Caribbean Cruise: Cozumel and Return to New Orleans

First of all, and with gratitude to God, I'm healed! Surgery for carpal tunnel syndrome and De Quervain's tendonitis was successful, and I can finally get back to writing my blog, snapping photos, making jewelry, sewing (doing housework, weeding the garden -- yuck!). I had to wear a cast for 10 days after surgery, but now I'm cast-free and have only small scars on my wrist. Thank you, Dr. Todd Clarke of Beaumont, Texas!

ON TO COZUMEL!
Neely and I signed up for an X-rail car expedition to see the country behind this port city. Here's one of our guides in front of an X-rail car:

and here's Neely preparing to drive the X-rail (no way was I going to drive!), complete with helmet and bandanna -- These excursions are unbelievably dusty!

Our destination was the beautiful "Jade Caverns." We descended a stairway from the trail to find a jade green pool.

The pool is not totally enclosed, though -- The cavern's ceiling is partially open, and tropical vegetation grows on the rim:


I can't describe the peace and serenity of this place. Sunlight poured through holes in the cavern's ceiling, filtered through green ferns and palms, glimmered with the water's jade color.
Too soon, we left this oasis and forged our way back along a dusty trail. Our guides led us to another low cavern where they pointed out coral formations on the ceiling. This entire area was undersea in eons past. No photos here -- I'm a bit claustrophobic and the cavern's ceiling was a bit too low for my comfort!

After the X-rail adventure, a short bus ride took us back to the port. Cozumel is the stereotypical cruise port city, packed with tourists who have a few U.S. dollars to spend and vendors competing to collect same. We found Andrea and Patrick enjoying the main street. They had purchased a few loose diamonds in another port, and Andrea found the perfect setting for her new "rocks":

Perhaps because it was our last port of call and I was tired of haggling for "best price," but I didn't enjoy the street's energy. We made our way to Pancho's restaurant -- a shady, peaceful retreat from the noisy, sunwashed vibe of the street. Margaritas were plentiful and delicious, and we ordered a little bit of good food to wash them down!


Yikes! I look like I've spent a week in the Outback, but I couldn't miss a photo op with my favorite son-in-law Pat!

Cozumel bid us farewell with a glorious sunset at sea:

and New Orleans welcomed us home with an equally glorious sunrise:

Yep, we must be back in New Orleans!
I'm thankful in so many ways for this memorable trip: to God, who makes all things possible -- to my dear husband Neely, who gave us these memories -- and to my sweet daughter Andrea and my wonderful son-in-law Pat, who joined us and made the trip so special for us.
Kids, where shall we go on our next trip -- Alaska???

Caribbean Cruise: Belize City

Apologia--
Unfortunately, our wonderful cruise flew by at light speed, whereas my blogging about it proceeds at a snail's pace. Would that the reverse were true! In self defense, I'll say that severe carpal tunnel syndrome and de Quervain's tendonitis have hampered just about everything I've done lately. Next Thursday, I'll undergo surgery to correct both problems. As for now, onward to Belize while the pain meds are working!

Belize City is beautiful, embraced by brilliant turquoise water that we've come to expect in the Caribbean (which may explain why the port of Santo Tomas was not so lovely, at least to my eyes).

A very short bus ride from the port city took us deep within Belize's tropical rain forests. Our destination was Altun Ha, the site of Mayan ruins. An easy walk to the ruins hinted at wonders to come:


Unlike those at Chachoban, near Costa Maya, Altun Ha's ruins have not been fully excavated. The result is awe-inspiring -- ruins covered by verdant green and hedged closely by untamed rain forest.












If not for all the other Indiana Jones wanna-be's climbing the ruins, I could easily imagine being the archeologist in charge of an exciting dig.

I really loved being in this sacred space. The photos can't convey its other-worldly beauty:


Can you see the face in the Mayan stone carving below?

Here it is:

After we left the ruins, we traveled by bus to a way-station on the Belize River

. . . where we enjoyed lunch while this fellow skillfully mowed the lawn with a machete:

After lunch, we boarded this boat for a trip down the river back to Belize City.

We marveled at the lush riverbank's mangrove trees and birds. . .



for only a few miles before we experienced a deluge of Biblical proportions! You must take my word that the rest of the river was equally beautiful. My camera made the rest of the trip encased in a plastic rain poncho! (My Nikon and Fuji digital cameras are both fine, despite being soaked in tropical downpours.)

Back at Belize City, we met Andrea and Patrick who were quite happy after imbibing a rum-filled coconut! They had the full Belize city experience, thanks to a friendly cab driver who showed them the sights all day for $20 U.S. and a beer ("I'll take you to a place where you can buy 3 beers for $5." Hmmm -- wonder who should drink the third beer?)

We all agreed -- We all want to see more of Belize. I think we will be back at some time in the future! Meanwhile, on to Cozumel and our last port of call!

Caribbean Cruise: Costa Maya, Mexico

We were at sea the evening of day one and all of day two. Those who know me, know that I can't swim a lick! Imagine being a non-swimmer and surrounded on all sides by the Gulf of Mexico's inky blue fathoms:


Yikes! My primal fear of water was not allayed by the ship's safety drill requiring all passengers to muster in life vests. But soon enough, I became accustomed to the gentle rocking of the ship, and my comfort level was greatly increased when I discovered the first-rate pina coladas at the tiki bar on top deck!

Day three found us in Costa Maya, Mexico:



This port took a direct hit from a hurricane a few years ago and is still recovering. But the port facility has been repaired beautifully and provides plenty of places to dine and shop:


The HIGHLIGHT of Costa Maya was our excursion to the Chacchoben Mayan Ruins. We boarded a bus for the one-hour trip across coastal marshes to the ruins, tucked deep within a rain forest. The serenity of this ancient and sacred place is awe-inspiring:




Son-in-law Pat, daughter Andrea, and Hubby listened while our very knowledgable tour guide, Diana Garcia, discussed the Mayan temples:


Hubby and I felt a bit like Indiana Jones when we scaled this wall -- It's steeper than it looks:


-- But we made it! Here we are at the top:

Too soon, it was time to return to port and board our ship, the Norwegian Spirit:

Farewell to Costa Maya:

Next stop -- Santo Tomas de Castilla, Guatemala!