"Down in Mexico"

During our 5-day Royal Caribbean cruise, we made two stops; one in Belize City, Belize, and one in Cozumel, Mexico.  My Mom and I in particular are in a bit of a competition to see who can get to the most countries...so we chose this cruise specifically because Belize would be a new country for both of us.  Due to some very poor ship organization, I got to see much more of Belize City that she did, but at least we were both able to step foot in country.  We did some research prior to boarding and spoke with many of our Floridian colleagues who are naturally professional cruisers and determined that Belize was a rather unstable country, and no where for a toddler; so my parents got off the ship in the morning and then Brian and I got off in the afternoon.  We took a 2-hour tour of the city, first by a glamorous (sarcasm) horse drawn carriage, and second by an open air bus with a straw roof.  And we were correct, the city didn't feel real stable, however we felt in no way unsafe. 

Here are some interesting facts we learned on our ride (and some funny jokes from our tour guide):

• Belize was first settled by the Brits (anyone surprised?) and soon after they began bringing in slaves from Africa. Based on my knowledge of history, it sounds like many of the African slaves were impregnated by their British owners, eventually creating an eclectic cultural look referred to as Creole. Now Creole actually means "locally born people with foreign ancestry," and therefore not a true race.  I knew this going into the tour so it seemed weird to me that they kept referring to themselves as Creole.  However, other than Belizian, there is no way of identifying their race in a "politically correct" way...so there you have it...Creole.  Brian and I enjoyed observing the multicultural look the people had.  I think it may be the most diverse country I've ever been to.  We were on our tour when school let out, so we got to see an array of people.  At one point there was a group of girls walking; one who clearly had Asian heritage, another who looked fairly Hispanic, a girl who looked mostly African and one girl who has very light, nearly Caucasian skinned.  Pretty neat.  Everyone we spoke to had what we would call a Jamaican accent.  It was all pretty funny and reassured my opinion that our US "politically correct" way of identifying people is actually not correct at all.  These poor people who come to America from other countries and are labeled one way or another.  Oh, you must be Jamaican because you sound Jamaican...nope I'm from Belize.  Oh...you are African American because your skin is dark...nope...not African OR American...I'm from Belize.  Anyway...I'll step off my soap box about race identification now.  I'm looking forward to a time when race identification just goes away because we are all so mixed. :)
• The homes in Belize are very inexpensive. Here you see a water front home that would sell for about 90k.  Here also is the Tokyo embassy.
  
  
  
  
   
• There are two large Coca-Cola plants in Belize City, being the city's largest employer.  Their economy stabilizer actually comes from tourism, however.  It makes me hope ships continue to dock there!
• Marion Jones, USA Olympic track champion is from Belize and donated money to build a sports complex.  Here is the beginning work:

 

• We stopped at a museum that I remember very little about because the guide's accent was so thick.  I took away that they have little recorded history, the museum used to be the jail that they outgrew and that their national bird is a Toucan.  

 

• The downtown area is where we really saw the poverty.  It is hard to compare to the other countries I've been to...really Belize was quite unique! But...if I had to compare it to somewhere...I'd compare it to the downtown area in a city I can't remember the name of in Costa Rica.

• Gas prices are over $6/gallon (10 Belize Dollars)

• Most Belizian's have never been to the States because it is so hard to obtain a visa.  Our tour guide was telling us about how the only American establishment they have in Belize is Subway.  He said, "no Walmart, no K-mart, no Burger King, no Taco Bell...just Subway."  So I said..."How do you know of American establishments if you've never been there?"  His response, "Cable TV, mon, cable TV."
• "It's UnBELIZABLE.  You have to see it to BELIZE it."
• "Do you have stop signs here?"  Guide: "Ya. We have stop signs.  But we also have a saying here in Belize...if you can fit in, git in!"  Haha...we experienced some crazy foreign country driving in our open air bus. ;)

We had a lovely time visiting Belize City.  The city itself was quite small...I think I recall him saying only 6 square miles with 60 thousand people...so we really did see the whole city in 2 hours.  We had one really random stop at a green house and Brian go to try some berry wine and a tamale.  I wasn't willing to eat anything ashore to protect the baby I have growing inside me.

