Cruise 2011
Page 2
Thursday 24th
Grand Cayman
Guided drive $54 2.5hrs 9amDiscover Cayman- "Two of Grand Cayman's most popular activities, visiting the Turtle Farm and literally going to Hell, are included on this tour. Sit back, relax and enjoy the highlights of Grand Cayman. Your tour begins in George Town - this prosperous capital ranks as the fifth-largest financial center in the world - with a guided drive along Seven Mile Beach, briefly stopping along the way to capture once-in-a-lifetime snapshots. Continue on to quaint local neighborhoods on your way to the Gingerbread House, followed by a stop at Hell, a small tourist village known for its unusual inferno rock formations. After a 'hell' of an experience, you'll visit the Turtle Farm, home of the world-famous green sea turtle. On the way back to the pier, you'll make a brief stop at one of Cayman's rum cake outlets."
Seven Mile Beach- unfortunately I didn't get to spend any time here.
The town of "Hell"
Obligatory rumcake outlet stop.
The Turtle Farm!
The cruise tour would head back to the boat, but I figured I would stay here and pay the extra to use their facilities like the snorkeling lagoon.
Well, if it were the first time in your life you were ever snorkeling probably a good place, but while I had a pleasant time, I would probably have been better off at a beach bar on Seven Mile Beach. Next time.
So today was Thanksgiving- this is a sign in the shared taxi I took back into town, only like $2.
This is where my friend Mic was staying, she had just gotten in for the weekend from NYC. Small world, would have been cool to stop in and see her. Below are some of the sights and scenes walking around town.
This all yellow ensamble was not done intentionally.
Of course I have to go by the local Margaritaville,
which was close by the cruise pier.
Yes! After asking several locals I was able to track down and eat at KFC. One more country down.
Lining up for the shuttle boat back to the ship.
On the big screen in the atrium area a decent crowd gathered to watch some turkey day football, and my team the Dolphins were palying the Cowboys. It was a good, close game, but of course the Dolphins lost 20-19.
Some wings and won ton soup while you can still see the screen from the upstairs bar area.
Friday 25th
10am - 6pm
Cozumel
Walking around the shopping area I tracked down the jewelry store to pick up my free piece of Tanzanite that I had earned on the ship- it was REALLY, REALLY, crap. I have no idea where I have put it, and it wasn't worth the time to go to the shop, much less the lecture on the boat. Oh well, not sure what I really expected to get I suppose.
Taxi on my own to Chankanaab.
Lobby area
Where the encounters happen.
Pool
Lagoon
So I staked out a spot on the beach area.
This was supposed to be a great snorkeling experience from the reviews I had read- well while the weather was nice, for soem reason, especially during the period I was in the water, the waves really kicked up making it unpleasantly choppy. In fact several people, myself included, were in danger of being pushed up by the waves against the VERY sharp rocks- you could only enter and exit via ladders that were in several spots over the rocks.
Honestly it got pretty hairy- one couple was in such a state that they got out of the water on the rocks after they were bashed up a bit- they were able to flag some people walking by to help them over the rocks and out of the situation- I almost felt bad for the guy because his girl was crying and hysterical, and he had to deal with it and I'm sure in chivalry got cut up a little more than he otherwise would. A few moments later sympathy and empathy would fade, he was on a trip with some hot snatch he would be sleeping with tonight, while I now had to get myself out of this damn situation. No crying hottie to attract help, no one within a few thousand miles that gave a damn how I was going to fix this. First- should have been better prepared- I believe I got in without the proper foot protection.
Two- stay calm, find somewhere you can stand and hopefully wait this out without getting cut up from the waves smashing you into the rocks.
Three- consider your alternatives. Figure I should be able to make a swim for it to the next ladder. Oh, but at some point I dropped my snorkel, NOT GOOD DAVE, NOT GOOD.
Four- snorkel probably isn't too far away, can you back track and find it? Yes, lucky bastard.
Five- swim like hell for the ladder, and get my ass back onto a beach chair. OK, no worse for the wear.
Food here was decent.
$59 2pm This and in second place Dunns River Falls were the highlights of this trip.
I THOROUGHLY enjoyed being able to get close to these manatees- I have sought them out in the wild before, but still this was an incredible addition to that experience and would love to even do it again.
I have the taxi drop me by my third
Margaritaville for the trip.
Back to the boat.
27th - 30th
So after arriving back at the port of Miami, without even seeing my parents, I was off to Miami airport to head BACK to Jamaica to continue my Caribbean vacation. American 11/27 MIA 245pm-420pm Mobay11/30 1210pm- MIA 150pm
$352 Hotel $833 Thought about doing this tour, but not enough people-
Bob Marley tour, $120
December 1st- Southwest flight home
#1083 Depart FT LAUDERDALE FL (FLL) at 1:50 PMArrive in AUSTIN TX (AUS) at 4:10 PM
