Giligan's Island Revisited - or- How I Got Rescued Off a Deserted Island

While in Freeport I basically lived an episode of Gilligan's Island.  No joke.  Here are the facts:

(1) We were signed up for a five hour tour.  With us was a professor (me)

A beautiful and slightly dramatic woman named Ginger (my sister - far right)

A super skinny and kinda goofy young man, not unlike Gilligan. 

And my older parents (think Mr & Mrs. Howell).

We also had a guy who was leading the tour (Skipper).  All we needed to complete the cast of Gilligan's Island was Marianne, and if you count my two cute nieces, I think we've got everyone.

(2) Dave rubbed this strange bottle he found on the beach right before we left the main island. (Does anyone else remember that episode of the Brady Bunch where the family goes to Hawaii and right after Peter finds the relic in the abandoned mine all these terrible things start to happen???)

(3) Freakishly windy and cold weather kicked up right after we finished kayaking to a little, deserted island off the coast of Freeport.

(4) The conditions kayaking back were pretty rough. The adults were able to manage, but when BB#1 and his cousin tried to get past the breakers they just weren't strong enough to overcome the wind and waves. 

(5) We were ultimately taken back to the main island by flagging down the only passing boat we had seen all day.  Everyone who hadn't gotten off yet jumped aboard then we moved alongside the two kayaks that had managed to get beyond the breakers and pulled them and their kayaks into the boat.

(6) We did get back to the cruise ship before it left - with only about 15 minutes to spare. Phew!  

(7)  The Harlem Globetrotters never showed up.  Certainly disappointing, but we did manage to see them later that week when they came to Denver. Close enough, right?  (You remember that Gilligan's Island episode, don't ya?)

OK, so it may not have been EXACTLY like Gilligan's Island. But it does make for a good story - and it's ALL true! 

Formal Night

We always seem to take a ton of pictures on formal night - everyone looks so great! Instead of captioning each picture, suffice it to say, I so LOVED being with my whole family! My brothers crack me up, the cousins are great friends and my sister is fabulous. I know that for my parents, having this family picture taken was about the only thing she REALLY wanted for their 50th anniversary. Love it!  Unfortunately, I can't seem to upload those family pictures, but here's what I did get:

 This picture is one of my favorites of the entire trip.  Me and my siblings.  LOVE!

 BCF  (Best Cousins Forever!)  These two are great friends!

 The boys!

We all moved around at dinner each night, taking turns teach others families. 

Nassau

Our cruise stopped in both Nassau and Freeport Bahamas. The best weather of the entire trip was our day in Nassau.   

My parents with all the grandkids. 

We all explored the Straw Market where the boys practiced their bartering skills. (The Caboose was terrible, BB#2 was pretty good!)  Here my brother Glenn is trying to negotiate a custom carving from this guy. 

Big Boy #1 with the Bahama's flag.

Having been raised in Rochester and then settling in Denver, it was kinda weird for me to see a giant Christmas tree decorated and placed between two palm trees.

The boys all enjoying the water.

Love it!

 My parents.

My dad is like a little kid every time he gets near the water. 

Aunt Caroline enjoying a little relaxation. 

A school of angelfish swam by us and we were able to keep them around for a bit by feeding them Fruit Loops.  It was super cool!

Aww...

Even though it was the best weather of the trip, it was still kinda cold.  I got in the water enough to feed the fish, but after that I spent the day trying to find a nice spot of sunshine. 

My little snorkeler.

Gary feeding the fish. 

Enjoying the water

It was a nice relaxing beach day, but I do need to add that I will never trust another Bahamas taxi driver.  We were planning on a different beach, but the cab driver lied to us, told us that beach was under construction and then drove us to this beach instead.  Even though we confirmed what she said with a nearby security officer, it wasn't true.  Deal was she got us to take her cab instead of the bus, making about $100 from the lot of us.  Whatever.  It was still a fun day and the beach had cool fish and nice waves.

On Board

We offered to throw my parents a big party to celebrate their 50th anniversary.  Instead they wanted to get everyone together and head to the beach.  With a group of seventeen, we figured that a cruise would be the best way to accommodate everyone.  Flexible, low maintenance and fun.  It was perfect!

The ship had a whole water park area, complete with water slides, buckets, etc.  It was a chilly afternoon, but it didn't stop the kids from enjoying the activities!  (I, meanwhile was wrapped up in a towel and tried to stay warm!)

 Having a ball!  How is it that kids just don't seem to feel temperature?

 The big cousins enjoying the water park part of the ship.

 And in the on board pool.

Brothers freezing each other out at the water park.

While the water play was great fun for the kids, I just loved having time with the whole extended family.  One evening everyone gathered in the library to eat Fanny Farmer French Mints, Stuckey's Pecan Logs (thanks Gary!) and play games.  Some of my favorite memories of my childhood were playing games after a day at the beach. I loved doing that again!

On board the staff always have a bunch of silly games going on and one of the games was "The Newlywed and Not So Newlywed Game".  My parents were picked to compete as the 'not so newlywed' couple.  It was silly and embarrassing and fabulous!

The cabins fit four people, so the Caboose, and Ginger's littlest one both bunked with my parents.  They LOVED being able to be with Nanna and Grandpa.

 The last night while all the grown ups were busy packing and getting everything organized, the kids gathered to play games in the hallway.  Some quality cousin time!

 Every so often at dinner the staff would play songs and start to dance.  When 'Gangam Style' came on, we all joined in on the dancing.  So. Much. Fun.

Waiting to debark and making the most of our time with my brother Gary and his wife before we parted ways.  While we were waiting, and at Aunt Caroline's urging, Big Boy #2 actually had two ice cream cones.  For breakfast.

 The last night the wait staff brought my parents a piece of cake and sang them "Happy Anniversary".  I love this picture!  They just look thoroughly happy. 

It's too bad that Gary and his wife didn't take too well to being at sea - they really struggled with sea sickness.  I loved the cruise and it seemed the perfect blend of independence and family togetherness.  It would be fun to do something like this again.  My family is just really fun to hang out with!