As you might remember, we let Mama go on a cruise with her BFF a couple of weeks ago. We stayed home with Daddy(who did a great job taking care of us). Today, we are letting Mama tell you about her first cruise ever.
Thanks Sunny!!
I had a great time reconnecting with one of my oldest and dearest friends as we sailed from Tampa, Florida to the Bahamas on the Norwegian Jewel! As a admirer of all things ocean, it was wonderful being out on the cobalt blue water!
As I mentioned, we sailed from Tampa and enjoyed the first part of our journey out to the Gulf from our balcony. We were lucky enough to watch a beautiful sunset....
Of course, I found a lighthouse....did you have any doubt? LOL
The Jewel is one of Norwegian's smaller ships, which is wild...because it seemed humongous to me!
With 12 decks, a "broadway sized" entertainment theatre, a large pool, full sized spa, 5 or more restaurants AND a large buffet area, I can't imagine anything bigger!
Did I mention the balcony?? Better to see all that cobalt blue!
The ship stopped at Stirrup Cay, a small island owned by Norwegian, and we made the short trip from the boat to the island for the morning.
and look what I found.... another lighthouse!
Not an actual working lighthouse, but a beautiful structure they used to run their Zip Lines.
Of course, there were also tons of photo opportunities too!
After the morning in Stirrup Cay, we spent the rest of the time on the ship catching up and enjoying waaaayyyy too much good food and drink! I was very impressed with the quality and selection of foods at the different restaurants, along with the buffet. They also made it a priority, especially in the buffet, of making sure you sanitized your hands before entering.
My thoughts on cruising, after my first cruise? I would do it again, but probably only to Alaska, or a river cruise in Europe might be nice. But the cruises you see advertised on TV with water slides and LOTS of people aren't my cup of tea. I would definitely need a ship no bigger than the Norwegian Jewel, and a whole bunch of different places to visit!
Here is a video I put together:
As always, feel free to visit our YouTube Channel HERE
Of course, the best part of the trip was spending time catching up with my BFF !
Thanks Sunny, for letting me share my adventure today!
Ummmm, you mean I had a choice?? BOL
No problem Mama....but we better be part of your next adventure!!
Welcome to Nature Friday, where we get to meet new friends and share a picture or two of what nature looks like around Blogville. Mama is having a bout of Spring Fever and, after seeing a
beautiful Dalia picture YAM Aunty posted a couple of weeks ago, she went in search of a few "flashback" Dahlia pictures from our time in Northy North California!
One of the things Mama misses the most about our Northy North California home are the Summer Dahlias. Their colors are always so vivid...even the white dahlia blooms stood out with pink or purple highlights!
Whether vivid yellow....
or bright orange and pink, the dahlias never failed to brighten even the cloudiest of days!
Just like ME, right Mama???
Like Aunty C., the red dahlias are MY (and Mama's) favorites
Both the deep reds.....
and the red and whites!
We hope you enjoyed our little dahlia flashback...and, as always, we hope you all get to get out and explore some nature this weekend!
Show us your nature! It can be flowers, your current weather, a scene out of your window, or maybe a picture from a vacation, walk or other journey! Any kind of nature picture will do! If you don't see a link below, click HERE to go to our Hoppity Page.
At the end of January, TC caught a new cute little friend hopping around the bird block!
(As always, feel free to visit our YouTube Channel HERE)
We call him Newt, the White Breasted Nuthatch. Even though the WB Nuthatch is here, in our area, year-round, this is the first time we have seen one up close!!
We are joining Comedy Plus for the Wordless Wednesday Blog Hop! Thanks to Sandee for hosting!
We've got some fun facts to share about Mardi Gras in New Orleans today to help celebrate Fat Tuesday.
Did you know the first actual Mardi Gras "Carnival" held in New Orleans was in the late 1700s...
...but the first daytime parade for Mardi Gras in New Orleans wasn't until the 1870s!
Mardi Gras is actually a whole season. It begins on the 6th of January(The"12th Night") and ends on Fat Tuesday, the night before lent.
Beads "grow" on trees during Mardi Gras season, the trees lining the iconic St. Charles Avenue are brimming with beads by Fat Tuesday(and after...this picture of leftover beads was taken in May!)
Thanks for joining us for a couple of fun facts about Mardi Gras in New Orleans and remember....
