La Paz

Port #3: La Paz  

We went snorkeling at "Los Isolotes".  It was a 1 1/2 hour boat ride to a little area where hundreds of Sea Lions lived.  We were able to snorkel/swim next to them!  It was definitely a highlight of our trip.  I took a bunch of pics with our cheapo underwater camera - some of them are ok!  A baby sea lion played with Shayne - even kissed him on the nose!  He also played with my flippers - it was like having a little puppy playing with us.

Shayne wasn't timid about touching this little guy - and the sea lion loved him!

He decided to play with me - I didn't dare touch him, but he loved my flippers (yeah, Shayne had flippers on too, but mine must have smelled better)

Mazatlan

Port #2: Mazatlan

We arranged to go on an excursion to "Stone Island" which in the end, is not an island at all.  It was a rather funny experience - they loaded us into a boat and we took a 45 minute boat ride (thinking we're going to a great island in the middle of the ocean) and we turn around and park the boat across the bay from the cruise ship.  Ahhhhhh, sweet memories.  We were guests at a little restaurant (the last picture) and had the option of two activities.  We chose horse riding and a banana boat ride.  The horse ride was more like donkeys, but still nice....  not quite the "black stallion on a beach image" I was daydreaming about! 

The banana boat ride was hilarious...  just see the below image of the "speed boat."  We spent the day on the beach, reading and relaxing.  

Puerta Vallarta

Port #1: Puerta Vallarta 

Excursion: Canopy Zip-Line  (why are all the companies called "canopy"?)  

The views were SPECTACULAR and the mosquito bites are STILL ITCHING (it's been over 9 days since that day... those are some mean mosquitoes).  Puerta Vallarta was very picturesque and beautiful. 

 

Heading off to Mexico

We boarded the Carnival Spirit in San Diego and then we were off for the Mexican Riviera.  We had 2 sea days on our way to the first port in Puerta Vallarta (I probably spelt those wrong).  Shayne won the basketball tourney (speed) and got himself a fancy medal.  We played miniature golf and basically relaxed to our hearts' content.  I read three books during this trip, plus I even learned and beat (it was an easy one) an Ipod game that Shayne wanted me to try.  I definitely had time on my hands and it felt AWESOME.

To go on a cruise...

First, hubby finds the deal of all deals (a Shayne-deal)

Second, make sure you have a support network to take care of those wee-ones while we are gone.

Then it's time to plan and prepare....

Shayne did all the homework on the ports and activities.  He booked several of the excursions prior to the cruise saving us as much as 75% off the cruise ship prices.... yeah, he rocks.  

Me, I made sure I had the grandparents schedules in-sync, got a few neighbors to pitch in too and honestly, I worried about making the schedules, coordinating rides, and having doctor information all ready if there were to be an emergency.  I made a great diagram of my "typical" week to help the grandparents see what they were in for and then I left my kids in their hands.  I knew they were loved, watched over, and they would enjoy the vacation from me as much as we needed one as Mommy/Daddy.  

Our phone service worked while in Mexico, but it would have cost an arm and a leg for 2 minutes of yapping.  So - no calls, just trusting all was fine unless they did call!  I don't remember relaxing this much, EVER.  

Now for the pics and recaps of our adventure...