Looking Back: 2010 Carnival Legend Cruise, Part 2

 

Yesterday I began to take a trip down memory lane and shared some of the highlights from my 2010 Western Caribbean Cruise with you.  Today that continues with the final – equally exciting and even more exotic – stops of the cruise.

Our next destination was Belize. The activity choices for this port-of-call included zip-lining (almost did this – next time for sure!), cave-tubing and hiking to name a few. We chose to visit the Mayan ruins of Altun Ha and explore the River Wallace.

Wake-up call for Belize was super early, so this was our balcony view when our alarm went off:

Needless to say, I was a bit grouchy. But… the view was still so gorgeous I got over it. Before I knew it we were off -our first stop, the ruins of Altun Ha.  This site was first occupied somewhere around 200 B.C., with construction ending in 900 A.D. More information on the history of the site can be found here if you are interested.

Temple of the Masonry Altars - we were able to climb to the top later!

View of Temples B6, B5 and B3 from atop the Temple of Masonry Altars

This next photo gives you a good idea of the size of the structures – look at that tour group and how small they are compared to the temple itself.

That is the Temple of Green Tomb in the center.

Being able to actually climb the Temple and look out on the rest of the site was just spectacular.

Upon leaving Altun Ha we headed to the Black Orchid Resort for some lunch and the River Wallace Tour.

Being the nature lover that I am, my favorite part of the day was the tour of the river. There was wildlife everywhere. As soon as we left the dock we saw the guy below, and he set the tone for the rest of the tour.

Although we caught site of some manatees I wasn’t able to snap a photo in time, but I did manage to capture more crocodiles and an iguana (I think).

And my favorite: BLACK HOWLER MONKEYS! I was just a tiny bit excited by these, can you tell?

Then, all too soon, we were headed back to the ship.

We came back to yet another seductive towel animal…

… and caught another beautiful sunset before the day was over.

In my last post, I mentioned that Cozumel was almost heaven on earth. I say almost because Roatan, Honduras actually is heaven on earth. I am convinced that is true.

I have written about the Santé Wellness Centre (which is where we spent most of our time in Roatan) on the blog before. I won’t tell you about the amazing spa experience I had there again – but I will share some images of the beautiful island. Tell me this doesn’t look like heaven.

AHH - MAZ- ING

Just some local wildlife... so cool.

Look at how clear that water is...

I want to live here.

It doesn't get more relaxing than this...

... and this.

Hello front yard of my dreams...

I had to be dragged back to the ship kicking and screaming after this port-of-call.

Please don't make me go.

Back on board the ship another towel animal awaited… as did another sunset.

Fluffier than the real stingray I kissed (7 years GOOD luck if you kiss one!)

The next day was our final day at sea. Appropriately enough, it was also the roughest day at sea. You can’t really see it well in the photo below, but the waves were rough. It was kind of like being on a roller coaster, which was OK because 1) I didn’t get seasick and 2) I love roller coasters!

Choppy seas

Mr. Walrus was our final towel animal of the trip. I think he was as sad as I was for it to be over.

Please don't go...

Finally, a perfect sunset to end a perfect vacation.

And it was over... just like that.

Thank you for indulging my trip down memory lane… anyone else want to go on a cruise after all that? I think Alaska sounds good… 🙂

{ 25 comments… add one }

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  • JTwisdom March 16, 2011, 11:55 PM

    I know I’m saying it again but gorgeous pictures. The colors of the parrot is pretty amazing. You look like you had a wonderful time. I am going through my clothes and getting my packing situated because I don’t want to carry a lot of stuff on the cruise.

    An Alaskan cruise sounds great. I would love to take a train ride through the Alaskan mountains.

    Reply
    • Beautifully Invisible March 28, 2011, 5:06 PM

      I hope you have a blast on your cruise – I want to hear all about it when you return in April!

      Reply
  • Casee Marie March 12, 2011, 4:47 PM

    Ahhh, I want to go to there! (Sorry, I have Liz Lemon tendencies.) Everything looks amazing, including that crazy early sunrise. Gosh, you’re making me develop a love of tropics. I didn’t need more places to add to my travel-list considering what a hermit I am! I’ll never get it all done.

    But really, this was such a delight to see a bit of your trip through your lens. Oh, and the towel animals remind me of when I went to Disneyworld when I was ten. My sister and I had brought our favorite stuffed animals so our sweet maid dressed them up in towels every day and made little scenes. I remember taking pictures of everything every night, and we made sure to get our picture taken with the maid too. It was all terribly cute.

    Anyway, happy cruiseaversary and thanks for sharing it with us!

    P.S. Hiii, you! xo

    Reply
    • Beautifully Invisible March 14, 2011, 6:10 PM

      Thanks Casee – the trip was definitely an unforgettable experience. I am glad that so many of you enjoyed my trip down memory lane!

