Cruise Line: Norwegian Cruise Line
Ship: Sky
Room: Balcony/ 10th deck
Time: 3 nights (Friday to Monday)

So, over the Thanksgiving Holiday, Felipe and I decided to go on a little mini-cruise from Miami to the Bahamas. It was three nights. We left Friday and returned Monday morning. It actually worked out because we got on the ship around noon on Friday and then Monday we were still able to go to work. Even though it "worked out," I think in the future I'd want at least a day to recover. The problem is always that I'm lazy . . . aka I don't like doing stuff. I like to do, nothing. When it comes down to it, I can (and will) work hard, but given the choice, I'll choose being lazy . .. sleeping/ reading/napping/etc. errry day. But, I feel like I need to make sure Felipe is having fun, so it adds an unnecessary amount of stress on me. And it is unnecessary because Felipe likes to be lazy too, so there's no reason to feel like this.

DAY 1 - FRIDAY

So, Friday we got to the ship around noon. Even though it doesn't leave until around 5pm, you can get on, drop your bags off at one of the restaurants, and then start enjoying the OPEN BAR + Food! 

We got a balcony room and I was really happy we did. I have been on a cruise two times before - once when I was 17 and we had an inside room, and once when I was in my mid-twenties and we had an ocean view room. I wanted a balcony so that if we got seasick we could sit on the balcony, because I feel like having a breeze on you always helps. I was pleasantly surprised with the room, and yes, it was small, but the bed was a queen (two twins pushed together), and we had enough room to move around. The idea --of course-- is that you're not spending a ton of time in the room. 

After we set sail, the sun was setting, so, of course, we went on a mission around the boat to get the best sunset pic. Overall, nature never wants to cooperate, so the sunset was okay, but I've definitely seen better when I'm just like, driving down the interstate and can't stop to take a pic, yanno?

We went to dinner in the main dining room; we got there right when it opened around 5:30 so we got a good spot right by the window. I like how Norwegian does its dinner time whenever you want, and you're not at a table with a bunch of randos (which can also be a good thing, depending on what you're looking for in a cruise). 

After that, I think we went and took a little nap. Of course, it was around 7pm so Felipe didn't think I'd get back up (can't say I blame him!), but, we did! We went back out around 8 and we ended up spending most of the night in the piano bar, singing with some old peeps, but it was fun. We did go to the "dance club" after that for a little bit, but at that point it was like 1am, and I'd been up since early in the AM, and I just didn't have it in me to stay out any later. 

DAY 2 & 3

Day 2: Nassau

Day 3: At Sea (supposed to be on Norwegian's private island). 

Not gonna lie, I was hungover when we woke up on the second day. I had wanted to get up and watch the sunrise, but that didn't work, but I did manage to snap a good pic from our balcony before the other cruise ships started coming in. 

I wasn't too enthused about Nassau, I was more interested in the private island. The last time I was on a cruise from Port Canaveral, we stopped in Nassau and Bridget & I took a ferry (?) to Paradise Beach? TBH I don't even remember how we got there and if that's where we went, but I remember we were on the beach next to the Atlantis Resort. So, we could've done something like that on this day but Felipe is not really a huge beach person (and neither am I, tbh), and I thought we were gonna have a big beach day on Sunday. 

We didn't end up getting off the boat until prob around noon and had to be back by 4:30. We went to Senor Frogs for a drink and then were heading back to the ship when we stopped in a cool, pirate-themed brewery and watched the end of the Michigan / Ohio game. 

When we got back on the ship we ate dinner and then had a low-key night. I think NCL was trying to punk us though because all the movies they were showing were like movies about shipwrecks - In the Heart of the Sea, The Finest Hours, etc. 

The last day, like I said, they cancelled the private island day. They said it was too rough to tender over, but, tbh, unless we're going over in a little zodiac boat (we're not), no it wasn't. I am a little cynical of everything and I felt like, I know they're doing renovs on the island and I just felt like they didn't want us over there. 

But, we had a relaxing day. I sat on the balcony and worked on my book for awhile, drank several mimosas. We went to watch football in one of the bars at one point (FYI, they didn't show any college football on Saturday which I thought was really surprising/annoying, and I'd be interested to know if all their ships are like that -- for Felipe, not me, obvi). I also went to the spa and got my hair blown out, which, on the advertisement it said $35. When my check came it said $49 (long hair). That was really annoying to me, because they should definitely let a person know that it's going to be a different price than advertised. But, it was worth it to me bc my hair is so thick that if I'd had to do it myself in our room it would've taken me hours (not joking). 

