I'm Back !!!!!!!!

Had a wonderful visit with my sister, her husband, and their 3 year old boy. We flew into San Diego and then left the next day on a 8 day Mexican Riviera Cruise to Acapulco. Then when we returned we spent 3 days in San Diego going to Sea World, the Zoo etc. I think overall I may have walked 100 miles !!! LOL. The first few days we only took the stairs (9 flights at some points), then by the end of the trip took the stairs always going down but the elevator going up if our legs were too tired. We walked and walked and walked. In port we walked around too. So I definitely got my exercise. It was wonderful to see my sister. Haven't seen her in years, but talk on the phone every week. Eating on the ship was not a problem. There is lots of protein and good, healthy choices. I did allow myself a tiny bit of soft serve ice cream each day (and I mean a tiny bit). Everyone agreed most of the desserts looked far better than they tasted. They always had a SF dessert that the others said were pretty good -- since I wasn't sure if they containd surgar alcohols I steered clear of them completely. The food overall was great, and as I said finding good protein was not a problem. The weather was wonderful. In the 80's and 90's. It was such a thrill to be able to go to the little shops in port and be able to buy a dress or tee and know that it would fit. In all of our years of traveling I've never been able to do that before. One day we walked a mile down the beach to a little shop and I got a beatiful and brightly colored cotton dress. We came back to the ship and my sister fell in love with it. I offered to walk back to the shop and get it for her along with some tees for them to take to friends back home. She has arthritis very bad and can't walk distances. Her husband is disabled. So there was no way they could go. Hal and I walked back and got her the clothes she wanted. She was thrilled and we got a great walk. Before WLS I couldn't have made that walk once, much less round trip twice. At the San Diego Zoo, we didn't take jackets. I couldn't believe how cold I was (chilled to the bone in fact) because of the wind off the ocean and the shade (so much is in shaded areas). So we had to buy fleece jackets at the gift shop. Again, something I couldn't of done before WLS - clothes in the gift shops would of never fit or even come close to fitting. We walked for about 5 hours at the zoo and 7 hours (except for show times) at Sea World. My sister and her husband both got scooters at Sea World and didn't go with us to the zoo. Their son loved ridding on their laps on the scooters. So wonderful that the places had them to rent for the day. We celebrated our 19th wedding anniversary the day we set sail and they celebrated their 35th 2 days before. I had Carnival decorate our cabin with banners, streamers, and a centerpiece. Hal was so surprised and it really looked nice. We had cabins side by side and the steward was able to open and secure the privacy door between the outside balconies so that we could go back and forth. That way too their 3 year old had plenty of room to play and be outside. What a great way to watch the world go by. We spent a lot of time up on deck walking. Also went dancing almost every night. Had a wonderful time and can't wait to go again. Now to catch up with all the postings. Mary

Wow it sounds like you had a ton of fun What a great feeling it must have been for you, all the walking you could do now. I know what you mean about getting clothes that will actually fit it's a great thing. That is so exciting I am happy for you . My dad is actually on a Carnival Cruse to Acapulco he left last Thurs and will be back this Friday,. I have never been on a cruse but hope someday I will be able to afford it. Did your sister say anything about how different you look? Take Care, Jill

Jill, Just shows what a small world we're in ... he got on the ship just after we got off if he is on the Carnival Spirit out of San Diego!!! He's going to have a wonderful trip. When the ship gets back, it will go into dry dock for 2 weeks for refurbishing. The main area they are doing is the lido deck where they serve buffet styles meals. They are redoing the carpets, chairs, benches etc as well as other parts of the ship. Mary

Mary, So glad you're back!!! You were missed!!! What a wonderful trip to go on! Sounds like you had a great time and did so well with getting your exercising in and eating the right things. I know you and Hal enjoyed spending time with your sister and her family. I bet you were glad to get back to Miss Milly! I've never been on a cruise but would love to. I've also never been to California and would love to see it... especially San Diego! Welcome back!!! Wanda

Wanda, San Diego is an awesome port to sail from. The airport is 5 minutes from the cruise terminal. We flew in the day before and stayed at the hotel directly across the street from the ship. So that morning we just rolled our luggage over. It was wonderful to wake up and see the ship docked there that morning waiting for us. Then coming back we got off the ship and went over to the hotel again to stay for a few days. Sea Port Village is about 8 blocks away, so we walked there a few times. A cab ride is about $10 to the zoo and to Sea World plus they have the "green trolley" that goes there too. I hope you get to cruise some time. It truly is a wonderful way to go on vacation. Mary

so glad youre back mary!! sounds like so much fun!! sarah

Thank you. We really did have a wonderful time. I'm ready to go again!!!! Mary