Barbados ~ Swimming with Sea Turtles

We spent our special time on the beautiful island of Barbados - on the water! We made our own plans for the day and sailed away on a beautiful catamaran. The turquoise waters of this exotic island were crystal clear and the Gardener was able to take some stunning photographs of the sea turtles as we played and swam together~~ Our day was spent with the wonderful folks at Silver Moon Cruises in Barbados. We privately booked their full day cruise excursion that allowed time for snorkeling and swimming with the sea turtles. The Gardener and I had done this same excursion last winter and we could NOT wait to go back again this year and take our friends with us. This is absolutely the best catamaran cruise excursion that we have ever done. (we love it so much- that we are already booking it again for next year!) There were only 12 passengers in addition to the crew on this excursion - one of the things that we love best about this wonderful experience! We practically had the boat to ourselves!

lots of sunshine and smiles!

(it was miserable cold and snowing back home!)

do these folks look happy or what? Jan takes her knitting everywhere she goes! (me too!)

the weather was perfect for our sail~

I'm telling you - this was a fabulous day!

(no photos of the Gardener on this post -

he spent most of his time

UNDER water-

keep watching and you will see why! )

these guys were THE absolute best crew!

not only did they sail the boat, but they waited on us like we were royalty

AND served us a fabulous buffet lunch

that was prepared by

Christian's Mom.

(he's the cutie in the middle)

Pina Colada in paradise

Oh yea!

~~

~~

love this beautiful church!

what an idyllic setting next to this shimmery blue water

(I wanted to swim over so that I could walk around and take photos -

but couldn't figure out how to get my camera safely over there -

DUH! - why didn't I borrow the Gardener's underwater camera?!!!)

NEXT TIME for sure!

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Are you ready for some serious underwater beauty?

Enjoy these photos that the Gardener took with his new camera~

~~

(that's my leg in the top of the photo

the turtles swam right between my legs!)

the crew fed the turtles

they were swimming around us like crazy!

(I love sea turtles!)

they are so graceful and beautiful in the water~

~~

~~

Beautiful - huh?

The Gardener is so thrilled with his new camera!

~~

(UPDATE - I have had SO many people to email me and ask about the type of camera that the Gardener used - so here is the info and some links to Amazon.)

Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS2 14.1 MP waterproof digital camera

AND the Gardener's favorite thing to use with the camera - the Orange life preserver strap that I bought him to go with the camera! - Olympus strap float

Thought you might want to see a few photos taken on the ship~~ we clean up pretty good sometimes~ (doesn't the Gardener look dapper?)

~~

(my beautiful necklace was handmade for me by my best friend Mary. She makes absolutely stunning jewelry. This necklace means the world to me and I love, love, love wearing it. When I wear this necklace - people truly walk across the room to ask me about it!) (You will be able to enjoy some of Mary's spectacular bead handiwork on a very special designer nest coming up SOON!)

My favorite ice cream that I have enjoyed on past cruises is honey apple. Unfortunately, it is no longer on the menu~~ so my sweet waiter requested to have it made for me by the chef! He surprised me with this on the second night of our cruise. The chef made enough ice cream that I enjoyed it for the entire 2 week cruise! (That is why I am NOW on a big DIET!!)

~~

Our group - hanging out in my favorite wine bar. My evening dress was knitted by ME! I loved making the dress and want to make another one. And you thought that I could only knit nests! (the slit in the dress is actually on the side - I did not realize that it was twisted to the middle when we took the photo.)

~~

(love you guys!)

Bob's favorite desert is bananas foster - so the chef made it special for him several nights while on the cruise~~ sometimes he even had more than one serving!

The traditional last night of the cruise~ Baked Alaska. We had the most wonderful waiters - these folks worked so hard to make our cruise special - I always want to take them home with us. Those of you who have been on cruises know how important that the staff and crew are to the enjoyment of the cruise experience. These guys were fabulous!

~~

Are you tired of cruise photos yet? I hope not because I have saved the very best for last - gorgeous Bonaire and beautiful, colorful Curaco. BUT before we visit there in pictures - I am going to take a little spring break~~

Coming up next - a springtime CELEBRATION!! A giveaway to celebrate the completion of my latest "nesting" session! You know what's coming up now don't you! See you here in about a week~~

Vicki