Monday, May 16, 2011

Graduation Vacation

As a graduation gift, my parents sent us on a 7-day Caribbean cruise to a private island in Haiti, Jamaica, the Grand Cayman Islands, and Cozumel, Mexico! We had such a wonderful time and to top it off, we went to Harry Potter World in Universal Studios and the Magic Kingdom in Disney World before we came home. College was definitely worth it :)



Boarding the ship


Inside the ship


Delicious food in the Windjammer Cafe



This is what Jeff was excited about...


This is what I was excited about...






Love Connection Drinks at the Piano Bar :)


Escargot...Bleh!





Freedom of the Seas-2nd Largest Ship in the World


Kayaking in a Local Haitian Village






I felt like I was in a Vacation Magazine...it was so relaxing





Tubing down the White River in Jamaica..."Ya Mon!"



We were soaking wet after climbing the 600 ft. cascading waterfall of Dunns River Falls




On our way to swim with Stingrays


See the dark spots in the water? All Stingrays!


Kissing and holding ocean stingrays




Turtle Farm




This turtle was SO heavy...hence my huge muscles ;)



We had the amazing experience to swim with Dolphins! We weren't allowed to take pictures with our own camera, and the price for those they took was 30 dollars each, but we figured we had to have this one :)


The water is so clear, you can see to the bottom!



Weird art on the Ship...who knows?


I've grown accustomed to having a towel on my bed each night, folded into a unique animal shape. Now that I'm home, I'm having withdrawals. If you know of any local towel folding classes, sign us up.




Cozumel, MX


Snorkeling in Mexico by catamaran



More Sunsets


We loved the ice skating rink on the cruise ship, all except that we had to wear these lovely helmets.


A talent we picked up on our vacation...we'll have to teach you sometime.


If you don't like Harry Potter, you might not be quite as interested in the following blog pictures as we are. And if this is the case, we will also have to disown you as friends ;) We had the most AmAzInG time in Harry Potter World in Universal Studios, FL after our cruise and felt like we were in the J.K Rowling books. From Zonkos Joke Shop to Hogwarts 9 3/4, everything was there. If you're looking for a magical time, we would highly recommend it.


Entering Harry Potter World



Bertie Botts Every Flavor Beans


Inside Honeydukes Candy Shop in Hogsmead


My new favorite Treat:



Hogwarts!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


I can now say I've eaten at the Three Broomsticks :)


When I ordered a turkey leg and a Butterbeer in the Three Broomsticks, I didn't quite visualize it like this.




The Hogshead


The Mirror of Erised


Ice Cream Break at Universal


Part 3 of Graduation Vacation: *Magic Kingdom*

Our All Sport's DIsney Resort Hotel






Towels inside our Hotel Room...they're not animals, but they ARE Mickey, which is better anyway




I couldn't decide which hat was best, so I tried them all...





Ice Cream somehow tastes better when it's in the shape of Mickey Mouse





...and they lived *Happily Ever After*