We scurried back on the boat just minutes before the last tender.  Here's us saying goodbye on the Belize City Pier, a photo of our ship from the pier and us tendering back to our ship.

 COZUMEL, MEXICO

Cozumel is an incredibly popular hub for cruises to stop, so this city new exactly how to handle us.  In some ways I feel like we didn't really get to see Cozumel, since we were surrounded by mostly other Americans, but we did get to see their buildings and their land.  I've been to Mexico two other times; one of them where we stayed in tents somewhere in the middle of a desert with no running water and were bused into a small town...so I don't think any other trip to Mexico will compare to that.  I do realize, however, that the country is huge, so to "see" Mexico, I'd have to take a tour through the whole countryside!

We felt totally safe taking Carly off the ship in Cozumel, so after breakfast we all headed out to experience Carly's first foreign country!!  I was completely and utterly excited about it, since foreign travels would be on a "top ten list of most meaningful experiences" for me!  20 months old and entering her first country!  I think I was 12 before I exited American soil.  So, so cool!  So...now Carly has been to one country, Brian's count is up to 5 and my count reached 22.  We walked the pier all together and then split up so Brian & I could go have a beach day.  We had to take a taxi ride to a public beach, and my mom didn't feel comfortable putting Carly in a taxi, so the three of them toured a very grand hotel plaza then headed back to the boat.  I was freaking out as Brian and I stepped in a taxi and waved goodbye to our daughter.  I was near tears and kept asking, "will she be okay? will they make it back on the boat?  how could I just leave my daughter in a foreign country?!"  Brian reminded me that my folks took care of me in our many overseas travels and that Carly would be fine.  Still, though...it was weird. 

We did not take the camera to the beach but did have a lovely time relaxing as a couple.  I enjoyed a few virgin drinks and we laid on chairs overlooking a beautiful ocean view.  There was also a pool we spent some time in and walked along the shore.  I'm really glad we got that time together. :)

Well there you have it...a near complete tour of Belize and very little info on Cozumel!  We had our informational day and our beach day!  Thankful for another safe overseas experience, for sure!

"Under the Sea"

Last week we had the privilege of being treated to a cruise by my parents.  This was a joint birthday/Christmas present for Brian and I from last year that we have had booked since last February!  Brian and I cruised for our honeymoon and really couldn't wait to go on another.  We made it a goal to cruise once a year each year we lived in Florida...and 3 1/2 years later we finally got on a boat.  Originally, it was going to be a treat just for the two of us, and my folks were going to fly down to stay with Carly.  After some thought, though, we decided it would be just as much if not more fun for them to come along!  My parents became the primary care givers of our child and much to my surprise that was completely fine with her!  For five days she stayed in their room and spent nearly every second with one of them so that Brian and I could have some couple time.  I was reluctant to give up control but once I did it truly became a relaxing vacation!  In fact, the first night as they headed to bed I sat Carly on my lap and with a few tears in my eyes (this was going to be our first night ever a part even though she was just down the hall) I explained to her that she was going to sleep in Nana & Bapa's room and asked her if that was okay.  She must have felt my tension because she looked up at me and in the sweetest reassuring tone said, "happy happy, mommy...Nana, Bapa happy happy." She was telling me not to worry and that she'd be fine!  We couldn't believe she was able to communicate those feelings with me...but it certainly calmed my nerves.  Off they went and much to my surprise everything went flawlessly with bedtime. ;)

