|
|
A
British Crown Colony
consisting of three flat coral and limestone islands, Grand Cayman,
Cayman Brac, and Little Cayman, just 480 miles south of Miami.
Columbus discovered Little Cayman and Cayman Brac during his fourth
and last voyage to the New World, on May 10, 1503. The Islands came
under British control in 1655 when Jamaica was captured from the
Spanish by Oliver Cromwell's army. When Jamaica attained independence
in 1962, the Cayman Islands chose to remain tied to Britain as a
British Crown Colony and is administered by a governor appointed by
the reigning British Monarch, Queen Elizabeth II. |
George
Town
[from
Norwegian Sun at Anchor] |
The
highest point is just 40ft above sea level. Grand Cayman occupies 76
sq miles of the total 100 sq mile land mass, and has one of the
highest standards of living in the world. Tourism and the
international financial industry form the basis of the economy. The
Cayman Islands offer some of the best diving and snorkeling in the
world, surrounded by coral reefs which lie at the top of dramatic
walls and drop-offs.
|
Norwegian
Sun off George Town |
We
anchored just outside George Town Harbour at 8am. With such a short
time available here [last tender back at 2.30pm] we opted for the
ship's tours ensuring we were on the first tenders ashore. Beverley
& I went to the Sandbar at Stingray City; Dave & Howard on
the Atlantis Submarine. |
Top
|
Beverley
|
Beverley
& I were
off on the first tender and had about 20 minutes to wait once ashore
before the bus to the boat.
We wandered about and took a couple of photos. The
tour was through Don Foster's Dive.
I
don't know what I was expecting to
see on Grand Cayman, but not the 2
Burger Kings, Pizza Hut, & KFC all within about a mile of the
dock! Apart from driving on the left, everything here is US'ised.
Only the minivans are right hand drive, all the cars appear
to be
left hand drive. The shopping strips are US style.
The
Don Foster's Boat [&
Me!]
It
was only about 20 mins to the boat dock, 90 of us boarded;
plenty
of room though and during the 30 min ride we were told
how to feed and treat the stingrays once we got there.
We
had about 40 minutes in the water which
was 89° and varied in depth from about 3 - 6 feet. The rays are
so soft and silky when they rub up against you. The
males are only about 2ft across, but the females can be up to 6ft in diameter.
Beverley was a bit afraid of them to start with and wouldn't feed
them. I kept some squid in my hand to entice them towards her, but
she always moved off taking plenty of photos. Other fish were about
too. We were shown how to pick the rays up, but it was quite slippery
doing so.
All
too soon it was over and we had to board the boat again. Half way
back the heavens opened.
A visit to Stingray City is a must for anyone calling at Grand Cayman. |
View
some more photos
of Stingray City
It
didn't stop raining heavily for the rest of our time on Grand
Cayman. Beverley
& I wandered around the shops, running for cover, wading through
ankle depth water in the streets, buying rum cakes and a few
souvenirs, until we had to return to the ship, whereupon the sun
appeared. Time was really too short to see much of the island.
Top
|
The
Atlantis Submarine carries 48 passengers down to depths of around
100ft to view the undersea world a
mile south of George Town Harbour, in Cayman National Marine Park.
It's a short
boat ride
to the submarine.
Once below the waves, there is commentary on what
can be seen and charts to enable one to identify the fish. A
thoroughly enjoyable excursion.
We
did make 104' but the camera wasn't ready!
Howard
looking up the Fish |
Howard
on the Boat
to the Submarine
Atlantis
Submarine |
View
some more photos
of the Atlantis Submarine Trip
Top
We
sailed from George Town at 3pm, with some lovely views of Seven Mile Beach.
|
Looking
Beyond the Point to 7 Mile Beach |
7
Mile Beach |
Top
|
|
Holidays 
