2008 Mar 10-15 Yah-Mon! Caribbean

"Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."" - John 14:6
Exotic Western Caribbean Cruise

I can't believe it! We all can't believe it! It was a vacation of my dreams ... to be in two of the most beautiful and mysterious islands of the world ... a place which I have dreamt of coming, but never would have believed it would come true since I live in Asia (at least for most part of it) - the Caribbean!











We departed from Miami on a "Fun Ship" (nothing R(A) about that) which my son called the "Hotel Ship". It was the Carnival Imagination. We were pampered and spoilt with endless gourmets and events on the ship. There were even giant slides which helped keep my bountiful-energy little princess - Sonya - occupied. More than 100 times up and down the slide she went and a few on the "Anaconda". I was pretty rattled to see the giant snake-like slide. What if it was so fast that people torpedoed into the ocean since it was right at the top and end of the ship? But Sonya was screaming with thrill as she slipped down the tube.

As for the adults, my husband and I especially love the luxurious dinners ... lobsters, ducks, escargots, steaks, seafood, and sushi. And of course, the lovely view of the Caribbean Sea from our Oceanview Stateroom.

Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands

Praise the Lord for the safe cruise and the gorgeous weather. We arrived at GRAND CAYMAN on a tender to see some of the most awesome corals, marine lives and shipwrecks ... and yet stayed dry!

Yes, we took a Semi-Sub which took us around the clear blue waters of Cheeseburger Reef and the site of Balbao wreck. The diver also demonstrated to us "cali" - fish feeding by hand in the sea!

At the shore, it was really fun to be able to jump off the pier at Eden Rock and see the corals and fishes for free.

The Seven-Mile Beach was also strewn with corals and rich marine lives.

There were blue, pink, red, etc. coloured fishes around the corals just at the beach. We even saw a Pomfret! Francis tried to catch it with his hands, but was too slow ... there goes our dinner! But, I guess you would have to go much deeper to really see more variety. In any case, we loved it at Grand Cayman! We would love Grand Cayman even more if it wasn't so expensive.

Yah-Mon! Ocho Rios, Jamaica














JAMAICA ... Hey Mon!!! No Problem! Yep, we speak the native language already. The guides and people were super friendly and they made sure we learnt their lingo too! We visited the Dunn's River Falls at Ocho Rios and climbed it! Yes, ALL OF US! And you should see the shocking look on Ethan's face - the blood from his face sank to his feet and he grew pale when he realised we were climbing the falls. However, we are proud of him and Sonya for making it!

After that "harrowing" climb, I rewarded my family with great shopping at Soni's Plaza and the flea market. Got a necklace, many T-shirts/jerseys, dresses and, of course, Michele's favorite Blue Mountain Coffee. We got good bargains but it was the locals who stole our hearts. Jamaica was so much bigger than we've expected. With such beautiful people and scenery, we would love to come back anytme. Yah Mon!

May the Lord bless the people of the Caribbean, who have to constantly battle with the hurriances, and hence, poverty. But it's amazing how they always have a smile for you - such an inspiration to the enduring human spirit!