The Day was FINALLY here.. We packed lots of bags, bribed everyone we know to either watch the kids or taxi them to whomever was watching them, and hit the road! We had to leave super early at 5 am to catch our flight to Orlando Florida!!! After a long day of travel we made it! We checked in Grabbed some dinner and then headed to Old Town! It was supposed to be a really fun place to walk around, shop at fun shops, see a car show etc. But after driving around for 30 minutes to find a place to park we realized it was pretty darn lame! No car show, junky stores, carnival rides that were super old and 10.00 each. but hey it was free and something to do. We went back to the hotel and crashed!
The next morning was Airboat ride!! It was something I was nervous to do but was seriously so fun. 40 miles an hour down a swamp and seeing tons of birds, alligators,
and a bald eagle or two!
It was so fun... Taking a selfie at 40 miles and hour is not as easy as it looks! :)
Our boat Captain, Seth. took this picture of all of us and I love it!
As soon as we got off the airboat, We decided we could go home right them and be completely happy about our vacation. But we trekked on... Next stop Kennedy Space Center! Ryan Was Super excited about Going to the space center.. I wasn't that excited but was being a good sport. I quickly changed my tune.. It was awesome to see and after walking around and learning tons of stuff.
We took the bus tour when we first got there and they drove us by the launch pads
as well as the building they build the spaceshuttles in... They are massive!
There was so much to learn and see! This rocket was the size of an entire building... It was insane!
Next we headed to the Atlantis Space Shuttle exhibit...
This is the booster that power the space shuttles, It goes up like 35 more stories above what you can see...It is hard to imagine they can get these things off the ground! We rode a motion ride were they had us feel what it feels like to be shot in to space... not my favorite thing, Glad I don't want to be an astronaut!
We then got caught in a turental downpour and called it a day! :) We headed down to cocoa beach to get ready for our main part of this vacation... Cruise to the Bahamas!
After sleeping and eventful night in a room that might have been a murder scene at one point ( I will admit I am a mariott Snob) we headed to the cruise terminal! We got all checked in and headed to paradise!
We had fun exploring the ship
and in Porters case eating lots of soft serve Ice cream... That kid probably ate 7-10 ice cream cones a day... no kidding!
The one part of the cruise that I think can make or break it for you is the company at your table everynigt. We lucked out and got a group of people we really got along with. They were about our age and had came without there kids as well so after dinner we would all go to the main show and the comedy shows together! We had Barbara, Matt, Sharee, Willy that were friends from South Carolina and Dawn and Flint, newlyweds married for 2 days from Florida. Our waiter was Eugene. So glad we had fun people!
First stop Freeport Grand Bahamas!
We took a taxi ( a really scary rundown leaky bus) to port lucaya which was the center of the island. We shopped a little bit in the straw market and headed across the street to buy a day pass to the beach on the radisson resort. When we got there the skies were really cloudy and it looked like rain was coming... The resort even tried to talk us out of buying the passes.. but we were in paradise so we bought them and had a awesome time being the ONLY ones on the beach. The Ocean was super warm... Like bath water warm! We all swam in the water instead of just playing in waves like we normally do.
When we were done in the ocean and going to go play in the pools, the rains came down, and I mean a lot of rain!!! We found a covered spot and relaxed for a while before going to find something to eat. We headed back across the ship and found a little Bahamian restaurant and sat down to eat.. it was a little strange that no one cared that there were pigeons and other birds flying around and pooping all over the inside of the restaurant... We just had to tell our selves that the kitchen was clean in order to get through the meal. It was a little unnerving!
I found myself a yummy drink in side of a coconut!
We headed back to the ship and found some chairs and honestly just sat there for 4 hours. It was Heaven. No kids asking for anything, not feeling like I should be folding laundry like at home.. Heaven I tell you!
That night was elegant night on the cruise..This is the only picture I got of us all gussied up!
Next stop Nassau, Bahamas!
We had a plan of what we were going to see and do this day but as soon as we got off the ship a taxi driver wanted to know if we wanted a guided tour of the city. We took him up on his offer and were so glad we did ( even if becky thought we were going to get raped and murdered) We went through town and see how the wealthy, middle class and poor live.. The differences were astounding! We then headed to the queens staircase. Which was 66 Steep stairs that were carved by slaves to have an escape route in case the fort was bombed.
We also seen fort fincastle,
which had the best views of all the island, when you were on top!
We also made a stop at Atlantis.. Which gorgeous is totally out of our budget! Cheapest room is 300.00 a night and most expensive room 20,000 a night! yikes!
When are tour was finished he dropped us off at Ardastra gardens and Zoo! They had tons of birds and awesome plants but also TONS of humidity!! We walked around and seen it all and then were there for the parrot feeding.. We walked in a cage, held out apples and were attacked!
I thought it was so fun feeding them....
Until one landed and refused to leave... I was a little unsure!
We also stayed for the "Worlds only Marching Flaming Show" Which turned out to be a guy herding flamingos in circles.. But It was neat to get this close to them!
Porter also got chosen to be part of the show.. Showing his best flamingo pose!
We left The zoo and headed to the Fish Fry which was another "must do" while in the Bahamas. The Fish fry is a group of restaurants around a block long. This is the only time I felt a little nervous! We were pushed and pulled into different restaurants each saying theres was the original or the best. We ended up at Island Spice.
Ryan Tried the Conch salad... which is a local delicacy. Raw conch cut up mixed with tomatoes, onions, pineapple, mango. He thought it was good... I got a hamburger!
Becky and Porter had to try the Only Bahamian Brewed beer.. and Said it was the worst thing they have ever tasted!
We left from there to the cruise ship and made it back with 15 minutes before the boat left... Cutting it a little to close for comfort for me! :)
The next day was day at sea, and we played around, watched the hairy chest competition, played some phase 10 and just hung out! The next day we got up bright and early and got off the cruise ship.
Our last stop before heading home was Gatorland!
Tons of gators every were!
We walked around and seen all the crazy huge gators and of course the gator shows!
Gator jump a roo- were they put pieces of chicken on strings and try to have the gators jump to get them!
and gator wrestling...Brave or stupid.. Can't decide!
We also had to pose with the pictures!
Not quite sure what was going on here! :)
We also decided to pay an extra 10.00 and feed the gators! Umm it was a little intimidating! Throwing huge chunks of meat to them without being behind a gate.. actually they locked the gate behind you and locked you in with the gators.
These were not Little gators.. they were huge and hungry.. Love how Ryan Put me in between him and the gators! But I figured I could run faster than him so I was safe.
We also had to try eating gator... It tasted like chewing a rubber hose! it was horrid, I had to spit mine out in a napkin but everyone else didn't think it was that bad.
Before leaving Gatorland we found the best sign ever!
We then headed to the airport and was ready to just be home! Only to have our flight delayed for 1.5 hours and having a long 4.5 hour trip home. But the best part of coming home was pulling into ambers driveway to see this. I missed by kiddos.
But it was so nice to be Ryan and Megan for a entire week instead of mom and dad.
