Caribbean Cruise 2016 Part 2

{PART 2}

The last port we stopped at was the Dominican Republic.

This was our favorite port!

Carnival has developed the beautiful Amber Cove.  

There was plenty of fun stuff to do right at the port... + the pool and water slides were even included.

(our girls would have loved this!)

But we chose to venture out into the country.  We were super happy that we did.

We met up with our driver Rene Robles and tour guide Julio Ceasar outside of the port.

Our first stop was the cable car.

Safety is not the highest concert in the DR.  hahaha ;)

Gorgeous views from the top!

A stop at a cathedral, a tour of Puerto Plata and some bird feeding...

An old fort

Then our favorite stop.

Visiting Casa Albergue de Martina.

An orphanage and school for 24 adorable girls.

They were super lovey.

They loved having their picture taken and seeing it.

They loved playing games on our phones.

They were sweet and special and happy.

Wish we could have taken a couple of them home with us. :(

Such an incredible, super memorable experience!

We had a fabulous day in Puerto Plata thanks to our guides.

I'd be happy to make a stop here again!

Another sea day the next day.

Pretty sure the guys would say that their favorite part of the cruise was the dodge ball tournaments.

They loved them!

And of course were extremely proud that they were on the winning team... and earned medals. :)

O and a side note.

Shane won a medal during the week for something I never dreamed he'd get a medal for...

Dancing!

What the??????

Apparently they thought he was an "enthusiastic Billy Jean dancer".

:):):):):):)

My favorite part of the week...  was the sun.

(A super close second was the fun with these great people!)

I said dodge ball was the guys favorite.  But for Shane it was probably a tie with his actual favorite.

Pretty sure food is Shane's favorite part.

Even these frog legs were a hit!

"tastes like chicken".

One last meal with our great waiters.

The next morning we said goodbye to the Carnival Breeze.

Our flight home wasn't until 7:30 PM.

So we had time to burn in Miami.

A trip to the Everglades for an airboat ride to see the alligators did not disappoint.

Plenty of alligator sightings.

We even held one...

Because what would a vacation with the Astle's be without doing my favorite thing in the entire world.

Holding animals...

 ;);););) 

Now we've added alligators to the list!

 

We arrived home to a perfectly clean house and well cared for children.

Tayler had left the day before for her own spring break to California and Saige handled the end of our trip on her own.

So thankful for our sweet girls.  For all their help and care for each other and for being so responsible.

I was SOOO happy to see them.

It was a great trip.

Grateful for good friends to travel with.

Grateful for the opportunity to travel.

Looking forward to doing it again!