SHHHHH!!! This time it's the Anniversary

[pjstevens]

Joel,

Really enjoying your latest trip! Can't wait to hear (and see more).

 

[Tink rules]

Hey Joel... I won't complain about you leaving us hanging...

But I was just wondering... we need an update on the kids.. they were tiny last time you posted a pic!!!

 

[OceanLvr]

Hey Joel... I won't complain about you leaving us hanging...

But I was just wondering... we need an update on the kids.. they were tiny last time you posted a pic!!!

First of all - Congratulations Tink, seems the Giants were the better team...

Anyway, thanks for asking about the kids. I am happy to say they are all doing well. Our oldest, Hunter, is playing soccer and has recently begun playing piano. Payton is involved in Girl Scouts and also plays soccer. And John finished his first season of tackle football and is also playing soccer and baseball. All are great students and make us very proud.

For those who don't remember them from 5 years ago, here is what they looked like...

And oh how the years have passed...This was from our May 2011 trip on the Dream -

I'm not sure where all the time has gone, since I still refuse to grow up. More updates to come...I promise.

 

[Tink rules]

WOW!!! Beautiful family!!!

 

[Tink rules]

First of all - Congratulations Tink, seems the Giants were the better team...

Thanks... I ended up going to bed at halftime with a migraine... I'm blaming Madonna...

That last play was insane...

 

[pjstevens]

Joel,

Your family is beautiful. I can't believe how much they've grown. Before you know it they are all grown (it's happened to me).

 

[CRSNDSNY]

MY how they've grown! Beautiful family portrait. I'm happy to be reading your adults-only trip with your wife....I remember well your Wedding TR and am glad to have come across this one.

Thanks for writing! Can't wait for more!

 

[lorimay]

Oh my Gosh.....

Right before we left for our cruise... yes, January 21-28th aboard the Magic, I read your entire wedding thread and enjoyed it soooo much.

I see your anniversary thread start reading and BAM see a picture of my family sitting behind your wife at the character breakfast. HAHAHAHA!!

I can't believe its such a small world.

It was a wonderful cruise wasn't it?
We celebrated our "25th" aboard with a vow renewal.

Mostly, I just wanted to Thank you for not commenting on my sometimes screaming grandchildren, you are a sweetheart!!!!

Well you haven't yet anyway.

Waiting for more..........

 

[OceanLvr]

Thank you all for the compliments about the kids. As I said, we are very proud of them all. And they do keep us very busy. Between school, sports and extra curricular activities it's always non-stop.

I hate to admit that they are growing, up because that means I am too and we all know that I refuse to grow up. Me and Peter Pan are alike in many ways, except he looks better in green tights...That's a fact...

So, I think I've made you all suffer long enough. Either by having to wait for the next installment or simply by torturing you with all of this stuff...Either way, get ready because here come Cozumel!!!!

 

[OceanLvr]

Today was another highlight day for us. After all of the cruises we had taken before, we have NEVER done an excursion. Now, I am somewhat of a history buff, mostly American, but I was curious about learning about the Mayan people. And, since there is a lot of talk this year about the end of the Mayan Calendar, I was a little more curious.

Our day started out very relaxing, we had a nice breakfast at Topsiders. By this time our pace for breakfast had slowed down considerably. And I was ok with that. As usual, there was a ton of food. A different variety of breakfast specialties along with the usual compliment of eggs, bacon, sausage, etc, etc...After breakfast we decided to head up to Deck 10 and watch the ship pull into the pier. It was a little crowded, but plenty of spots for good viewing. From a distance we could see other cruise ships ahead of us and for a short while it seemed as if we were at station holding, waiting for the Pilot to guide us into our berth.

Now, we were excited about being in Cozumel, the history, the authentic Mexican food. But my DW was also on a mission. She wanted to see the Federales around town...She wouldn't have to wait very long.

