Taking a Break.......................

To all my readers and friend I have meet in my travels,
I have decided to take a break from my travels to deal with a passing of a very close member of my precious family.  It happened all of a sudden which put me into shock and after all that wore off it made me think.  Taking a break for awhile would be good at this time.  I do plan to do traveling close to home and will be taking all you there to see what a wonderful place I live in.   So I will be email you all when I have finished my next posting of my travels.  Take care till later, hug your loved ones and enjoy every day!
Sincerely,
Michele

6 Day Caribbean cruise on The Liberty of the Seas 2/27/2011

The start of my 6 day cruise was a day of work, so I snapped a picture of the side of the ship as it glides thru the waters on our way to our first Port of call Belize City.  During my break I also went to the back deck to check out the ever-popular Flow Rider again.  I think this is such a cool way to spend some time in the water and of all places on the back of a cruise ship in the middle of the Ocean.

BELIZE CITY

After a successful day of selling, I felt good and finished early due to the fact it was a formal night.  I had to be off the Promenade for the Captains Welcome aboard ceremony.  With an early night I was able to get up early and head down to deck one and catch the tender into Belize.  As I stood in line I realized that our line was not moving at all and it had been announced that the tenders would be running every 15 to 20 minutes and they weren't, Ugh.  It did give me time to talk to a few passengers and find out where they were from.  A family of 20 from New York had adopted me into their family after a Half Hour met & greet in line.  We all finally made it onto the large tender which took us another 30–45-minute ride to shore.  As we made it to the dock I noticed how shallow the waters were around the shore and together with that and the fact that our ship has a deep hull the ship would not even anchor very close and that is why the very long tender ride.  The waters were so beautiful, and with the sun was shining I just enjoyed the ride. 

The picture above is the first sight you see as the tender approaches the dock.  The Boardwalk lined with shop after shop.  I decided to check out the prices on t-shirts to take home for a few people.  After buying those I made it thru the terminal and out to the street. 

This is to the right side of the Boardwalk that has more shops and a few restaurants and bars.  You can even hear some great music playing from one of the open bars.  Makes you want to go sip on a Margareta.

And if you don't want to go into a stuffy shop there are tents with locals selling souvenirs.

Now to the real world of Belize City...................

When I walked out I was first meet by a handful of locals, a few guards, taxis and tour operates.  Sadly they were so up in my face I just walked away from them.  I did ask a taxi driver which way to the beaches, he informed me that is would take a 20 minute ride by taxi with a cost 20 US dollars.  My time was short so I decided to ask what was there to see in walking distance.  As I turned to the right of the gate, I noticed that a school bus of little children was just let off and all the parents were there to take the little one's home.  I walked in that direction because I wanted to ask if I could take a few pictures of the kids, but I was given a few dirty looks until a man came up to me and said to just take them and that they did not understand what I was saying because they spoke Creole.  So he kindly stopped a mother and I was able to take pictures of her adorable twin boys.  As you can see they didn't care they were just into their balloons, lol.

As I walked I found another mode of transportation, a horse drawn carriage.  At 30.00 per person for a scenic ride around town I decided to just keep walking.  I stopped at a local merchants open air market but not too much other then jewelry and an few large items.  I did buy a small hand carved pendant of black slate that was of Mac the sign for Sagittarius in Mayan.  At this port you can also take a tour to the Mayan ruins, which is at least a 7 hr. adventure.

This is the entrance to a Raddison Hotel that I passed as I made my way out of the touristy area.  I also walked past a small mall that had a few small boutiques, a restaurant and a bar, but not much going on.

I finally made it to the large entrance to this area and looked to the right and found water so that is where I headed.

This was my view as I walked into the local neighborhood.  I saw only locals sitting by the water reading or a couple of lovers having fun.  No pictures of them because I did not want to intrude since I was out of my element.  I decided to walk deeper into the neighborhood and farther away from the terminal.  It was so quiet and peaceful, I loved it.

Across the street from the water, I found a magnificent old, refurbished building which is on the left and then across the street from that was a new building being built by some local workmen.  There was also a tour on their way to the museum which I headed for but didn't find it, next time....

As I walked further, I found another large home that faced the water with a nice view to wake up to every morning. If you want to come and stay here, you can find a place to stay by reading the sea wall. There was an advertising so I thought I would ad it onto the blog.  I thought it was interesting to see in a residential area.

