It was another gorgeous, sunny day in the Caribbean. My mother and I were about halfway through our cruise week, and had already lounged on the beach in Princess Cays, Bahamas, and climbed the Dunn’s River Falls in Jamaica. I was celebrating my 30th birthday on a cruise.
Leila with a baby sea turtle at the turtle farm
Could things get any better, especially considering the first-class experience we lived every day aboard the Emerald Princess? Apparently they could.
After our tender dropped us ashore on Grand Cayman Island, we boarded our air-conditioned bus and began our Cayman Highlights and Stingray Sandbar adventure. The friendly tour guide told us all about his home country as we drove through towns and along beaches, until we arrived at Boatswain’s Beach and the Cayman Turtle Farm – the only green-sea-turtle breeding facility of its kind.
It was fascinating to see the large, 600-pound adults swimming in pools, and the egg-laying beach they used at night. The highlight for me, though, was getting to hold one of the tiny yearling turtles and take pictures with it! Some of these little guys (and gals!) stay on at the farm to continue the breeding program, and the others are tagged and released into the wild. It’s a beautiful thing to see conservation in action!
After touring the turtle tanks, we had time to browse in the gift shop before hopping back on the bus.
Next stop: the Tortuga Rum Cake Factory! Now I’m not usually a big fan of rum, but I couldn’t stop sampling all the yummy cakes – coconut, chocolate, lime, orange, mocha…it went on and on! Good thing we could buy a few before continuing on our way. To Hell.
Hanging out with the devil in Hell
Yes, Hell. Turns out, it’s a tiny village that boasts a field full of jagged, protruding limestone formations that look eerie and disturbing enough to justify the place’s name. Coincidentally enough, the short burst of a rain shower chased us back onto the bus, and then stopped before we got to a local pier.
There, we boarded a boat for a lovely, breezy ride to the most anticipated site of the day – Stingray Sandbar! There were a large number of other boats around, and I thought we might have been too late to see any stingrays. I shouldn’t have worried. As soon as we dropped anchor, the dark, flat, wavy shapes started gathering around our boat…and they came in all sizes, from large adults to tiny babies!
A little apprehensively, and heeding our guides’ warning not to step on any, I lowered myself into the warm, clear, waist-deep water. I have to admit, I was a little uncomfortable at first, and not sure what to expect! But, not long after, I felt a passing flutter against my leg – like a soft wing saying ‘Hello’ as it swam by. What a feeling!
I settled in to thoroughly enjoy the experience after that. Our guides held onto a few rays so that we could take pictures kissing and petting the smooth and grainy creatures…and they even draped them on our backs!
After a thrilling time basking in the water surrounded by gentle stingrays, it was with reluctance that I got back on the boat for the cruise back to the pier. And there, we awaited the bus that then brought us home to our Emerald Princess.
What a day! Baby turtles, rum cake, a glimpse of Hell, and swimming with Southern stingrays. I can truly say that it was one of my greatest, most essential experiences thus far!
Leila and her mother, Rita, swimming with the stingrays
A stingray gets very close!
Hubby Mike and I were on Grand Cayman today and we went out to Stingray City on Jetskis! That in itself was a LOT of fun!
Playing with the stingrays was amazing! They are curious and friendly and don’t mind being petted — especially if they are fed! VERY special ‘wildlife’ experience! So far the Caymans has been our favorite destination on this trip — although the Panama Canal was incredible too!
We have been swimming with the stingrays twice now. As opposed to the Dolphin Encounters that are sometimes advertised, these creatures are there because they want to be and they interact with us (admittedly for food) of their own volition. The Dolphins are most often captives.
Enjoyed your story. I visited Grand Cayman on a cruise ship in Jan 2011–hope to return.
I so enjoyed the Snorkeling off the semi sub. What fun!
Thanks Leila what a great way to celebrate a birthday and sharing it with us. I will now putting it on my “things to do list”. I swam with the turtles in Barbaddos in Jan and that was a wonderful experience too. Talked about it for weeks, people must have been fed up with me. We are doing our first Princess cruise in June to the Greek Islands. Looking forward to it, I will see what we can do there.
Wow…swimming with turtles must have been incredible! And you’re so lucky: to be going to Greece (I’ve always wanted to), and aboard a Princess Cruise no less! You’re going to LOVE it! Post one of your experiences here when you get back…I’d love to read about it.
Having swam with the stringrays in January this year, I can whole heartedly agree with you Leila, Such a wonderful experience, if anyone has the opportunity to do so, then go for it. I’m partly disabled and find swimming a wee bit difficult, but I wouldn’t have missed it for anything and look forward to doing it again next year.
Thanks for reading, Linda, and you’re absolutely right: I’d do it again in a heartbeat!
What a beautiful experience to have shared with my beautiful daughter! I can’t think of a better way to have celebrated your 30th birthday. Maybe you can write another story about our upcoming Caribbean cruise to different destinations!!
Thanks mother…I’m sure I will!
Hey Leila! Thanks very much for sharing your experience. What an amazing way to spend your 30th b-day! Looking forward to reading more of your work in the near future
xo
It sure was, Kel…and thanks so much for the support! It means alot
xo
Looks like you had an awesome time!
I did have an awesome time, and looking forward to many more! Maybe you’ll be there next time!
WOW!! this is wonderful cant wait to share this with everyone people have to go on this cruise thank u leila for sharing as i know alot of people will love this also cant wait for more.
Thanks so much Bevy!
What an experience to be able to mingle with wild creatures who are obviously very freindly. This is a tribute to the people involved who are showing an appreciation for wildlife.
It really was amazing…and they were SO friendly: wild creatures AND people alike! I’m totally with you in paying tribute to all those who appreciate our wildlife
What an experience to be able to mingle with wild creatures who obviously very are freindly. This is a tribute to the people involved who are showing an appreciation for wildlife.
Thanks Leila….what great experiences in Grand Cayman! We appreciate you sharing!
Anytime, of course. I appreciate you posting my story…so thank YOU!