Mexican Cruise with Lindsey's new In-Laws

Lindsey's new in-laws, Kelly and Nadine Coy, asked Julie and I to go on a Mexican Riviera cruise with them and some of their friends and family. It was a great time to get to know them better. We went out from Long Beach so we got to stop in and be with my mom for her birthday. (Yes, the cruise was November last year, 2008. Life has been busy.)

Had to try the soft serve ice cream as soon as we got on board.

Fun with the Gang.

Hand-and-Foot was one of the favorite passtimes.

Our first stop...Puerto Vallarta.

Zip-line through the jungle.

Julie is so brave.
Interacting with the statues along the promenade.

Our second port...Matzatlan. The day began with a van tour of the island.

The markets were tempting.

But we waited for a real lunch, complete with Mariachis.

The cliff divers were worth the wait (and the big tip)

Nothing says MEXICO like a bunch of souvenir shops.

Ah..."all-you-can-eat" becomes a reality

Our third port was Cabo San Lucas where we tried parasailing

Lunch at The Office

A quick ride back to the ship...

...and another sunset.

Our last day at sea started slow...

..but ended with a great night of Philipinos singing

Beatles, Led Zephlin and disco hits.

We danced 'til our feet were sore.

Venice - September 9th

The hotel we stayed at was right on one of the canels

but the courtyard...

would never lead you to believe it.

The streets were picturesque

and the shops interesting.

But Venice is all about the water.

(and tourists)

Take a picture of me! (must be Taiwanese)

The canels truely sustain daily life in Venice.

the bus stop

mail truck

police (giving out tickets)

taxi

delivery truck

supply truck

lumber truck

freeways

and traffic jambs.

Even to cross the "street"

you needed a boy scout with a gondola.

Like the rest of Italy...

beauty was everywhere

and artists...

tried to capture it.

Some art just seemed to happen.

We were lucky just to be there.

A most unforgettable trip...

for which we are extremely grateful.