Cruise to Mexico recap

No filter or editing in this photo. Just beautiful! Angel's Gate in Los Angeles Harbor/San Pedro

On Friday I worked a half day and then headed to the port to board our ship and celebrate my friend Brooke's birthday. We got a great deal on a 3 day Princess cruise to Ensenada.

That's USS Iowa in the background

This picture cracks me up-there's a weird glow that makes it look like I was superimposed/green screened. It was actually weird lighting and RAINING!

Rainbow at sail away

I took so many photos of the sunsets!

Practicing what to do if we have to abandon ship

Friday we had the sail away party and then explored the ship before dinner in the dining room. After dinner we went to the comedy show and then up to the nightclub for some dancing.
Saturday was our at sea day. We had the breakfast buffet and then A and I hit the gym. A is training for a marathon so she needed to run. I just did the stationary bike. Quite a view from the gym!

View from my bike at the gym

The rest of the day was spent relaxing at the pool, eating (endless soft serve and delicious pizza!), and playing bingo. Saturday was our formal dinner so we all dressed up. After dinner we saw two shows: comedy/acrobat show and then the cruise singers and dancers. Then we headed up to the nightclub for some more dancing.

Formal night

Getting ready to go out dancing

Sunday we docked in Ensenada. We walked around the shops and then had lunch in town. We didn't spend much time in Ensenada because we wanted to get back to the ship to watch the Super Bowl.

We watched the Super Bowl on that huge screen by the pool. What a game!

Seahorses on a hotel in Ensenada

After the Super Bowl we went to another show and then called it a night. We were up early Monday morning to get off the ship and head into work.

Cruising to Mexico

This weekend I am going on a short cruise with friends for a friend's birthday. I have only been on one other cruise but I LOVED it! I did a three week Mediterranean cruise with my sister after I graduated college/before she started medical school. You can see the posts on that cruise here. I am excited to sit by the pool (I think they even show movies by the pool at night!) and relax with friends.

My dream packing list:

1. Sweater for cool nights/AC inside: Intarsia sailboat sweater, J.Crew Factory, $45
2. Cute cover up: Captiva cover up, Lilly Pulitzer, $118
3. Easy day (and night) dress: Easy day dress, Boden, $108
4. Striped dress: Blue chalk stripe tee shirt dress, Tuckernuck, $75
5. Top to go with shorts or jeans: Textured pattern top, Old Navy, $30
6. Nautical swim suit: Coastal spirit scoopneck one piece, Lands' End, $89 (available in long and plus sizes too!)
7. Exercise/lounge pants (jogging track around the ship maybe?): Butter me up lobster yoga pants, Devon Maryn, $85
8. Fun book: I just picked up We Were Liars at Target

Besides the basics, what else do you like to bring on cruises?

Final days on the cruise: Athens and Messina

Athens, Greece:


SO many tourists!






Messina, Italy:


(found my anchors!)

We spent our last day at the beach, just relaxing on lounge chairs enjoying a beautiful view. Perfect way to end an AMAZING trip!

Kusadasi (Ephesus), Turkey!

I know it has taken FOREVER for me to recap my cruise. I hope you have enjoyed seeing my travel photos! Next week I'll finish up with Athens (Greece) and Messina (Italy).

I loved Kusadasi. It is a gorgeous seaside/resort town. I also really enjoyed Ephesus, which is an ancient Greek city just outside of Kusadasi ("It was one of the twelve cities of the Ionian League during the Classical Greek period"-thanks Wikipedia!). One of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, Temple of Artemis, is located here (though barely anything is still standing). There is so much history here!

Ephesus:

There is a lot of Christian/Catholic history (check out the Wikipedia if you are interested in reading about the connection to the apostles Paul and John-apparently they walked down this path?)










Kusadasi:



Of course I found my anchor(s):

Santorini!

I highly recommend clicking on the photos to see them bigger. Santorini is gorgeous!

If only I had a fancier camera to capture that amazing sunset!



Our ship!



Don't you want to live in that house/hotel with the pool? They have an amazing view!







Lastly, walking down the donkey path/stairs (to read that story again go here). My sister was walking begind me and took this candid photo. I bet you wish you could see the expression on my face as I walked in sandals on a steps filled with donkey poop ;)

Olympia, Greece!

Port (Katakolon):


Found my anchor:


The ruins! Read the history here

Where the athletes raced (as usual the huge groups of tourists always stand right next to each other even though there is obviously plenty of space):




Yes, I am pretending to light the Olympic torch ;)

Corfu, Greece!

Corfu
















It started out raining but the sun came out in the afternoon!



(we were driving too fast to get a good anchor photo)