This was our second formal night. No one told us there was two. Glad we could sorta match the part. Note to all you cruisers, if its 8 or more days there is more than one formal night.Our whole group. We snorkeled in the Bahamas.

This guy scared me a little.. well he just surprised me. I didnt expect to see him so close.

Just sit right back and you’ll hear a tale, a tale of a fateful trip, That started from this tropic port, aboard this tiny ship. The mate was a mighty sailin’ man, the Skipper brave and sure. Five passengers set sail that day for a three hour tour. A three hour tour

Yes, that is THE Gilligans Island.After our boat tour we rushed back for dinner as we were most likely going to be late. That night Neil and I were to perform in the carnival legends show. Im guessing this show happens on every carnival voyage as I was part of the show last time as well. Neil wanted me to try out again because he didnt see me last time and he knows how much I love performing. So I did and I made it. :) As the same person as last time although I didn’t want to be her.. but I couldn’t let the person that tried out before me win.. She wasnt.. really good. The next day were the Elton John tryouts. No one was going up there so I told Neil to go and try thinking others would go up behind him. No one did! So.. Neil got the part. Neil isnt much of a singer but he did a great job. Or so I think. I was so proud of him for going up there and doing it! Plus his outfit was 100% better than mine. I would have been Elton if I could have been. Its WAY better than Gloria Estefan’s.

DOESNT HE LOOK AWESOME!?!?!?!?!For my set the lighting changed after I was up there a few seconds so most all mine were all washed out and bleh. So this is the best one my friend Leslie got of me.We ended our trip with our friend Amy picking us up. Amy is Jess’s wife(from vacation part one.) She took us to have breakfast in Fort Lauderdale and then we were on our merry way back home.Isnt she so cute!?!?! She’s due August 20th.

So for a little review on out cruise Ill say this.

8 days was one day too much for me(and I think we all might agree.)

Since we are so used to seeing awesome performances the performances were less than stellar. I mean they were good for the common viewer but for someone who sees people like Sharon and Juan, The Killer Dillers and other fantastically awesome dancers and singers (Evita Arce) it just wasnt up to par. And for me personally coming from a musical background the singers sucked! Well the backups were great but the lead woman and man were just bad.

The food was great. duh

again, just get off the ship and have a cabbie take you somewhere you want to go. Dont book excursions.

Nassau was my favorite spot. Although it might be because it didnt rain that day. Last cruise the Bahamas was my least favorite spots and St Thomas was my favorite(still so sad it rained.)

I think thats it. I guess I would go again but I wouldn’t take my kids(not that we have any yet). I just don’t think that’s the right sort of vacation for kids. Not only cause there were these little terror boys hanging around the whole time without their parents. I just don’t think it would be fun with kids. Unless you didnt get off the ship. I think next time we’ll just fly down somewhere and spend a week there instead. I really like to be able to get up at sunrise and see sunset and see the area.

Hilary Mercer is a Wedding Photographer in Tacoma, Washington. Her work is quickly becoming recognized as some of the most creative wedding and portrait photography in the Northwest. You can read the original blog post here Vacation | Carnival Freedom | Part Three.

Apparently back in the day slaves would go here and jump off instead of living. They also used it as a burial grounds for the island for a while too.

Neil was a lucky man to get to hang out with 3 lovely ladies the whole trip. :)

On the other side from the cliffs was this pretty beach. :)

The next day was Tortola. Our driver was crazy(and liked to sing) and the roads were crazy. Neil didnt feel too well so it was just us ladies. It rained a lot, apparently when it rains it washes the roads away. That cant be too safe?

They gave Ang a massage after she gave them one. Note to self, get Angie drunk. She likes to rub feet then ;)

If youre going on a Carnival cruise. Try the hot chocolate. Its like a hot, yummy heaven in a tiny cup. I miss it.

Hilary Mercer is a Wedding Photographer in Tacoma, Washington. Her work is quickly becoming recognized as some of the most creative wedding and portrait photography in the Northwest. You can read the original blog post here Vacation | Carnival Freedom | Part Two.

We picked my friends up at the airport Leslie and Jess who lives there and kindly let us stay with him. Then we had dinner at a place in downtown Fort Lauderdale called Mango’s. It was yummy and I had swordfish!

Then we move to the cruise. These photographers on the cruise are crazy and are everywhere. So.. why wouldn’t you want a random pirate choking you at dinner?

Our first stop was San Juan Puerto Rico. We walked around trying to find a few geocaches. One was in a locked fence and the other was missing.. what a bummer. We still had fun walking around all the same.Then Neil and I met up with Angie and Leslie who were having a few yards of boos at Senor Frogs. There was a conga line and we were the heads of it.

Our next port was St Thomas which was the port I was MOST excited about since it was my favorite last time. Apparently we sailed through a tropical storm and it POURED while we were in St Thomas. So we just walked around and got soaked.. :(

I think I was most excited for the cruise because i got to wear dresses that I usually wouldnt wear. :)More to come soon!

Hilary Mercer is a Wedding Photographer in Tacoma, Washington. Her work is quickly becoming recognized as some of the most creative wedding and portrait photography in the Northwest. You can read the original blog post here Vacation | Carnival Freedom | Part One.

Neil and I spent July 4th in Washington DC. We figured “why not be in the nations capitol” on its birthday? Everyone else thought the same thing apparently. :) We started our trip at the National Cathedral.

Probably my favorite photo from the whole weekend:

From there we took a trip to the National Mall

hmm not sure this is appropriate for a public blog.. but whatever, you’d do it too.

silly camera shadowsThis photo screams “i need to lose weight!” but thank you Julie for taking it!

Now for the fireworks!

It was mayhem as we tried our best to get home. We made it a lot sooner than I expected.. in about 30 minutes.

These last three were taken right outside our house. Apparently there was fireworks on the 5th too.I love that it looks like a flower!This last one. I zoomed in halfway during the exposure. Kinda neat I think

Hilary Mercer is a Wedding Photographer in Tacoma, Washington. Her work is quickly becoming recognized as some of the most creative wedding and portrait photography in the Northwest. You can read the original blog post here Roadtrip: Washington DC.