Royal Caribbean Cruise (next May)

I didn't travel much when i was a child (23-year old adult now, though i know i am still a kid in my parents' eyes.) because my family is not very well-off and couldn't really afford to spend on family holidays abroad. But I have no complaints because i know my parents worked hard to provide me, my bros and sis with the education we need and always try their best to give us what we want.

The on-going overseas trips began after i met Ah C and when i went into uni. Due to the flexible time-table, I was able to give tuition and work during the holidays to earn extra money. After Ah C signed on with the air force and achieved financial independence, he was also able to save more money. This, with our common interest of seeing the world, we went on numerous trips from 2005 onwards. Looking back, we are both rather amazed on how much we love travelling that we can put most of our money aside to do so, and also how we planned all those long trips on our own. Especially the trip to Japan, when we can't even converse in Japanese and booked a nightbus from Tokyo to Osaka, just cos its cheaper and also saves us a night's accomodation, when others woould have gone for the safer, faster and more expensive choice of taking the train. We even wanted to visit this ulu place called Shirakawago where they had these World Heritage-listed houses but was stopped by the snow storm that disrupted the train system.

I have enjoyed all my trips very much so far. I do think the company is very important and i am glad that Ah C and I have the common views about travelling. First, we don't really shop alot (except when are in US hahaha) but we do buy a lot of souveniors, which can cost hundreds of dollars. And we are happy doing that. To us, the experience and memories are already valuable returns from the money spent and buying things for our loved ones back home (esp. our families) is a way of telling them that they are not forgotten when we ourselves are having fun.

Second, we would love different kinds of experience each time we travel. So far, each trip has been rather different...
Tioman: Beach holiday, snorkelling
Taiwan: Cheap and good food, visiting the Taroko Gorge
Japan: Themeparks, temples and castles
Hong Kong: Shopping and eating
US (Colorado): Mountains, outlet shopping (yet to try white-water rafting and snowboarding!)
Bintan: Spa holiday at Angsana
Australia (Perth and southwest): Geographe i.e. natural attractions, wineries

Next year, (if leave and time permits) we will be going on the Royal Caribbean Cruise in the US! I always thought cruises are boring (having gone once when i was much younger) and never thought of going again. Until Ah C went to the US and learn about the Royal Caribbean Cruise (a luxury cruiseline). There are so many activities on board, including yoga lessons, jogging on the running track on the cruiseship, theme nights at the ballroom and clubs, diving, rock wall climbing, theatres and shows etc etc. These, together with the various stopovers, i think it will be difficult to be bored. For more information and pictures, refer to the website below!
http://www.royalcaribbean.com/findacruise/experiencetypes/home.do;jsessionid=0000HCeiBOVegxs3355wdpJT-XF:12hdhu87a?cS=NAVBAR

Some pictures I found on one of the cruiselines (Enchantment of the Seas):

Possible itineries:


Day 1 Fort Lauderdale, Florida Depart 5:00 PM
Day 2 Key West, Florida Arrive 7:00 AM Depart 2:00 PM
Day 3 Cozumel, Mexico Arrive 10:00 Depart AM 6:00 PM

Day 4 Belize City, Belize Arrive 8:00 AM Depart 4:00 PM
Day 5 Cruising
Day 6 Fort Lauderdale, Florida Arrive 7:00 AM

Day 1 Port Canaveral, Florida Depart 4:30 PM
Day 2 Cruising
Day 3 Labadee, Haiti Arrive 8:00 AM Depart 5:00 PM
Day 4 Ocho Rios, Jamaica Arrive 9:00 AM Depart 5:00 PM
Day 5 George Town, Grand Cayman Arrive 8:00 AM Depart 4:00 PM
Day 6 Cozumel, Mexico Arrive 10:00 AM Depart 7:00 PM
Day 7 Cruising
Day 8 Port Canaveral, Florida Arrive 7:00 AM

I can only hope the trip materialise, cos i am still unsure of my work schedule for the following year =[

There are so many things to see in the world!