Norwegian Cruise - Day 5

A Slow Start


Jeremy's alarm goes off at 05:30. We have to be in the Stardust Theater at 06:30 to leave for our shore excursion. Zelda wakes up and is in such a good mood. This surprises me a bit since we are up so early and Lil' Eggo loves her sleep. The three of us head up to the buffet for breakfast, and then we go to the theater. Unfortunately, the departure time is pushed back an hour due to additional clearance needed from Roatán officials to let us on land. We decide to just hang out in the theater, going down to the front of the stage and letting Zelda run around. Jeremy goes to get us coffee while Zelda runs back and forth and back and forth and back and forth...


Kyle wakes up during this hour and joins us in the theater to hang out until we leave. About an hour and a half after our initial start time, we are lead down to the boat that will tender us to the island. We board the tender where we are overly packed like sardines with other cruisers. The temperature is unbearably hot inside the boat. Zelda, her cheeks pink from warmth, falls asleep on her dad. Around us, people are starting to get angry - the heat is getting to them. One of the other cruisers snaps at a Norwegian Cruise employee pointing out that she's about to have a mob on her hands, and instead of trying to calm down the crowd she just snaps back with attitude. I start to get paranoid about being stuck on a small enclosed boat with a group of angry people, and am nervous but Zelda's health with the heat. I'm about to get up and ask if we can stand outside the boat until we are actually ready to leave when we push off.


Once on land, we walk down the pier and are directed to a shuttle bus that will take us to our destination - Gumbalimba Park.

Adults and child explore a theater interior with ornate starburst carpet, stage, and balcony seating area.
A baby crawls on a theater stage near footlights while an adult watches nearby.

Gumbalimba Park


Gumbalimba Park is a nature reserve and animal sanctuary located on the western end of the island. it's named after the Gumbo Limbo tree which is prevalent on the island, one of which greets us in the plaza area of the park. We get off of the shuttle, pay $5 for a locker that fits my camera bag, the diaper bag, and the towels we brought with. We will be seeing monkeys later, and are advised to leave any food and sweet drinks behind like soda. After putting everything in the locker, I only have my camera around my neck, and Jeremy only has the little bag with our passports, stateroom keys, and a sippy cup for Zelda.


We walk around the area, taking a few pictures, and then our tour guide regroups us. She walks us around the nature area, pointing out different trees, such as mango trees, the gumbo limbo tree, a cinnamon tree - they truly are rich in nature here.


She leads us to an insect exhibit where we get to see hundreds of dead insects on display. It wasn't my favorite room to be in.


We are then lead into a cave where we get to see cannons, swords, and more from old pirate ships. We learn about Captain John Coxen who used to hide treasure on this island. His history and legacy is celebrated by the island's residents, which is why one of the main cities on the island is Coxen's Hole. Captain John Coxen would often hide, or foxhole in the area, when the British came looking for him. He's share his treasures with the locals for helping him hide.


After this, we are taken to an area that is known to be home to the green and black iguanas. The green iguanas are herbivores, and the black iguanas are carnivores. The green ones are nowhere to be seen, but we do spot one black one perched on a rock.


From here, we have to cross a suspension bridge made of cable wire and planks of wood. At least it's not rope, I think to myself. We technically do not have to cross the bridge. There is a path that goes around called the "Chicken Path". Oh, what a sense of humor these people have. Every time I see one of these bridges on television or in a movie, I always tell Jeremy that he will never see me on one of those bridges as it feels like a death wish. Well, never say never. I cross the suspension bridge. I refuse to be the only person that goes on the Chicken Path. Before we cross, the tour guide takes our picture. Jeremy just takes off with Zelda, walking across the bridge like he does this every day. I go much more slowly, looking down the thirty foot (9.14 meters) drop to the swamp water below.


The macaws are found on the other side of the bridge. There are several scarlet macaws and one "military", or green, macaw. A bunch of them are perched together, while others fly through the trees above us.


