June 11, 2005 Castaway Cay
Pat and I got up early again and head over to the 10th deck to make sure we are going to be able to dock at Castaway Cay. We did not get to dock two years ago due to high winds and seas, and it had been pretty windy during the night. However, I watched the captain rotate the ship and backed it into port. I am truly amazed at his skills. I can hardly back my car out of the driveway. I recently removed the light portion of my sideview mirror backing out of the driveway. We headed down to breakfast at BBB and then went to get the kids up. I suited up promptly and sun screened myself thoroughly with SPF 30. I was not about to miss a full day on the beach. Pat went to make sure the kids got up, ate and packed their snorkels and stuff for CC. He’s not a beach fan, so he’s not too concerned about getting on the beach first. In my zeal of planning and packing, I packed Grace and Rachel’s snorkels and swim fins from when we went to Hawaii. I gave them to Neil for his birthday back in November, on the sly, and to Camille at her graduation, and to Marco after he landed in and got to our house.
I packed a bag with my waterproof camera, one for the kids, an inflatable swim ring, some chapstick, and got a towel from the hunka hunka burning love Cabana Man (new term for CM). Olay Olay, Olay Olay, Hot, Hot Hot, sing with me now. I don’t care if the kids are sleeping the day away, I am on the beach. The sun was peeking out through the clouds and some haze. I found five great chairs for the seven of, as I knew Grace and Rachel never use one, they stay in the water too long. It was already getting hot, so I headed out to the water and found Tess and her daughter Scarlet already out there too. They had rented an inner tube so Scarlet could float and I knew as soon as Grace and Rachel saw it they would want them too.
About an hour and a half later (teen time), they all showed up and headed out to the water to cool off. I got everyone ready for snorkeling. Neil and Marco had never tried it before so it was pretty funny to see them trying to walk in the flippers. Marco likes to play basketball and other sports, but to see him struggle with the flippers was laugh out loud funny. Ok, me bad.
Grace and Rachel were way out in the ocean with theirs, flipping and breathing all around. Final verdict: Neil loved it, Marco and Camille did not. So I put Camille’s stuff on and headed out for an hour of peacefulness, searching for the Mickey underwater. Rachel and Scarlet played in the water for a while. Grace floated in her inner tube. I did not know that she was not sufficiently sun screened and she ended up getting big sunburn. Neil did too, especially on his back, from snorkeling while he was face down in the water. They both blistered and peeled pretty big during the week.
Lunch at Cookies BBQ was delicious. My favorite food group was well represented with potato salad. Marco ate ribs, another favorite of his, in addition to pasta. The girls tried the hot dogs and hamburgers and said they were good. We found the ice cream station after lunch and that was really good. The fresh fruit station was awesome, with lots of fresh pineapple and melons.
Pat left CC at 2:00 and went back to the ship to cancel our Palo reservations. We were having too much fun with Zoran and the kids at dinner. Around 3:30 I think we started packing up and stopped off to look at beach towels. I suggested that the girls only buy souvenirs that have a purpose instead of something that will sit around their rooms collecting dust. Like I would dust. So they picked out one each. We all took showers and took naps before dinner and got somewhat packed for our last night in CC. I really hate the last night because you have to pack up.
Pat and I went to Treasure Catch so I could get my Christmas ornament signed by the captain. Marco, Neil and Camille tried final bingo for the big win, only they did not. Marco is now imitating some of the audience participation with the bingo caller. Grace and Neil are very uncomfortable at dinner with their big sunburns. I whipped out the ibuprofen and aloe gel out of my purse.
Our dinner for our last night was in Tritons. Tritons is a French cuisine. So of course, escargots are on the menu. Some in the group were adventuresome. I was not. I am not going to put a snail in my mouth. Sorry. Not going to happen. Not enough Bahama Mamas on board for me to get it past my lips and throat. Neil and Pat ordered them. Upon arrival, they are inspected, sniffed and then they eat one or two. Marco bravely eats one. And keeps it down. Grace tried one too.
Rachel, Camille and I bow out gracefully. That’s okay, I’m good. I’ve got plenty here to sustain me till the big beef and potato dinner appears.
And it is good. Dessert is delicious, chocolate soufflé.
We finish dinner and head back to our cabin to pack. Rachel’s packed quickly and wants to go to the movies again. Grace is pretty well packed, but Camille is Organizationally Challenged. She brought enough makeup to share with the entire ship and it was all over the cabin. She’s very pretty and doesn’t need all that she puts on, but she insists she needs it. Wrinkle cream at 23. I just laugh. Neil goes in to help her pack. Suitcases have to be out in the hall by 11 and she’s cutting it close. Neil does the final zip and out it goes into the hallway.
The kids watch a movie in the boy’s room till 1:00 and they all go to bed.