Philadelphia- Symbol of Liberty

After our stop in Washington, we drove to Philadelphia. Another beautiful city that I never seem to get tired of visiting. My first encounter with Old Philadelphia, was an error of a sort. A friend needed an emergency passport and we explored the city while we waited. 

Okay,so I admit it. I am a sucker for Historical sites. I could only imagine our founding fathers walking the streets, slaves trying to find freedom, Betsy Ross making the flag that now stands as a symbol of our country. I feel in love with this little piece of the past. I had to go back. 

Even though I had visted a few times I had never had a chance to see the bell in person. So we headed here first. I wanted to see the symbol of liberty, the bell that rang for our freedom. It was worth the wait even though I wanted to walk out of it several time because it was so long. 

 We then heard as the story tellers illustrated the past of the areas we had just visited. This is one of my favorite things when I visit the area (and the fact that they dress in character). Take your time, walk around and listen to the stories, enjoy the ambiance.

Washington DC - It's never enough

I have been to DC many times over the years, but it never seems to get old or boring.  I always see something new.

On this particular road trip my friends and I had decided this would be our first stop. We drove from New Jersey south at about 3 am to make sure we were in DC as early as possible (I'll tell you why later). I am a huge fan of Diners Drive ins and Dives, so I decided that we would start our morning by going to the Blue Moon Cafe in Baltimore. I had read before that the line began quite early and that it was often a long wait. We made it there about 30 minutes before opening and found no line. We were the first ones in (it was a week day which helped) and we barely waited. We each ordered a plate of "Captain Crunch French Toast" (these orders are huge two of us could have eaten from one, a lot was left over), the sugar in the cereal caramelized and created an unexpected flavor for french toast. It was amazing to say the least.

 

We left as soon as we were done eating because the reason we wanted to make it hear so early was to get into the Holocaust Museum. The line starts super early and wraps around the building. They hand out a limited number of tickets. It was worth the wait and the line and the heat!! The museum has an amazing way of telling the story in an almost "first hand" sort of way. At the beginning  of the tour you are handed a passport. They have done an amazing job at recreating the areas where the prisoners where and their lives. At the end of the tour you can scan you passport and see if the person survived.

Across from the museum is the Washington Monument. We did not climb to the top because this is another monument where you need to wait for a ticket and they run out quite early. So we chose to see it from the bottom.

We proceeded to the Lincoln Memorial which never seizes to take my breath away. After I am at the top of the stairs, looking across the water I imagine all of the historical moments that took place at these very steps. I try to imagine how Martin Luther King felt as he gave his speech looking across the lake, and how the audience watched from the bottom. 

Once inside you are faced with the large white statue of Abraham Lincoln and numerous scriptures on the walls that tell stories of another time. Washington never seems to get old. I never pass up a chance to go back and feel the history all around me.

Grand Cayman- Amazing Seven Miles

We got up early on this day because we wanted to be on one of the first tender boats. There is no direct port on the island.  Teh tender boat will drop you off at the port and pick you up at the end of the day.It was a short 5-7 minute ride.

We had decided prior to our arrival that we would take one of the local tours. So as soon as we got off we began to look for them. We found that the guides that were with in the gates of the port charged about $5 more than the ones that were right out side the gates offering the same tours (the image below is with in the gates of the port. We walked out side and found a guide that  offered the tour listed below as "Discount Island Tours" for $15

The driver gave us a little tour of the island showing us the middle class and high class houses and offering some historic facts as we went. Our first stop was at Dolphin Discovery. Its short 30 minute stop where you can use the restroom or take the time to take a picture with the dolphins ($30-- I don't usually go for these things but--we couldn't resist--and it made a great souvenir)

We then drove a short distance to the Turtle Rum Cake factory . The shop was Super small. I was incredibly skeptical as I had tried these cakes before and they were terrible. I was pleasantly surprised, they were very tasty and of course Fresh (great souvenir). The shop also offers rum shots in a variety of flavors like mango and coconut.

After a few samples we got back in the van and drove to "hell". It looks like it sounds is all I can say. 

It's a tacky bar with no view or atmosphere at all. The only "exciting" thing is that you can mail your family a post card and the post office will stamp it "Hell". If you are interested in that--its the only reason to go.

We drove by a few more sites, including the Seven mile beach. A few folks stayed on the beach an then took a cab back to the port. We did not have all that time so we went back into town. Shopped for souvenirs in the cute little town and then went to a cute little bar with access to the ocean

 We sat in the back, had lunch (expensive lunch) but worth it since we were pressed for time and wanted lunch and the beach.

If I had to do it again (which I hope I do someday) I would probably take another route and I'd spend more time on those seven miles of spectacular beach.

Ocho Rios

When our boat docked in Ocho Rios,I was so happy I had read all of the reviews online before I arrived. It helped me mentally prepare for what was ahead. I was not the least bit impressed with the port (dirty,stingy,and not the least bit appealing to the eye)

I am normally against theme parks and hotels on a cruise stop. Mainly because I would much rather get the feel of the place. After reading about how pushy (many reviewers said they felt harassed) the vendors at Dunn's River Falls could become that the falls were slippery (and for personal reasons) I decided to go to  Mystic Mountain (MM). As soon as I got off the boat I was thankful of the decision I had made (and even more so when I walked into town to go to the bank -_- )


We took a shared bus ride from the port to MM and paid round trip (the driver promised to come back for us and left us a cell phone number to call when we were done). We arrive at MM and purchased and "Jamaica Tranopy" ticket. This included a Sky Ride, Bob Sled, Zip line, and access to the Pavilion  The  ride up the mountain showcased the beauty of the island.

At the end of the ride you are dropped off at a pavilion with a little Jamaican history and souvenir shop ( if I had to do it again I would seriously buy here even though its a little bit more expensive just so I wouldn't have to go into town)

Next we took the Bobsled ride. A mini roller coaster ride through the rain forest with the ability to control your own speed. We linked our sleds together and took off. It was a nice experience and fun. I enjoyed getting  a little glimpse of the forest.

 At the end of the ride we decide to cool off by the pool, we climbed a little tower that is next to it and got a view of the island, and then dipped into the pool.

 Finally my favorite part the zip line. I had never done it before. The staff does an amazing job at keeping you entertained as you prep and walk to each line. We had a blast and at the end you can purchase a picture if you like.

If I had to come back I'd look for another excursion but I defiantly wouldn't walk through town.

Cozumel- Love at First Site

As soon as I stepped on the deck of my ship when we docked in Cozumel I was in Love!!  I have seen a lot of sun and sea but there was something about the sun in Mexico and the blue of the ocean that just kindled my heart.

I had thought about what I wanted to do way before we arrived but I could not help walk through all of the small little streets in between everything. All my plans suddenly seemed unimportant. With out thinking we began to walk around .

I couldn't believe they had $1 beers EVERYWHERE !! and  the "Barrilito" beers are made by Corona but taste so much better!

I was told numerous times that the water would make us sick soooo, I went on for hours before we got off the ship reminding everyone in my party not to drink water and remember that drinks have ice "hence water". We very quickly forgot that!! We stopped at a random restaurant, had drinks, ate, and enjoyed.

Cozumel is one of those places where you should arrive with no plans and just take it all in. This is the first port I have been on where the boat almost left me because I wanted to see more and more.