It was another early start. We had to be ready to be off the boat by 8 am and they started blaring over the intercom earlier than that to make sure everyone was up. After a few last bites in the cafe, they called our color and we headed off the ship.

The port was a frenzy of cab drivers and tour bus operators. We almost took a tour bus to the airport and then we learned that there would be a few other stops on the way. No thanks, we escaped into a cab.

At the airport we said goodbye to my family and then waited for our flight for 3 hours.

I’d like to nominate Miami International Airport as the least traveler-friendly airport. There’s almost nothing to eat inside the terminal. Dying to get some power before the flight, we walked up and down the new section of the terminal and found no working power plugs. We ended up sitting on the floor near a smokers’ room. On the way in, I swear we walked a whole mile from the terminal to the baggage claim. They’ve cluttered up the hallway with all kinds of little vendors so it’s impossible to get around.

While we walked around we saw lots of people, especially on flights to Mexico, wrapping their bags in plastic. Very strange. I guess it’s to protect the bag from airline damage and prevent people from shoving drugs in them?

The flight was direct and uneventful. Our friend Tom picked us up and delivered us home.

As soon as we opened the door we knew something was wrong. It stank – badly. The cats’ litterbox was filthy and they seemed to have started just going around it, not in it. They were completely out of food. Their water bowl was dry as well. What the hell happened to the cat sitting service I set up?

After tending to the cats and apologizing to them, I investigated. Before I made an angry phone call, I decided to check my email and see what dates the pet sitter was supposed to come. Oops. I had given them the wrong week. They were coming the last week BEFORE our vacation, i.e. during the day when we were at work. The last day they came was the day after we left, which means they were alone for 8 days. I felt terrible. I think they kept each other company though so they weren’t too upset. They didn’t seem to be starving either; when I refilled their food they didn’t run to it. Apparently they had discovered water in the toilet bowl and were drinking that. While they were nervous for a few days afterwards, worrying that we would leave again, they seemed to have suffered no long-term effects.

I readjusted back to the time change relatively easily. Anne not so much. For a few days, we were both feeling like things were still rocking slightly back and forth.

All in all it was a great trip and a relaxing way to see a lot of places. I’m looking forward to another one some day.

For more, check out the full photo set on flickr.