Tuesday, February 1, 2011

I'm head-over-heels for Mexico, folks.


I'm back. Back from the excessive food and superb service and utter relaxation that is the cruise ship. And back from the glorious heat and color and crazy excitement that is Mexico. I miss it. I never, ever wanted to leave. It was a delicious trip. I'm exhausted and emotional and longing to go back immediately. I cope by listening to "The Boys are Back" repeatedly.







This was the very first picture I took. I read most of My Heart Lies South on the plane, and was therefore fully prepared to get married and live in Mexico for the rest of my life. If you haven't read this book, you must. Then you might understand why I am so desperately in love with Mexico.


I actually love flying in a plane. The cramped seating and ear-popping is worth it for that moment when you lift up off the ground, and then watch the world fade into a simple, beautiful pattern.


We flew to San Diego and immediately boarded the cruise ship. Some day I want to stay in San Diego--we've breezed through it twice now.

Of course I had a donut nearly every day. 


The majority of the crew on Holland America ships are Indonesian and Filipino. The captain is always Dutch, as well as various other members of the crew. Basically there are no Americans, except for the activities directors. The Indonesians are just awesome. They are super-sweet and cheerful, which is incredible, since they have to serve mostly very elderly and often grouchy types out in the middle of the ocean, away from their home and family. I got ridiculously spoiled by their awesomeness.

When I went on my very first cruise... I don't know how many years ago, I decided that I would marry an Indonesian prince.


Our room stewards--Jamjam and Moe. I stayed entertained by repeating Jamjam's name over and over again. 



Room service, baby.


The pretty gals I went with. : ) My mom and sister, Bethany.


Oddly, I have been longing for tiramusu. So when the strawberry cheesecake and the tiramisu were on the same night, I suffered much mental anguish.


In the end, I chose the tiramisu, which was absolutely amazing. Especially with black coffee.


Notice my spectacularly awesome camera strap. Thank you sistah. : )


This water. My word. It makes me want to jump straight off the ship and...drown. But I feel like even drowning would be rather glamorous in water like this.


Our first port was Cabo San Lucas.


It was so warm! I have a tan now... which is bizarre, in January.



Each one of these boats was calling my name... I have yet to ride a speed boat, laughing wildly, with my hair blowing in the wind. It's so on my bucket list.


Everyone is selling something--
"hello beautiful girls--take a look."
"good prices!"
"real silver!"
"ladies--do you need a bodyguard?"


Feeling very daring, I grabbed this iguana. He was pretty placid.
Mostly just had a very squishy underbelly.


White churches. yes.





















I just had to take a picture of this sign. New blog name? ;-)


That's our ship. It's the same one we were on last year, too. We're pretty close.


I had this most days. Sometimes twice.
(entering the photo here)


So that was the first part of the week. On the first few days at sea, aside from eating, reading, and writing unadulterated nonsense in my inspiring cream notebook, I also watched all three High School Musicals. There's definitely a post coming up about that. : )

Lots more photos to come, but I'm trying to give this to you in non-chokable portions.

38 comments:

  1. I just loved this post! I went on a cruise to the Bahamas in 2008 for graduation and loved it. :) Hope to maybe go to the Caribbean this year. We shall see. ;) Lovely photos..so much fun to look at. ♥

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  2. looks like so much fun...and im turning green. (with envy not sea sickness...lol)
    the food looks awesome by the way..i would totally get fat if i ever went on a cruise. gosh! mmm boy! ;p

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  3. Wow, never been on a cruise before, so sounds like something I would love, from reading your post!!! 'Cept I would prolly get seasick. LOL ttul
    Love,
    MAnda

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  4. I love your outfit!! I have never been on a cruise or rode in a plane!! Sounds fun though!

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  5. Oh wow. Ooooh wow. I'm dying over here. :) GORGEOUS photography, love the first donut picture in particular. Lol, did they really say Need a body guard? We've talked about how they should start renting them out...lol :)
    Nice iguana! I love the shadows...is the one shadow on the right playign a guitar? It looks like it. :)

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  6. Oh my goodness, I so want to go on a cruise some day! This post is great!