Brian and I really enjoyed the set-up.  We had our own room down the hall from my folks & Carly, didn't have to worry about her getting dressed, fed, napped or put to sleep and didn't have to chase her all over a boat...but yet got to give her hugs and kisses everyday and experience her first foreign country with her.  Best of all, we didn't have to say goodbye to her for five days...which I just couldn't have handled yet at this point in my motherhood journey.  We also had some really nice quality time with my folks and made some lasting memories.  I can't thank my parents enough for taking us on this trip and being so sacrificial just so Brian and I could have a vacation.  They just kept saying, "it's the calm before the storm...the calm before the storm for you guys." ;) My sweet parents must have walked miles and miles trying to keep up with Miss C on the boat.  She had a million favorite things to do and was highly stimulated for 5 days straight.  One afternoon my Mom and I were with Carly and a lady stopped us and said, "I think I saw that little girl riding the elevators up and down with a very tall man early this morning."  Indeed, she was correct.  My Dad and Carly spent nearly an hour at 6am one morning riding the glass elevator up and down from deck 2 to deck 13 and back. :)  Besides being at her becking call, they graciously chose to be cooped up in their tiny cabin for 2 hours each afternoon so Carly could nap, and hit the hay each night around 9pm so she could go to sleep.  Brian & I took Carly for a few hours one evening so they could have dinner and see one of the shows...but other than that I don't think either of them got a minute of free time.  Nevertheless, I think they enjoyed every second with her and she couldn't get enough of them.  She was so spoiled by the end of the trip I told them they could just keep her. ;) 

We had the first evening and 2 full days at sea, as well as a day in Belize & a day in Cozumel, Mexico.  I am going to write about those experiences separately and dedicate this post just to a recap of the time on the boat.  The first day at sea happened to be Brian's 26th birthday!  We rose early that morning and went to a DreamWorks character breakfast in the main hall.  Anyone who knows Carly knows she ADORES characters, so the breakfast was extremely entertaining.  She kept clapping, dancing and smiling while shouting "happy happy!" that the wait staff started calling her "happy, happy."  We'd be walking the boat and hear, "happy, happy, how are you doing today!?"  They also had a character breakfast the last day at sea, so here are the photos from both of those experiences:

Gangnam style with Shrek

Where's Carly?

Embarrassing Brian on his Bday

We all hit the sports deck for some mini golf, basketball and rock climbing.  I'm SO bummed I didn't have my camera with me, but Brian & my Mom did in fact rock climb.  Brian & my Dad then took part in a golf competition they were having for longest shot off the tee in a golf simulator.  Much to everyone's surprise, my Dad came out with a second place medal!  We couldn't believe he beat Brian!

Next up was some time at the pool.  This ship was incredibly kid-friendly and had this nice water splash area for young kids.  Next to the pool was a soft-serve ice cream station...so you can imagine this deck was Carly's favorite.  I think her and Bapa had more ice cream cones throughout the week than they admitted.

Carly's other favorite spot was the promenade located in the middle of the ship on deck 5.  It had shopping stores, wine bars, a cafe and a pizza parlor.  AND...it had a silver dog statue who she became VERY close to.  She could find that dog from just about anywhere on the ship!  We spent a lot of time in the cafe and the pizza parlor, and if we were separated that was our typical meeting place since it was likely Carly had gone to see her puppy.

That afternoon we also got to see an ice show (the entertainment choices on the ship were absolutely fantastic!...I mean really, who decides to have an ice arena on a boat?) and afterwards headed to the formal dinner.  Carly got to display this beautiful dress and boy did she know she looked beautiful.  At one point she walked herself down the promenade saying "hi" and waving to everyone passing by.  After that night she was known by name by way too many of the other passengers on the ship. 

After dinner we parted ways and Brian and I were able to catch a comedian and took a lovely stroll around the top deck while looking out at the sea before heading to our room to find wine, crackers & cheese had been delivered in celebration of his birthday.