      The trip made ME develop a new love for teh tropics. Costa Rica is on my to-visit list. And Roatan again. And Jamaica. And St. Thomas. And lots of other places. 🙂

      Can you believe I’ve never been to Disney? (Land nor World). What a cute memory though – those pictures must be adorable!

      Reply
  • lauren March 11, 2011, 2:04 PM

    Those were some gorgeous photos… reminds me a lot of Miami. The clear water, the blue sky, sand, towel animals (lol.)

    Glad to see you enjoyed your trip.

    Reply
    • Beautifully Invisible March 14, 2011, 6:07 PM

      Thanks for stopping by and commenting Lauren! I’ve actually never been to Miami. One day!

      Reply
  • Eboni Ife' March 11, 2011, 12:33 PM

    1. It is so nice to see your beautiful face! Hiiii B.!

    2. I am so jealous. Do you know I have NEVER traveled anywhere outside of the US. Yes, I am one of THOSE Americans. Ugh! Fortunately, my hubby is very well traveled and he has tons of family in France and Martinique. I’ve got my passport and I am ready to get this travelin’ party started! I am going to forward this to the hubby. We are also wildlife fanatics. He is gonna love those crocodile shots. We have got to put Belize on our list of places to go!

    Reply
    • Beautifully Invisible March 14, 2011, 6:07 PM

      1. Thank you! Hi :)))))

      2. Belize is amazing and the crocodiles are everywhere. You guys should go on a safari though if you are wildlife fanatics, now THAT is a dream! I’ve traveled outside the U.S. a few times and its always a wonderful experience – I am looking forward to reading about your adventures one day!

      Reply
  • Elle March 10, 2011, 8:15 PM

    OMG these are GORGEOUS. I want to travel more SO MUCH now. I miss the clear seas of the carribean- (though granted living in Florida isn’t too shabby). Belize looks amazing though, and I love the towel animals- the manta ray is my favorite! I saw a ton of them at Atlantis in the Bahamas and they’re so much fun to watch.

    Reply
    • Beautifully Invisible March 14, 2011, 6:05 PM

      When we went to Grand Cayman we went to a place called Stingray City, and they swim ALL around you. It’s quite freaky, actually – you have to watch where you walk so you don’t step on one. To say I was nervous would be an understatement. But eventually I was petting one, and even kissed it for good luck. Definitely an experience I will never forget!

      Reply
  • Tanvi March 10, 2011, 7:38 PM

    I have never been on a cruise and your post has got me all dreaming!!!

    Tanvi
    from © tanvii.com

    Reply
  • Terri March 10, 2011, 6:39 PM

    I love the photo of the parrot. I’ve cruised in the Caribbean twice, but enjoyed one to Alaska even more. Sometimes I think it has to do with the time of year you visit. The Caribbean cruises were in the cold part of the year at home; my Alaska cruise was in August, a welcome respite from the hot & humid weather back home.

    Reply
    • Beautifully Invisible March 14, 2011, 6:02 PM

      I imagine the scenery in Alaska would be even more breath-taking than that in the Caribbean. I am hoping to make that my next cruise vacation.

      I agree about the time of the year being a factor. Our cruise was also when it was cold back home, so it just added a whole level of “awesome” to the experience.

      Reply
  • Kori March 10, 2011, 4:24 PM

    Such gorgeous photos honey! I’ve never been on a cruise! I’m having a new giveaway to celebrate Spring! Enter if you haven’t already! Kori xoxo

    http://www.blondeepisodes.com/2011/03/spring-break-giveaway.html

    Reply
  • THE-LOUDMOUTH March 10, 2011, 4:08 PM

    Amazing. So so amazing. These photos left me speechless!

    I’ve never been on a cruise, and I’ve definitely never traveled to somewhere so luxuriously tropical. It’s on my bucket list now for sure.

    Thanks for giving us little bits of you 🙂 lovin’ it!

    The-Loudmouth.com
    Twitter @theloudermouth

    Reply
    • Beautifully Invisible March 14, 2011, 5:59 PM

      Definitely do it if you can – its an unforgettable experience that certainly deserves a place on anyone’s bucket list! Hope you had fun in Vegas, babe!

      Reply
  • Fabienne Jach March 10, 2011, 4:06 PM

    I only have to words for you: Hellz Yeah!

    Reply
  • Katy Rose March 10, 2011, 4:04 PM

    Loving these pictures! They are just gorgeous. And you certainly have me wishing a tropical vacation was in my future. – Katy

    Reply
    • Beautifully Invisible March 14, 2011, 5:58 PM

      Thanks Katy, I am glad you enjoyed them. The only baas part about putting these posts together was that now I want to go on another cruise even more badly than before!

      Reply
  • GRIT & GLAMOUR March 10, 2011, 3:12 PM

    Wow! I’m so jealous! And there you are in a photo too…love when we get a peek of you!

    Um, I want to be transported to that place, right now! And the towel animals are proof that creativity needn’t be expensive. Need to learn to do that for my little niece and nephew.

    ••V••
    http://www.gritandglamour.com
    @gritandglamour

    Reply