Saturday February 8, 2014

Left for the Salt Lake airport at 6:15 AM, after a two hour layover in Las Vegas we arrived in New Orleans at 4:00 PM.  We stayed at the Embassy Suites Convention Center.  We ate dinner at the Café Soule in the French Quarter.  Bourbon Street is extremely sleazy, full of bars, strip clubs and stupid drunk people, we quickly escaped.  We enjoyed walking around the French Quarter, its architecture and vibe.

Recommendation:  Don’t rent a car.  We paid $40 parking at the hotel, $20 in valet tips and $15 public parking at the French Quarter.

Sunday February 9, 2014

Attended the New Orleans 1^st Ward in the Garden District section of the city.  The members were very inviting, welcoming and accustomed to visitors.  The ward had eight missionaries attending.  Ross dropped the family off at the ship and returned the rental car.  He ran 1.6 miles to get to the ship. 

Monday February 10, 2014 – At Sea

Tuesday February 11, 2014 – Cozumel Mexico

Ross:  Two tank scuba excursion.  Beautiful and awe inspiring.  First dive 75 feet, second dive 45 feet.  Took a large gulp of sea water and vomited. 

Jacob & Michael: Discover diving.  The boys were the only two on the excursion so they had a private class with a certified dived master.  After a brief introduction to the equipment, they dove to 35 feet.  After the dive they snuck into a nearby resort and enjoyed themselves until they were caught and asked to leave.

Kristi, Carly & Hannah:  Swim with Dolphins.  

Wednesday February 12, 2014 - Belize

After a 50 mile bus ride through poverty and uninteresting countryside we arrived at the New River.  We were served a Belizean lunch of rice, beans, chicken and coleslaw next to the river.  We then boarded a long boat with two 225 horsepower outboard motors and began the journey up the river.  We hit speeds of 25-30 MPH on the narrow jungle river, very fun.  After the 30 minute boat ride we arrived at the Lamanai Mayan site.  Howler monkeys were in the trees near the temple.  Their loud, guttural howls which were quite freaky. 

The three temples were very steep, ascending was difficult but descending was scary.  It was very, very hot and humid. 

We left the ship at 8:30 AM and returned at 5:30 PM, completely exhausted.

Thursday February 13, 2014 – Roatan Honduras

We attended the Gumbalimba wildlife park.  All the animals in the park are not caged so you they are in their natural habitat which was a completely different experience.  Monkeys, parrots, macaws and iguanas.  After the tour we swam in the ocean and pool.

Friday February 14, 2014 – Costa Maya Mexico

We were all exhausted and needed a relaxing day so we spent the day at the Senior Frogg resort.  We enjoyed snorkeling, kayaking and getting sunburned.