rm | cruise: full day 1 - Half Moon Cay

On Jan 5, our first stop was Half Moon Cay, which is a private island in the Bahamas (homosexuality is still illegal in the Bahamas and the private island is as much as I want to be in that country until that changes). It was pretty cold there thanks to the freeze everywhere -- I doubt the temperature ever got above 75 and it sure felt below 70 by the time we left. It was a shame, as the beach was one of the most beautiful we were at, and it was one of our few days with truly blue skies. But we were freezing!

I was testing my camera shooting into the mirror in our stateroom. What you can't see here is out verandah.

Our ship, the Noordam, off Half Moon Cay. This was a tender port and the seas were kinda rough, especially coming back and trying to get back on the boat.

Floaty toys! Floaty shark and floaty lobster!

Check out the ugly fountain thing with the conch shells. Yes, that thing you're thinking? We thought it too. We're still thinking it.

There was a nature walk on the island.

Sea grapes.

Another random plant close-up.

It's a Torchwood tree! Really. Zoom in.

There were also chickens. Awesome, awesome chickens that Patty got the better photos of.

But more importantly, there was a STINGRAY ENCOUNTER. I went in to the water up to my waist, but it was so cold. The stingrays were super friendly and came up and said hi. Patty actually snorkeled and fed them and kissed them and all. This is her. SURROUNDED BY STINGRAYS. Stingrays are AWESOME.