All 15 of us!
Joyce with sister-in-law Denise at Dad's timeshare in Ft. Lauderdale.
Vacation Village timeshare
Swimming pool at Vacation Village
Leaving motel for pier
Doug and Joyce ready to cruise!
Group picture minus two members
Ice sculpture & carved fruit at entrance to buffet
Leaving Ft. Lauderdale
Our travel agent reserved two handicapped rooms, which were unbelievable--more like a regular motel room!
large bathroom....
with a regular shower space!
Towel creature holding daily happenings
leaving Ft. Lauderdale
Doug was in his "happy place"
On deck
Atrium of ship (15 levels)
Joyce on stairway
Four-story promenade with stores & restaurants on bottom level and inside rooms on top
Joyce with sisters and father
Doug and Joyce on Royal Promenade
Large piece of artwork made with 16,000 spools of thread hanging on one of atrium's levels
"Independence of the Seas"
Brother Blair with climbing wall behind him
Blair watching surfer
H20 Zone - area for kids
My father playing round of 9-hole minature golf
Participating in mandatory drill
Our family's two dining tables
Three-level dining room
Doug with brothers-in-law
My wonderful father
Formal night
Joyce with father and sister, Beverly
Joyce's father, brothers and sisters
Father with two sons and five sons-in-law
Father with five daughters and two daughters-in-law
I just had to include this picture and tell you the story--This well-dressed couple asked us if we would take their picture. Doug was already standing on the steps and just nonchalantly moved closer to them as we were about to take their pictures. They were a little puzzled at first why someone was intruding in on their picture, but when we were laughing, they knew he was just teasing! We all know Doug too well!!!
Enjoying our evening meals
This sweet girl from Peru was our assistant waiter. She is standing with our brother-in-law, George. Doug and I gave her a special gift after our last meal--The Book of Mormon--and wrote a note telling her that the knowledge in this book is why our family is so happy!
This cruise ship even had an ice arena with ice shows!!
Going into the theater for the evening show
Theater's beautiful stage curtain
One of the performers
Royal Caribbean's entertainment is really good. This is the Pinocchio set for the performance, Once Upon a Time.
Cinderella set
My sister-in-law, Denise, with fairytale performers
After a performance
After the evening performances, all of would meet at the Promenade Cafe, drink hot chocolate and visit before we retired for the night.
Joyce and sister, Laura, preparing hot chocolate.
Sister Beth
Our first stop--Belize
We didn't have a waterproof camera to take on our cave tubing shore excursion, so this is a billboard advertising the outing.
The group all "dressed up" with life vests that didn't quite fit and headlamps.
On our shore excursion, we ventured into the rainforest and floated down the refreshing Cave Branch River through spectacular cave systems (reason why we are wearing headlamps). It was really fun!!!
We had a great Mexican meal afterwards. The guy waiting on us was also our guide. He could have been a standup comic!
After cave tubing and meal
Isn't this the greatest sign?!
2nd stop--Costa Maya
Our ship!
Doug and brother-in-law, Ted, waiting for our tour guide. Our sister, Natalie, arranged for a Mormon guide to take us to a Mayan archeological site, Chaccoben, where Lemuel explained the history using The Book of Mormon as a reference guide.
Joyce with three of her sisters and father
Costa Maya
Beverly, Dad and Joyce
Some Mexican dancers on the square
Boarding the mini-bus to Chaccoben
Lemuel, our Mormon guide
All of us before tour
Walking along the path with Dad and sister, Natalie
Group at one of Chaccoben's temples
Sitting on temple stairs
Doug and Joyce with largest temple in background
We got to climb the temple stairs!
Underneath this mound of dirt and growth is another archeological site. At this site alone, they have only uncovered about 1/10 of the city. The Mexican government just doesn't have the money!
Tree and its many roots entertwined with ruins
Lemuel showing other archeological sites
Looking up at the temple
Lemuel exlaining "Tree of Life" stone
"Tree of Life"
Eating again!
Lobster -- one of our many entrees
Different desserts--you could order all of them if you wanted!
Colorful cloth banners hanging in Promenade where they would hold nightly entertainment above the walkway.
One of the Promenade performances--The Village People
Joyce with youngest sister, Natalie
I love this picture of my father! This is the way I will always remember him.
Joyce and Doug with two Royal Caribbean docked ships at Cozumel!
Sitting next to a fresh-water sinkhole
Three couples who hadn't been to Tulum went with Lemuel to tour, while the rest of us went to Chankanaab Ecological Park where we learned about indigenous cultures that once inhabited Mexico and Central America. We also saw replicas of archeological sites throughout Mexico.
Non-LDS tour guide showing us a map of MesoAmerica
Archeological replica
Group with beautiful fall in botanical garden
Mayan house replica
Cute "Mayan" woman who made each of us fresh filled tortillas!
They were really good!
Doug thanking her!
Another replica
Joyce with brother Blair, father and sisters Laura and Beverly
Chankanaab Lagoon (natural aquarium)
Restaurant at Chankanaab where a trio of Mexican singers entertained us.
Fun Mexican meal
Thatched roof cabanas on beach
Mr. Muscleman!
Caribbean Sea at the park
My sister-in-law, Denise, found this coconut "prop" and had us pose for a picture.
Would you say Doug looked relaxed!?!
Also at the park -- Dolphin Discovery Park....
where you paid extra to interact with the dolphins.
Interesting thatched roof building at park
At the Ft. Lauderdale Pier--saying goodbye to my sister and her husband, Laura and George, who live in Florida.
The end of another wonderful cruise with my family!!
4 comments:
That really was one of the best times our family has ever had together and you have documented it all so well.
Thanks for all you did to arrange the travel, the tickets, the hotels and now the documentary for all of us to enjoy for a long time.
We will always remember our cruise with you two and the rest of the family. It was memorable and further strengthened my testimony of the Book of Mormon and the importance of family unity.
I love you sweet sister. Bev
The trip looks AMAZING!!
Oh Mom you are so beautiful
And Dad looks great!
You got some great shots Mom! I really want to go on a cruise now. You and Dad look like you had a lot of fun - I laughed at several pictures of Dad. My favorite pic of you is eating the stuffed tortilla saying, "it was really good!" You're cute... I mean BEAUTIFUL. I love you.
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