Nassau, Bahamas

We arrived into Nassau this afternoon. Because of that, I slept in this morning. I ended up waking up at 9:00. (Left - Melanie, me, Ryan, and Kelly on our boat in the Bahamas) It was weird because I couldn't tell that it was that late. In fact, I kept thinking it was early because it was dark in my room. If I had a room back home like this, it would be way too easy to sleep the day away.
I got up, showered, and got ready. Then around 10:00, I looked at the schedule and realized that we had games/social activities at 11:00 and that breakfast ended at 11:00. So I woke Colette up to tell her that, and went upstairs to get breakfast while she got ready.
In the Windjammer, I walked around until I found a table. It was just a little two person table. I put my stuff down and tried to ask a couple to watch my table, but apparently they didn't speak English. So I left my stuff and went to get food. (Right - The island near which we went kayaking and snorkeling) When I got back, there was a guy sitting across the table from me. I didn't want to find a new table, so I sat down to eat my breakfast.
After a little while, the guy started talking to me:
"What's your name?"
"I'm Rachel, what's your name?"
"Chris. Where's your boyfriend?"
"Not here."
Maybe I should have left it at that, but I like to talk to people, so I asked him where he was from and who he was traveling with. He is from New Jersey and is traveling with his family. He asked me more about my "boyfriend" so I told him that I didn't have a boyfriend. It didn't take long for him to ask me to be his girlfriend. I was a little surprised and told him that we hardly know each other. (Left - Me in front of some festival creature in Nassau, Bahamas) According to him, that's why we get to know each other. I told him that we lived far away from each other, but that didn't deter him, either.
At some point, he asked me to hang out with him later. I didn't know how to respond to that . . . So I just ignored it. He also told me that he was taking a risk by talking to me. I told him he was brave (but I thought, that doesn't mean I have to say yes).
He asked, "Do you know why I'm asking you to be my girlfriend?"
"No."
"Because I broke up with her because she cheated on me. I need a better girlfriend."
How do you respond to something like that? Well, I asked him what made him think that I would be a better girlfriend. He didn't really have an answer for that. (Right - sunset over the Bahamas)
At one point he said:
"You're very pretty."
"Thanks . . ."
"And I'm in love with you, that's why I'm sweet talking you."
"I don't believe that."
"What?"
"You don't even know me! I don't believe you can love someone you don't even know!"
In the end, I convinced him that he didn't want me for a girlfriend by asking if he drinks. He, of course does, so I said, "Well I don't drink. . . And I don't date anyone that drinks."
"Oh, never mind then."
It was quite an interesting and unforgettable breakfast. I've never had a guy tell me that he is in love with me before (I've had OTHER people tell me that a guy was in love with me, but never the guy himself), and I've never had a random stranger ask me to be his girlfriend. (Left - Cruise lines in Nassau's port, the middle one is my ship)
He was probably a few years younger than me, too, maybe 22 or 23. So it was doomed from the start.
After breakfast, I went down to the conference room where we met on the first day. There we played get-to-know you games. It was fun. We only had an hour because a wedding was scheduled in the room for noon.
When we got kicked out, we didn't know what to do because we weren't in port yet. We stood talking with a couple of people, but one particular guy was extremely rude. There were four of us talking and he was obviously interested in talking to just one person. He looked only at that person and talked only to that person. So Colette and I left. (Right - Senor Frogs)
We walked around a little, then I went to get ready for my shore excursion. There were a lot less people on today's shore excursion than yesterday's. We entered the Bahamas and found the place where we were to check in. Then we headed off to the pier where we got on a boat. The boat was really slow, but we went out to another island. I don't remember what it was called, but it was an island that was actually on top of a coral reef. There some of us got into kayaks and others put on snorkeling gear. I got into a kayak. It was clear so that you could see into the water, but it was hard to see. After a bit, I realized that it would be easier to see by snorkeling, so we went back in and I put on snorkel gear.
I wish I had brought my water proof camera case because it was awesome. It was way better than snorkeling in Key West. I saw a yellow stingray, touched a sea cucumber, and basically felt like I was swimming among the fish. It was great. I even became comfortably enough snorkeling that I attempted diving down. I think I could consider myself a pro now.
(Left - Independence decorations in Nassau) Eventually we had to go in and head back to Nassau. From there I hurried into town to get some free pendants and a free charm for my charm bracelet. Then I went back to the ship for dinner.
After dinner I was going to head out on the town with a couple of people, but I had to go to the bathroom. When I was done, I thought they had left the dining room. Later, I found out that they were waiting in there for me. Oops! It's so easy to lose people on a cruise amongst all the other people.
So since I couldn't find them in the dining room, I decided to check if they went downstairs. They weren't there, so I decided to check outside. (Right - Night in the Bahamas) They weren't there, either. I thought about going back inside, but I figured by the time I got back in, I wouldn't be able to find them, so I decided to walk around. I got some nice pictures of the sunset, and walked down the town. All the shops had closed early because it was Independence Day for them, so the streets were pretty deserted. After awhile, I decided I shouldn't be walking around by myself. A key factor in that decision was being propositioned by a 14 year old native boy. He came up to me and said, "I'm a virgin and haven't had sex, would you have sex with me?" I was a little taken aback, but said no and continued on. On my way back to the ship, I ran into the people I was going to go out with originally (along with a bunch of other people).
Since I was now with a large group of people, I decided to stay out. They didn't believe me when I told them what had happened.
We went to Senor Frogs, a famous bar. There wasn't too much going on when we got there, but we started dancing. (Left - In the front: Kristi, me, Diane, Kelly, Trisha; In the back: Trent, Ryan, and Chris) Soon after, other people started joining in. We started the party. Then we kept it going when Shane, a guy from our group, was pulled onto stage. He had to dance, and if he did good he would win everyone from Utah a free shot (he is from Utah). If he did excellent, he would win everyone in the bar a free shot. Well, he won everyone a free shot (we didn't take ours, though). We danced some more, then I got pulled onto stage with a bunch of other females to dance. After awhile, I got down. It turned out I got down just in time because it went down hill from there. Shortly after, we left.
We heard from others later that after we left the party died down (what can I say, we are the life of the party!), but then the alcohol started to take effect and it got really bad. (Right - Elephant towel creature. Housekeeping would leave various towel art in our rooms. It was pretty cool and interesting) We cut out just in time.
We walked around a little more and relaxed. Then we went back to the ship.
Back on board we went to see the Love & Marriage show. That was funny. Then we went Latin dancing. That was fun, but since I'm not very good, it wasn't fun for too long. Plus, I only know how to salsa, and only a little. Soon, we went to watch the ship leave port. We ended up talking into the wee hours of the morning.