How did we end up here? We've lived in Northern Illinois for 29 years. Way too long for this vegetarian! Thankfully, we're only 90 miles from Madison,WI.

Wednesday, November 17, 2021

Birthday Adventure

It's time to celebrate another birthday. We headed to Orlando for another cruise adventure.





We booked transport via GoPort from Mickey town to Port Canaveral. This 46 mile journey took 4 hours! It was our first time leaving from this port and using this company so I'm not sure if it's always this way.

After waiting in a long line to verify proof of vaccination and negative covid tests we boarded the Carnival Magic. First stop on board was a rum tasting at the Red Frog Pub.

We booked a cove balcony for this week's adventure. Which meant we could be really close to the water and it was perfect for watching the flying fish.


And of course knitting...

Sunday night we watched a football game on the big screen.

And most nights you could find us catching a couple of comedy shows in the Punchliner Comedy Club.
Unfortunately this ship was having maintenance issues with their sewage treatment facility. Our balcony smelled like sewage for first three days of our journey. On day four I requested a room change to a different part of the ship where we could sit outside and not feel nauseous from the smell. 






After two days at sea we arrived in Aruba. We had to spend some ship credits so we booked an excursion through Carnival at this port. We took a 4X4 to the Arikok National Park.




The journey to the natural pool was quite the adventure.



The Natural Pool is a small, secluded, protected pool at the bottom of a hiking trail. It was a nice place to cool off.



We headed out of the park and stopped by the now collapsed natural bridge and a smaller limestone bridge that's still standing. 



I picked up a couple of local beers and enjoyed the views.

Our last stop before heading back to the ship was the California lighthouse on the very northwest tip of Aruba.



All the stores were closed downtown by the time we got back to the port so we walked over to the tourist sign to snap a selfie before getting back on the ship.



The next day we were in Curacao.We booked two shore dives through Scubacao for this day.



Our first dive was at a site called Marie Pampoen. So many fish and lots of different types of coral. 



After a short stop back at their shop we headed to the second site called Double Reef. A bit more of a challenge carrying all our gear/weights to where we would have to enter the water. 



But worth it once we were under the water and met all the turtles hanging out among the reefs here.



When we got back to port I had just enough time for some local beer on draft. Then it was time to sail away from beautiful Curacao.



We had another sea day next which was nice and relaxing with lots of knitting and reading. And watching the sky change colors when the sun set for the day.



Our last port was Amber Cove in the Dominican Republic. 



We had a short day in port so we spent the day drinking local rum, enjoying the views and going down the water slides.


The next day was a sea day and this guy's birthday!

After our trip aboard Royal Caribbean in July we were spoiled by the occupancy at 30%. This ship was completely packed and after almost two years of social distancing it felt extremely claustrophobic at times. 
Lines to exit the ship at the ports.


Lines to enter the dining room for dinner


Way too many people crowded into the shops


And every single time I wanted coffee there was a line.


But boy does coffee taste better on my own balcony space by the sea. 


The plane was so packed coming home on November 14 we couldn't find two seats together and had to sit five rows apart. 


When we landed Midway Airport was all decorated with holiday lights already!


Celebrating birthdays on an adventure is my favorite. Let's do it again next year my love!