VagabondMaverickHeart in Miami and on a Cruise

You know guys now I am grinning ear to ear as a Cheshire cat.(the other two of me in black with red horns and in white with an angelic white wings too ) 

When I said I would have laughed my head off if someone  said I would meet Nicholas Sparks, well  I would have stared them down if anyone had  told me I would work on my bucket list (ohh I am so smiling and happy doing the jig)and actually check them out.

Last couple of months I have been really getting opportunity to do just that:checking out few things from my bucket list, that I am scared why are all my wishes being granted.  I know, I know you all are wondering why all this preface: "I just am back from a 'cruise' " ( My eyes still sparkling with stars, still feeling the movement under my feet which i don't want it to go as it is the reminiscence of my soooo wonderful trip. By the way now I know (my evil grin on) why Captain Jack Sparrow is all wobbly.(wink)

My group consisting of eight of us including my cousin and her family, flew from Denver to Miami. Kids were all excited more than them me and my cousin were.

But before the cruise I did get to check one more item off the bucket list.... Jet skiing.

Someone like me with severe fear of water and an issue with speed was given a jet ski with my younger daughter behind me. Yes she was behind me and I was the first to be let into water in our group of four skis. I was not able to control it and I was panicking as I had expected it to stop like my Yamaha Ray in india. (It's a gear less motor scooter.) Instead the acceleration was different the breaking meant stop but the ski still moved according to the water.(Duhhh... I know it is stupid of me to even think the vehicle to stop with just a break. Stupid me!) Finally with my 6 year old's back seat driving and and our guide MJ's instruction without barging the brand new Yamaha jet ski into the closer boats of varying sizes I reached back to him where he could get hold of the unruly vehicle(Of course unruly under my guidance... I shrug).

"Do you want some else to take the ski for you?" 

"Please!" My voice squeaked though I was smiling hard. " But all those who can are already having one to maneuver." I told still shaking and my six year old clutching me and muttering why I didn't listen to her guidance how to ride.  

"If it's fine by you I can ride with you and your daughter." That was the nicest thing I had heard. I was beaming.

"Pleaaaase! Yes please." 

"That would be safer." He said

(Now thinking of it I roll my eyes. I was literally being a complete idiot but I didn't mind I wanted to enjoy it, and (in desperate voice) It's in my bucket list.)

I smiled and agreed. So with my daughter sandwiched between our Guide and me he started to lead the group. Clearing the crowded port where speed limit is supposed to be dead slow, he gave more gas to it. With the salt water spraying crazy on me and my daughter we moved into open water. She shrieked and complained of burning eyes. I could feel too as I didn't wear my glasses. (I can see almost fine except reading becomes a strain no longer can I see in HD clarity.) He gave my daughter his glares. She accepted the gesture thanking him. A sweet gesture indeed. (Pity no starry eyes teenage girls amidst us. The red horns shining with a naughty smile.)

We were going into the open side of the sea. It was amazing feeling. The wind gushing at you, your hair. You find it hard to keep your eyes open. When he noticed the group was actually keeping up with his speed he just floored it. It was crazy, I who was trying not to shriek just did that when he took the curves with the ski with the same speed. 

He showed the star island where the Hollywood stars have their Houses(Mansions to be precise) and told that to reach the island you should be taken by air or boats(luxury/ private). A private island where each apartment costs about fifty million dollars. We saw a ferry carrying cars to the said island where the residents went in Helicopters. They have a private golf course for their use. (I smirk. A world like that too... )

Then out of the blue he stopped the ski and was getting down I was wondering, 'Is this a part of the ski tour to jump into the sea. Am I up for it? Then I saw he landed firmly on his feet. He explained if you don't look for it, you never see the sand ridges: there are spots near to Miami coast with such sand ridges and it seems we are standing over the water(actually in the water without drowning, the water touched mid calf of mine.) It was amazing water all around and unobstructed sea breeze(pretty strong should we call it breeze or wind I am still pondering.) With the private apartments on one side the ship loading containers on one side and a little away an island seemingly untouched by the hubbubs of human with dense growth of shrubs taller than me. A moment of bliss of having experienced something new and fun. I told MJ I would never have made it this far and still enjoyed it.  I would have been a nervous wreck. 

"That wouldn't have been fun." He said. Yes it wouldn't have been. We stopped in a small beach amidst the tour we took and got few snaps and were zooming back. Loved every minute of the drive. MJ purposefully chose a the ripples to ride as a speed boat passed. It was fun as the ski just crossed the ripples or should I say waves bouncing with the speed and against the wave. A great experience to cherish.

As we all got down and thanked MJ, I had already thanked him too many times for actually taking up the ski to the sea with me and my daughter, or I would have seriously slowed down the group and we would not have been able to do the complete tour. Before parting i asked him if he ever gets bored with this. You guessed the answer guys, "Never!" We chilled our gushing Adrenalin by having food and then going for a ride in mono rail through the busy Miami.

Soon the D Day arrived and our day for cruise. After our checking in we were guided into the ship.

