Hawaii reconsidered (12/2018)

The Hawaiian honeymoon we wanted but didn't dare afford (on a grad school budget) was delayed until our 10th anniversary. However, when that milestone came, pragmatics got the best of us again and we opted instead to land on Stover Street. As our 15th anniversary approached, we expected to afford Hawaii; but, ironically, now lacked the time for planning. Hawaii was reconsidered yet again ...and we opted for a cruise instead. And, heck, why not let the kids come along too? We also had last minute, surprise stow-aways (Grandpa, Omi, and Jordyn) join us.

We left from New Orleans and were able to see a city that I don't think, as non-imbibing church goers, would have had any business visiting otherwise. We stayed on Bourbon street, devoured beignets for breakfast, nodded at St Franklin church where Louisiana was purchased, and toured the above ground St Louis cemetary for a taste of voodoo burial.

Cruising over Christmas was a fun adventure:

the kids sailed with veracious appetites for swimming and soft serve ice cream cones (as well as pizza indulgences, plates for miles, and Dalia's wacky delight in mussels) and we trialed all sorts of family- friendly activities (including a thriller dance victory, Kindin and Dave as gameshow contestants, and Jack sinking the hole in one tourney).

All 3 excursions were fabulous. We landed first in Jamaica and met 'Bryan' (a native who'd never left the country). He served as our private tour guide to the rainforests of Montego Bay where we set foot in an old slave hospital (transformed into a church after slaves revolted and burned down the sugar cane plantation). We played in a waterfall and received countless tips on Jamaican agriculture along the way. We tasted local agriculture among the endless varieties of fruits (avocados, bananas, oranges, guavas, coconuts, papayas) and chewed on sugar cane. We also snagged jerk chicken and Bryan pointed out the record- winning amount of churches in this tiny 50 mile by 50 mile spot of land.

Next, we played for the day on white sands and in clear water in Grand Cayman. New, full face snorkel masks were a hit and and half of us even saw a stingray!

Our last stop in Cozumel was a bucket list stop. Swimming with the dolphin, Latika, was a surreal experience that was a kids favorite for sure. Mom also loved it - despite a bit of an initial startle. There, we also introduced the kids to virgin pina coladas and shopped for cheap.

On our final day of the cruise, we were entertained with what shall be famously referred to as the 'situation' in which we lost and abandoned one of our lifeboats.

All things (re) considered, we loved our carribean getaway!