Around the bend was this Light........

In the picture on the left you can see how murky the water is close to shore and then on the right I snapped one of water further out and what looks to be a smaller island offshore but it isn't, I learned it is just trees and bushed that grow up from the ocean floor.  You cannot stand on these, interesting............ Oops I was told what they were called but I forgot.

Walking as far as I could I ran out of water and decided to turn around and saw how far away the ships were.  I headed back to the dock to take the long ride back to the ship.  As I walked and got back into the homes I realized I was Lost then I noticed a man getting out of a large church van, I decided to ask him.  I wish I had taken my camera out and take his picture, he was such a nice man and so calming.  He was very tall with a full head of white hair; he was soft spoken and very polite.  He laughed with a hugh smile and after I asked him which way to the ship terminal, he told me he would walk with me and show me the way.  We talked as we walked and had a nice conversation.  We made it to the street across from the entrance he shook my hand and thanked me for visiting his city.  I told him I want to return and see more and I can't wait till that time comes.  I have to say that the pictures cannot describe the overwhelming feeling I felt of calm as I walked.

Back on the empty tender I sat listening to the music from the Bar across the water.  As we headed towards the ship, I took a few pictures of the shoreline. 

The picture on the left is close to shore and the one on the right is close to the ship, the difference in the color of the water, lovely...........

Back to my cabin to relax before going to the Promenade to promote my Jewelry line for the next day.  But first we visit Costa Maya, Mexico.

                                                        COSTA MAYA, MEXICO

A view of Costa Maya from the ship.  Our ship is in port with another RCL ship, Radiance of the Seas, which I have also sailed on in the past.  I filled a cup with ice and left the ship to take the long walk on the pier to the terminal.  It is a hot, hot day but nice and cool in the shade.

I took these pictures to show how desolate the terminal was from downtown.  And the other picture is to show the magnificent color of the waters around the shore.

I walked into the Terminal and saw nothing but shops so I turned to the left to walk to what I thought was beach to walk on. But soon realized the shoreline was rocks and to get to the beach was a nice long taxi so I decide to stay in the Terminal and check it out.
There is actually a lot to do right here.  You can get a nice massage on the beach or swim in the Hugh pool after shopping. 

But before you go swimming you can be entertained with the local dance performed by a group of men and women dress in traditional costume.

And not to be out shined you can also see the friendly federales walking around to ensure your safety.

The biggest attraction for me was the swimming with the Dolphins.  I was really excited at first to be up close to them and to be able to watch them, most other ports that have this don't have it so exposed to the public.

I sat on a chair and was mesmerized by them but also saddened to see 6 Dolphins living in such a small, enclosed area.  I asked one on the instructors if this is where they stay all the time.  She told me that they were babies, and they did stay here for 6 months only then moved to one of their other 10 locations, hopefully to larger pool and well treated.  

Just when I thought I had enough pictures they jumped again, I just couldn't get enough.  But wait there is more................

After watching them for a good long time I realized they stayed in pairs.  I wondered if this was their instinctual way or was it trained?

These were my favorite pictures.

More you say................

And last but not least.............

This one says weeeee are we having fun yet, which I truly hope they are.  I really enjoyed watching them, but I really wished they were in the wild.

When there is no beach to walk down too..................

Remember you can always lay out in the sun on the Beach or hang out and have fun in a hammock.

Or get a relaxing massage and if that all doesn't tickle your Fancey you can always......... yes you guessed it SHOP till you drop.

Me, I choose to walk back to the ship and get cool till I work tonight.

What a sight to see..................Adios Costa Maya!
                                                   COZUMEL, MEXICO

Back in Cozumel once again.  Today is a late sailing so I waited till the afternoon to go ashore to use the internet.  It was so much cooler to go out after 3pm. I walked to the Internet and noticed that half of the No Name Bar was all boarded up, maybe remodeling or just downsizing?  I'll find out on the next trip.

So on the way back to the ship I stopped to take this picture buI noticed another couple try to take a picture with their ship The Radiance in the background, but they were unable to do it.  I did take my picture and started to walk back and as I watched the couple walk ahead of me, I thought it would be nice to offer to take their pictures and email to them.

So I did and here they are, and I forgot their names so when I email them, I hope to add their names.

I always loved being in port with 2 ships docked together that I just have to take a picture of.  The Liberty is so big next to the Radiance.

And from the upper deck of the Liberty.