It was like entering into a big hotel. If you go and look at the center it was an atrium with a bar on the seventh floor which can be seen till the 12th floor. Which hosted the Caribbean Steel drum or steel pan ( a very beautiful sounding instrument which we stood listening once after dinner. It was amazing.), karaokes, DJ etc. 

The food was amazing with so many varied varieties of items and desert was just slurp.....

The dinner was even more special as we met the Maitre di  (who manages the public part or "front of the house " of a formal restaurant) who happened to be from India and to be more precise from Chennai. Chatted in Tamil ( though a little broken) but my Cousin in law could converse fluently. The team an amazing team serving us with two Indian's amongst them. The surprise was the Indian vegetarian food  available as a main course. I was so excited as I had gone resigned I won't get something my tongue would favour.(Winking) 

One more surprise waited for the non vegetarians, Courtesy to Mark we were given one non vegetarian dish specially for our table every evening for dinner. We chose the same table through out our cruise except for the second day. Can't keep from mentioning the team in dining area they made the dining a great experience. 

We stood at the back when the ship started to move out after our emergency safety drill. It drizzled but  soon it cleared. 

We watched with a cup of coffee as just before the ship moved away from the a ship in front of us and behind us a Police boat came bidding us bye and drawing a eight in the water. I heard my elder daughter ask is he showing off. 'Well I don't know about that but I liked the gesture.' 

Soon the ship moved into the canal to turn before we headed into the sea. An amazing experience as we moved into the sea and saw the Pilot. Yes a Pilot but not a plane's pilot but a maritime pilot. He or she would be an ex captain of ship. They know the narrow and shallow waters of the port, they maneuver the ship into the open water and then leave the ship in the hands of the Captain. I had no clue about this. Most of the Port have their Maritime Pilot to whom the Ship Captains give complete control until they reach open waters. I watched the same at Nassau too. 

Now our visit to the top deck of the ship, which had a mini golf course.(My eyes all glittery with excitement) Me and my cousin were more interested at being at the bow of the ship in this top deck. It was amazing we looked around as the ship moved into the open sea. The wind was so strong, it was difficult to stand upright. The wind was crazy. 

The bow in the night was even more mesmerising. 

While most of them enjoyed the night life we got the top deck almost clear with just a couple of people here and there, some necking, some stealing a kiss(wink, yes they did) and some just stealing the quiet of the night with just water around.Now you must be wondering what I did. Me and my cousin just stood there watching in silence as the ship moved on and on and the moon light shone in the night. 

It was amazingly surreal we were happy to be quiet, we stood there for more than half an hour I guess. It seemed very little time yet was getting late. We stood there peacefully once my cousin mentioned "there is no Me or You in the sea." 

Yes I realised, on this vast earth when we went into the sea we notice our insignificance. Yet the sea, the moonlight, the strong wind was all ethereal... actually surreal. We both were so into the moment and then we saw both our husbands just coming below our deck watching the same view as ours. They looked up and saw us and they thought of joining us and went searching the way up. And within five minutes of their arrival my husband asked "lets go". 

"Yes! " He did.( I roll my eyes. Men are always men!) Well there goes our surreal moment. Anyways I guess that moment and its magic shall remain within me for a long long time.

The ship ported at Nassau in Bahamas, Half Moon Cay island and Grand Turk island in Turk and Caico's Island. 

The Nassau trip was wet and rainy we just left for couple of hours and were back. 

The island was badly hit during the Storm Matthew. The trees and plants still were bent away from the wind that would have howled at them. In the drizzly day we saw the Fort Montague and the Atlantis Hotel. 

Also a new hotel going to be open this coming March, Baha Mar- The Reviera by the Cable beach. 

Alllll through rain.(wiping of the imaginary water from my face) I had left the girls in the kids fun: Camp Carnival as they wouldn't have enjoyed the wet touring around the city. Saw a lot of pink and white building followed by blue and white ones. 

The main thing I noticed was the vehicles drove just like in India not just on left, even the way they avoided the puddles almost veering into another car coming from the opposite direction.

The next stop was Half Moon Cay island where all we did was play in the sea. The sea was calm and very nice, the girls enjoyed being in water and having fun with their cousins. As I did too. 

Then next was the Grand Turks island we hoped the sea would be similar to Half Moon Cay but were disappointed as it was very rough, we did get into water but preferred the Half Moon Cay beach.

Then we were bound home with one whole day in sea. 

Just chilling and relaxing. Few cases of sea sickness started to be noticed thank god not in our group though couple of us in our group didn't want to eat. 

So final dinner day the crew bid us all good bye and it was in a way pretty sad.

The whole cruise was a great experience had a wonderful time there. (I know I am being greedy...  I wish I can go for a cruise once more in this life.) 

The last day before the flight we got chance for a quick visit to Miami beach. 

If nothing else the colours of the sea were mesmerising. 

From the mountains to the sea and back: a vacation to cherish in the memories, to sigh in our old age remembering the tranquil nights and fun filled days. 

What next in the bucket list? (All alert and thinking hard) 

Soon... soon .... hoping to be back with the next of my crazy Vagabondmaverickheart's desires.