There were 2 vessels shadowing us as we pulled into port. I'm quite sure this wasn't an unusual event, just interesting to watch. After we had tied up, we saw our next visitor - and even saw him walking around the ship in the Atrium...

After watching for a short while, we headed back to our stateroom for our day pack and cameras. Being the over protective husband that I am, we left anything of value back on the ship. Obviously we already looked like tourists and wanted to keep potential loses to a minimum. With all of the uncertainty in Mexico I was ultra cautious. It's just the way I am. We headed to Studio Sea to meet up with our tour group. As we headed off of the ship we were lined up and met our tour guide. His name was Alen and he was awesome.

As we made our way through the port terminal, we noticed a "drug store" in the corner. I'll elaborate on that when we head back to the ship...Anyway, off to the bus for the beginning of our tour. We chose the Mayan Ruins tour offered through Disney. It was $52.00/per person and after it was all over, well worth every penny spent. We actually had a change to our tour itinerary while we were onboard. No matter, we think it added to our overall experience.

Alen was an extremely proud young man. His obvious knowledge about his culture and willingness to share and answer questions was incredible. He had been sent to the US to study English by his mother. And even after his American education chose to return to his Island home and share it with others. As we drove down what appeared to be the only main street out of the port area, we couldn't help but notice how poor an island it really is. Alen explained that "if you work hard, the government gives you credits" to buy a house. He said basically that the harder you work, the more credits. We also found out the the water they use for cleaning and such, is only delivered to the homes for 6 hours per day. They have tanks on the roofs of each house to hold the water. If you don't fill it in the 6 hours, you don't get anymore until the next day. All of the water they use for cooking is purchased by them and is bottled and purified. Imagine that in this country.

Our first stop was at the San Gervasio ruins. Its a very large area, that as I found out, is barely uncovered. Alen told me that they continue to find new things almost daily. The remains are very well preserved and awe inspiring to say the least. For me, its always fun to try and imagine the area as it was centuries ago and what it must have been like to live at that time...The Mayan people were obviously very religious and worshiped several gods. After a visit from the Spanish, a focus on the Catholic faith had taken over...It was amazing to hear how these people were practically wiped out by wither the diseases that the Spanish brought or the violence that occurred at their hands...We spent almost an hour looking around and listening to Alen describe the ruins in front of us. Here is just a small sample of the ruins we saw...

Always wanting to be where the action is or in this case was, I decided to walk the paths of the ancient Mayan people...

Pur guide Alen explaining the Mayan Calendar and its meaning...

My DW and I found some humor as we strolled through the grounds at San Gervasio...

With the first part of our day complete...we headed back to our coach for what turned into a very short ride...This was the first of our itinerary changes...

 

[CRSNDSNY]

YOu were tempted to hose down the piggies in the bathrooms, weren't you?





Another awesome update!

 

[OceanLvr]

YOu were tempted to hose down the piggies in the bathrooms, weren't you?





Another awesome update!

funny you should mention it. The weather that morning was HOT!!! I probably would have bathed in it if I could have gotten away with it...Can you imagine the conversation later that day about the big "gringo" bathing in it?

Might have brought a smile to some. Embarrassment to my DW I'm sure...

 

[CRSNDSNY]

funny you should mention it. The weather that morning was HOT!!! I probably would have bathed in it if I could have gotten away with it...Can you imagine the conversation later that day about the big "gringo" bathing in it?

Might have brought a smile to some. Embarrassment to my DW I'm sure...

Yes, and there would have been a new sign there the next time you visit!

 

[OceanLvr]

Hello? Are you there?

Well, if you're still hanging around, here we go again...

As I said before, we had some modifications to our original tour/excursion schedule. We really weren't sure just what to expect...But, it has to be good, right?

We left San Gervasio after an hour of interesting and beautiful sights...Headed back out onto that one and only road for a quick trip just down the street. We stopped at Cava Antigua - A tequila factory (of sorts).

