Catalina/Ensenada Girls Cruise

My friends and I just got back from a girls trip. We went on a cruise that left out of San Diego and went to Catalina Island and Ensenada. We booked the trip back in October or November so we were all very anxious and excited that it was finally here. Kellye, my sister Carrie, Shannon, and I all went. Shannon and I left a few days earlier since we decided to drive down. We left early Friday morning and drove to Las Vegas and did some shopping for a few hours. Then we drove into San Diego that same day. The drive down was so much fun and the shopping was fantastic. Saturday morning we woke up and went to breakfast with my friend, Jorri. She lives in southern California and met us halfway between San Diego and where she lives. We ate at the funnest little place near the beach that had the most delicious breakfast. We then went to the beach to snap some quick pictures. After leaving Jorri we picked up Kellye and Carrie from the airport. We did a little shopping and then went to dinner.

A few miles away from San Diego is an island that you can drive to. Melissa, my sister-in-law, had recommended a restaurant, so we went there and ate. It was Mexican food and it was very good. Afterward we did even more shopping and then went back to the hotel and went to sleep.

Jorri and I at the beach.

Shannon and I.

Shannon, Jorri and I.

Day 1:

Easter Sunday we were able to board the ship at 11:30, so we got up and got ready and headed to the port. After getting our luggage all checked in, we went and found our room and ate lunch. Then we walked around the ship for a while. We decided to put on our suits and catch some sun for a while before it was time to get ready for dinner.

After dinner, we decided to go to the karaoke lounge and see what was going on in there. You'll never believe it, but the 4 of us got up and sang. I have NEVER done karaoke before. We did get video of the whole thing, but it was really really bad, so I won't torture you with having to watch it. We sang "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun" which we thought was a fitting song, but seriously, it was BAD. Carrie and Kellye got up afterward and redeemed themselves by singing something else. And then Kellye and Shannon got up and sang "Love Shack."

Day 2:

The next morning we arrived at Catalina Island. We decided to rent a golf cart and tour the island. It was really fun and we all took turns driving. The weather was just about perfect with the warm sun and a little breeze. We found a fun place by the ocean to eat lunch and did a little shopping.

Day 3:

The next day we woke up to crappy weather in Ensenada, Mexico. It was so cold. When we first got off the ship, we were all a little scared, being four girls alone in a strange place. We found some really nice people who let us hang out with them until we felt comfortable enough to go on our own. At lunch time we were walking down the street to go eat and this guy that worked at a place called the Havana Banana was trying to get us to go into his restaurant. We were hesitant at first and were heading up to the place we had originally planned on eating at, until he started dancing with his mop. He was so funny we couldn't pass him up, so we decided to eat at the Havana Banana instead. It was clean and the food was okay. The atmosphere was fun, though. He even got us to dance on the bar.

This is how crappy Ensenada looked when we arrived. It is so stinky and gross. I wouldn't care if I never went there again. It reminded me alot of Tijuana.

This was the guy that was dancing with the mop. He was really fun.

Day 4:

The last day was a day at sea which meant nothing to do but relax. Shannon and I sat in the hot tub most of the day. But while we were out there we saw whales jumping in and out of the water and we met so many fun people. We met the the Cruise Director, Stew, who was from Australia. We also went dancing (or should I say we watched the people dance - I love to people watch) 2 of the nights and that was a lot of fun. However, one of the nights the waves were really bad and the ship was rocking like crazy.

It was such a fun trip and I'm so sad that it's over. It was so funny because people would find out that we were Mormon and ask us if we were polygamists. We actually got asked that several times while on the cruise. One guy asked us if we were all wives of one guy taking a trip together. It was funny to hear that people still think Mormons are polygamists. We set them all straight, don't worry. We really did meet a lot of fun and nice people while we were there and I will never forget this trip. Thanks to Carrie for putting the whole thing together. We went with her culinary arts school.

This is Stew the director of the boat. He was really nice and had an awesome Australian accent.