Lolli, You're Not in Bolingbrook Anymore!
My First Non-working Vacation Ever - Part 3 - Finale
Aunt Debby and I awoke on Day 2 and had a disappointing breakfast at Imaginations Dining Room. The coffee was pretty good though. I fit easily into a much too big red swimsuit (looking ready to burst through a brick wall demanding artificially flavored fruity drinks), and covered it with a bright white top buttoned crooked. I dropped my shades over my glasses, unpacked my bright red cane (for balance when walking on sand) and we headed down to deck 3 to disembark in Freeport, Bahamas. We met the family (Miranda, Chris, CJ, and Noah) on the dock and headed to the parking lot to meet up with our guide for the day. Instead of taking one of the highly recommended Carnival shore excursions, Miranda made arrangements with Shavon’s Taxi & Tour Services; her motto: “I don’t give rides, I give service!” Not only did she give us rides, she gave information, humor, pictures, and delicious frozen rum cocktails (CJ and Noah got ice water)!
The first stop for the day was Lucayan National Park where everybody except Aunt Debby and me went spelunking… or at least they hoped to… but after seeing the cave entrance, Miranda noped out and lead her family back to the van. We then walked across the road to the beach paths. The left path took us over a wooden boardwalk and the right path went through the mangroves. Shavon, Auntie, and I took the left path, but Miranda and crew beat us to the beach following the right path.
I grew up on the shores of lake Michigan, and in my world, large bodies of water are blue-green with flecks of black and gray and the occasional floating plastic bag. In Jacksonville, FL, I wasn’t prepared for how blue the ocean looked from a safe distance. In Freeport, I wasn’t prepared for the reality of the ocean up close and personal. The ocean near the horizon looked as if somebody had dipped a crayon in the water and the color ran and covered the world. The blue was unreal, and in the distance, where it meets the sky, even though there was a sharp line, I couldn’t decide which blue was brighter. I watched CJ and Noah splash around, and then Aunt Debby got Chris to help her sit down on the sand so she could feel the water lapping around her legs. Then I walked across the bumpy yet smooth sand and put my feet in the water. It was soft, if water can be described that way, and comfortably cool, and so clear I really wanted to drink it. We spent just over an hour on the beach in rented chairs with an umbrella, watching the kids, and enjoying our rum drinks courtesy of Shavon.
Our next stop was a local straw market (at least that’s what I think it’s called), where the prices were much less than those at the port markets. We tasted local foods and drinks and bought souvenirs.
Day 3 we docked early in Nassau, Bahamas. Miranda and crew took a long, long, long, long walk to the Queen’s Staircase, while Aunt Debby and I spent the day at the shops at the port where we tasted rum cake, bought rum cake, and bought a few more souvenirs. We went back to the ship and while Auntie went out to enjoy the shipboard activities, I took a nap. I was awakened by Auntie returning to the room preparing to go back out to do a little more shopping, so I got up and went with her.
That evening after another family dinner (with an elaborate sushi boat appetizer) and a minor crisis, Auntie and I met up with Miranda and Chris at one of the night clubs for karaoke. Miranda sang Fly Me to the Moon and brought the house down such that nobody wanted to go up next. She was incredible as always.
After karaoke, Aunt Debby and I decided to visit the smoke-filled casino where we played the slots. I spent $20, won $30, and then lost it all. Aunt Debby spent $20 and won $91! When she told the floor captain she wanted to cash out, he seemed genuinely confused about how to do it. I guess people don’t win and quit very often.
Day 4… the last day… was a Sea Day. No port to visit, just a fun day at sea to enjoy all the ship has to offer. We found our way to deck 14 to see the mini golf course. I didn’t look down. I honestly don’t recall what all we did that day. I know there was a short nap at some point. We shopped a bit in the Fun Shops, and wound up packing, setting our luggage out for the porters, and turning in early.
Day 5, we had delightful omelets at Tiffany’s (Breakfast at Tiffany’s…LOL) and prepared to disembark for the final time. We took our own sweet time and were likely the last ones off of the ship. After zipping through customs, we found our luggage looking lonely and abandoned in the terminal. WHY IS IT COLD IN FLORIDA? We then spent a delightful day at Kim’s with Kim, Sam, David, and Lala. Kim and Sam cooked a spectacular meal, and we finally got another taste of our family’s legendary Bean Burger recipe. We talked a lot and got reacquainted with family. The afternoon thru evening was warm, emotional, humbling, and joyous.
Aunt Debby rode with me on the return train trip. We pulled out at 10:29pm. The first night was uneventful. Day 2 we learned, to our great disappointment, that there was no dining car meal service for coach passengers! So we satisfied ourselves with microwaved meals from the cafe car. The trip was fine until the bathrooms in our car locked themselves and didn’t open for the rest of the trip! Night 2 was ok, and then we were home. I prepared to take Auntie to Auntie/Cousin Pal’s house. We got in my car and the gas tank was still on E (see vacation part 1)!
I embarked on this trip with my laptop and 2 books to read because I knew I’d find nothing to enjoy and spend all my time in the room bored, because I truly had no interest in, and even actually hated, anything listed in the brochures. I couldn’t have been more wrong! If you’ve made it this far, thank you so much for sharing this eye-opening journey with me!
To be continued… on my next cruise!
What a wonderful time catching up with family and making memories. I haven’t taken a cruise so I was interested in your perspective!😊👍
Thanks for sharing, and kudos for your bravery to try something new!👏🏻
Great piece. I knew exactly what you meant when you said that the sea felt soft to the touch. Tropical ocean is exquisite. I grew up on an island off Miami where the ocean was the color of seafoam green. I sure hope you swam in that gorgeous ocean. :)