We awoke to a heavy rain shower. I initially thought that it was very foggy. Nope. Rain. I was afraid that our snorkeling trip to Stingray City would be canceled. Who would want to go swimming/snorkeling in the rain? You would be afraid to get wet!

Kim talked to Mary this morning . She was so happy to be on this cruise that she told Kim she never wanted to leave. She said this cruise was like "Heaven on Water!"

Since we were not docked, we had to take a tender into the port. I had directions to the center where the activity was to start. We met a great bus driver that helped us get registered. I had decided early to book our activities ourselves rather than through the cruise company. I guess I like to do my own planning. The company was Captain Marvin's. Mary thought I said Captain Morgan’s and was even more excited about going on the trip! His website and reviews were excellent. It looked better than the similar one Carnival was offering and cheaper.

We had a narrated ride through the town and we even stopped at Bill Gates condo. He owns his own floor (penthouse, of course!). We had a half hour boat ride to the coral gardens. They threw some food into the water and fish started to appear. He pointed out a stingray that had no tail . They called him Frisbee. He was very friendly. They let the kids feed him.

Today, we had a lot of fish. I think Mary will enjoy it more than last Saturday at Pennekamp. Mary wanted to hang with Kim. Kim didn’t want to put on her mask, so she just floated in the water. Gabby started out following me, but turned back and stayed with Alex. There were some nice colored corals and fish. I went a little further from the boat, but found that the best coral gardens were at the boat.

At one point, I looked up and saw that everyone was back on board. I made a bee-line to the boat. Kim informed me that Gabby was missing. A minute later, she shows up, by herself!

We were supposed to do a reef wall, but it was too rough to go there. So we did another coral garden.

Our last stop was the best. We were at a sandbar where the stingrays waited to be fed . Gabby was the first to get in. In fact, she got in before the captain said we could get in! As soon as the first stingray came by, she let out a scream. It didn’t take long before she got accustomed and started to touch them. After everyone got in, they started to be swarmed by the stingrays. No matter how long we were there, Mary was still freaked-out by the stingrays. Finally, it came time for the professional pictures. We got to pose as a family and then individually. Everyone got to hold the stingray and then kiss it. This was then followed by a stingray massage! It took a little prodding, but Mary held one!

When we got back, we wanted to do some shopping. Mary wanted a tee-shirt. Anytime Kim and I were in some of these countries, there would be a tent or independent stalls for the vendors. You get to bargain with them and see lots of stuff. Here there were only stores selling items. We will have to wait for another port to see that.

After shopping, we took the kids to their first bar . I’m sure that I will get a “Bad Parenting” award for this. Alex got a Rum Punch and Mary got a Strawberry Daiquiri. Kim got a Level-4 Hurricane and I got the customary Margarita, no salt. They cost as much as on the ship, but were much stronger. We were running out of time and needed to get back to the port. Alex and I finished ours and had to help the girls. Kim and I are secretly scared that Alex could handle that much alcohol!  Mary got to experience her first drunk! She liked it at that moment! She called her mother to let her know she was at a bar and got a drink.

When we got to the port, we had to find the Immigration Officer to get our passports stamped. We went to two places before we found the officer. She was not happy, but we were persistent. She reluctantly stamped them.

It wasn’t long before Mary found the bad side to drinking. When the hang-over started, the fun was over. Mary said that she never wanted to drink again. I told Mary that if I had a nickel for every time I said that; I would have about a $1.50.