I'm On A Boat!

Okay, you caught me, I'm in Utah. I was on a boat though, the Carnival Miracle to be exact. I have soooo much to say and show and etc etc about this cruise, probably because it was a first for me to leave the country and to be on a cruise. There are some pictures on facebook, but I have much more, and you want to see them...so come hang with me. :) Oh, Merry Christmas (late) and Happy New Year!! I can't believe a year has flown by.

The cruise was awesome. The ship itself was gigantic. The decor was Italian style...not my favorite but definitely interesting. The boat rocked the whole time, but I never felt sea sick. Yes, there were some downers and moments that weren't fun. For example, the cold, overcast weather in Aruba and Curacao and the last two sea days on board. But it's okay, because I still had a blast! Also, it was great going to different countries as they celebrated Christmas. It was an eye opener.

The back is Warm Chocolate Melting Cake. YUM!

The food was to die for. I don't know how people eat like that all the time, but I enjoyed it for a week. I pretty much always got shrimp, but i got lobster once and steak and pasta carbonara. ALL were delicious. The popular dessert was the warm chocolate melting cake. It's like heaven made of chocolate. Also, one night my appetizer was duck, and I actually loved it. Another night, Ronee got escargot to try it and so I tried it as well. It tasted great, but the texture was a bit weird for me. Also, room service was free and lunch and breakfast were buffet style. ALSO. Strawberry frozen yogurt IS MY FAVORITE. They had it all over the ship and everytime I walked past a machine I would get some. mmmm.

The islands were beautiful.  Seriously. It just made me want to travel even more. Grand Turk had beautiful beaches, but was way touristy.

Grand Turk as we left. It was gorgeous.

The Dominican Republic was awesome. We got to go to Santa Domingo and we saw the National Pantheon, The Cathedral, Christopher Columbus' son's mansion and the "lighthouse" that contains the remains of Christopher Columbus. Remind me to share that story with y'all one day. I loved the people and the culture in the Dominican Republic as well. It was Spanish, and there was a ton of poverty but then also a ton of well-off people. The scenery was amazing and I loved what was called "music trees". I was bummed we werent able to see the Santa Domingo Temple, but maybe I'll be able to see that another time. BUT we did see a church building and a stake center. WAY cool!

Me and Jen at the Lighthouse where Columbus is buried.

It was Christmas day in Aruba and the capital there was amazing to see as well, even though barely anything was open. I got some sweet souvenirs there (i got something everywhere but the Dominican Republic). We went snorkeling and it was the most amazing thing ever. It was gorgeous down there even though it was overcast. I got to touch four giant blue parrot fish and I saw hundreds of other kinds of fish.

Oranjestad, Aruba. It was beautiful!

Then we hit up Curacao. It's Dutch and the architecture is breathtaking there. We also went to the beach here and went snorkeling but didnt see as much coral or fish, but it was still great. The sun even shone for an hour or so! In Curacao, Dec. 26th is the 2nd day of Christmas so the whole capital was out celebrating when we got back from snorkeling. It was way neat!

Yes, I look ridiculous, but this was in Curacao. laugh laugh laugh

I truly loved every bit of the cruise, even if I did complain a bit about being left out by certain cousins or being cold (unlimited hot chocolate!). I didnt get sunburned and I just enjoyed myself! This is a trip I hope I never forget!

The family at the 2nd formal dinner on the 2nd to last night.