Taking a vacation

Prendre des vacances, Urlaub machen, tomar unas vacaciones. In any language it means the same-relaxation and a break from the same old routine.
We made our way to Ft.Lauderdale and we were ready to board the Holland America ship, the Nieuw Amsterdam.

We had had a full day at sea before reaching our first stop.
Island #1-Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos
The ships have use of a private pool which was really nice but we took a cab to a nearby beach to get away from the ship crowd.

Island #2-San Juan, Puerto Rico

Finn caught the flu and we took turns nursing him back to health for the next few days. We took a quick stroll around town and around the forts of old San Juan before heading back on board.

Island #3-Philipsburg, Sint Maarten

This island is half Dutch,Sint Maarten and half French,Saint Martin.With so many beaches listed on the map for this island we decided to rent a Jeep for the day. This was not the best weather day for exploring beaches.

Island #4-Half Moon Cay,Bahamas
After a day at sea we arrived at Holland America's private island. Another day of clouds and rain but we braved the tender's to make it to the beach.

We headed back to Ft. Lauderdale to let 2/3 of the ship off and pick up a new batch of cruisers. The next day we were back at Half Moon for another round of clouds. At least Finn was finally feeling well enough to leave the boat and come ashore with us for this stop.

Island #5-Georgetown, Grand Cayman
More tenders to get to shore, seven cruise ships in town at the same time, and more clouds. We still managed to hop a taxi to the beach. This turned out to be the best stop for fish viewing.

Island #6-Mahogany Bay,Roatan
Finally a day with sunshine! We hopped on a chair lift to the beach,

 ordered cervezas, and camped out beneath a palm tree.

Last stop before heading back to Ft. Lauderdale-Costa Maya, Mexico.
Guess what? Yep, it was cloudy and 65 degrees for most of our time here. But we took advantage of a break in the clouds for a little bit of sun and camped out reading in a lounge chair for a couple of hours.

It was nice to get away for 2 weeks. Let's do it again next year!