Wednesday, December 9, 2009

I'm baaaack!

I can't believe I haven't posted since before Thanksgiving! But now, I'm back and and happy to be able to share some photos with you and also find out what you've been up to!

We spent Thanksgiving with my dad and good friends - it's my favorite American holiday and I loved cooking all day and making a delicious meal...even the day before we left on our vacation!
You have no idea how hard it was to only choose a few photos out of about 600 to share with you of our cruise. But I didn't want to overwhelm you. There may be a few more that will show up in later posts...

We really had a great time on our extra day in Ybor City (Tampa) - such an interesting place. My dad loved watching cigars being rolled and then enjoyed smoking one of them!



Before we knew it, it was time to board our ship and embark on our cruise.
Leaving Tampa, we loved all the views, even of the industrial harbor.


Our first stop was in Cozumel, where the water was of a brilliant turquoise color! Daniel went snorkeling, and my dad and I spent a lazy day on board of the ship, reading and loving the ocean view!




After Cozumel, we continued on to Belize City, which was so fascinating. The water was a bit rougher on that part of the journey, but it was sunny and we enjoyed a tour of the town and learning about the country and the culture. I am fascinated by a country where none of our fast food restaurants have been able to establish themselves because fresh food is preferred!







The Guatemala coast where we docked was simply stunning! I would have been happy to stay on the ship and take in the view all day...

...but we decided to visit the Quirigua Maya ruins, which were spectacular!
My dad and I trying to get back down the temple steps without getting dizzy.
The vegetation seemed enormous everywhere we visited in Guatemala - it was so green, which also lets you suspect the huge amount of rainfall!

Daniel was trying to figure out the proper procedure for working with the worry dolls we received as a gift from our tour guide.
Leaving Guatemala that evening we were enjoying a view that was beyond beautiful and left us wanting to come back!

Our next stop was Costa Maya (Mahajual), Mexico, a small fishing village that had been all but obliterated by hurricane Dean a few years ago. We spent some time at a beach and then in the small village.


Our last day on the ship, on our way back to Tampa, we enjoyed some high winds, lively seas and simply relaxed on the ship. This is me reading Dan Brown's The Lost Symbol in one day - having the time to do that was such an incredible luxury for me!
And here I'm trying not to be blown off the ship - the wind was something else and the closer we got to Tampa, the colder it became!
And a spectacular sunset on our last evening - a perfect trip!!
Now my dad is back in Germany and we are settling back in to our routine here. I am looking forward to showing you some new art in the next few days and also to visiting your blogs! It's been such a long time! I've missed you!!

I hope you are all doing well and that my friends here in the US haven't been affected too badly by this huge storm sweeping across the country! Here, it's been unusually warm and humid today and we are getting ready for some good storms before we will get much colder temperatures tomorrow! Stay warm, everyone!!

28 comments:

  1. Welcome back, Silke! So glad you enjoyed your trip, and thanks for sharing photos. Here in Maine, we're in the midst of a fairly big storm. The snow is now mixed with rain -- very messy & hard to shovel! Ah, well. Tis the season...

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  2. Welcome back Silke! I love all the photos...oh to be someplace without fast food, my dream place to live! What an incredible vacation you had. Can't wait to see your art!
    Take care, Kelly

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  3. Yea!!! You are back!!!! Thank you so much for sharing these awesome pictures....looks like you had a wonderful time! How fun to spend it with your dad and your hubby!!! I love the pic of you in the wind holding your book tight....looks chilly!!!
    xoxoxo looking forward to your new paintings.

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  4. Welcome home indeed....looks like a lovely trip..i really enjoyed the photographs....lovely..

    I found you through Lorrie...she has become a great friend of mine in blogworld.....i am so lucky to have her in my life...i have been having some troubles with my doggy, Buddy and Lorrie has been there to support me every step of the way..she is the BEST....

    I will be following you along the way..

    I'll check back for more later,
    Kary and Buddy

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  5. It looks like you had a very relaxing time and a very enjoyable time spent with your two men. I'm glad your dad got to visit.

