A Side Trip to Cayman Brac
20140501-20140508

We planned a week long side trip to one of the two Sister Island's of Grand Cayman - "Cayman Brac". The flights were cheap and very short. Unfortunately, it is not so sailboat friendly, so we had to leave aVida behind married to her docking lines in Barcadere Marina, Grand Cayman. It was also a good excuse to sleep in a comfy bed, and actually shower with abundant water every day.

Cayman Brac lies est 90 miles northeast of Grand Cayman and est 5 miles east of Little Cayman. There is little chance to get lost, as it is only 12 miles long, and 1 mile wide, with only several major drive-able roads. Its name actually originated from the Gaelic word "Brac" meaning "Bluff", a limestone outcrop that rises along the island up to 141 feet above sea level at the eastern end.

So, it is quite opposite the busy cruise destination of Grand Cayman, much more natural and rugged in its terrain, and completely quiet and laid back. Almost too quite. Though, we chose this island to get our sea legs back, with lots of snorkeling and diving.

Little surprises awaited us. We rented a car to explore the island the first several days of our trip. And there was much to explore. The perimeter of the island is dotted with many underground caves, used for shelter from the hurricanes for many years by the locals. Some of the caves are convoluted with side tunnels only accessible crawling on your belly with knee pads and protective clothing head to toe, neither of which we had. So we only explored those reachable by a reasonable hike or climb.

The diving and snorkeling was incredible. Crystal clear warm waters, great visibility, vibrant colorful healthy reefs, lots of small to medium to large fish and stingrays. Beaches - not so much, unless you like tip toeing with boots over coral and stone. A once ever for us ... our DiveMaster speared unwanted Lionfish and fed it to Groupers that actually followed him about like a dog would. The Groupers allowed us to stroke and fondle them, of course their knowing they will get fed as a result. Tough life. But a great moment for us.

Toward the end of the trip we enjoyed a couples' massage as we usually do. And, a final hike toward the island's Lighthouse, where we ventured near the brink of the bluff and found Brown Footed Boobies - I mean the Bird - nestled alongside the cliff probably warming and protecting her eggs. It was a flashback to our experiences in Galapagos 5 years ago, minus the Boobie mating dances, which obviously they must have already performed.

Back to aVida in Grand Cayman - home to many roaming Roosters, chickens, and Iguanas who actually have the "right of way". Mark continues boat projects... he is replacing all of our faulty blind and shade window hatch covers, and is looking to find a rigger to help with our lost spinn halyard issue as well as investigate a possible corrosion problem of the diamond stay connectors to the spreaders of the mast... BIG problem if corrosion is there. He purchased an upgraded underwater camera system to take some future more serious photos with. I continue crocheting, this time making hats for cancer patients, and began sketching again - this time funky fish subject matter. It is fun for both of us to enjoy hobbies again that we have neglected in the past.

We look forward to MarkJ and Christian joining us end of May to free aVida from her dock lines, and sail down to Bocas del Toro, Panama. Another adventure they say. We say another good excuse to spend time with great friends.