Baja Mexico

I spent spring break on a cruise to Catalina Island and Ensenada Mexico with Britni and Ashley. We got some manicures and pedicures in Pocatello before heading down to Salt Lake City to do a little pre-cruise shopping and stay in the ghetto-fabulous Days Inn. We flew into San Diego about six hours until we had to be on the boat and had originally planned to use that time to go to one of Brit's favorite beaches from her days as a counselor at "fat camp". Imagine our disappointment when we landed and it immediately started pouring (and you could see your breath!). Fortunately we were able to get on the cruise ship early and get some food and drink. Naturally, it stopped raining at that point, but was still cold!

Brit and Ash freezing on the deck as we wait for our cast off.

Our first official day on the cruise was supposed to be spent on Catalina Island, but the wind was so strong that the smaller boats (tenders) that transport between cruise ships and the island were unable to run safely, so instead we had our "fun day at sea". We spent a little bit of time on the deck, trying to soak up some sun, and a lot of time reading and napping. That night was "Captain's night" AKA dress up and look pretty night. We had a lot of fun dressing up and took a lot of pictures before going dancing later that night. We got some professional pictures taken, which I will have to post as soon as I figure out how our scanner works!

Ashley and I, ready to head to dinner.

Brit and I in the Romeo and Juliet Lounge, listening to some live music.

The next day we were (finally!) able to get to Catalina Island, which was very pretty. We walked around and did some shopping and some sight-seeing. We went to the old Casino (which is no longer a casino, but does have a movie theater inside). Unfortunately it was closed and we could only walk around the outside. There were pretty seascapes painted on the walls by the entrance.
We also went parasailing, which was not nearly as scary as I thought it would be.

The casino (and our cruise ship in the background)

One of the murals at the old casino.

Catalina Island, taken from our parasailing boat.


Ashley and I flying high

Brit and Ash flying in front of the cruise ship.

Britni and Ashley with their parasailing gear on.

The next day (our last official cruise day) was spent in Ensenada, Mexico. We caught a tour bus out of the city to visit La Bufadora (the Blowhole), a natural salt water geyser and the marketplace next to it. We got our essentials at the marketplace (Mexican vanilla and tequila!) and ate some real Mexican food.

The area of the blowhole. Unfortunately we weren't there when the tide came in, so we didn't get a really good show.

Brit and Ashley drinking their gigantic drinks at Habana Banana.

As fun as the trip was, I was definitely glad to be headed home and see Dustin, Sophie and Cosmo. Unfortunately I had to work for the last three days of the break and Dustin went up to Missoula to help finish his brother Heath's basement the day after I got back. He and his parents also got stuck there until late Monday morning because of Monida pass's closure (due to the nasty snow storm). On the upside, I only have 13 more days of free labor and about 4 weeks until I'm finished with school!