Nora & Her Family
in the Caymans
Terrific day here. Gathered the troops for the short hike
across the catwalk to the boat dock. Signed in, piddled in
the gift shop until they were ready to board us. Two of the
crew were Aussie guys. Hunk Aussie guys. They were a nice
addition to the view, which was pretty great itself.
A cat's a very stable ride, not a lot of roll. We copped
seats in the shade, but did some hanging out along the side.
There's a name for that portion of the boat, must ask BW.
Gorgeous white sales full of wind, that blue Caribbean water
that changes shades where the depths change, or where the
reefs run, little green clumps of islands.
Everybody lubes up, gets their snorkeling gear. This is
Stacie's first snorkeling venture. She's a stand up gal.
Jumped off the side of the boat like the guys. Me, I took
the steps. LOL.
Then it was magic.
Years ago fishermen used this channel between reefs to
clean their catch. Stingrays, being scavengers, decided this
was a hell of a restaurant and started hanging out. First,
just paddling on the surface I watched them--and some are
four feet wide--skimming below. Very graceful, very sleek.
The crew who came in with us lure them up toward the surface
with squid. Actually hold them. Then they're breezing by
you, rubbing up against you. They slide right up some of the
swimmers torsos, trying to see, I imagine, if anybody had
any squid to spare.
The tops are just a little rough, like very fine, very
wet sandpaper. Under the wings it's like drenched satin.
It's fun, and a little weird, to be swimming along and have
two or three of them nudge against you. I wouldn't have
missed it for the world.
Back aboard and we're off to a reef. Lovely ride in the
wind on very calm seas. Into the water again to admire the
coral--fans and clumps and these huge balls that looked to
me a bit like a partially peeled orange that was going bad.
LOL. Bright blue fish, pretty cheerfully yellow ones,
striped ones, tiny ones. Purple fans of coral. The water's
beautifully warm. I discover I've swum off from my gang,
head back. Run into Stacie who's lost Dan and is a little
nervous about being on her own. She's a strong swimmer, but
this ain't no pool. LOL. So we head off together. She does,
I believe, a lot better than I did on my first snorkeling
deal.
Worn out, we get back on the boat and have fried chicken
and pasta. Yum.
A terrific ride back. That cat could move!
I head straight down to the pool--and the swim-up bar,
with Dan. BW dumped his stuff upstairs and got my Mom.
Stacie's back, and Jason heads to the beach. We have drinks,
a swim, tell Mom about the rays. We girls have some ice
cream, relax.
The biggest chore facing us is tossing on clothes for
dinner tonight. I like that.
Nora
Nora's Cayman
reports are ©
2001 by Nora Roberts & ADWOFF
All Rights
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