Tuesday, December 17, 2019

Mexico Cruise 12/7 - 12/14/ 2019 Cozumel, Cayman Islands, Costa Maya, Key West


Sort of unexpectedly went on a cruise - and went with someone I hadn't planned on going with....so all a surprise.  My cabin mate was James, my friend's brother, and I can't begin to say how much fun we had.  He was a great cabin mate, partner in crime and we laughed and teased and had a perfect trip together.  I'd travel with him anytime.......

Had a good day in Key West, took the hop on, hop off and toured the island.  Had a great lunch and then walked around a bit.  Saw The Basilica of Mary Star of the Sea, a beautiful church and a grotto built on the grounds, erected to keep the islands safe from hurricanes.  https://stmarykeywest.com/grotto/

We walked to the Hemingway home and took a tour.  Beautiful home, lots of history, but the best was the Hemingway cats.  They are special cat with 6 toes and so cool.  They must be used to people as they were calm and let you pet them.  For more info on this:  https://www.hemingwayhome.com/cats/

Next stop the Cayman Islands.  This was the first time I'd ever been so glad to be able to see it.  I didn't want to take a tour and just wandered around.  Went to their museum which was very interesting.  The first name given to Cayman was "Tortuga" meaning turtle.  I would have preferred if they had left it Turtle Islands.  Looked in some shops, bought my usual magnet and that was pretty much it.  Margaritaville is there, but I figured a $20 hamburger and $10 drinks.......no I'll go back to the ship and eat free.  This trip over and back is on a tender and I guess the harbor is not deep enough.  But the little ride was enjoyable.

The ship, Royal Caribbean, Rhapsody, is a smaller ship.  I have been on it before.  I don't think I'd like ships that hold 5,000.  Visited with some nice folks, food was pretty good, had the unlimited drink package and did get my money's worth.  I tried many new drinks since the price was right and my new favorite is the Lavender Daiquiri.  You have to love the flavor of lavender and it was sweet, so perfect for me.

The shows were very good.  The two main dancers from Hungary were amazing.  They had some great comedians too.  They would do the usual show and then they later, after 10:00 p.m did an adult show, over 18.  It was so weird, they gave the warning "adults only, over 18" and right in the front row was a mother with two of her children just waiting for the show to begin.  The comedian came out, looked at them, suggested they leave and the mother said "Oh it will be fine."  The comedian said "no, really it won't be fine, you must leave."  I could not believe that mother, she must have thought she was so cool and wanted to "expose" her kids to life.  Well, let me tell you I'm so glad he had them leave.  It was a great show, I laughed so hard, but it was definitely adult!

Our stop at Cozumel was the best.  Ahead of time I had written my Mexican family I was coming and asked if they could take the day off to come meet us.  So Perla, Mario, Raffa, and Perla's mom, Yoli, all came over on the ferry from Playa del Carmen (after a bus ride from Cancun) and we went out to the Paradise Beach Club and spent a fun day with all inclusive food and drinks, beach and pool.  I will always treasure that fun day.  I am Raff's American aunt and called Tia Gigi.  I love them all so much.

Off for last stop in Costa Maya.  Jim and I spent the day together.  John and I had been there before so I didn't want to take any tour, just check out the area.  We got to see the Mayan sky flyers which I had seen before, but they are fascinating.   Walking and shopping, Jim got a $10 1/2 hour massage, had a ocean side lunch and then back to the ship. 

At lunch we probably had 50 vendors walking through the restaurant on the beach trying to sell every imaginable thing.  I saw a guy selling cotton candy, both pink and blue.  I called him over and asked how much.  He told me $5.  I said are you crazy.  He then offered 2 for $5 and I said I didn't want 2.  So he now said $3.50 and I said OK.  Now get this!!!!  I had pesos left over from another trip and I asked him how much in pesos.  He literally said, no pesos.  Now remember this is Mexico!!!!!!  Most people were shocked if I paid in pesos.  So I decided that I'd forego the cotton candy and was just shocked that the peso in tourist places just isn't worth much.  It is their money for goodness sake.  So sadly no cotton candy for me. 

I guess that's pretty much our cruise.  It is so touristy unless you get away but I just wasn't into tours.  The people were friendly, ship nice and no complaints.  By the time we got back I was ready for a vacation though.

Took Jim on a mini tour of Tampa when we got back into Port.  Ybor City, Hyde Park (place Jim discovered and I'd never been), quick drive through Phillipe Park, Safety Harbor, to my house so he could see it.  Over to St Pete to drop off his luggage at his hotel,  then lunch at The Hangar and  he walked over to Dali and I came home.

Until next time amigos.............

Dec. 7th, heading out to sea from Port of Tampa


My buddy James (Jim)

1891 - Customs House - Key West









Some of that great cruise ship art



Huge cake


Mudslide

Margarita Azul

Shirts Jim and I got:
Warning, I got the drink package


Great clouds




Palm fronds for manger







Off for day in Cozumel at
Paradise Beach Club







Frida!!!!!!!

My Mexican familia



No pesos here!!!!!!  Sadly no cotton candy







My dream come true, I'm a turtle

Nice harp music on the pier


Probably 100 massage folks along the beach




Woke one morning at 4:30 a.m.
Saw a rare (for me) sunrise, I'm more a sunset girl


Mini tour Tampa


The End

Raffa and his Tia Gigi