2/16.




Our first port of call, the Cayman Islands.



We awoke to the sound of room service bringing our breakfast. In the pre-dawn distance I could see the lights of George Town, Grand Cayman. By 7:30 we were dressed and on our way to the tender. The water was a bit choppy, but that couldcn’t stop us.



Background music: anything Paul McCartney. The pirate king and I were fortunate to see Sir Paul in concert at Citifield last july. Today the king wore his concert t shirt, a real conv ersation starter, everyone asked us if we’d seen the concert. Apparently Sir Paul is revered in the British West Indies.



Background music: a medley of "Yellow Submarine" by the Beatles and "Under the Sea" from Disney's Little Mermaid. We arrived in port and found our shore excursion quickly --- a group of six headed for the Atlantis Submarine. We walked over to the Atlantis offices, and there was a yhellopw submarine on display outside! Usually there are about 40 people on the sub, but we were a v ery small group and it felt like a private tour. Lots of interaction with our tour guide as we tendered out to the sub.



The worst part of the trip wasn’t the choppy waters at the surface, it was climbing the ladder down into the sub (going up after the tour was better). We saw coral reefs, we saw fish, we saw a shipwreck and we even saw a mermaid…well, a statue of one. No stingrays or turtles, alas. but we saw a moray eel!



After the sub ride we walked around the downtown area for awhile. We spotted a small area with a few old cannons and a stone wall. We discoverd that it's the last remnants of Fort George.It's so sad that Fort George was torn down to make way for development, history should be preserved. We also found our way over to the courthouse and a few national monuments. The pirate king teaches high school social studies, and he was interested in the island's history -- slavery was abolished in the Cayman Islands over 30 years before the American Civil War!



Next up: a tour of the best of Grand Cayman. The bus ride was borning—past condos and hotels in various stages of repair --- yes, I realize Hurricane Ivan tore apart the island, and I am glad the island is recovering.

The first stop was a small beach area where we posed for photos. and shopped, of course.



Next was the turtle farm, where we got to hold real live turtles. Guess who turned out to be a turtle whisperer? The turtle I was holding was flapping about and trying to get away from me….until the pirate king rubbed the turtle under its chin. Then it got quiet and allowed me to hold it.

Afterwards we walked across the street to the dolphin swim area – our tour didn’t include a swim, but we got to watch the dolphins for a few minutes before heading ovef to the Tortuga Rum outlet for free samples of rum and rum cake -- I really liked vanilla rum and didn’t like banana rum. A friend of ours makes better rum cake than what’s for sale, but the cakes were good…and we came away with bottles of hot sauce.



Background music: "Bat Out of Hell" by Meat Loaf.



The last stop was the town of Hell. Saw the rocks, posed with the devil, bought a few souvenirs and mailed a few post cards. Now I can say I've been to Hell and back.



On the way back to the port area the tour guide toldus thath 7 ships wereexpected tomorrow, but the weather has changed and the ships have to dock on the other side of the island – and the Carnival ship has therefore cancelled. it's visit to the island.



Back at port, we did a little more shopping. The pirate king bought one last souvenir -- a cross bow (the pirate king likes decorative, non-functioning "antique" weapons), and then it was time to tender back to the ship.



Musical accompanymnet: "Let’s Twist Again" by Chubby Checker



Tired from our day on the island, we headed back to the c abin for awhile, then we grabbed a bite to eat on the Lido deck before tonight’s show – a juggler and a comedian. I had a taste of the islands -- jerk pork loin for dinner. Later we danced to 50’s tunes in the casino lounge -- the pirate king can still do the twist….



Background music: "Southern Cross" by CSN. We ended the evening on the deck. It wasn't as windy tonight, and we could actually see stars. Found myself singing the second verse of the CSN song...."When you see the Southern Cross for the first time..." No, I couldn't see that particular constellation...but I'd never been that far south before...and I have always been something of a stargazer.



Next up: Roatan