Cruising the Caribbean for Christmas

Christmas Under the Sea, Cozumel (Photo: Paul Getchel)

Nothing like a warm-up before Christmas. We recently returned from a cruise to the Western Caribbean with port stops at Grand Cayman, Roatan, Cozumel and Princess Cays (actually in the Bahamas). Sixteen of us travelled together to celebrate my brother Paul's 50th birthday.

Sting Ray City, Grand Cayman (Photo: Paul Getchel)

If you haven't cruised, you don't know what you're missing. It's the quickest way to release those tense shoulder and neck muscles. While we enjoyed the balmy tropical climate, the folks at home froze—in fact six inches of snow fell. After two relaxing days at sea, four fun-filled activities at ports of call, seven days of being pampered and fed the finest fresh food, we dreaded the return to reality, but arrived rested and ready to dive into life.

Gumbalimba Park, Roatan

Our cruise route to and from the Western Caribbean navigated the waters north of Cuba along the Florida Straits. On the return eastward through the straits the ship made a complete stop and announced they spotted a small boat in which there appeared to be a person in distress. As required by International Maritime Law, a rescue craft was dispatched to assist the person if possible. We watched the drama unfold from our balcony as the rescue craft sped toward the horizon to intercept the boat about six miles off. The rescue returned with the man from the small boat appearing in good condition.

Party on the Balcony

That evening the rest of the story circulated about the rescue. The man, a Cuban, got off course while fishing and would be turned over to immigration when we reached the Bahamas. He would certainly be returned to Cuba. The back story: He attempted to escape Cuba and reach U.S. soil before perishing at sea or being picked up by a ship and sent back. His gamble got him option #2.

Princess Cays, Bahamas (Photo: Paul Getchel)

During vacation I finished a non-fiction story about grieving and loss and began another, which I finished and submitted when I returned. I wrote the latter story in response to a call for non-fiction stories of how my marriage grew through a painful time to become a deeper, more vibrant and strong relationship.

Our Bungalow, Princess Cays

I wish you all a blessed and Merry Christmas always remembering that our gracious and merciful heavenly Father sent His only Son Jesus to be born a baby and then perish on a cross to redeem me and you from the penalty of our sins. And for that we celebrate Christmas!

Submitting to Travel Magazines

I recently completed an article I first wrote last year about a boating excursion that Bob and I took with friends on the Big Island, Hawaii. We motored out to view the lava flow into the sea from the Pu’u ‘O’o crater of Kilauea volcano. Using the skills I have learned, I resurrected the article and rewrote it.

Searching for a magazine to publish the article, I found a great site with a list of 50+ travel magazines that accept travel narratives. Out of the list I found several with a good fit for my article. Now the task of submitting the manuscript.

Here is a taste of Lava for Breakfast:

It was dark and raining when we arrived at our meeting location. Rain pounded the roof as we waited in the car and peered out the windows into the blackness of the parking lot. It was 4:30 a.m. As headlights came into view, I studied each vehicle… No boat. Not him.

Have you written any travel articles and found a good place for them to be published? Leave a comment and let us know.

Underwater Views

I wanted to share some videos of snorkeling in the tide pools from our recent Hawaii vacation. You get the sense of how close we are to the sea life and how abundant the coral is.  The school of fish swam around us like we belonged there.

Celebrating On Top Of The Eiffel Tower

I made it to the very tippy top of the Eiffel Tower while in Paris and celebrated with the Snoopy Dance. Check it out...

Now my husband and I are vacationing (some more) on the Big Island with my brothers, a friend and spouses. We snorkeled this morning in the warm lava ponds -- best snorkeling in a long time. More later.

Beverly Hills Chihuahua To Mexican Mutt

Taking vacations to warmer climates in the winter has been our pattern for some time.  This winter we spent Christmas in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico with my sister and brother and their spouses. On the trip down, Mexicana Airlines showed just the right movie: Beverly Hills Chihuahua--about dogs (talking dogs--the best kind) on location in Mexico. This movie is a dog-lovers delight--a must see!

Cabo delivered on a wonderful time soaking up the sun, watching gorgeous sunsets...and sunrises, shopping, eating great food AND going on the most spectacular fishing excursion.  Now...I am not the fishing type or the boating type for that matter, but my brother set up a boat for the six of us to catch marlin...or at least for him to catch a marlin as that was a lifetime dream for him.  The last time I went out on a boat on the ocean, I got so sick that my hero husband Bob had to hold me around the waist while I hung over the side heaving stomach contents into the ocean.  Not a pretty picture.  Ok, call me crazy, but I was willing to try again, plus my brother gave me a seasick drug that divers swear by.

Once on the boat, our boat captain took us out past Land's End taking a right turn into the Pacific.  After 90 minutes of motoring north along the west coast of Baja, we made our way west toward boats and flocks of birds visible in the distance.  We had arrived at the Golden Gate Banks, a seamount, where a veritable cornucopia of sea life churned the waters and filled the sky.  While hundreds of seals, sea lions, marlin and dorado were feeding on schools of mackerel, swarms of pelicans and frigates flew overhead ready to swoop down to grab the "bait" just below the surface or steal one from a casting line.  And to top it off there were hordes of humpback whales swimming throughout the scene.  What a feast for the eyes! Looking in any direction, it was a magnificent sight.

Did we catch a marlin?  We caught two marlin and one dorado.  Each marlin fought for a good 45 minutes before being brought in for a picture and then released back to the water.  We took the dorado home (about 35 - 40 lbs.) and had fish for dinner with plenty left for future dinners.  Oh...I almost forgot.  I did not get sick at all.  I'm ready to go again!

Later in the week we went out to Cabo Pulmo on the Sea of Cortez. While my brother went diving, the rest of us had breakfast and then went snorkeling.  During our breakfast under a palapa on the beach (what ambiance!), we met an adorable little boy and his mexican mutt.  The two were inseparable.  As the dog lay appearing to sleep, the boy would love on him.  But once the boy left, the dog would wander off after him.  The scene repeated.  Then all of a sudden, "Thud, screech, whack, scuffle...snap!"  Upon leaving his sleeping spot, the dog had snagged the fishing pole propped nearby.  Caught in the line, he panicked, dragging the pole through two bar stools until the pole got hung up by a palapa support.  With fishing line stretched tightly around his chest and a menagerie of pole and bar stools attached, the dog gave one big thrust, snapping the fishing line and dashed off.  Only a dog could "create" the twisted pile displayed before us.  You gotta love dogs.  For all the love and amusement they provide...even on vacation.