Brett decided to score some major points and requested I let him plan a surprise vacation for just the 2 of us. We were already planning on going to my brother's graduation in Florida in the middle of May, so we tacked on a few extra days before that event, got babysitting arranged (thank you, thank you, Dear Kelsi!) and I vowed not to be nosy while he planned our surprise getaway. He also did a great job throwing me off track so with a few days to go before we flew out, he had me convinced we were going on a cruise, although I still wasn't sure of where. The night before the big trip, he slipped up and revealed we would be heading to Puerto Rico! Holy Schmoly! I wanted that to be the surprise more than anything (although I would have been very happy with a cruise). It had been nearly 10 years since the end of my mission and I had not yet returned. He couldn't have done better.
After a few wonderfully blissful days in PR, we hopped a plane to Miami so we could explore the Florida Everglades and then drive up to Orlando to meet up with my family and enjoy Trent's graduation.
So, here is a huge post of pictures and a few captions. Enjoy! We sure did! Love you, Brett!
View from the balcony of our B&B in Luqillo. Gorgeous views, delicious food, really a wonderful place to stay. Brett really did his homework for everything on this trip!
Visiting El Yunque rain forest. We hiked to the very top, which is the highest peak in PR. So much fun!
Just a couple of examples of the amazing foliage there.
Here we are at the top. You could see about half the island from up there and it was a clear day, which is so rare. It couldn't have been more perfect.
That evening we went on an amazing kayaking adventure through a mangrove channel into a bioluminescent bay, where there are bacteria that light up when you move the water. Every time you'd put in your paddle the water would literally glow in the dark. It is seriously one of the coolest things I have ever done.
On Sunday, Brett indulged me and we drove around the island to see different areas from my mission. Maybe not the most exciting sight-seeing, but it was so awesome to be able to take a trip down memory lane. We started by hitting a sacrament meeting at the Guaynabo Chapel. I went to many a transfer meeting here. The building didn't used to have A/C, but they have been upgraded in the last 10 years and I was cold during the meeting.
Here we are at the Manati (my last area) plaza, which had been majorly redone since I lived in an apartment just off of the plaza. Brett was wary of the neighborhood we were in and surprised I lived and walked around there everyday.
This is the beach in Camuy (my second area) where my companion and I would go to on P-day to write letters and enjoy the ocean breeze.
I couldn't, for the life of me, think of a good place to visit while we were in Trujillo Alto (my 3rd, and longest, area). We did pass by the chapel I attended there and drove around a lake, but most of it was just suburbs and random houses on the side of the road, so no pics. We also visited my first area, San Lorenzo and actually found my very first missionary apartment (wow, lots of crazy stories from that place, what a way to start a mission!). I thought about getting out and taking a picture, but we didn't want to weird anyone out from taking a pic on a residential street with nothing very interesting around, oh, and it was pouring rain, so we just looked, I reminsced and it was great!
The next day was spent on a catamaran, sipping virgin piña colodas, listening to Jimmy Buffet and doing some snorkeling off the island of Icacos. Everything about it was relaxing and beautiful. I absolutely loved the snorkeling (it kind of freaked me out when I was younger).
Looking back at Puerto Rico from Icacos. Isn't the water incredible?
Puerto Rico pride!
After the sailing and snorkeling, we hit the beach for a while and then enjoyed a delicious authentic Puerto Rican meal. It was heaven eating mofongo and arroz y habichuelas again!
We spent our last day in PR exploring Old San Juan and El Morro. The place the above picture was taken has a special place in my heart because, as a missionary, I spent Good Friday morning there watching an amazing sunrise/storm/rainbow all at the same time. It was so symbolic of all that Easter means and I will never forget the beauty I saw and the way I felt that morning.
We really enjoyed exploring the architecture of El Morro (Spanish colonial fort).
Such quintessential Spanish colonial architecture and all these fort structures are found surrounding Old San Juan.
The next morning, after an evening flight to Miami, we found ourselves biking through the Everglades. Now, Brett's idea (in theory) to take a 15 mile bike ride through the Everglades was a good one.
We saw all sorts of beautiful wildlife like those pictured above.
However, Brett was not aware (even I wasn't aware to what extent) of my great fear of alligators. After only a couple of miles of biking past open water, with only some grass in between us and the gators, I was getting more and more anxious. The above-pictured alligator, with his tail partially in the road, threw me over the edge. I turned that bike right around and high-tailed it out of there as fast my legs could pedal me. I really did love the concept of this bike ride, but I would have been much better off in the tram ;)
After a scenic drive through some more of the Everglades and southern Florida we arrived in Orlando and the next morning, we hit up Universal Studios to experience the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. We have now officially been to Hogsmead, been inside of Hogwarts, visited Zonko's, eaten a chocolate frog, dined at the Three Broomsticks. You get the point. It was a lot of fun to visit.
Butterbeer is amazing!
So was the food at the Three Broomsticks. Did I mention we went here with my mom and stepdad? 4 full-blown adults, with no children in tow, enjoying a theme park. It was nice ;)
We can never resist taking a few pics under the cartoon captions.
Hey Mom, we're riding a carousel together, just like the good old times, from when I was like...5!
I am sure, for him and his family, some days it felt like it would never come, but my brother is officially a dentist!
I just get to stand in these pictures because I am the sister and I showed up, but I know my mom and dad are so proud of him. So are we!
Trent wanted his pics taken at the Swamp. Very appropriate!
Giving dad a congratulatory high five.
My brother's adorable family. Not too shabby, Trent. You've done well!
I just love these pictures of my parents with their grandchildren. I have so many fond memories with my grandparents and I am so happy my kids have such wonderful grandparents too, with whom they are now making memories.
What an incredible trip. I doubt I'll come close to topping this one. Brett, I am forever in your debt, for a good many things, but this sure puts me in much deeper!
