Day 9- Jan 1- Georgetown, Grand Cayman

And so we returned to Grand Cayman for the third time.  We had a popular excursion planned-Stingray City- but it wasn't until about noon, so we left the ship early to shop.  We figured we had better get it done before we went swimming in the ocean rather than after, when we'd feel gross.  This meant we had to drag our stuff on the boat to the sandbar, but it turned out not to be a big deal.  We went with Maddie.  Becki had a shopping spree at Del Sol (a store full of stuff that changes color in sunlight), but the only thing I bought was a small gift for Kim and a fun wrappy skirt thing that matched my bathing suit.  We also stopped by a store for a free replica pirate coin.  They had real ones there, but they were way expensive!  Kinda cool to see, though.

 The first time we were in the Grand Cayman, Nicole wouldn't let me stand near the sign, and I was not pleased (top).  This time, I got prime sign standing rights (bottom).  Take THAT, Nicole!

My new wrappy skirt thing.

When noon rolled around, we met up with the rest of the family for the excursion.  I squeezed in some time for a hot dog at a little bar nearby.  It was seven dollars, but it was indisputably the best hot dog I've ever had.  And I'm not just saying that because I was starving.  It was all cut down the middle and perfectly grilled and awesome... that hot dog will be in my dreams for the rest of my life.  If I ever go back to Georgetown, that bar will be my first stop.

There was a short van ride to the boat, during which the only thing we learned was that Grand Cayman was an expensive place to live.  The boat ride was only about a half hour, and it was warm and enjoyable.  When we reached the sandbar, all the people on the boat were crowded in the back to get off.  It took forever to get to the front of the line because people were being real sissies about the temperature of the water.  They took their sweet time and I watched multiple people jump in and scurry right back out in a panic, as if the water was giving them boils or something.  I was so fed up by the time I got there that I went down only a step or two before pushing off and catapulting into the water.  "That's my girl!" Aunt Eileen commended me.  It wasn't really that bad.  It was cold, sure, and I shivered for about two minutes, but our bodies quickly adjusted and we could enjoy the stingrays.

 $5 million houses

This excursion was just as fun as I remembered.  We were surrounded.  Big ones, little ones, the stingrays were everywhere.  I had purchased a disposable waterproof camera that I quickly used up.  Hopefully I got some good pictures; the film hasn't been developed yet.  The only downside to the whole experience was that we didn't get to feed them because the excursion leaders ran out of squid.

I like this one the best!  Don't I look like a stalker? :D

When we got back to the room, we immediately ordered a bunch of food from room service.  As a result, we weren't hungry for dinner and decided not to go.  We watched the new movie Going The Distance on pay-per-view.  Then we watched the ship sail out.  Right before we were ready to leave, the small model pirate ship sailed next to the cruise ship.  We waved at the people on it, who waved back.  Once the pirate ship got to the front of our ship, the 'blew' one of the cannons at us and we could hear them all laughing.  It was hilarious.  Before leaving the harbor, our ship made a complete 360, spinning around in a circle, to celebrate the new year.

I'm going to add that the little pirate ship made Becki and I yearn to watch Pirates of the Carribean.  Now, on my previous three cruises, I have brought this DVD in the hopes that I could watch POTC in TC.  However, on my previous cruises neither I nor anyone else felt the urge to ever watch it.  So OF COURSE, on the ONE CRUISE I leave it behind, we ache to see it.  Of course.