Greetings from the Grand Caymans!

We are in the Grand Caymans! Yay! Today we learned that there is much more to this place than just where dodgy rich people hide their money...today we did a helmet dive and it was awesome! The helmet dive is where they stick an 80lb helmet on your head, filter in oxygen and let you walk around the ocean floor with very little effort. Todd immediately wanted to sign up as soon as he saw that it was an offered excursion but I had my doubts. First of all, is it really necessary to walk 50 feet underwater, far from the surface, when I can just snorkel around and pop my head up when I feel the need for some air? Second, why in heaven's name would I want to put a claustrophobia inducing 80lb plastic helmet on my head? While all valid questions Todd finally convinced me that it would be well worth it and of course he was right. In the water the helmet only felt like it weighed 15lbs or so and I got to explore a beautiful reef while comfortably breathing and holding hands with my hubs. It was so much fun. Unfortunately we didn't get any pictures but here is the site for the company. We would totally recommend doing this!

Good Morning!

Out at breakfast








As our trip goes on you can see I am slowly adding on more clothes. Shame for my pale skin.



Cute hubs on the tender

Doing a little shopping

ARRRGH!

We figured we earned ourselves a beer

Then it was time for 'Caribbean night'

Party party

Hello!




Awww :)

We are in Jamaica Mon!

Jamaica was hands down the reason why we selected this cruise. It is just a place that we had always wanted to visit and it definitely did not disappoint. Originally we were scheduled to rent ATVs and ride around the island until a few good friends of mine said that we absolutely had to climb the Dunn's river falls. Blindly trusting them, we booked a party catamaran to the falls and hoped for the best. We had absolutely no idea what we got ourselves into.

After our ship docked and Todd had lathered me up with sunscreen, we made our way down to our waiting party catamaran and sailed off for the falls. Though dance music was playing and a few of our fellow passengers found their groove, the vast majority were curious as to why they were just serving us water. Usually when the word 'party' is tacked on to the word 'cruise' it means there is most likely a cocktail or two involved and this confused many of us. It wasn't until we saw the falls that we all collectively realized that all our mental and motor functions needed to be sharp and intact. Those Jamaicans know what they are doing.

The Dunns River falls are staggered, about 600 feet deep and are climbed by forming a human chain of trust. It is seriously unnerving as you can't see where your feet are most of the time and there are areas were you are right in the rushing current. Fortunately I found myself in an excellent position in the chain of trust. Ahead of me was a lovely older gentleman in a pink bathing suit who I affectionately nicknamed 'Pink Pants' and behind me holding my other hand was my very strong husband. I could not fail. Pink Pants and his wife had inexplicably climbed the falls 3 times but he still looked a bit weary when he saw me line up behind him, as if he could instinctively tell I naturally had poor balance. Luckily over the hour or so of climbing he seemed to take a more protective fatherly role over me. Whenever we would reach a lagoon, he and his wife would wander off but I was always pleasantly relieved when he would come back for my hand when it was time to form the chain again. Todd, happy for the help, took responsibility for a woman (also with balance issues) and her husband behind him. These were busy men. Finally when we reached the end of the falls, we were all bonded, pretty darn impressed with ourselves and ready for a drink. Luckily the people on the catamaran felt the same and had rum punch waiting for us. I love Jamaica!

Well hello there!

Hanging out on our balcony

Our ship from the pier

Yo!

On the bus

I love catamarans

Our ship in the distance

Oh my

I don't know why it says we survived the falls, when this picture was taken we had not 'survived' anything yet.

Almost done!

Hooray we did it! Time for rum punch!

The couple behind Todd: Our new best friends.

Fueled with rum punch, all danger forgotten

Climbing those falls was seriously one of the coolest things we have ever done. We enjoyed every minute of. It's definitely one for the list of things to do before before you die, it truly was amazing.

Hanging out at sea...

We have a tendency of getting up early on vacation so this morning we got up around sunrise, headed off to the gym and then spent the rest of the day wandering around the ship. We did a lot of eating, a little gambling, had a couple tropical drinks and just enjoyed the sun on our skin. Needless to say we are not missing Rhode Island right now.

Good morning!

Hmm what should we do today? Todd checking out the daily Princess Patter

Doing a little gambling

I was not as lucky on the slots as Todd, boo!

Watching the sunset before getting ready for our first formal night

Handsome hubs all dressed up

The banditos on the ship wanted to charge us $30 for the professional pictures they took. Since we weren't in love with any of them, we just stuck to our own pictures so this is the only one with the two of us.

Sitting at the bar before dinner


This is was such a fun night. We spent a bit more time at the casino (and actually won some money) and then caught a show. It is so much fun to get dressed up.

I love it when we're cruising together...

We are in Fort Lauderdale! After a quick flight down to Florida, we had our baggage and were on our ship with a frosty drink in hand by noon. The Ruby Princess is absolutely gorgeous and HUGE. We spent most of the afternoon hanging out on our balcony, unpacking and exploring our new home for the next 7 days. Afterwards we sat out on the Lido deck for the bon voyage party pondering how our lives got so lucky and fabulous. :)

Hanging out on our balcony. This was well worth the extra money. It was fabulous!


Our beautiful room


Cute hubs getting organized

Fort Lauderdale from our balcony

Bon Voyage Party

We are moving!

Hello!

Excited little Coyers

Cocktail time!

Leaving the harbor

Cute hubs

Happy (early) Valentines Day!

Today I came home from work ready to pack for our trip and found these on our table. My hubs is soo cute! I hope everyone had a wonderful day!

Bon Voyage!

The Coyer's are hitting the high seas!

See ya later!

Doing what he does...

Today Todd graduated his fourth OCS class! Where has the time gone? I finally had the foresight to charge our camera before this 'Hi Moms' and actually got some great pictures. Todd gave an amazing speech and the parents just adored him. He's so cute.

Cracking some jokes about his class.

Congratulating the graduating class

Of course he had to harass them one last time.

You get'em honey! Note the parents. They eat this stuff up.

Good luck guys!