We also spent some time in the Casino, which never ends well for me, but Felipe won a couple hundred bucks on roulette! And I lasted awhile on blackjack, so that is always surprising!

DAY 4- Debarkation

Monday was our debarkation day. The agenda we had (oh yeah, they give you a print out of all the stuff happening at all times on the ship! Super helpful!) said that we could get off starting at 7:45. This was a little late for us because Felipe has to be to work at 8, and me around 9. But, they ended up announcing at 7:30 that we could get off and it was super quick to get off and clear customs. From there, we both took taxis to work and I was exhausted for the whole day! haha!

Overall

I had a really good time and I'd definitely do another cruise, especially if we could find one for the same length that has a good deal. I'm definitely gonna be on the lookout during "slow" times because I bet we could get it really good deal. It was also good because neither one of us got sea sick except for a little bit on the last night, we could "feel" the ship moving, but it wasn't too bad. 

Have you ever gone on a cruise? Would you? 

Art Basel, Miami, 2016

Apparently this weekend in Miami was a big event called Art Basel. It takes place in Miami Beach and Wynwood, with a few other venues between those places. 

Today we went to Wynwood for some drinks and to explore a little. They said that they did new walls, but I only saw the old ones so maybe we weren't in the right place. 

It was really cool! It's like an outdoor open-air space with a fixed bar in the middle, and then food trucks all around. They also have live music every day (Sunday is for Reggae!), a little dance area, and did I mention the food trucks?

We had a few beers, and then I waited in line FOREVER for this "world famous" House of Mac. I got the buffalo chicken mac & cheese (obviously) and Felipe got the lemon pepper wings. Okay, it was legit, but not sure it beats NYC's SMAC. And I waited over an hour for it because people literally lined up for this food truck for 30 minutes before it even opened, and then they would order like 12 orders of food. 

Can we talk about how Felipe is this guy brought to life?

After that, we walked around a bit. I wanted to check out a brewery and maybe this taco place (Coyo Taco, FYI), but it was a madhouse on the streets! Reminded me of NYC except not as good because Miami is not really built for large crowds on the sidewalk!

Next up: 

Season Finale!

xo, 

kim

Honeymoon Day 2: Bangkok

Our second day in Bangkok was our first (and only) full day in Bangkok! We were going on a tour around the city of the big temples. Luckily, this is where having the tour guide REALLY came in handy. I know Bangkok is a hub for travel bloggers and expats, and I definitely think it's navigable on your own, but if you only have one day in a destination, you don't want to be worrying about how to get to places (or maybe you're a masochist and into that sorta thing, who am i to judge?). 

Be prepared and forewarned that they ain't joking about the "covering yourself" thing. It was worse in Cambodia at Angkor Wat (more on that later), but I still had to use a scarf to cover my shoulders. And this will not be the first time I mention how supremely fucking hot it was so just be prepared. To be honest, it was the same temperature and humidity as Florida in the summer, but I don't spend my days in Florida walking around covered from head to toe in 100 degree weather, 100 % humidity. But again, maybe you're a masochist into that sorta thing, so, who am I to judge? 

Anyways, here's some pics: 

i love this pic; it's as if they're all like: "whoa. hold up. slow ya roll. what you talkin bout?"

buddha buddha buddha buddah rockin' everywhere

to be continued

Honeymoon Day 1: Bangkok

So, our first day in Bangkok was all about recovering from that jetlag. We arrived around noon, I believe, and luckily we were met by a tour guide and a/c-ed mini van that took us to our hotel. (We booked our honeymoon through a travel agent, and while I'd never done this in the past, I am now obsessed and will definitely do so in the future for "big trips" that involve travel in non-English speaking countries with lots of destinations). 

We were pleasantly surprised to learn our room had been upgraded to a nice balcony view (a trend that would continue throughout the trip #honeymoonperks). We did take a nap for a few hours which I really needed, and then we took the river taxi to Asiatique -- yes, it's super touristy, but so what. When you only have a few days in a destination, yeah, you're probably gonna hit up the tourist spots. They're touristy for a reason. That being said, def take a pass on Asiatique if that's not your thing (I'm from Florida so I basically thrive on amuement-park-like areas 💁).

Here's some pics, and yes, all my honeymoon recap posts are going to be very pic-heavy. #sorrynotsorry. 

upgraded balcony room

thai beer at lunch

it's just too much. how does anyone cross the street? #nostoplightsnoproblem

the first of many towel animals

views from water taxi ($1)

#touristlife

miss my singhas!

