minniesota
<font color=purple>Land is a good thing, too<br><f
- Joined
- Jun 26, 2002
- Messages
- 1,690
Day 7
We woke early since we decided to get breakfast and get off the ship ASAP. We had read so much about Castaway Cay and we were really looking forward to the day. DCL could have used some crowd control at the aft 2 elevator lobby - it was getting a bit unruly! A cast member finally dropped the rope and off we were to our day on Disneys island. We decided to walk to the family beach -skipping the tram ride. Even though we were some of the first people off the ship, there were LOTS of folks already set up in hammocks and chairs. We decided not to vie for a hammock and just settled for some beach loungers in the front row nearest the water.
The kids tested the temp of the water and declared it kind of freezing! But DH went to get the floats and snorkeling fins/vests. We had not reserved them and there seemed to be plenty to go around. DH and the kids did a little snorkeling but did find the water to be a bit too cool, even for our Minnesota blood!
DH and DS rented an aqua bike and boy was DH ever huffing and puffing when they returned. At 63, he looked like the big kid on a little trike. Hard to pedal and DS wasnt much help. By this time DH just wanted the lounge chair! We had a fruity cocktail drink and then headed over to lunch. We were a bit disappointed in the BBQ - this was really the first time all week we thought DCL was letting us down in the culinary department. But I was thrilled with the fresh fruit stand - filled up on that! And unfortunately, we missed the ice cream.
DD and her friend had a parasailing time at 1:30 so we went to see them off. They had a great time but DD wished it was more exciting! I think she thought shed be jumping out of a plane - like I would let her do that! Kids! ANyway, DH was on the boat and took lots of cool pictures and DD took some from the air. A great memory.
DD got back just in time for me to get her to the hair-braiding stand for a 3 p.m. appointment. There was a bit of a wait. Seems some people just showed up without an appointment and got in line ahead of us. No one asked for any confirmation that you in fact had an appointment, so we were stuck waiting. We didnt think this was fair but we didnt complain either. We were on island time. By the time DDs hair was finished, they were closing down everything though a cast member was hawking 2 for 1 Bahama Mamas so DH and I each had one and started our slow walk back to the ship. I think we were one of the last ones off the island and when we got near the ship, DH realized he had lost his license - the picture i.d. needed to get back onboard. They were fine about it and we were glad he had his passport along so there would not be a problem at the airport.
We all got cleaned up and ready for our last dinner - everyone was moving kind of in slow motion. No one really wanted this day to end. We were back at Animators and it was the Best of.. menu. We tried the artichoke and garlic dip and honey mustard chicken tenders at our table and I had the seafood medley - fabulous! I also tried the crawfish and lobster bisque which I loved and the Seafood Pappardelle Pasta, a dish with lobster, scallops, shrimp, clams and asparagus in a white wine sauce, Perfect! We presented Herbert and Okim with their tip envelopes and got their addresses and e-mails. This was definitely a bittersweet night. Hugs all around, but well see you at breakfast! DS was very teary and I had a little lump in my throat too.
The kids went to the farewell variety show but DH and I just were not in the mood. We went back to the rooms and started packing, taking a break here and there to sit on the verandah. We made our final decisions at SHutters and ended up with the package of 10 and 2 8x10s. At this point, whats another $150? I went down to the internet cafe for one more post to the disboards and DS came running over to me, tears streaming down his face. It had started to rain and as I took him in my arms, his little rain-soaked body felt cold and I hated to think about snow and cold and winter again. He was up playing basketball and took his waterproof case off and set it on the deck. Apparently, a big gust of wind took it and into the ocean went his lanyard, case and his KTTW. I comforted him as best I could and took him back to the room for a warm shower and one last night in his special bunk.
Finished the packing and made mental notes of what Id be including in my trip reports. We had decided not to rebook since we have other places we want to do and see in the next couple of years, but hey, maybe well do this again. Got the bags out in the hall and checked on DS. He was still so sad - about leaving his new friend, not ever seeing Herbert and Okim again and losing his KTTW out in the big ocean. I assured him that we would stay in touch with everyone and then planted the seed that maybe someone would find his little case and key washed up on an island someday and maybe that key would magically make its way back to him. I think that helped a little. You can always hope.
