I am back and have much to type about, so be prepared to read for a little while!

Spring VACA 2007 - Day 1
Slippy was in Friday night and thus we got up and grubbed at Valley Dairy. From there, Beff and I headed off to Baltimore dropping the fuzzy one at camp for the week. In our stop to the Prime Outlets in Hagerstown I did my share of spending and getting into a wreckless vaca mood. Ok, not so wreckless, but I did find a few great buys for all seasons and even a gift for a friend expecting a young one. The weather was perfect for us, nice temps with a cool breeze. Both of us were surprised to get a little bit of sun, but not too much - it was a nice starting point before heading south.

We checked in at the La Quinta near BWI and took the excellent front desk staff's advice to go to the Olive Grove for dinner. I had a huge crab cake and some of their famous garlic bread as well as a delightful glass of Commandaria St. John port. The port had me ready to sleep so I read for a little while and wiped out to get rested up for our travel day.

Spring VACA 2007 - Day 2
The flight out of BWI to Miami wasn't until the middle of the afternoon. We got rather lucky in that Beff was able to make it on my flight from standby so she didn't get in super late. We caught up with "the person that shall not be spoken of" at baggage claim and headed out to our next hotel for the night. The "nickname" above stems from the fact that this person pointed out that they had never been mentioned on my blog. Once checked in at the Fairfield we took a small stroll up the street to Carino's for dinner. Once again I had a great meal, this time it was crab/spinach ravioli in a lemon/caper sauce - yum!

Spring VACA 2007 - Day 3
All aboard! When the horn sounded I was busy snagging a pina colada at the pool bar. Highlights of the day included finding an adorable lady bug pendant onboard that I couldn't resist. Our room felt huge, especially the shower, after being on Empress last. I guess I didn't think things out too well as we could definitely hear the music from Boleros (directly below us), but since we were up at least until midnight it wasn't long before the music ended. The new bedding onboard the Majesty was very comfortable, but the comforter had a tendancy to be a bit too warm. If I kicked it off I was cold and if I pulled it on I sweated. Eh. A small complaint all said.

Majesty is a sister ship to Monarch, the first RC ship I was on. I forgot what it was like on a ship w/ two separate dinning rooms. We scored again and were at a large table near the center of the dining room and were able to share our meals with 7 friends that came out to celebrate their graduations. Many were from NC State which was quite cool. It took a night for our waiter, JR, to realize we were the pranksters, but he caught on quick - so it was good times at dinner. Stateroom attendant - once again I could have had better. I think a good attendant in the room is far and few between.

Spring VACA 2007 - Day 4
We arrived in Nassau, Bahamas safe and sound. There was a little vibration noise as we pulled into port, but it wasn't bad. Despite a little rain early in the day it was a lovely stop. First thing I got up and headed for a full body massage... how wonderful! As the rain slowed we headed off to shop. Among my scores: a set of ladybug earrings to match my pendant (they remind me of a pair of cheap earrings I had when I was young and bring back fond memories), a black and orange necklace from the straw market, a hat (as requested by mother dear) also from the straw market, my free diamond charm bracelet from Diamonds International (gotta love the shopping port talks onboard), a funny shirt, a color change shirt, and... my very own Kate Spade purse (black with pink polka dots and oh so cute).

A bit tired we headed back onboard for some refueling at the Johnny Rockets that is onboard. I've never been onland so it was a learning experience. It was good, not as yummy as Shake and Steak, but yummy. Feeling good once again Beff and I headed back out to explore the sights including the Queen's Staircase and Fort Fincastle, which gave us a nice view. My evening ended up cut a bit short as a headache blossomed. Mental note: always travel w/ the migraine meds the doctor gave me.

Spring VACA 2007 - Day 5
Was bummed that the weather was a bit too brisk to allow us to make the Cococay stop, but at least it afforded me the leisure to sleep in a bit later than I would have to finish fighting off the headache. So - no snorkeling for us this trip :( I found comfort for both the cancelled stop and the headache at the coffee shop snagging a booze laden espresso and double-chocolate bar for my late breakfast. I watched the rock climbers for a while and opted to not give the wall another go this trip.

