Ensenada

La Bufadora

Our last full day of cruising. Tomorrow morning we will pull back into San Diego. A full week, a fun week, and I am so happy!! We've all had such a good time bonding. Whoever said a cruise was the perfect reunion type thing was soooo right!!

Today we were in Ensenada. . They have a dock - and we didn't have to do water taxi's this time. We split up this morning with Keith and I staying with Mak, Brayanna, Jaleel, and Destini on board. I think they had a really fun morning in the pool (almost deserted again!) and waiting excitedly for thier afternoon excursion!! As were we.

The others took off on the shopping excursion where they were whisked by a guide thru several of the shopping areas. Elizabeth and Ginger got thier hair braided and everyone returned with more "treasure"!!

After a lunch of pizza, french fries, and (of course) ice cream, we headed for shore. We met the others just returning from thier shopping spree - April said next time - she would rather just go shopping - without the whizzing from center to center. She said she just didn't have enough time to look at everything before they were ready to go again!!

Now was time for the BIG treat. What they'd been waiting for!! The older kids went with April and Rick and went HORSEBACK RIDING!! April said her horse kept trying to sit down - we enjoyed thier stories over our last dinner on board. The kids really had a great time and had many stories even after they returned home.

Brennan and Makkiah went with us to se La Bufforadora. It is a natural phenomenon clear at the other end of the bay from the dock. Our bus got a late start, drove fast, for a long way (more than 30 minutes) to get us to see it. After walking about 1/2 mile downhill we finally rounded the right spot and could see it. It is truly amazing!! The tide was on it's way out so we didn't get to see it in all its splendor - but it was quite breathtaking anyhow. Of couse there are dozens of little shops there but we didn't have time to do much of anything. We had a 1/2 mile walk back uphill and it was rather warm out too. We did get tacos for the boys and a soda while walking back up to the bus. I saw some little flutes and wanted one for Taniyah - almost missed the bus getting it. . . Made it back - the driver flew around curves and made it a little scary getting back to the ship - but we were supposed to sail at 5 and were to be back on board by 4:30 and we were late... needless to say - we won't be taking that tour again. It needed at least another hour of time at La Bufadora - so that there was time to enjoy. The whole thing was rather rushed. The boys really didn't seem to mind much - they were in the front seats and everytime the driver took a curve - so did they - We arrived back at the ship as the next-to-the-last passengers to reboard. It was listed as a "handicap ok" excursion - but Keith's ankle sure took a beating on that up and downhill run. Mom was going to go with us but was tired from the mornings shopping - It was God's Will. He knew where we were going - and that it wasn't going to be easy!!

Ensenada has a partially sunken ship in thier bay - in case you look at the pics and don't know what that ship is there for. Keith really likes scenery pics. The faster we go - the faster he clicks!! I get really great photos to choose from this way.....

Tonight the kids all had thier farewell parties at Camp Carnival. Mak and Brennan got backpacks to remember thier trip by. The older kids got cd cases in Carnival Colors for their souvenier. Then they went to the arcade - and made it back for check-in. Just right!!

Elizabeth and Ginger had dinner in the dining room with us. We had our "Last Night" special of Baked Alaska - yum! Another fabulous meal - cappachino to top it off - and farewells for our Dining Steward and her Assistant. And many hugs and safe journeys to the family that will be disembarking early so they can fly up to visit with Aunt Jeanne and family before heading back to Indiana and Kentucky.

And yet new towel animals to amuse us (different ones for each child) with our bedtime mints. Ms. Millie sure does a great job of spoiling us!!

Now it's time to return the Game Boy, cash out our points at the Casino, complete customs forms, check the initial bill, complain that credit wasn't given for the return of the said Game Boy and about the internet that we paid for and couldn't connect to for long enough to do anything, pack everyone, and have our bags out in the hall!! Then check under beds, in closets, under desks, etc and stuff all those findings into the tops of those bags. I hope I've got it all!!

A wonderful time, wonderful people, great service, fantastic company. . . . what more could anyone ask for!

As usual: for the slideshow click here