Grand Cayman

Grand Cayman was our last and final stop. How I managed to escape such a beautiful place with the least amount of pictures is beyond me. It was a little windy again and the shore excursion to the Stingray City Sandbar was cancelled. We hadn’t quite made up our minds if we were going to brave swimming with stingrays, but with it being cancelled and our minds being made up for us we didn’t have to feel like the real whimps we were probably going to turn into be.

Instead we tendered to George Town, the main entrance to the island, and found ourselves a bus tour to show us around. We drove through the West Bay of Grand Cayman, and learned a lot about the island and its people. We laughed when the tour guide told us that the island is 22 miles long, 8 miles at its widest point and a maximum elevation a whooping 79 feet. In 2004 Hurricane Ivan hit and took its toll on the Island. For months people were not allowed to leave the island, and residents who were off the island at the time that it hit, were not allowed to come back. They were without power, water, or sewer services for several months later. This little pink house was one of the only homes left untouched after Ivan moved through and withstood 170mph winds. Apparently it has lived through a number of Hurricanes and the people on the island who knew its history sought shelter under its roof while they waited Ivan to pass. Look how cute it is?
Next we went to Hell. Really, we went to Hell. Hell, Grand Cayman that is. It was hot and ugly and black, just like I imagine Hell to be. These rock formations are nothing more than short, black limestone. The story goes that Hell received its name when a local official exclaimed, “This is what Hell must look like.” Yup, my thoughts exactly.
We spent the rest of our day at Seven Mile Beach and that’s exactly what it was. Seven miles of turquoise water and white white sand. Don’t think I didn’t fill a baggy up with some of it and bring it home. We snorkeled here too and saw even more amazing fish. I loved laying on beach and listening to the waves. Total paradise---except for the sunburned legs!We had such a fabulous time on this trip. We enjoyed everything about it; the ship, the ports, the no kids around, the sun, sand and sea, and most of all, the company. We had so much fun with my sister and her husband and my parents. How do you thank someone for treating you to a trip like this? It’s impossible. Thank you a million times. We love you! We are so lucky to have you in our lives. You’re the most generous, loving parents ever. Thank you for the bottom of our hearts!