A Caribbean Dream: a photo shot of my trip

Last winter I was lucky enough to be able to take part in what was the holiday off a lifetime, A 2 week holiday to Florida and the Caribbean!



Florida:
London - Fort Lauderdale:


We arrived in Fort Lauderdale after a 2 leg flight from London.
London - Toronto - Fort Lauderdale



Our first day in Fort Lauderdale was spent exploring the area, which involved a massive long walk to the beach front, where we ate lunch in this wonderful cafe, where the chairs and tables swung back and forth (not advisable for while you are actually trying to eat however).

After lunch we continued walking along the sea front and then did a little shopping and browsing in the Galleria shopping Mall.



Exploring Fort Lauderdale:


On our second day in Fort Lauderdale we decided to explore the Intra-costal waterways. Fort Lauderdale in made up of several large waterways, on which is built an amazing array of beautiful houses. You can also get to different parts of the city on the water taxi, as it has a hop-on-hop-off service.


Here is a photo of me and mum on the water taxi.


In the evening we did a night time boat tour called the Jungle Queen, this involved a night time trip along the waterways to a small island, where you got dinner and watched a show.

The Cruise:
Boarding the Ship:

Next on our trip was the cruise. We boarded the boat and were shown to our cabin. It was all very surreal.


While waiting for the ship to leave we started exploring and here is a photo of me at the back of the ship.


As the ship left the dock we waved goodbye to the people on the shore and to Fort Lauderdale.




New Years Eve:


Our first night on the boat just happened to be New Years Eve 2011. This was a pudding we had at dinner.


This is me before seeing in the New Year. And this is the outfit I wore.



A Day at Sea:


The next day was a day at sea. 


We explored the ship, did some swimming and sunbathing and ate...a lot.


Grand Turk, Turks & Caicos Islands:


Our first stop was Grand Turk in the Turks and Caicos and it looked like a paradise.


We opted to do a tour of the island, to take in the history and see everything this little island had to offer.


After the tour we headed to the beach and enjoyed the white sand and clear waters, as you can from the photo above. You also get a glimpse of some of our beautiful ship.



San Juan, Puerto Rico:


Our second stop was San Juan, Puerto Rico, and for our excursion on this day we had planned something completely different. To the rainforest.

When choosing our excursions before we left the UK we decided to do things that would show us the most or would be something unique that we might not get the opportunity to do often, if ever.

So we chose the rainforest.


The rainforest was hot and sticky but the views were amazing, and its something I will always remember.


After our trip to the rainforest we had the chance to explore San Juan by night. We ate, shopped and soaked up the atmosphere before heading back to the ship.



St Thomas, USVI:


Next stop was St Thomas on the US Virgin Islands.


We opted to do a mini tour of the island, first took us high up in the mountains and up to Drakes Seat, where Sir Francis Drake used to sit to spy on enemy ships.



Next it was on to Magens Bay, one of the top 10 beaches in the world. It was beautiful and so relaxing and peaceful. We stayed here a while, soaking up the sunshine.

Next it was onto a rum distillery, and amber waterfall before a coffee and back to the ship.


Day at Sea:


Next was another day at sea, where we relaxed, read, took classes, did some sunbathing and enjoyed the views.




Half Moon Cay, Bahamas:


Our last stop on the trip was Half Moon Cay in the Bahamas, a private island.

I found this fab little sign which shows just how far away I was from home.

The first thing we did was a nature walk, which took us around the island, we saw historical ruins, beautiful wildlife and I even dipped my toe in shark infested waters!


Next it was on to the beach, for hours in the beautiful sunshine paradise.



How beautiful is this picture?


Disembarking:


Leaving the ship was sad, but it was onto our next adventure. This is the sunrise in Fort Lauderdale as the ship docked.


This was our room on the MS Eurodam.





Back in Florida:
The Everglades:


As soon as we disembarked the ship, it was off on our next adventure, a tour of the Everglades.



I was even brave enough to hold a baby alligator.



More Fort Lauderdale:


For our second stay in Fort Lauderdale our hotel was right on the beach front (our previous one had been close to the port so it was easy for us to get to the ship for the cruise).


We went back to our favourite cafe with the swinging chairs for lunch.


And in the evening we watched our ship leave from the beach.

For the next few days we enjoyed the sunshine, spent the rest of our holiday money in the mall and enjoyed wandering Las Olas Boulevard. Not to mention the food!

I hope you enjoyed this quick blow by blow account of my trip, I was so lucky to be able to go on this holiday and I am so grateful for all the wonderful places I saw. I am now saving hard so that one day soon I can do another amazing holiday just like this!

Have you been on an amazing trip? I would love to hear about it, let me know in the comments below :)

If you enjoyed this post, then please check out the video below :)




2 comments:

  1. Looks like you had a lovely time! My husband and I are planning a 3 day hiking trip this fall, it'll be our first trip sans kids in 8 years!

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    1. Sounds wonderful, where are you planning on going hiking? Me and my boyfriend did a short mini break to the Lake District here in the UK in March and it was wonderful (if not a little snowy back in March!)

      Have a wonderful trip!

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