Catch up with friends in Orlando

I had the morning and early part of the afternoon before I needed to check into the Waldorf Astoria for the Sales Conference. I was able to go on a walk around the St Cloud Lakefront and catch up with my friend Erin Pratt. They have completely re-done the lakefront there and it was really nice.

I then drove to purchase some shoes from DSW since I forgot to pack some for the Sales Conference for one of my outfits. I was lucky I didn't miss anything else considering I had to pack for 2 completely different types of trips.

I went and got ready and drove to Winter Park to meet with my friend Brianna Hill. We ate at Jimmy Hula's which was super yummy. It was my first time holding her cutie Bridgette which is funny because I have seen her multiple times before that. I am so luck to have such great friends!

Southern Caribbean Cruise: Ship Time

We had a great time on this ship - Carnival Breeze - the only thing disappointing was the fact that the entertainment (singers) were really not good.

Juevos Rancheros

Ashley's birthday present from us - BINGO

Check out the ship sales - reminds me of Black Friday. One lady even fainted while waiting for the sale to begin

Relaxation

It was a really nice ship

Ah the serenity level

One of the dress up nights

Love eating

Birthday Girl

Birthday Cake celebrating Ashley's birthday

Loved our waiters - they just kept bringing us out more and more food, even if we didn't order anything. 

Southern Caribbean Cruise: Aruba

I really loved this little island. I could go back here for sure. It is only about 20 miles away from Venezuela. It is really near Curacao and so they have the same type of influence. We did another bus tour. I of course really wanted to go snorkeling as it looked incredible. But I had to go with the majority here. I found this jeep tour that I really wanted to do but they never got back to me. There is this really pretty Natural Pool that is only accessible through jeep and I would like to go there next time in Aruba. The tour had 3 stops...

1) volcano lava formations

2) aloe plant

3) lighthouse

edible fruit

These cool trees always point north and it is due to the wind

furniture made of the tree above - it is very strong

Lava formations

Aloe Plant farm

They make all sorts of things with aloe - it was a very interesting tour

our crazy bus that we took the tour in

snorkeling spots 

This car was so funny - it was painted in chalkboard paint and the people wanted everyone to write something on it

lovely art work of Omar's...I ditto his comment - Aruba was truly one happy island

Southern Caribbean Cruise: Curacao

We struggled with what to do at this port because of the time we were there. We arrived at 2pm and were to leave at 11pm. Everything that we were interested in doing would already be done by then.  A friend of mine is going on this same cruise next month and she booked through Irie tours a City tour for $20/pp. Not bad. We reserved our spot through that company but found out that all the shops close by 6:30pm and so we would not be able to shop at all if we were to go on the tour for when it was scheduled.  So we decided to get there and play everything by ear.

The port area is very charming. Curacao is a dutch island. The people there speak 4 languages just like they do in Aruba. Spanish, English, Dutch, and then their own language that I can’t recall what it is. There is this really cool bridge that swings back and forth all day to let ships through. 

Omar & I on the bridge

Jeron and Omar riding the bridge as it swings back and forth

We decided to go on a bus tour. The tour was really not that great. I asked a lot of questions but they really didn't know any of the answers. I guess that is what you get for ditching your orginal tour we had planned. The tour took us to the liqueur market, an overview of the boat yard and then over to a beach.

The Riverboat market

The Gingerbread House

Ashley and I

Me & Pookie

Omar always seems to catch random girls in the pictures he takes...hmmm....