Dania Beach Hurricane-Cruise-Key West 1/06 (part 2)

The next day we docked at Georgetown, Grand Cayman. We 'tendered' in from about 2 miles out. Pretty wet ride for those on the outside. There was also 3 more ships along side us.

Visited 'Hell', which is named so for the rock formations. There is this shop we stopped at, owned by 'Ivan', who is dressed like Satan. When you walk in, he says charming bits like "How the hell are you?". 8/10.

Next stop, Caymans only 'Turtle Farm'. I forget the exact name, but it is an attraction. Admission is about $9 US. They have breeder turtles, hundreds of them, well over 40 years old. They lay eggs, which hatch, and raised, and then become soup. Excellent gift shop that rivals a Sea World. Its like looking into a giant pool, and instead of sea lions, there are hundreds of turtles. 8/10.

Next stop was Tortiqua Rum Factory. They make suprise...rum and rum cakes. All the free samples you can handle. 7/10.

Spent some time on the beach before we left. Beautiful. Love that blue water. In town, they have a Hard Rock, Senor Frogs, and even a Harley Cafe. Everyone is nice.

We had a van driver named Max. Max had 3 jobs, which also included assistant to the Island Coroner, and night security at the hospital. His business card had 4 cell numbers, 2 emails, and he also had 2 badges on his belt.

Grand Cayman is a great place. But, no one would tell me where the off shore sports betting places where. 9/10.

After returning to Ft Lauderdale, the rental car is picked up, and off to Key West. Route 1 is similar to Rt 66, aka Roadside America. West of Key Largo was a park called 'Theatre of the Seas'. Its about $35 to get in, and another $155 to swim with dolphins, sea lions, or whatever came about. Honestly, I never heard of this place, and just visited the gift shop. Not to be cheap, but I pulled in at 3:10pm, and the last group of shows started at 3:30pm, leaving 20 minutes to see the park. No coasters, so off we went.

Arrived at Key West, checked into the Chealsea House, and headed to Mallory Sq. for the sunset. Yes, its a cool thing. There are not alot of 'beaches' left there, after the last hurricane, but about 40 minutes east is Bahia Honda State Park, where I swam for about 1 hour on the way back. There is lots to do there, all for $3.

Key West has Duvall St., packed all sorts of bars, resturants, and shops. As for attractions, I saved them for the next visit. There is a Ripleys, a Pirates Historeum with lookout tower, the Pirate Soul Museum, and the Key West Aquarium. They all looked good.

Key West is a lot like Cape May, NJ, but everyone is nice, and it is an adult environment. Plenty of characters with stories. I would definately return here next off season. 10/10.

Driving home, I stopped at the Seminole Hard Rock Casino Hollywood Beach. Bangin! Loads bigger than the one in Vegas. Poker tables with tv screens, no physical cards, and the newest slot machines. Probably the greatest food court, and shops to boot. The pool area has a huge hot tub, sandy beaches, a massive pool, and a very long water slide in the center. I want to stay here next year. 8/10.

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Agent Johnson said:
The next day we docked at Georgetown, Grand Cayman. We 'tendered' in from about 2 miles out. Pretty wet ride for those on the outside. There was also 3 more ships along side us.

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Sounds like your cruise line doesnt have it in well with the port authority in Grand Cayman. Usually, most of the cruise ships there come in on one of two days and they "jockey" for position. My last cruise, our ship was right near the main harbor, only a few minute ride on water taxi away.

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Agent Johnson said:
Next stop was Tortiqua Rum Factory. They make suprise...rum and rum cakes. All the free samples you can handle. 7/10.

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I have become quite addicted to Tortuga (spanish for turtle, I believe) Rum Cakes. They are the Ambrosia of the Gods and I pay large sums of money every so often to have them shipped here in Wisconsin. The rum factory was a bit underwhelming, but the rum cake is the best in the Caribbean.

Thanks for the spelling corrections. I think we were last to arrive. It was about a 10 minute ride into port. We were also last to leave. Like the British evacuating Dunkirk in WWII. Lines and lines pf people waiting for boats.

I am glad you know the Caymans. Hardly anyone even knows where they are, except that is where the internet sports bets go.

85% of the island was under up to 30 feet of water about 9 months ago. Wow, and only 3 people died. Amazing. The rum cake is (or was) great!