Wednesday, May 10, 2006

Enchantment of the Seas

Pete & Vickey - anchors away on the pier at Key West, FloridaLast weekend Vickey and I sailed across the Caribbean on the Royal Caribbean cruise line Enchantment of the Seas. Talk about a pampered trip.

For those of you who don’t know, it was an award trip from Vickey’s employer, The Pampered Chef. She earned it last year. Way to go Vick!

We spent Wednesday evening last week in Fort Lauderdale then boarded the ship Thursday morning. We were treated to an air show by the Blue Angels before we left the dock. Very cool!

Friday was Key West. Saturday was Playa del Carmen, Mexico. Sunday was at sea and we docked Monday morning.Vickey on deck.

We ate four to five meals a day, swam, laid out in the sun, bungee jumped on top of trampolines on the bow, watched a couple movies in our stateroom and played cards with some Pampered Chef friends also on board.

I also did the rock climbing wall but Vickey declined that experience. I exercised in the ship’s work out room as well.Me in our fancy 'stateroom' (reminded me of my college dorm, but with a better view)

In Key West we took the Conch Tour Train and in Mexico we toured Tulum, the ruins of an ancient Mayan city, and went snorkeling at Xel-Ha, a water park.
Vickey in front of the Mayan temple at Tulum

I'm overlooking the shore off Tulum, Mexico

After checking in our baggage at the Fort Lauderdale airport Monday morning we spent a few hours exploring and shopping along famous Los Olas Boulevard.

Just after we boarded the airplane and backed away from the gate the pilot informed us we would have to wait on the runway until President Bush’s plane, Air Force One, landed and the convoy left the airport.

Needless to say, most passengers weren’t very pleased. In fact, loud booing ensued, followed by many criticisms of our Commander in Chief (must be a tough experience to garner an approval rating of about one-third of Americans).

Midnight buffet - the chocolate table.Luckily for us we made our connection in Dallas with about 10 minutes to spare and arrived safe and sound late Monday evening in Las Vegas.

Grandma and Grandpa Snow were angels and held down the fort marvelously. Eliana and Dominic must have enjoyed their time with their grandparents. Even Tank survived our trip better than previous periods of separation.

It was a much needed, well deserved five day vacation. Thanks to Grandma and Grandpa Snow for helping us out.

And thanks to Vickey and her hard work for making it all possible!

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