Our last day on the beach in Aruba was a big one.
First braids.
Then a boat ride!
Skylar had never been on a boat ride before and we were literally out on the boat all of ten minutes but it was a fun 10 and we wanted to expose her to a little boat ride fun!
First, she got her lifejacket on.
Yes, it buckles sort of like an airplane seatbelt. Don’t pinch your fingers in the buckles!
And then we boarded the boat.
We pulled out to sea. All 300 yards or so.
Our boat Captain was Johnny. We’ve known him for about 7 years. He knew Scott and I before we had Skylar, while I was pregnant, and he and his wife have a daughter one year younger than Skylar so we’ve shared lots of history. I think he felt happy to be Driving Miss Daisy Braidy.
Just a little ocean spray.
Like the effects on this photo?
The view of “land” way off in the “distance” from the boat.
Lots of ocean spray in the eyes wide-eyed excitement!
And then we headed back to shore.
And Skylar showed us her boat driving moves.
And how to Stop Traffic to tell me to stop taking pictures.
But wait, I ran into the calla lilies right after the boat. I wasn’t quite done with my camera.
Thanks for letting me know from the last post what your favorite flowers are.
And thanks for sharing what your Comforts of Home are. I loved our vacation but I love being back at home, too. I really love San Diego and my home here and it’s nice to be back, even though I am buried in catch-up work and have to get back to work and the grind today, too.
Time to go raid my freezer stash for raw vegan dough balls and bites.
I think I have some No-Bake Vanilla Sunflower Seed Butter Balls (Vegan & GF) in the freezer.
You can use almond or peanut butter on these if you prefer. I adore SFSB and haven’t had any in 3 weeks so that’s what I want to reach for.Questions:
1. Do you like boats or going on boat rides?
I do like going on boats, but I also like getting off! About an hour is my limit before I get antsy and within 2-3 hours I just have to get off. I have been on dinner/sunset sails that go on for about 3 hours and by the time dinner is being served, all I can think about it is get me off this boat. Or get me another drink!
I used to have friends who’s parents had boats (half the population in Minnesota, The Land of 10,000 Lakes, has a boat. And they’re fine but I get antsy on them after awhile!
I like rides, and I like being pulled behind the boat on tube rides or water skis better!
2. Do you get seasick?
Yes. Probably not any more so than the average person but getting Scuba dive certified here in San Diego was an exercise in getting wickedly seasick. And for Scott, too.
Actually, talk to anyone who’s gotten certified here and between the very choppy and rough water, the dive boats that aren’t make to “roll with the punches” like other boats, and the thick wetsuits you have to wear for protection from the cold water temperatures cause one to overheat on the boat until you’re actually under the water, making it a perfect recipe for some massive sea sickness! Ugh.
3. Have you ever been on a cruise?
No, I have never done it. I see the big cruise ships come into port daily in Aruba, and frequently here in San Diego, too. But back to my answer in #1, I just don’t think it’s a fit for me.
Some people say they love cruising because they get to see many different places and islands rather than pick one and stay put for a week or so.
However, I’d rather be “trapped” on one island for a week than trapped on a boat. Yes, of course seeing different islands each day, but still, on one boat for many hours and days.
I know that people who love cruises can’t get enough and go over and over. My parents included in that group. Plus everyone raves about the food.
Have a great weekend!
I LOVE boats and anything to do with the water. LOVE. I could live on a boat, I think. I’ve never been on a cruise overnight, but I’ve taken several booze cruises in the tropics. So much fun for a few ladies in an evening with a crew of hotties. ;)
okay, i think that picture of Skylar doing the boat driving imitation is priceless!! haha…luv her face, it’s cracking me up!
oh, boats…okay, i have a really short time limit on anything where i’m sort of ‘trapped’ or contained. i think it’s fun going really fast on a boat for a bit, but then i get the ‘okay, now what?’ sort of feeling. i went on a houseboat with my friends for a long weekend and by the end i couldn’t get off fast enough!! but i’ve never been on a cruise, maybe that would be different because they are so much bigger, have the gym and all, and lots of stuff to do/see. then they are always docking, so maybe i’d be better off.
i don’t get seasick, or haven’t yet, so that’s at least working in my favor. :)
I grew up on a boat! Well, not literally… but… both my parents were crazy, insane water skiers. I was born in May, and we were on the water in June, baby playpen and all. As soon as I could swim (about age 3 or 4) I was up on my skis. I LOVE the water and think it’s so awesome that you took Skylar for a little ride. She’ll surely remember that for years to come.