    ~Stephanie

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  7. Jamjam and Moe: most epic name combo ever!
    Your hair in the pic right under the blue water pic: super cute.
    Squishy iguanas: love it!
    Cheap cigar sign: :D
    And to all the rest: Wow. Just wow. Beautiful water. Beautiful sky. Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful.

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  8. Oh my goodness ... you make me want to jump on a cruise right away! Your photos are (as always) beautiful! Sounds like a fantastically good time!

    Stop by the blog ... having another giveaway!!

    And can't wait for more photos!!

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  9. Stunning pictures! I laughed out loud at "JamJam and Moe" - very awesome names, and indeed, very entertaining! I'm glad you had a fun trip! :)

    Felicity, at {Simple Elegance}

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  10. Looks like you had an amazing time!=)

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  11. Looks like so much fun! I love all of your pictures :).

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  12. What fabulous photos!! Looks like you had such a wonderful time, makes me want to take a vacation. :) :)

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  13. Thanks for letting me live vicariously through you and your photographs, Polka Dot!! =) I'm so very glad that you had a fun trip!!

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  14. "My Heart Lies South " is one of my all time favorite books!!!!!1
    Love your photos!!!!!!!
    ~ Autumn.

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  15. Looks like you were having fun. Wish I could have soaked up some sun with you :)

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  16. I heart all this photos! looks like you had an amazing trip!

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  17. Wow!!! It looks like you had fun! Beautiful pictures, great job!! :D

    Jedi~Chick <3

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  18. Wow! Looks like a blast! I love the photo looking out of the plane and the colors on the donuts photos is great!

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  19. LOOKS like you had a blast! We are thinking about doing a cruise sometime this year :) All that food looks SOOO Good too:D

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  20. LOVE this post, Polka Dot! The pictures are fabulous. Wow. Can't wait to see more! :)

    <3

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  21. Hey beautiful!!!

    It looked like you had such a lovely time!! And I missed you so much!! Bring that book tomorrow!! I want to read it!!!!!!! :D

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  22. What a marvelous vacation away from this wintry weather. You are lucky. ;)


    And btw... I got the adorable compact mirror in the mail recently!~ Thank you again! I love it... of course. ;)

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  23. GACK. That looks entirely incredible. All the food looks l.o.v.e.l.y.
    And I'm seriously envying your tan.
    And I look forward to reading your post on the Highschool Musical trilogy! (The Boys are Back is such a cute song.)

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  24. Wow! I am jealous... ;). Beautiful pictures!

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  25. all three HSM movies in a blog post? yes. i was a total HSM groupie, so i can't wait to hear your take on it. ;)
    and yes, that is all i got out of your amazing post. looks like ya'll had so much fun! take me next time, okay?
    Sarah-Anne

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  26. Such great photos!! I <3 Mexico too!
    xo
    Alisha

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  27. Beautiful pictures! It's been forever since we've been on vacation, and I have the travel bug. So I have to live out my travel dreams through other people. :) I'm watching the episode "Lucy Goes to Mexico" right now, coincidentally.

    ~Kristin

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  28. Oh my word, I want donuts now.
    Can't wait to see the rest of your pictures! :)

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  29. All of your photos are beautiful!!

    And thanks for voting for me! =)

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  30. Looks amazing! & your photos are perfection! I adore your blog. You had me from the moment I saw the name of your blog :)
    ~Angel @livinginaperrytale.com

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  31. Heheh! I love how it says "Do you need a bodyguard?" and then the picture right below it is the iguana! :P
    He's pretty cute though, I wouldn't mind him as a pet. :D

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  32. I think I want to go on a cruise just to eat the food. MY. GOODNESS.

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  33. This was amazing! Makes me want to go there even more. I'm trying to learn Spanish so that I can go on a mission to Mexico some day. Praying about it! (:
    Thanks for lightening up my day with your lovely blog. I loved looking at some old posts of yours - the regency tea, and vintage dance. I want to organize some events like that badly... hopefully sometime! ;)

    In Christ,
    Hannah

    P.S. feel free to er, check out my blog *cough cough* - not that I want you to, or anything :P

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  34. Love your blog post (love your blog!)
    I was wondering about your totally awesome camera strap!!! Where did you get that? I really want one of my own now! =D

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