CARIBBEAN ADVENTURE

Jay and Natalie invited us to go with them on a Carnival Cruise We had so much fun with them. Hopefully we didn't drive them crazy as we acted like old folks at times. Our trip started out a little unusual, we thought we were going to be a little closer to the BX and eating places when we arrived at MacDill Air Force Base. The Taxi dropped us off at the Inn where we stayed the night before getting on the ship. We were a little stranded, too far away to walk to the BX and so we walked over to the bowling alley to have dinner and decided to bowl. Collin and Sydney had a blast! So did we watching them! I guess the cook at the bowling alley took pity on us, he gave us a free pizza to take to our rooms to cook in the morning so we wouldn't be hungry. What a nice man! The next day,on Sunday we taxied over to the ship and got on. I love the excitement of getting ready to ship off. The first full day, Monday was at sea, we layed out a little, but it was windy and a little cold. John and I found a quiet hot tub in the exercise room (sweet)! On Tuesday we arrived in Cozumel where John and I went to the mainland to visit the ruins in Tulum. Nat, Jay and kids went Island exploring with a rented car. They loved the southern side of the Island where they played on the bleach and in the water. On Wednesday we arrived in Belize, we all went Cave tubing, the kids did great! We all had fun! On Thursday, we arrived in Roatan, where we all went to the Gumalimba Park, we interacted with MacCaws and Monkeys and played in the Caribbean waters. On Friday, we arrived in Grand Cayman we all went on wave runners (well for the most part Syd and I spent our time in the boat, due to Nana's injury and Sydneys fright of the wave runners) we went to see Stingray City we touched and walked among stingrays (cool) and everyone but Syd and I snorkeled among the reefs. On Saturday we were out to sea again all day heading back to Tampa. I'm glad we layed out in the morning because by noon it turned cool and we stayed in out of the wind for the rest of the day. Collin and Sydney had so much fun at camp carnival. But I was happy to see that their mom and dad didn't just drop them off and go play the whole time, they really spent a lot of quality time with their kids. Way to go Nat and Jay! On Sunday we had all day before catching our flight so we visited the Florida Aquarium. It was well worth it!

Leaving Tampa Florida on our Fun Ship Carnival

Our first sun set on board the ship

Mayan ruins of Tulum

Book of Mormon history right before our eyes!

The beautiful Caribbean waters of Tulum

Gumbalimba Park

Beautiful Birds

The monkey really wanted Natalie's sun glasses

Rudel Family winners!

The first night on board, Natalie won the Ultimate Mind Game, (she gave the most correct answers) Another night, Collin was the head of the Red team, mom and dad, Syd and other members on board won this dance contest. The head of blue team gave Sydney her trophy. Then again on another night, mom, dad and kids (see picture above) won the best dressed/scavenger hunt contest so now they all have a trophy!

Instead of spending all day at the airport we went to the Aquarium

We are so glad we went on this trip!