3. Caribbean – Brazil – Grand Cayman–Aruba

Hi All,

It’s Wednesday, Jan. 23rd and we have stopped at the Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands on Jan. 21st, at sea yesterday, and today Aruba.  Also today was a big day for Susy and me as we celebrated our 43rd wedding anniversary.

First a look at Grand Cayman.  This island is the largest of 3 islands, but only 176 sq. miles.  What is unique is the island is only 60 feet at its highest point above sea level.  The Grand Caymans were sighted by Columbus, but were not settled until the 1660’s when deserters from the British Army came over from Jamaica.  In 1670, the islands became the possessions of the British Crown and have been under that flag ever since.

Since the Maasdam only stopped in Grand Cayman from 8:30 AM to 1:30 PM and to go ashore we had to tender, so Susy and I decided to forgo going ashore and just viewed the island from the ship.  Here’s the port sign:

Here’s a look at the port with the ship’s tender coming back to the ship for more passengers:

You can see how flat the island is from these two photos:

How about this old sailing schooner in the bay?

We had a sea day, Jan. 22nd, and got to hear our Captain, Captain James Russell-Dunford, an Englishmen, speak.  Here’s his photo:

On Wed. Jan. 23rd we ported in Aruba.  Aruba was discovered in 1499 by Alonzo de Oheda for Spain.  The Dutch unceremoniously helped themselves to Aruba in 1636 at a time towards the end of the 80 year war (1834) when they turned their attention to the Caribbean.  Aruba is know as one of the Dutch ABC islands (Aruba, Bonaire, and Curacao), all three of which we are visiting the next few days.

This was the third time Susy and I have visited Aruba, and since the ship docks right next to the main street of the town of Oranjestad, we decided to go ashore.  Here’s the port sign:

As we go ashore where do you think we went first (follow Susy)?

You have been reading my blog to long, you guessed.  And what was she doing?

We shopped for awhile along main street:

As you can see we stopped for a bite to eat and of coarse, a cold one.  Here’s Susy hard at work on the internet while enjoying the cold one:

Two last photos, first take a look at this photo of how blue the Caribbean is:

and finally, two love birds, celebrating their 43rd anniversary at their favorite restaurant on the ship:

Tomorrow, Jan. 24th, it’s Curacao.  Until next time,

Love You All,

Gary (alias Gagu)

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