Hell & Back Again

I'm baaaaaaa-aaack. And no, despite what you may think, it wasn't a long time. Barely enough to regain my sanity (such as it is). Don't blame me. Delta only flies to the Caymans on Tuesdays and Saturdays. We were there 11 days. Since 2 were travel days that really shouldn't count, it was only 9 days in Paradise.

No, I was not lured away by a Dutch Boy. And shouldn't he be out painting somewhere anyway?

Yes, that's Hell over there on the right.
It really exists. And it sells t-shirts and other tourist trap crap. That's what I think Hell is going to be like anyway. We had to drive over from the East side of Grand Cayman where we were staying and check out Hell. Because if you flew a couple of thousand miles and then didn't drive 20 more to see Hell, you'd kick yourself the rest of your life.

Grand Cayman is only about 25 miles long. It's got a big port where all the annoying cruise ships put into during the week and make the downtown area amazingly congested. But since we were smart enough to avoid that area (after the first time), the ships make a nice sight from far away or when headed out to see at night while they are all lit up. The ships, not us all lit up.

Cayman seems to have the most amazingly blue water I've ever seen in my life. I don't know if it's the sun, the sand, the water or some amazing chemical they insert into the water to make it look that way, but it's awesome. Take a glance.
That's a wreck from 1903 we swam out to and snorkeled. I don't know how they make it that color, but it's absolutely gorgeous.

Michigan, for some strange reason, does not possess this color.

Cayman got whacked hard by Hurricane Ivan last year and they're still trying to clean up. A lot of folks were either under or un-insured. So there are lots of battered homes (some quite large) and a lot of the trees on the inner part of the island got whacked from all the seawater dumped on them.

That being said, there look to be some great deals in real estate around the island. Wife and I found a great little starter home. We couldn't actually find a For Sale sign, so we may just start squatting. It's got a great view. And when you've got a great view and true love, do you really need doors and windows? Granted the no protection from the weather may play hell with the electronic equipment (especially during the next 'cane season), but I don't think the cable runs out to that part of the island anyway.

Enough about nonsense. What else did we do? Beached and snorkled it every day. Swam with stingrays and even got to hold a big one. Saw a guy feed a 6 foot long green moray eel out of a cut out Clorox jug.

I've also got to get used to driving on the right side of the road again. And using traffic light instead of roundabouts. And wearing shoes. And shirts. And pants.

Man, this sucks. It's good to get away, but it's Hell to come home.