Take 90 West » One Trip, Nine Nights, and One Starfish who is glad we came home empty handed

One Trip, Nine Nights, and One Starfish who is glad we came home empty handed

You know how sometimes you go on a trip with the family, and the stars just align? Everything that could go right, does?

This was one of those times.

And I know the difference, because I have had a vacation that has gone the other way. The kind where everyone is fighting, the lines are long, the kids get sick, the weather is awful, the mom is miserable, and you just want to GO HOME ALREADY.

Oh yes, I know a thing or two about those kinds of vacations. Because we went to Disney World last Christmas. And this year at Christmas, we will be staying home. And every Christmas from now until they end of time.

But not this trip.

Apparently, travelling in November, on a cruise ship, when no one is sick, and the mom is not miserable, agrees with us.

So, we sailed away. On this beautiful ship where the crew made our beds, served our food, cut the kid’s food for for them so I could actually eat my own food while it was still hot, brought us drinks, and had KIDS CLUBS open for drop off anytime you wanted ALL DAY LONG. And they were happy to do it. And they knew our names. And they, and their service, were fantastic.

We found a real live star fish in the sparkling turquoise waters of the Caribbean.

The kids really wanted to bring it home, and we had to explain about the US CUSTOMS PEOPLE THAT WOULD FINE US FOR BRINGING BACK SEA LIFE THAT WAS, YOU KNOW, ALIVE! And they still didn’t really see why we couldn’t just BRING IT HOME, because it was SO COOL, and REAL! But we did the right thing, and left the poor, traumatized little starfish to go back to his family. Because nothing can ruin a good vacation like being detained for removing marine life from another country because you totally disregarded all the signs that said PLEASE DON’T REMOVE SEA LIFE FROM THE REEFS.

And also, the ones that said DON’T TOUCH.

And I know that the clear water looks like a swimming pool, but it really was the ocean. The clear, warm, sparkly sea in all its glory.

And here are the kids in front of The Flying Dutchman from the Pirates of the Caribbean movies, because even though I tried to cram in as much time as possible a day doing absolutely nothing on the beach, I can make sacrifices so that my family can see things they want to see.

Like stop walking and snap this picture on my way to the beach.

And yes, the locals saw an American sucker who wanted her girls to JUST BE QUIET ALREADY about the hair braiding and took that opportunity to charge me two dollars a braid and then proceeded to cram about 25 or 30 braids on each of the girls’ heads.

But I was on vacation.

And since we put that starfish back, I figured we had already saved a bundle on customs fines right there.

Posted: November 12th, 2007 under Picture Posts, So Good..
Comments: 21

Comments

Comment from Family Adventure
Time: November 12, 2007, 9:08 am

The pictures are *amazing*. And the braids - seriously worth the money. The girls look super cute!

I can’t believe the colour of the ocean, but I’ll take your word for it. Was it warm?

How were the cabins? I need details. We might try to go once, because this almost sounds too good to be true

Glad you all enjoyed! Heidi

Comment from chrissy
Time: November 12, 2007, 10:12 am

Glad your vacation was great!!

Comment from Martha
Time: November 12, 2007, 11:19 am

Okay,

That vay-cay sounds heavenly!!!

Glad you’re back and I can’t wait to hear more about it!

Martha

Comment from ValleyGirl
Time: November 12, 2007, 1:15 pm

Welcome home! Looks and sounds like you had an incredible vacation!! Glad it was a great time and that everything went smoothly.

Comment from Stie: My Favorite Things
Time: November 12, 2007, 3:35 pm

How jealous am I right now? You have no idea. No idea at all.

Comment from Mom of 2 little princesses
Time: November 12, 2007, 3:36 pm

1. i missed your blog!!!!

2. we went on a 7 night eastern carribean disney cruise in sept - on disney magic. what was your trip???? we LOVED it!!! i have tons of pics on my blog!

ellen

Comment from Kelly @ Love Well
Time: November 12, 2007, 3:49 pm

Those pictures are breath-aking.

Especially the one with the braids. It gives me a headache.

Comment from chickadee
Time: November 12, 2007, 6:08 pm

oh that sounds great. i’m glad you had a good time. we are planning a cruise to alaska in june and i’m worried about it. i’ve never been on a cruise and with three children! but i hope it goes well and we have a great family memory.

Comment from kari
Time: November 12, 2007, 6:56 pm

Welcome home! I’m so glad you had such a wonderful trip. The water is absolutely gorgeous, and how fun to find that big ol’ starfish. I have a MAJOR PARALYZING fear of being out in the middle of the ocean, but, you’ve almost convinced me to consider taking a cruise. It sounds like a wonderful time.

Comment from Darcy
Time: November 12, 2007, 6:56 pm

So glad you’re back and that you had such a fabulous time! I want to see ocean water that looks like that! Some day maybe.

I agree that the braids were totally worth it. They look adorable!

Comment from Sandra
Time: November 12, 2007, 11:04 pm

What a great vacation post! When I saw the hair braiders, when we were on vacation, I have to admit, I was tempted to try it myself! Then, I stopped drinking, and realized that reallllly isn’t a good look for a 60 year old woman!

Congratulations on a “successful” vacation! (Beauuuutiful water.)

Comment from missbecky75
Time: November 13, 2007, 3:12 am

Ok, I think you’ve sold me on a cruise vacation! Either for our 10 year anniversary or wait a little longer and take the kids when everyone is a bit more self sufficient. Cutting the kids food for you is what got me. Wow, what does a hot meal taste like? I forget.

Becky

Comment from Jul
Time: November 13, 2007, 3:20 am

Great pictures Lisa!!!

Comment from i should be folding laundry
Time: November 13, 2007, 5:03 am

You totally forgot to take me with you and now I am mad forever and forever!

AWESOME PICTURES! That water is unbelievable.

Will you come organize my laundry room now that you are all rested?

Comment from Jennifer (Jen on the Edge)
Time: November 13, 2007, 2:53 pm

Welcome back! You sound happy and relaxed, which is as it should be.

And, I’m so glad you weren’t arrested for trying to smuggle home Peaches from “Finding Nemo.”

Comment from My Wonder-ful Men…
Time: November 13, 2007, 3:18 pm

Looks like a great time, I wish I was with you all. LOL
Glad to see you all had a wonderful family vacation.

Comment from Pedaling
Time: November 13, 2007, 5:01 pm

there’s not many better trips with the fam than a cruise - you don’t have to pack up your bags for each new location, your kids can eat WHEN EVER they want - the child care fun, the service! your kids are all at such an enjoyable traveling age, allowing you to have fun, as well. i know what you mean, though, about having to give up your laying lazily on the beach to go & do STUFF.
oh, and can i just say, THAT WATER LOOKS ABSOLUTILY DELICIOUS!

Comment from Mary@notbefore7
Time: November 14, 2007, 6:31 pm

Me jealous? no, not at all…

Comment from SnapHappyInkyMomma
Time: November 14, 2007, 8:07 pm

Welcome back! Looks like a great trip!

Comment from new diva on the blog
Time: November 14, 2007, 10:02 pm

I’m sooooooo jealous. Looks like a great trip. Welcome back!

Comment from Jenny from Chicago
Time: November 20, 2007, 8:14 pm

Please send some of that good vacation “karma” my way. We leave for Disney in a couple of weeks and we need all the good luck we can get. Glad you’re back.

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One Trip, Nine Nights, and One Starfish who is glad we came home empty handed

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