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  6. Silke,so lovely to see pictures of both of you Jet Setters...or Sailers...WOW...looks incredible!
    My internet connection out here in the sticks is SO slow...so hopefully this comment makes it over the Ocean!
    Char

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  7. Great to have you back! I'm happy to hear you had a lovely vacation. Thanks for sharing all the wonderful photos!
    Sincerely, Theresa

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  8. Yeeaaahh your`re back!! Beautiful pictures. I have also been snorkling in Cozumel on our honeymoon. I loved it. Thank you for sharing your vacation. Lots of I-have-missed-you hugs, Annika ;)

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  9. Glad to see you are baaack.We've missed you but am glad you were out and about having a good time. Looks like it was a great trip, plus the time spent with your Dad must have made it extra special.

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  10. WOW WOW WOW - that's all I can say Silke - what an amazing trip you have had!!!

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  11. What lovely pictures, it sounds like you all had a wonderful time. I'm jealous, I would love have seen the Mayan ruins or anything in Guatemala.

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  12. Oh Silke , what a special and beautifull trip you all had, so wonderfull pictures, I can see you and your dad had great time together,-lovely.
    Silke dear I have send you a little something this last friday, and hope it will arrive safe and soon on your adress.
    Happy you are back well.
    Love, Dorthe

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  13. Welcome back Silke! So glad you had fun and thanks for sharing fabulous pics with us!!

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  14. welcome home, silke!! your cruise looks heavenly....i'm so glad you had good weather and a great time!! :))

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  15. Welcome home!! Wow!! Loved all your pics.... you must have had a great time because you're smiling from ear to ear!! After seeing yours I know I need a vacation!!

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  16. Welcome back Silke. Wow! Great photos and how wonderfully happy all of you looked. I think it's great that your daddy was there. Memories to last forever. Lucky you and a great daughter you are. Take care.

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  17. Great pics! How wonderful to spend the time with your Dad! Hugs

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  18. What a lovely trip! Thanks for sharing the pics...quite a welcome sight when outside my window I see blowing snow!!!

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  19. Welcome home, I missed you! Looks like you had a fantastic journey! Belize sounds like my kind of place - no fast food! LOL! Get bundled up - seems there is a lot of snow in your half of the world!

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  20. Looks like you had a super time with your family!

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  21. Schön dass du wieder da ist,
    tolle Bilder, sieht aus wie jede menge Spaß!
    lg Rein

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  22. Welcome back Silke! Thank you for sharing your wonderful trip. Your Dad is still handsome and dashing, I remember his photo with your mom. I like Daniel's interpretation of the worry dolls, boy, I needed them yesterday! Looks like you all had a wonderful time. You look fabulous! Welcome home Silke!

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  23. **clapping of many hands** Fantastical!!! My, you are a leggy one! Welcome back. I have missed you. **blows kisses** Deb

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  24. Welcome back! It sounds like a wonderful holiday. I would love to go on a cruise one day. Thanks for sharing the pics :)

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  25. You must have had a phantastic time.
    I love all that photos.
    Have a great weekend back at home
    Janine

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  26. Hi Silke! Welcome back! I have missed you! I am glad you have had a good time with your dad and your husband, doing that great cruise, the pictures are very beautiful.
    Kisses

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  27. Your trip photos are gorgeous! I love the one at the beach with the windblown trees. Reminds me of Aruba's Divi trees that grow like that from the tradewinds. Welcome back!
    Xo,
    Tammy

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  28. Silke, welcome back!!!! Aaaaaaaahhhhh, these are such gorgeous photos. The colors, all the local scenery...dazzling! I'm so happy that you had a fabulous time with Daniel and your father. Lots of relaxing, just my style. You have such a beautiful, natural smile, my dear. And Daniel with his worry dolls! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! OMG, that's about the best photo I've ever seen. Teeheeheee.

    Your painting of sisterfriends is gorgeous. Their heads all together, a melding of minds and spirit. It's just perfect and beautiful.

    I'm glad you're back. Looking forward to seeing more from you.

    xoxo

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