Once again I left an art auction with a purchase - this time a simple piece of Snoopy and Charlie Brown hugging, but I'm glad to call it mine. The show this evening had a juggler - remember people enjoy the show more if you lift your leg. After 80's dance party!

Spring VACA 2007 - Day 6
Key West - my third time there. We should have had a nice early parasail trip, but once again the wind defeated us and it was cancelled. Instead we did our wandering and I hit a few places I had never seen in my previous trips there, such as the southermost point and the Butterfly Conservatory. This is my fourth Butterfly tour (Niagra Falls, Hershey, Grand Cayman, and Key West) and was by far the most thickly populated with butterflies. They also had some gorgeous birds flying around including some finches a la Pete and Sally variety. (Pete and Sally were birds I had when I was fairly young.) I bought yet another lady bug necklace at this stop - distinctly different from the other and finally bought my very own butterfly art (something I've wanted for quite a while). It has a gentle arc of 5 butterflies on the red/black spectrum on display. I'm just happy it made it the whole way home safely. I also left with a ton of photos! Some of my KW photos also cover the wild roosters and chickens that roam the islands. Bawk-awk! We wandered back up Duval Street making a few more purchases such as a coin necklace to use if I ever get back into another belly dancing class, the requisitie Key Lime pie chocolate coated and on a stick, and a margarita at Margaritaville.

Back to the ship for our last evening onboard. I decided to go cool off in the pool with a quick dip and made a special little friend. This rugrat was racing with his father (?) back and forth back and forth. I reached out at one point and gave him a pull through the water to get ahead. Of course the kid loved it and would say "mano!" the subsequent times he approached. After a while he said "gracias" and then timidly said "thank you". It was so cute. After dinner, it was time for the Quest, which Beff and I decided to watch instead of participate since our team won last time (WOOT). Abe, the cruise director, did a fabulous job coming up with some unique quests and we had our share of laughs watching "the person that shall not be spoken of" and one of our dinner table mates. We stuck around in the dance hall for a while shaking some booty and then wandered the deck and I enjoyed the wind immensely. There is just something freeing about standing on deck as the wind whips around and the moon gleams across the water.

Spring VACA 2007 - Day 7
Time to head home, and it was a looong day. I was so surprised to find luggage carosels and smooth lings embarking and disembarking at the port of Miami. As awesome and organized as the Miami port is the Miami airport is just the opposite. I don't care what color or language someone speaks as long as they are respectful, but I'll tell you this... the lack of respect some spanish-speaking individuals have is what will breed hatred in some people. This WITCH that worked at the Miami airport for TSA of all people refused to speak anything but spanish and decided to yell at us in spanish when we didn't immediately understand her. Granted I'm no where near fluent, but I can pick up bits and pieces - so to turn to another spanish speaking individual after we get by talking about "Americanos no saben"... no, I didn't understand fully, but to show how amiable I am "Bien venidos a los Estados Unidos. Hable Ingles - puta."

Airport behind us we're back to Baltimore. I can't believe how backed up the traffic was. As bad as 270 to 70 is coming from DC approaching that entrance on 70 is just as bad and was backed up for miles and miles. We had planned on swinging back into the outlets to grab things from Harry and David that we didn't dear leave sitting to melt in a car on the way back, but we also opted for dinner when it took more than twice as long to get from Baltimore back to the outlets as it did to head the other way just a week before. Eventually we made our way back into Jtown around 9 and I hauled my last things in. I have many emails to tend to, but still got up early the next day to snag the Vixie.

If you didn't notice the food focus throughout the past week you might notice it when you next see me. I managed to snag an extra 5 lbs according to the scale this morning. Ouch. It's time to start working my tail off, literally.