This past week Amanda and I went on a cruise! We needed to get away and Amanda just turned 30! It was so fun-we had a blast. We spent the majority of the time eating and taking naps, but in between that stuff we managed to slip in a comedy show or something.
Our first day, we drove to Long Beach. On the way, it snowed! NICE!
I was glad it warmed up by the time we reached Cali. Once we got on board, we headed straight for the spa for some R&R. Amanda got a pedicure and I got a hot stone massage. It
freakin' rocked!
Of course, we spent the rest of the time eating. We made some friends at our table, Rose and Danny, from California. They were fun and we spent a lot of time chatting with them. Every night the dining staff would dance and sing for us. That's how we came to appreciate Eddie, our waiter. He had some moves. Here's Rose and I dancing with Eddie some crazy dance.
The next day we were in Catalina.
Neither Amanda nor I had ever been, so we grabbed some breakfast and did some exploring.
We hiked up to the bell tower only to find you couldn't really check it out. All those stairs and hills for nothing!
Afterward, we rented some beach cruiser bikes and rode all around the town.
That was really fun and cheap! We had lunch and spent the afternoon dilly-dallying and shopping.
On our way back from the pier we saw some dolphins playing in the water. That was pretty cool. Once we got back on the boat, we headed for the pool for some relaxation. Of course, we had to try the slide!
That night was formal night. I hate dressing up, but if you want the good food, you gotta do what you gotta do.
That night there was an adult comedy show and it was hilarious. We were cracking up!
The next day we were in
Ensenada. We had decided to do a shore excursion which was a cooking class at a restaurant. We thought we were just going to do that, but they also took us all around
Ensenada so we could see the sights and gave us the history of the area.
Honestly, I was just ready for all that crap to be over with so we could get to the food (surprise, surprise). While our tour guide was blabbing, we saw the Mexican flag ceremony.
Coincidently, we arrived on the day of the flag (2/24) and the Mexican army was conducting the ceremony and then there was a parade. They were a HOT MESS.
Finally we got to Mango Mango, the restaurant where we took our class. It was so fun! Our chef Jesus was funny and the food was really good.
We made salsa and then turned it into guacamole. We also made enchiladas and
tostadas. I grubbed! We also had some fabulous drinks.
When we finished the class, we spent the afternoon shopping (think Tijuana). When we got back to the ship we worked out a bit (aren't you proud?) and I convinced Amanda to run on the pier, too. We spent the whole time taking weird pictures around the ship, being dorks, so we took a bunch that night, too.
I was excited when I found out there was a sushi bar on the ship. Amanda sucked it up and tried some with me. I love it...I don't think she liked it as much.
The next day was the last day on the ship. We went to the hot tub and relaxed.
We ate a bunch and got free drinks at the deck party. I was really excited about my coconut monkey I got.
We also went to a show on the ship that was really good and then ate some more.
We had an awesome time. I got to try some new foods: duck, baked Alaska, and some sort of Indian food. I even got Amanda to go to the club-
woot woot!
This past weekend I finally got to meet my friend Chris. He's from GA and we work together, but have never officially met. I experienced a lot of Las Vegas firsts with Chris. I had never stopped to take the quintessential photograph: The Las Vegas sign.
I'd also never been to Hash House A Go-Go. I know, I know...sacrilege. It was so awesome!
After an amazing dinner, we headed to the Freemont Street Experience. I just have never made it down there. It was interesting but we had a great time with Chris and Rob. We goofed around and just had a blast! 
After, we went to Serendipity. This one I HAD done, but it's so good, Chris needed to experience it, too.
After, we lit some incense near Caesar's.
I had such an awesome time with Chris and Rob. I hope they had a good trip!