We woke early since we decided to get breakfast and get off the ship ASAP. We had read so much about Castaway Cay and we were really looking forward to the day. DCL could have used some crowd control at the aft 2 elevator lobby - it was getting a bit unruly! A cast member finally dropped the rope and off we were to our day on Disneys island. We decided to walk to the family beach -skipping the tram ride. Even though we were some of the first people off the ship, there were LOTS of folks already set up in hammocks and chairs. We decided not to vie for a hammock and just settled for some beach loungers in the front row nearest the water.
The kids tested the temp of the water and declared it kind of freezing! But DH went to get the floats and snorkeling fins/vests. We had not reserved them and there seemed to be plenty to go around. DH and the kids did a little snorkeling but did find the water to be a bit too cool, even for our Minnesota blood!
DH and DS rented an aqua bike and boy was DH ever huffing and puffing when they returned. At 63, he looked like the big kid on a little trike. Hard to pedal and DS wasnt much help. By this time DH just wanted the lounge chair! We had a fruity cocktail drink and then headed over to lunch. We were a bit disappointed in the BBQ - this was really the first time all week we thought DCL was letting us down in the culinary department. But I was thrilled with the fresh fruit stand - filled up on that! And unfortunately, we missed the ice cream.
DD and her friend had a parasailing time at 1:30 so we went to see them off. They had a great time but DD wished it was more exciting! I think she thought shed be jumping out of a plane - like I would let her do that! Kids! ANyway, DH was on the boat and took lots of cool pictures and DD took some from the air. A great memory.
DD got back just in time for me to get her to the hair-braiding stand for a 3 p.m. appointment. There was a bit of a wait. Seems some people just showed up without an appointment and got in line ahead of us. No one asked for any confirmation that you in fact had an appointment, so we were stuck waiting. We didnt think this was fair but we didnt complain either. We were on island time. By the time DDs hair was finished, they were closing down everything though a cast member was hawking 2 for 1 Bahama Mamas so DH and I each had one and started our slow walk back to the ship. I think we were one of the last ones off the island and when we got near the ship, DH realized he had lost his license - the picture i.d. needed to get back onboard. They were fine about it and we were glad he had his passport along so there would not be a problem at the airport.
We all got cleaned up and ready for our last dinner - everyone was moving kind of in slow motion. No one really wanted this day to end. We were back at Animators and it was the Best of.. menu. We tried the artichoke and garlic dip and honey mustard chicken tenders at our table and I had the seafood medley - fabulous! I also tried the crawfish and lobster bisque which I loved and the Seafood Pappardelle Pasta, a dish with lobster, scallops, shrimp, clams and asparagus in a white wine sauce, Perfect! We presented Herbert and Okim with their tip envelopes and got their addresses and e-mails. This was definitely a bittersweet night. Hugs all around, but well see you at breakfast! DS was very teary and I had a little lump in my throat too.
The kids went to the farewell variety show but DH and I just were not in the mood. We went back to the rooms and started packing, taking a break here and there to sit on the verandah. We made our final decisions at SHutters and ended up with the package of 10 and 2 8x10s. At this point, whats another $150? I went down to the internet cafe for one more post to the disboards and DS came running over to me, tears streaming down his face. It had started to rain and as I took him in my arms, his little rain-soaked body felt cold and I hated to think about snow and cold and winter again. He was up playing basketball and took his waterproof case off and set it on the deck. Apparently, a big gust of wind took it and into the ocean went his lanyard, case and his KTTW. I comforted him as best I could and took him back to the room for a warm shower and one last night in his special bunk.
Finished the packing and made mental notes of what Id be including in my trip reports. We had decided not to rebook since we have other places we want to do and see in the next couple of years, but hey, maybe well do this again. Got the bags out in the hall and checked on DS. He was still so sad - about leaving his new friend, not ever seeing Herbert and Okim again and losing his KTTW out in the big ocean. I assured him that we would stay in touch with everyone and then planted the seed that maybe someone would find his little case and key washed up on an island someday and maybe that key would magically make its way back to him. I think that helped a little. You can always hope.
! Thanks for taking the time to share with us 