Bangkok's very own lock bridge! 

We only spent that first day and one full day in Bangkok. I'm really not into cities and I knew there was so much other stuff I wanted to see and experience in SE Asia besides a congested polluted city. Definitely do not regret spending so little time there.

xo

Sail Turkey - Finally! (photo overload)

Ok, you've been warned: photo overload. Also, let me note that NONE of these photos were taken by yours truly, but by others in my group.

I went to Turkey in, Oh, you know, August 2013. WOW. Can't believe I haven't written about this yet. 

It definitely was one of my cooler travel adventures (but anyone who loves to travel knows you can't choose your favorite - it'd be like choosing a favorite child!). When I started researching boat trips it went from Yacht Week --> Sail Croatia --> Sail Turkey. I still want to go to Croatia, but I heard (through reading blogs) that Turkey was more laid back than Croatia, and I didn't really want to be stuck on a boat with a bunch of 18 year-old-Australians. 

Which, granted! I WAS on a boat with a bunch of Australians, but they were not 18. Because so many people had signed up for our sail date, we had three boats. Luckily, Steph and I were put on the "old boat." So named by us, the oldies. We were all 25-31 and I really really liked our group. We were having chats about economics and playing a game called Mafia (they definitely went overboard on this!)

My reservations about doing this trip: 

(1) I get seasick so I was worried

(2) Turkey (western media portrays it like it's pretty dangerous - esp. last summer)

I had no reason to worry about either. I *did* get seasick pretty terribly on the first day, but I jumped in the water and surprisingly that helps. Otherwise, no problem. 

The trip was Sat --> Sat. I'll let the pictures speak for themselves (except for when I explain them!). None of the pictures of the water have been edited. (There are a few that were obviously edited from the camera, but I didn't edit them myself -- the water really DOES look like that).

 Ice-cream man speeding away after selling us!

 I'm not in this picture, but, my groupmates and THAT WATER THOUGH!

 Our days consisted of naps, reading, jump in the water, eat, repeat.

 On our one night out, the oldies had to show the young boats how it was done. We were going to Smuggler's Cove (I obviously love all things pirate) -- I'm not sure how we fashioned these eye patches, but needless to say, oldies are prepared.

 Heading off the boat to a little hike (which cut me up!) but check out that fishtail braid though! I made stephanie learn it at the airport in Iceland and then I made her braid my hair every day!

  Sighhh

 Ok so apparently there is an australian airline - Star Jet? or something - and they do these jumps in all the commercials so all the aussies were always doing these star jumps -- obvioulsy the American FAILS!

 I LOVE this picture!! If you knew what it cost my poor legs to make it to the top! I have the same picture as the lock screen on my phone.

 A shot from the front of the boat to the back - you can see me sleeping on my little bed in the left hand corner.

turkish sunsets >>>>

 THIS PICTURE IS NOT EDITED. THAT IS WHAT THE WATER ACTUALLY LOOKS LIKE!!

 ACTUALLLY!

 The only thing that sucked is that it was pretty hazy because of the heat, but still. Those views!

 How you dry your clothes.

 After a short stop in Kas (pronounced Kash). SO BLOODY HOT.

 Our boat.

 Kas, Turkey.

 This is not what I pictured Turkey like before this trip. This is why I love travel.

 This is the back of the boat where we could hang out - cushioned. You can also see all the haze from the heat. This is Butterfly Valley.

 Family breakfast.

 =O

 =O

 Here I am, laying on my little bed. We did have a "cabin" below deck but most of us slept on these little beds because it was WAY cooler!!

Ok, so they told us we were going "tubing" and I was like, OK, I can handle that (I'm terrified of rafting bc my raft flipped in costa rica and I almost drowned), then we get there and it's like tube-rafting ... and the water was faaahh--reeziing! And if you went to the sides you got stuck on the rocks. Terrifying. 

 

Walking around the boat // swimming into the pirate cave (a real pirate cave where they used to store their booty)

My favorite! "Pancakes! Pancakes!" everyone would scramble to get their money when these pancake boats would pull up! (Crepes).    Overall, a really incredible trip, SO SO SO happy I did it and now I'm hooked on relaxing vacays -- I'm pretty sure this was the one and only time I've ever had a relaxing vacation.    PS - Turkey's name comes from the TURQUOISE COAST !!! It's all so clear to me now!