WOW.....

We finally went on a cruise!  It has been a while since there has been a post from us. Yes, we are a bit behind...maybe it is because we haven't felt like posting, maybe it is because we are lazy, or maybe it is because we have been too busy preparing for our cruise! YES....Joe and I just returned from our first ever real cruise.  We flew to San Juan Puerto Rico, stayed a night then boarded the VICTORY and sailed from San Juan to St. Thomas, Dominica, Barbados, St. Lucia, St. Kitts and St. Maarten.  WOW...is about the best word to describe the experience. 

Wow...there were a lot of people that should not be wearing a speedo on the cruise ship!

Wow...there is way too much food tempting you to pig out (thus ya shouldn't wear a speedo people)
Wow...there is so much poverty on these breathtaking islands
Wow...there is life beyond cell phones, email and TV

Wow...the water is so clear that you can literally almost see the bottom

Wow...can't believe we went Zip Lining, Jet skiing on the Caribbean Sea or sailing St. Lucia on a  Catamaran

Wow...did you know Dolphin's like to play in the wake of the ship?

Wow...we discovered hidden personality traits that came out (Joe Karaokes...American Idol Wannabe)

We truly had a marvelous time and enjoyed a much needed retreat from all we have been through this past year. We are blessed to have had the chance to go, and to enjoy some of God's treasures that are out there.

Here are some pics of our trip....(yeah we know...there are lot's to view. So, if you are bored just get over it and enjoy the scenery OK?!)

View from our San Juan hotel of a famous Fort

Bon Voyage! Just setting sail...Whew and windy

Joe trying to get some fame lol...Karaoke style

Oh yeah..he was getting into it!

a view of St. Thomas

The Anniversary Dinner for Bill and Judeen

 (Stephanie's parents)

The cute cake my Dad got as a surprise

All dressed up and no where to go but the dining room...

Practicing our Gene Simon's impression...actually we just wanted some TONGUE..ha

On the bus in Barbados to ride the Zip Line

Our instructor telling us how to hang on tight and enjoy the ride

All geared up and ready for action

A perspective on just how big those ships really are

Posing in front of the ship with our friends Greg and Valerie

Kodak moment for sure in front of the St Lucia backdrop

More of this gorgeous island

A breather after checking out the volcano

Stopping by the waterfall on our tour

Some of the cool trees in the botanical garden area

Sailing on a Catamaran complete with lunch and views to die for

See what I mean?

Joe enjoying the starboard tip of the Catamaran

What a day! Joe, Steph, Val and Greg our friends from Georgia

Cool view of the ship

 

These birds stay in this prickly tree to avoid the mongooses that are all over St. Kitts

 needless to say...there are NO snakes on that island!

Nope...instead they have ton's of Green Monkeys

Decided to get a little bit of local flavor and had my hair braided while in Port

Part of a fort that was built after Columbus came

 

The picturesque beaches of St. Maarten

(one side is Dutch, the other side French...where clothing is optional)

The water is so blue, and so clear

Stephanie and Joe enjoying the sunshine after our ride on

a jet ski (wave runner) around the Caribbean Sea. We saw

a HUGE sea turtle out in the ocean and can practically see to the bottom

the water is so clear

Yes.. That is Stephanie riding behind Joe holding on for dear life

Our Balcony room on the rear of the ship.

 It was such a great spot to be,we enjoyed a week

 of watching the horizon, sunsets, and dolphins play