I love going on boat rides.
I have only gotten seasick once. Bad choice to drink soda in the morning and sit at the top of the boat.
I’ve never been on a vacation “cruise”. But I was in the Navy. I was mostly on land but I did go on a few “cruises” of up to 3.5 weeks. Not EXACTLY the kind of cruise you mean. :)
I don’t think I’ve ever been on a real boat, just ferries and Disney rides, which I love. The cool breeze from the water is fantastic.
So glad that you enjoyed your getaway. All of your pics from the trip were amazing!! And yes, I love that blue tint photo!! Gorgeous!
Beautiful pictures :D Skylar is so cute. Her hair is so long, it’s awesome!
I do like going on boat rides, but I know what you mean. There is a point at which enough is enough and I want off. I have been on a cruise though and I have to say it was totally different because there are places to explore and lots of different things to do. But still, I probably wouldn’t go again if I had to chose between there and just one really nice place I wanted to go to. The food was amazing though :D If only I was as much of a foodie then as I am now. I get sea sick too :( But not always, I guess it depends on the water.
I love boats! Especially speed boats – they’re so much fun!
Gorgeous shots! I always love how you are able to capture Skylar’s excitement :]
And nooo, I do not do boats! As one of my friends teasingly puts it, “I don’t like to do fun things.” Boats, roller coasters, air planes, sky diving… all no.
cmon fun is your middle name!
and thank you for “Gorgeous shots! I always love how you are able to capture Skylar’s excitement :]”
oh do i get seasick! ive been on small boats in india, new zealand, Caribbean, etc. i’ve also been on 5 cruises (most of the carib, hawaii, bermuda) and they aren’t really for me. i just went because my family did! the food is eh so so in my opinion. i typically fear places that mass produce food since i think they can’t possibly spend the right amount of time/attention to preparing a special dish but hey loads of people still manage to gain weight on this ships!
“i typically fear places that mass produce food since i think they can’t possibly spend the right amount of time/attention to preparing a special dish ” — DITTO
“but hey loads of people still manage to gain weight on this ships!”– moderation? more food tomorrow and the next day, huh, what’s that? I dont have to eat 8 plates of food at every meal? lol
We live right by the water, and Phil has a very rickety looking inflatable boat that we go out in–everyone thinks we’re crazy! I don’t love it–it’s _so cold_ and I always get wet (my raingear leaks).
I have been on a cruise: an orchestra I played with in college got to play on the QE2 between New York and Southampton–we played a gig every night and a couple others, and otherwise got to ‘enjoy the cruise.’ I hated it!
I don’t get too seasick, but I do sometimes get ‘woozy,’ and just not feel right.
Glad you made it home!
Really can’t get over how grownup Skylar is looking these days! I love boats and could quite happily spend all day on them. I don’t think a cruise is for me though, I like exploring too much!
I know, it’s crazy…she’s night and day from our Phx days!
those photos of skylar on the boat are sooo cute! that is great that she got a taste of boating – no better place than in aruba!
i do not like boats. i feel seasick easily. (also seasick on airplanes, that’s another story).
we have gone on a cruise and, yes, even on a royal caribbean mondo-huge cruise ship, i felt seasick at times. i did love all the activities to choose from, the shore trips! we were more tired when we got home than before we left for that cruise vacation!
have a great weekend!
I’m fine with boats, but I don’t like being pulled by them. My family goes to Lake Powell every year, but I can only handle a couple days on a house boat with a million people and I hardly ever ride the tubes. It’s painful and scary. I’d much rather go camping like we used to.
OMG! Skylar is too cute! Love all the pictures. Sounds like you guys had a great time.
2.) Yes, I realized this on our honeymoon when we went on a 4 day cruise… I was throwing up and in bed the entire time. It was a horrible experience to say the least… and on our honeymoon!
Cute pics, looks like Skylar did well for her first boat ride!
1. Sure, boating was a hobby of my father’s, so I spent a lot of time on them as a kid. Now a cruise is my kind of boat ride. :-)
2. I did when I was a kid, but not anymore.
3. Yes, two of them and I want to go again soon. They were especially fun in Florida because we lived a short driving distance from so many cruise ports. You should try a cruise, they’re nothing like little boats.
It was sooo great following your vacay via the internet :) I almost…aaalmost felt like I was there! Oh and welcome back to the 71 degree weather, it’s going to be a gorgeous weekend in SD! I think you brought back some Aruba sunshine with you.
and funny, i was thinking it’s chilly here today…lol
that’s what 90F and humid will do to you for 3 weeks!