Each day we had breakfast and dinner as a family, but often parted ways in the afternoon.  Carly didn't love sitting down each night for an hour and a half dinner, but we took turns walking her around outside the dining hall.  There were ample amounts of entertainment, on board programs and food.  We enjoyed taking part in all of it! The last day at sea was stormy, so we didn't have as much time outdoors, and all took a long nap in the afternoon to recover from a very full trip.  We hit the sports deck, played some mini golf, Brian & my Dad did another golf simulator competition (closest to the tee...this time Brian won a medal), ate more food and spent time eating.  Carly & I both really enjoyed the rocking of the ship, and during the night the waves were so great they were splashing up against our window!  I truly felt like I was under the sea!  There is something incredibly romantic and relaxing to me about being on a big ship.  My opinion is it's the perfect all around vacation, and I would highly recommend it!  Brian and I cant wait to go again...we shall see how long it is before we get the chance! Here are just a few more photos of our ship and dinner from our last day at sea:

Until next time!

"Can't Get Enough of This Everyday Love"

My work schedule has been pretty wonky the past few weeks, leaving our family with next to zero together time and a tired mama missing her baby.  But...after a long work stretch (fortunately I love my job dearly) which included a plea for me to come in and close to avoid a peer doing a "clopen" (leave at 1am, back in at 7am...yes we do that sometimes...) even though I would have to be a few hours late...it meant that I had a 6-day stretch at home with just me and my girlie!  Better yet...I'll go back 2 days this week, leave for vacation for 5 and then work 2 more.  Now that's a pretty cush schedule!  So...with 6 days off you can imagine Carly and I have had some major lovin' time.  The time changed has rocked our worlds for two reasons: one is the hour of sleep we are missing out on per night (Carly just can't sleep past sunrise and now that comes an hour earlier...and our lives don't allow for an earlier bedtime) and the other being she goes bonkers in the evening being cooped up inside for a 3 and a half hour stretch (even after being outside all day long).  There was one night this week Brian and I looked at each other and wondered how we were going to fill the time!  So...I got out my craft bin and it was a success!

Carly made some lovely drawings and enjoyed dumping the crayons and markers all over the table and floor.

And I made this for Luke's room:

She also found some balloons in the bin and has gotten multiple days of enjoyment out of those!  She found all sorts of things in the tub...from glitter to crayons to markers...stickers, balloons and old photos.  I had quite the mess to clean up the next morning. :)

The bugs are so bad in our neighborhood if we desire doing anything outdoors in the evening it's gotta be on Disney property where they spend a pretty penny spraying the place.  So...one evening we hopped in the car and ventured over to Magic Kingdom for the Electrical Parade and fireworks. We were excited thinking it was Carly's first sight of fireworks, but then remembered she saw them laying in a hammock on the beach of the Polynesian on my birthday last January.  Nevertheless, she thought they were pretty cool and as always we had a lovely time stopping in for an hour and a half or so.

It's been lovely this week, with temps in the 60s during our morning runs.  Carly is in love with the playground and can swing on the big girl swing and also go down the big slide all by herself.  She also enjoys swinging on our front porch swing...but not nearly as much as the "wee wee" at the park.

Tuesday night after small group (we are thankful for evening activities that she loves) I picked my mom up at the airport and Wednesday was full of productivity!  Brian headed out early to get to the dentist while I ran and Carly & Nana headed off to the park.  He picked me up and we got the tires on our car changed, had lunch and ice cream together, ran some quick errands without a little one in tow and spent time working in the yard.  The afternoon consisted of working on Luke's room.  We got SO much accomplished and had dinner waiting for us when we were done painting for the day.  We would have never been able to do this design in Luke's room had Nana not entertained Carly all day! 

Today Brian hit the greens to play unlimited golf at 6am while I am headed to work and Nana will stay home with Carly.  My Dad flies in tomorrow and then we all head to Ft. Lauderdale on Saturday to cruise off into Belize & Mexico.  Can you believe I am going to go out of country during BOTH of my pregnancies (I went to Italy when Carly was in utero)?! I can't...that just seems crazy (it is).

Well this is my farewell before venturing into the unknown depths of the sea.  I'll post again when we return!