Showing posts with label sea lions. Show all posts
Showing posts with label sea lions. Show all posts

Tuesday, February 27, 2018

2018 Jan 31-Feb 5,🚙 Trip to Mobile, Saraland, Alabama and Carnival Fantasy Western Caribbean Cruise Cozumel, Mexico ( 6 days)

Day 1 January 31,
We traveled along Highway 43 passing through Russellville, Spruce Pine, Phil Campbell, Bear Creek, Brilliant, Winfield, Fayette, Tuscaloosa, Fosters, Ralph, Knoxville, Eutaw, Forkland, Demopolis, Providence, Linden, Dixons Mills, Thomasville, Fulton, Grover Hill, Jackson, Macintosh, Movico, Axis onto I-65 s to I-10 W to hwy 90, hwy 59, 188, 193 to Dauphin Island.

We stopped in Forkland to take pictures of Jim Bird's Hay Bale Art and Tin Man.  
Tin Man 
At Dolphin Island, we walked along the boardwalk taking pictures:
Living Marsh & Boardwalk 
Marine Debris, a Silent Killer 
Marine Debris Timeline
Butterflies of Dauphin Island
Mr. Sand Part I, II, III  
A Real Partnership 
Energy from the Sands of Time 
Where am I? 
Alabama Coastal Connection 
Dune plants survive in a harsh environment
Wetland birds 
The tidal Marshes of Alabama
Barrier Islands shaped by wind & Waters
Invertebrate Trail
Research on Marsh Restoration at Dauphin Island’s Sea Lab
Whether the Weather
The Living Marsh
Dauphin Island 
Rays at Dauphin Island 
We went to the Fort at Dauphin Island, but it was closed, and so was Sea Lab.
We drove to the Audubon Sanctuary Nature Interpretive trail, looking for the bird. We could hear them but did not see any. 
We did see several turtles. 
It was getting late, and we wanted to reach Saraland before dark. 
We arrived at Comfort Inn 1200 SHELTON BEACH RD SARALAND, AL, checked into our room and walked next door to eat dinner at Winzell’s. I ordered a fried shrimp basket with Coleslaw and water with lemon to drink.
My friend ordered the Shrimp Poboy served with lettuce, tomatoes, purple onion, and pickles, served out their signature bread served with French fries. 
It had been a long day, so we retired to our room for the night.
The Inn where we stayed was being remodeled. 
Shrimp Poboy
Fried shrimp basket with Coleslaw

Day 2: Thursday, February 1
We ate a continental breakfast at the Inn, packed our bags, and drove to the Port of Mobile.
We were a bit early to board Carnival Fantasy Cruise Line, so we had to wait in line with several other cars. 
We finally arrived at the parking deck, each had a bag checked and parked on deck two.
We unloaded our carry-on bags, walked to the elevators, and had to pay for parking.
We went through security, and because of my total knee replacement, the alarm went off, and I had to be worn down.
We took our bags to our room on level four.
We went up the elevator to the patio pool area behind it are the Buffet Area, Pizza Area, and Guy's Burgers.
We both ordered Guy's burger and Fries.
When we finished eating, we walked around checking out the ship. That night, we attended a Hasbro Game Show and were in bed by 9 PM.

Carnival Fantasy 
Guys, Burger, and Fries
Day 3: Friday 2, Fun Day at Sea
We were up early to see the Sunrise. 
We both ordered a made-to-order omelet and got a couple of pastries and French toast.
For lunch, we both ordered a taco salad with Key Lime pie.
That afternoon, we went to a show about what we may see on the Island Adventures.
They gave away several prizes, but we did not win.
We are going to a formal dinner so we dressed up. 
I ordered baked fish with rice, & broccoli. 
We both bought tickets for tomorrow's adventures. 
That night, we watched a show about Soul Train with impersonators of Temptations and Supremes.

Fresh Rolls for dinner
Grilled fish with rice and broccoli 
Chocolate cake with ice cream 

Day 4: Saturday, Feb 3, 
Watched the sunrise and ate breakfast from the buffet.
Spent the day at Chankanaab National Park in Cozumel.
Landed Cozumel and went ashore around 9 AM. 
I stopped at the World Coral Exhibit to take a few pictures.
Cozumel’s Coral Reef
Reef Systems
Coral & Sponges of Cozumel
Ecosystems Importance
Carnival Corp & Commitment to our Environment
Commercial Threat to Coral Reefs
Coral Reefs
Life of Coral Reefs
We met up with our tour guide (Adolf) and were divided into three groups. 
Loaded into three different vans and was shuttled to Chankanaab National Park.
Several people in the group were going snorkeling.
We watched people swimming with the dolphins at Dolphin Discovery
We walked through the Maya replica ruins.
We walked through the Botanical Gardens at Chankanaab Park, where we saw flowers, birds, lizards, and a coral reef. 
We joined the group for lunch and to watch the Sea Lion Show.
 Tequila tasting at 12:50 PM
We were shuttled back to the beach at 1:30 PM and loaded back onto the ship.
Once again, we had to go through security, and once again, my knee set the alarm off, and I had to be worn down again.
That night, we saw our host dress up like Richard Simmons and do an 89’s trivia show.
For dinner, we both ordered a hot chocolate cake with French sauce. 
My friend ordered a taco, and I ordered grilled salmon with carrots and broccoli served with potatoes.
Sea Lion Show.
Coral Reef
Swimming with Dolphins
Day 5: Sunday, Feb 4, 
Fun day at Sea 
We watched the sunrise &  on the Deck, we met a woman from Florida.
We ate brunch in the dining room.
We both ordered the huevos Rancho, delicious chicken quesadillas topped with fried eggs,
& Manchebo cheese and orange juice.
huevos Rancho
Sunrise on the Gulf of Mexico 
I wrote in my journal while my friend finished reading her book. 
For dinner, we both ordered green beans, potatoes, and steak. For dessert, we ordered Cheesecake with strawberries, and I wanted to try the caramel popcorn cream custard. 

Day 6: Monday, Feb 5, 
We both enjoyed breakfast before embarking on the ship at 9 AM.
We traveled through Mobile, stopping at Dollar General for Diet Coke and peanut butter crackers.
I had heartburn, and this helped settle my tummy.
We filled up with gas and stopped at Guthries in Haleyville for dinner.
We both ordered chicken fingers with Coleslaw.


Chicken Fingers and Coleslaw 

We arrived at my friend's house around 4 PM.
Hubby came to pick me up.

We stopped at Lawler’s to pick up a barbecue plate for dinner.

Carnival Fantasy Stateroom R18 DECK R MUSTER STATION A
Hotel Comfort Inn and Suite 1200 SHELTON BEACH RD SARALAND, AL  

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