ODDS AND ENDS FROM THE CRUISE---ACTUALLY MORE ODDS

Our last stop was in Costa Maya, Mexico. Since all the fun we had the previous 3 days we decided to take it easy. We just walked through town and did a little window shopping. However, the kids wanted to take their new friends home with them. 

The kids in a window showing the boat on a 3rd story building in Costa Maya.

Another view of the kids in the bell tower from Costa Maya, Mexico.

Yes kids, this is what a Mexican liquor store looks like.  A lot of Tequila.

Natalie and the kids next to the boat leaving Costa Maya.

Sydney and all of her Camp Carnival friends at the End of Cruise Camp Party.

They don't look at all alike, do they? This was taken at the Chocolate Buffet.

This is  Jim, Theresa, and Haley (Justin not in picture) Olsen.  We had a blast with them. They were a lot of fun to be around, if you couldn't tell. Jim, Justin and Jay hit it off since all of them are big sports fans. Haley and Sydney enjoyed each other's company playing tic tac toe. Natalie enjoyed Theresa's humor and her love of cultures and, of course,  her sign language skills.

This is all of us on the last night.

It is hard to believe that what you see is made out of all fresh fruits. I'm not really sure what these creatures are, but they are pretty cool.

Where we are going, there are no roads--Hector

Everyone, this is Hector.  Hector has capitalized on capitalism. I have to hand it to him, he is a really sharp guy with goods instincts for what Americans want. He wears a USS Reagan Aircraft Carrier Hat and also speaks good English. At first, we really wanted to cancel this excursion because that morning Roatan received about 8 inches of rain, and a mudslide wiped out the major road going into town. I asked how much of the tour is on paved roads? His response was, "there are no roads where we are going." I thought to myself, "well I can't use that as an excuse to get out this excursion." So we decided to trust Hector and live on the edge in a third world country.  Below is a picture of this exact conversation I had with Hector. 

While waiting for the other Carnival ship to arrive in port we decided to put Hector to work taking a family photo! Collin, put down the stupid leaf and smile.  He really wanted to keep the leaf as a souvenir.

 Ladies and Gentlemen START YOUR ENGINES!

Yea, it looks like Natalie just robbed the Roatan First National Bank. Even if she did rob the bank, I don't think there was any money in the bank. 

Wow! What beautiful scenery in Roatan!

 This is the Roatan version of a 7/11. Everything you could possible want except fountain drinks.

 This is a minor river or stream that we got the opportunity go through.

Hector took us to the highest point in Roatan. We did this by only using rock and dirt roads and even creating our own roads.

 It helps if you can imagine a road even if there are no roads.

 One of the stops on the tour was a secluded beach.We were secluded. We were the only ones on this pristine beach.

 This is also where we were to have snacks for the trip back home. I was all excited to get some traditional Honduran food. Then Hector reaches into his bag, and pulls out Doritos and Paul Newman's Black Bean Salsa Dip. Actually, it was good, and all the proceeds go to a good cause.

 Sydney and Collin getting ready for the muddy ride back to the other side of the island.

 Time for a tropical family picture.

 The kids finally get it and then Mom and Dad have issues.

 Roatan has gorgeous valleys and stunning views.

 One of the couple of times Natalie got stuck. Hector famous words are "don't step on the brakes!"

Hector took us to a small river delta to run the buggies in the real HONDURAN MUDD. This was FUN!

 Yes, Jay and Collin are in there somewhere. 

  Natalie and Sydney taking it easy trying not to get muddy....FUNHATERS!

 After 15 minutes of playing in the mud, you get muddy. REAL MUDDY!

The aftermath of the whole expedition: the kids need to learn to fight off mosquitoes better. Every time someone's buggy got stuck (or there was a tree we needed to chop up to get through the jungle), the adults jumped out to help and the kids stayed in the buggies.  If you are stationary for more than 5 seconds, all the mosquitos in the rainforest find you and start the feeding frenzy.  Collin looked like he was in a back alley brawl the next morning. Of course, these Roatan mosquitoes were bigger than some of Collin's classmates.  Both Collin and Sydney had more than 15 mosquito bites/welts on their faces alone.

x 

Florida

(Of course, I forgot to upload in reverse order.)

The island we went to for the dive shop and equipment before heading out to the Turneffe Islands.  It was a cute little island/dive shop well off the beaten path.

Another picture of the island as we were approaching. 

Leaving the ship behind and heading out on our 1 and 1/2 hour boat ride to the islands.

 The water slides is where Sydney spent a lot of time and met a ton of friends.  Collin also enjoyed them but not for the hours on end that Sydney did.

 The racing slides:

 The kids had to have pictures of all the animals, of course.