Chapter 16: Crabs in a shell
I feel like every time I add something here I apologize for being so long between posts. so I'll start that way here as well. I apologize. Life keeps getting in the way of posting. Reading through the couple of responses I saw May 3rd as the first request to be done...I'm thinking that's do-able. then someone said March 24th. Wow. Don't know if I can pull it off...but I MIGHT be done with
Castaway Cay.
So after finding our chairs we immediately hit the water and headed out for the little playground. Nick swam his way out there with no problem, I had to help Connor, but he did have a life vest on.
****WARNING****WARNING****TIP COMING****WARNING
So, if you have a child who does not swim...I highly recommend bringing a life vest. While you can use floaties, of course, and other things...I think for the money you can't beat a life vest. We just so happen to have a boat, so we have it anyway, but apparently it is pretty comfortable (he doesn't clamor to have it off immediately unlike the floaties), and it's nice to not have to worry too much. If you watch Target you will see these go on sale pretty regularly...and you can get them for less than $20. They aren't too bulky...and very light. just a tip
To be honest, though, once we got out to the play structure it wasn't nearly as exciting as I remembered it. Nick climbed the ropes a bit, and Connor wandered the platform, but in general it wasn't very exciting for them. So we only stayed for a little while.
That's not to say they didn't have fun swimming around which they did. But there were a ton of kids out there...and, well, there are other things to do that are more fun!
So we came back to the beach. Did I mention that one of Connor's favorite things is to play in the sand???
Connor poses in the sand
I went out in the water for a while and splashed around with Nick until we got bored. We decided to try to find DW and Connor so we went up toward the buildings. We bumped into them getting ready to do Hermit Crab races! woohoo! this was very exciting, and provided an excellend picture opportunity:
DW and Connor with their beautiful hats
Here is our crab
Our crab did pretty well, he made it into the finals. However in the finals he was apparently kind of tired as he just simply hung out in the middle for quite some time. Once he got going he moved fast...and I honestly think he would have won were it not for his late start.
In fact, I kind of felt for him...it's how I feel most days. I get going fast once I get going...but the beginning part of the day is brutal!
So it was off to lunch. While lunch was good...I wasn't blown away by it. It's interesting, if you read the trip reports there is a broad mix...some will just rave over the food, and some will not like it at all. I'm somewhere in between. The ability to eat food outdoors in a beautiful setting, barefooted without worrying about someone taking your stuff...just makes everything taste better, even just a hamburger!
so from that regard you can't complain!
Connor and Nick eating lunch
They also serve ice cream which was very good..
After lunch we hit the beach for a bit longer waiting for our neighbors to come back from a sailboat rental (at least I think that's what they were doing. They might have just been snorkling, but frankly speaking I just don't know. I know they did Snorkel...because I saw them returning the stuff...)
****WARNING******TIP COMING*****WARNING****TIP COMING***
so how do I know they snorkeled you are asking? I can tell you, and along with that comes tip #543. Actually I have no idea how many tips I have given you or if they are any good...but needless to say you get them. It's part of what you pay for.
So I enjoy digging in the sand like anyone else. However I should have remembered from the last time we visited CC that there are lots of shells and shell fragments in the sand on CC. So while digging I managed to slice open one of my fingers. This is a painful experience...so if you are going to be digging in the sand...and you dig below the soft top...don't go sticking your hand into the harder sand....cause you will regret it!
So I wandered over to where they sell masks in search of a band aid. This is where I bumped into our neighbors returning their snorkling stuff. And the nice people whipped out a first aid kit and patched me right up. Nice to know that's there if you ever need it. So this is actually a twofer...1. don't dig in the sand with your fingers, and 2. if you are stupid, like me, go get band aid from snorkling station!
I made it back and we took some pictures...
DW and the boys
DW and the boys part 2
I warned you that this section would have alot of pictures. I'm sure I'll have to split it up when I post this because of that nasty need to not allow me to post as many pictures as I darn well please. But I digress.
We then decided to take a walk. If you recall my earlier discussion I was quite sick on the day we visited CC the first time...so I never made it farther than the covered lunch eating area. This time I was determined to explore at least a bit of the island. So with our neighbors we started off. We saw a couple of interesting things.
First we saw braiding stations. I had an ongoing joke with DND (Kathryn) about braids in my hair. I would distract her when she was upset or grump by asking her how she liked the braids in my hair. This pretty much carried through the entire cruise. So walking past here I almost got a braid just because it would be funny. Imagine the pictures.
HEY, I said ALMOST!
Then we passed a boatload of bikes. Huh, I thought....that would be pretty cool to do. Note to self: when returning, look into renting bikes as that seems like a pretty fun thing to do.
So we wandered through the Bohemian jungle being passed pretty frequently by bikers (huh...excellent idea), when we came accross this cool old plane parked on the runway. VERY COOL. I am a child by the way. Ask anyone.
My initial reaction is...PICTURE OPPORTUNITY!!!
Yes, I'm sick. Naturally the best thing to do when presented with a rusty old airplane is to prop your kids up on it and take their picture. so I did.
they are there, really.
OK, closer.
we have a few others...but I had to pick the best out...I don't want to put you to sleep or bore you completely. well...maybe I do. but anyhoo....
We then walked back and went to the beach where the stingray excursion is held. we were able to see into where the stingrays were and it looked pretty cool. Might be something we do another time. The best part of this beach was that there was no one there. it was deserted. Talk about your great space to go if you want to be alone. I don't know how many folks actually wander that far off the main beach...but if you want some time with a book and the sun...just walk a bit.
one of my favorite family pictures.
from there we headed back. DNH (Mike) and three of the kids ran ahead (Connor was still with us) when we discovered that there was a little bar on the far side of the family beach which had some great picture opportunities. We tried to yell to get them back, but to no avail. So Deanna, Kim, Connor and I walked out and took pictures. The view was fantastic, and again no people. Again a tip is to walk down the beach...cause it's great!
Deanna and Connor...and a GREAT shot of the ship.
My little strong man. He did this pose on his own by the way.
Right next to the bar was....*GASP* an empty hammock. I love hammock's. Not so much that I will leave the ship early and run my little tuckus down the beach, but I do love them. Unfortunately it was toward the end of the day...so no resting and reading my book. Maybe in 2008.
Deanna, Connor and I in the Hammock. I frankly don't know if I'm spelling hammock right. I know I shouldn't have capitalized it...there are english teachers throughout the world who are grimacing right now.
So alas it was time to go. I won't say we were the last folks off of the beach...as that just isn't our style. But we were able to take a leisurely stroll back up there...and that was very nice. And on the way, guess what??? We took pictures!
This is an important one to get. if you don't see these things...look harder. don't know what they are...but they make good pictures!
The necessary picture with the Mickey Boat in the background.
I think we all recognize that little ship! Very cool to see it up close. the detail on it is amazing.
One of the saddest signs I will ever see.
and back onto the ship!
So a great day on Castaway Cay. Interesting tidbit from my neighbor. When we talked about it they were very skeptical. they thought it would by like
Disneyland where everything would be expensive and it wouldn't be relaxing. They were surprised to find it more like an extension of the ship...while things cost money (of course), there is lots to do for free there...and the atmosphere just can't be beat.
Next up: Chapter 17: Our final night!