Our tour guide made me laugh soooo hard! He did not seem to want to take the time to answer any questions and wouldn't let us read the material available. It was like Chevy Chase in Vacation at the Grand Canyon! He told us at the end that we could go back through and take our time, I was like huh! Ohhhhh he gets tips and wants to get as many people through as possible, ahhh ha! It took me forever to figure out why he was rushing us!


We spent my last afternoon wandering around Little Havana (the others were staying an extra week)! Have I mentioned that I'm totally in love with plantains, like totally in love but not in love with the thunderstorms that plagued us my last day! I can't even believe I was walking around with the black sky and crazy rumbles taunting me from above but it was worth it!


I had a great time, lots of laughter and sun with of course a few storms, great food, beautiful scenery and of course wonderful company!!




Tuesday, August 09, 2011



I have not been on vacation where I board a plane in a few years which is kind of bonkers as I'm a total travel whore! There's been a road trip here and there however that is all going to change this week thanks to J! I decided at the last minute to join her on a cruise to the Bahamas for some fun in the sun. I've never had any desire to go on a cruise but I like to try new things and figured why not! It will also be a different experience as her friend works on the ships so we'll be hanging out behind the scenes in the "staff only" areas as well, ohhhhh awwwww!


We'll fly into Miami this week and set sail a day later! I haven't had a chance to even look at things to do in the Bahamas, the only thing that keeps popping into my head is that crazy slide at the Atlantis. I saw it once on the Amazing Race and thought they were all bonkers to even try it, granted I might sell my right arm for a million dollars so who am I to judge. As described on the website:


"The Leap of Faith slide offers the daring and adventurous a 60 ft. almost-vertical drop from the top of the world-famous and iconic Mayan Temple, propelling riders at a tremendous speed through a clear acrylic tunnel submerged in a shark-filled lagoon."


I'm just excited to get away and relax I don't even care what I end up doing! I could park my ass on the beach for 3 days with a book and be content! It helps that J and I travel well together so I know we'll have fun (except when she tries to steam roll me but that's a whole other post).


"IT'S T-SHIRT TIME"!!!!!