Cayman Islands

Diving with Stingrays, read on...

Grand Cayman is just that, Grand!  It lies 170 nautical miles south of Cienfuegos, Cuba.  After a month in Cuba with limited supplies available and not being in touch with the outside world, we were excited to arrive in one of the top tourist destinations around, not to mention the diving, which the Caymans are famously known for.

Georgetown, Grand Cayman

Crew from T R I B E and Amphitreete about town

Candy Girls, Kimble and Sky

REALLY?!

Layla not to be left out...

  This island is the first place we've cleared into that did not cost a cent at immigration, took all of 10 minutes, even free mooring!  On a good day here in the Caymans one will see up to 6 cruise ships in the bay (this is a duty free island), but we are in low season so mostly only 1 or 2 ships at the moment.  The shopping on this small island in the middle of nowhere compares to any big town with all the name brand signs in jewelry, electronics and clothing, calling out to the passengers of the cruise ships.  

Layla on the dock of the bay

Catch of the day

Farewell sundowners on 7 mile beach with Calabra's crew before the crew of Amphitreete parted ways with us.

We picked up a mooring ball between Georgetown and 7 Mile Beach, a great stretch of white sand to run on in the mornings.  We took our bicycles into town and cycled around to get a feel of the place, had lunch at the Hard Rock Cafe yesterday and thoroughly enjoyed a visit to Kirk's supermarket, haven't seen one of these(a supermarket) since we left the States 5 months ago.  The snorkeling here is breathtaking, crystal clear water and an abundance of colorful fish surrounding you as you swim around the coral heads and reefs.  This is a marine reserve and these fish are not shy.


The week we arrive the Freediving competion is being held, so that means Ashley and Ren Chapman are here.  Ashley does break the current record for Constant Weight No Fins 65 meters, Congratulations Ashley!  Ren is one of the safety divers on standby, a great team. 


http://www.evolvefreediving.com/Evolve_Freediving/Competition.html   


 This also means that Skyla gets to do the Freediving course with them as she missed out last time.  Rourke accompanies Skyla and does a refresher.  Rourke increases his static breath hold to 1min 45 sec and Skyla manages to hold her breath for just over 2 min, woohoo!

Ashley Chapman doing Freediving course theory with Skyla and Rourke

 Ashley preparing Skyla and Rourke for static breath hold

Practicing safety procedures in case of loss of motor control.

Skyla in the zone doing breathing techniques taught by Ashley of Evolve Freediving

Skyla doing her static breath hold, just over 2 minutes!  Ashley's gentle touch encouraging Sky to stay relaxed.

Heading out to sea to practice the theory

Nick Mevoli, Ren, Ashley, Sascha, Veronika and Chris

Nick, Ashley and Ren sailing back to North Carolina aboard Nila Girl

Stingray City, thats what its called, the place here where one gets to swim with a multitude of stingrays.  We sailed around the island and into the lagoon to Rum Cay.  Spent a couple of days anchored off an idyllic palmed beach and swam with the rays, about 20 or 30 swim right up to us and hang around looking for food, rather intimidating.  Poor Layla, a huge female swam onto her back and wouldn't leave, all I could see was Layla's head and her swimming towards me saying 'help meeee!'

Chris in the background getting some great footage with the GoPro

Rourke, Sascha, Chris and Layla

Sundowners at Kaibo

Local Cayman beer

We motored around to Camana Bay, a brand new Marina and outdoor waterfront restaurant shopping area.  Spent the weekend at the Marina FOR FREE, I tell you cruisers, Cayman Islands is the place to be.


The island is clean, welcoming and beautiful, I think we will be staying here longer than expected…  Oh yes, they have wifi, ta da!