After this we end up in area with the monkeys. One monkey immediately greets Jeremy and tries to get into the bag with our passports. Thankfully, the bag is locked. A monkey jumps onto his shoulder and stays perched there for a while. Zelda thinks it's the best thing ever and laughs. She looks around and giggles at all of the monkeys. Maybe she'll love them as much as her dad does. We do get a family picture here as well with the monkey on Jeremy's shoulder.


We hike back down to the entrance of the park. Jeremy takes Zelda to feed her some snacks and have her hydrate, and I go into the gift shop to see if there's anything we should get for our daughter. We have a goal of getting her one gift from each port. I purchase a stuffed animal that is a monkey with a baby monkey on its back. We are then directed back onto the shuttle and make our way to Tabayana Beach.

Man in black shirt and green shorts stands on dirt trail surrounded by lush tropical forest near an informational sign.
A massive tropical tree with wide buttress roots and sprawling branches surrounded by lush green forest foliage.
Lush tropical coconut palm tree with green coconuts hanging from fronds against a bright sky.
Lush tropical garden path with cobblestone walkway leading to an ancient stone arch surrounded by tall palm trees.
Iguana resting on rocky ground near wooden fence and logs in a lush tropical garden setting.
Man in black cap carrying a child through a lush bamboo forest garden path.
Colorful scarlet macaws and green parrots perched on wooden branches in a lush tropical forest setting.
Scarlet macaw with wings spread perched in lush green tropical tree canopy against bright white sky.
A vibrant hornbill bird with a red beak soars beneath lush green tree branches against a pale sky.
White-faced capuchin monkey perched on a tree branch in a lush tropical rainforest.
Large orange bracket fungi growing on a mossy log surrounded by green ferns in a forest setting.
A white-faced capuchin monkey perched on a tree branch in a lush green tropical rainforest.

Tabayana Beach


Lunch is included with the excursion, and we head to the buffet before enjoying the beach. It's easy to find lounge chairs, which is amazing, because this is the most crowded beach we have been on. There are also vendors blocking your way to the water trying to sell you stuff. I hate that so much. I hug Zelda close to me and turn my shoulder away from the vendors. I'm not interested, and I don't want to give them any indication that I possibly am.


She and I dip into the water, and Jeremy soon joins us. The water here is very choppy, and not at all peaceful. Our little mermaid is perfectly fine with it though, and just rests her head on our shoulders as we take turns holding her. I go retrieve my waterproof camera case and attempt to take some cool pictures in the water, but the waves make it difficult.


Zelda soon gets tired, and I take her back to our loungers where she promptly falls asleep on me. I read my book, my big sunhat providing the perfect shade to let her sleep and for me to read comfortably. Jeremy comes up and relaxes in the chair next to us, and we just sit there peacefully for an hour or so.

Woman in straw hat breastfeeding baby on lounge chair at tropical beach resort with palm trees.
A shirtless man wearing sunglasses holds a young child at a tropical beach with clear turquoise water.

Norwegian Dawn


We get on a shuttle to head back to the ship, and the shuttle driver definitely makes me question my life choices. He almost hits several people, a few dogs, a plethora of other vehicles, and he honestly thinks that he's doing a good job. I'm just concerned for everyone's safety. We get to the port, but since we already found something for Zelda, we decide to not do any more shopping. Besides, the shops all look the same as other ports. We take a not-crowded tender back to the ship.


We return to our stateroom to rest for a bit, before joining the group for rubber duck hunting and dinner at the Aqua restaurant. Both kiddos do a wonderful job with the fine dining experience.


After dinner, Kyle and I attend another art lecture. This lecture is about Thomas Kinkade, and then we head down to the EFFY jewelry store for our free amulets. Kyle and I then go back to Jeremy's and my stateroom, where Jeremy, Kyle, and I play Farkle while the toddler causes chaos. Afterwards, Jeremiah runs out to grab us coffees, Kyle returns to his room, and we settle in for the night.

Lush green hillside tropical town with white buildings overlooking calm turquoise bay waters under cloudy skies.