Hmmmm...I wasn't really expecting this. But hey, I'm game. After all, it's tequila, how bad could it be. Alen, was very well informed about his tequila, since it is the "drink of Mexico." It was interesting to see the process, albeit in a simplified form. After our brief tour from cultivating, harvest and manufacturing, it was off to the "store" for some tasting. Now, the forever skeptic in me saw the very small plastic cups and thought, sure one small taste. Oh boy, was I WRONG. As we entered the store, Alen brought us around a barrel that was being used as a table. On it was 4 different types of tequila. Now forgive me, but for some strange reason, I couldn't tell you the difference. What I can tell you is that we learned, very quickly, that they have all sorts of flavored tequila. And, you could sample as much, or as little as you chose. So, for obvious reasons, there was a lot of "tasting" going on. It was great fun, and helped loosen everyone up and start conversation. We looked around the grounds and took some photos and of course, a margarita to go was in order...In a keepsake, clay pot. Potent and yummy! Onto the bus for the second of our unplanned stops...This is awesome...

Growing the Agave plants...

The Agave plant after hervest...

Lets ferment shall we?

And distill...

Finished product...

Can I get one of those to go please?

As we headed out of the Cava Antigua Tequila tour, we noticed this sign...

Sorry it's "yellow" but we took it through the bus window. I think the color adds to the humor. Don't you?

More to come...

 

[pjstevens]

As we headed out of the Cava Antigua Tequila tour, we noticed this sign...

Sorry it's "yellow" but we took it through the bus window. I think the color adds to the humor. Don't you?

More to come...

Loving the updates!!! MORE!!!!

 

[Tink rules]

My DW and I found some humor as we strolled through the grounds at San Gervasio...

They made you clean your tootsies?

 

[Tink rules]

They gave you a tequila flavored Robittussin sized cup???

 

[CRSNDSNY]

Yes, that yellow cast really sets the tone!

 

[tggrrstarr]

Hey Joel!

Mic and I have been following along and are really enjoying your report! Its funny, we both agree how strange it is to see how you and Kim had such a completely different experience than we had.
For us it was almost a little overwhelming how much stuff we wanted to do- I wanted to do everything and Mic just wanted to be up on deck all the time! I'm a little envious of how much pool time you guys got, but now we know for next time!!
Your kids are gorgeous, by the way!

Incognito, huh?!

Kelli

 

[OceanLvr]

Hey Joel!

Mic and I have been following along and are really enjoying your report! Its funny, we both agree how strange it is to see how you and Kim had such a completely different experience than we had.
For us it was almost a little overwhelming how much stuff we wanted to do- I wanted to do everything and Mic just wanted to be up on deck all the time! I'm a little envious of how much pool time you guys got, but now we know for next time!!
Your kids are gorgeous, by the way!

Incognito, huh?!

Kelli

Hi Kelli - It's very true, people can be on the same cruise and have totally different experiences. Since we have sailed before, we knew what we wanted to do and what we expected to miss...It makes it a lot easier without having to much rushing around. There were some things we wish we had done, but like you and Mic, we'll do it next time.

After our departure from the Tequila shop and "Pee Pee Station" we headed for the coast...And some of the most breathtaking scenery that I could have ever imagined. Alen told us a story about a man, that would pedal his bike from the part of the island that we were headed to all the way to "downtown" Cozumel daily to sell coconuts...It was quite a long ride to make on a bike hauling coconuts. However, he now own a roadside stand and has locals and visitors alike visiting him daily. He is right on the beach in one of the most picturesque spots on Earth...

The small shopping area was well equipped for the tourist traffic. Local goods and crafts, cigars (seems like everyone sells cigars) and of course adult beverages. They had "Coco Loco" in the coconut, margaritas and probably one of the biggest bottles of beer I have ever seen. I had to pass at this spot, I was still spinning from the tequila and margarita at the last stop. The waves and the water were incredible and although we wanted to stay longer, we were off to the forth and final stop on our Cozumel adventure...