THE BIRTHDAY CRUISE

Five years ago for his 65th birthday, Gary chose to celebrate by going on a cruise and liked it so much that he decided to do it again for his 70th. There were 16 of us on the previous cruise, but this time we had only a couple of cousins that could go along. We had been begging Ron and Danielle to go with us for a long time but since we were their only babysitters in the past, they turned us down. Then they pulled the surprise of the century and joined us on the ship. The details of this surprise you will find on Danielle's blog as she has many additional pictures and tells the whole story. She is the blogging queen. Just click on Turner family beside this post and join in our joy.



Our ship, the Norwiegen Cruise Lines "Spirit"

A partial view of our cabin. We didn't spend much time here because there is food on the ship available 24/7.

Our favorite eating spot was the dining room for dinner. The food was always so picturesque. And because the portions were small we ordered multiple appetizers and entres at times. Then we went up to the buffet or down to get BBQ.

Here we are leaving the Port of New Orleans which is on the Mississippi River. To our surprise it takes about 8 hours just to sail to the Gulf of Mexico.

Here's Ron and Gary on our deck probably planning their snorkeling excursion or perhaps looking at the dinner menu. It was often a difficult decision whether to eat early then attend the late show and go later for more food, or go eat in the late afternoon to tide us over until dinner after the early show.

Gary's cousin Norma Jean also had a birthday while we were on the cruise. Birthday guests got cake and singing.

While in Honduras the taxi drive took us by the local Mormon chapel. He knew "the Elders." I suppose in this little town, so did everyone else.

Ah, yes...and then the chocolate buffet!

Here's the four of us at the base of one of the ruins.

Our group climbing to the top...who's already at the top taking the picture? Right! The old 70 year old.

OOPS! Notice Ron stayed behind me just in case.

At the beach were some beautiful peacocks...not the spreading of the tails (mating) season however.

This was the day Danielle and I sat in the rain on the beach so our men could have a good time.

They did...the rotten guys. ; 0 )

We went twice to the beach, once to see ruins, did a little shopping and I particularly enjoyed the palm trees everywhere. Could I ever grow one in Washington?

Here's a nice shot of the people who made this cruise really special for us. I hope we can do it again sometime. Wish I could have taken a picture of them running down the hall yelling surprise when they found us on the ship. That is indelible in my mind.

The whole purpose of the cruise...Gary's birthday! Here's the official celebration. These two were always "dragging" me and Ron up for "ice cream" which usually turned out to be a 4 course meal from the buffet...kicking and screaming of course. ;0)

Back in our room was a towel birthday cake rather than the usual animal we found every night.

The last evening was so happy with memories and yet so sad that it was over.

We're planning to do it again for his 75th!! So hang around, Gary!