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Since boarding the Akademik Ioffe it has been a part of our breakfast, lunch or dinner routine to have some type of speech or demonstration from one of our expedition leaders.
We have a local visitor.
Niki, is a part of a group of volunteers with The Antarctic Heritage Trust that spends about four months out of the year living in Antarctica. At this point, I am envious.
In a few hours we will get to visit Niki's humble abode as we take a zodiac trip to Port Lockroy.
Although it is Spring in Antarctica not all areas of the continent have received the memo. We get first hand confirmation of this as our first zodiac landing of the day is canceled.
Not only is the sea ice a reminder of our current location but also the bitter cold howling winds. Even with the sun shining only a few of us brave being out on the deck of the Ioffe.
Only an occasional relief from the wind or by finding shelter can I get a glimpse of the scenery.
I think most of us our glad the zodiac landing has been canceled. It might have been quite miserably under these conditions.
Time to edit some photos, maybe.
Being on a cruise would hardly be the place one would think to discover suppressed talents or the lack thereof.
With support from a small crowd, “You Can Do It”, I rise to the task before me.
With encouragement from a small crowd, I rise to the task before me. I quickly get on the roll but despite the moral encouragement I begin to suck. In the end, I wasn't worth squat and come up short.
Nevertheless, I proudly represented the Great State of Florida, defended the Gator Nation and learned some important things about myself all while having fun!
After about two days of sailing from Miami, the Carnival Valor comes to a stop just offshore from George Town, Grand Cayman.
A tendering process puts us ashore where we discover most of the town is still asleep. There is a time difference between the ship's time and Cayman's time.
We have pre-arranged a trip to Stingray City with Captain Marvin and have arrived at the office about an hour too early.
I take the opportunity to walk around the “two block by two block” downtown and I learn a little bit about the island's history.
A nice beach with “tourist prices” although there are areas where you relax and enjoy free tropical breezes. Our visit there happens after our trip to Stingray City.
From near Tiki Beach at 7 Mile, we flag down one of the many mini buses headed back to town which turns out to be a nice local experience.
Most are failing trying to repeat the miracle so my idea is squashed.
Seeing local fishermen nearby arriving with the fresh catches of the day, I think I stand a better chance feeding thousands with a few small fish and bread.
Along the waterfront vendors are on “island time”setting up for the day as we walk by many empty stalls. On a nearby wall a few birds enjoy the meat of coconuts, no doubt left behind by naive island visitors.
Like true Islanders, birds know it's the best part of the coconut.
Sitting in the shade, we cool off with a cold local brew or two.
Being among the last to board the last tender back to the Valor with no worries, I feel reconnected to my island roots.
Thanks, Cayman!
We have pre-arranged this tour online on our own prior to leaving on our Carnival cruise. This saves us a few bucks or more over Carnival prices. Depending on which dock you are tendered to, Captain Marvin's office is no more than a ten to fifteen walk.
Capt Marvin's: http://www.captainmarvins.com/
Our driver and coincidentally our boat captain today is Denver as in Colorado. I get a laugh from him and fellow passengers when I tell him I am Dallas from Texas.
As we pull away from the marina we are told to look ashore and wave to an elderly gentleman taking in the scenery with a few others. It is none other than Captain Marvin, himself. About 80 years old and still going strong.
Since the sun is still heating up the day, the tropical breeze still has a chill to it as we accelerate down the channel passing some beautiful sea front homes.
The breeze on my face becomes warmer and the seas are beginning to sparkle as we approach Stingray City.
A daily crowd of visitors have already arrived and from the level of excitement and laughter I can tell they are already enjoying their adventure.
The water is so inviting and crystal clear than huge stingrays can be seen lazily swimming just below the surface. The crew offers us snorkel equipment but I can tell for this experience they won't be needed.
Off the back of the anchored boat we jump into chest high water that decreases to our waistline as we move away. It's our group's turn for excitement and laughter as the boat's crew shares a few stingrays and information with us.
Did you know the females rule the stingray world or that their stingers are defense mechanism?
Maybe stingrays feel the same way because someone in another group ends up with a huge hickey on his back.
We are allow to touch and hold the stingrays although holding them takes a few tries for some of the people from Texas.
For feeding, we are given pieces of squid and told to hold them like an ice cream under the water. I now know what a piece of dust feels like when a Hoover passes over it. It really sucks!
Back on board the boat we head to a nearby area for snorkeling and chance upon a tail-less stingray that we are told was born that way. Seeing turtles, a barracuda and colorful tropical fish are the icing on the cake for a pretty cool adventure.
I am beginning to make myself a believer in the seven year luck thing.
A Powerball ticket and tax free island real estate might just be in my future.
I am excited just from the tone alone in the announcer's voice.
The temperatures have fallen again so I dress warm, grab my best photo equipment and head to the bridge.
In the distance, I can see two shiny black objects occasionally break the surface as pieces of ice and icebergs float by.
The Ioffe has gone into a run silent, run deep mode as it is safely maneuvered behind our surfacing visitors.
Earlier in our expedition we learned that humpback whales can remain submerged for up to 45 minutes. I am hoping this evening this will not be the case.
Apparently, this pair is feeding and the food supply is not too deep as they soon resurface. This time we are so much closer that I can clearly see a blow hole.
After about twenty minutes of watching these magnificent creatures the Ioffe is set on course for our next destination, Paradise Harbor.
For the most part, the ship's daily calendar of events becomes our trusted exploration map.
However, there are some time tested true events on a cruise that you don't want to miss. The Love & Marriage game, Karaoke and Carnival's “Quest Game” usually top our list.
To night it's “Night Club Express”, a production show followed by a stop at the Piano Bar, late night comedy then we are going to boogie woogie until we just can't boogie no more.
How do you end a night on a cruise ship at 2am? With a slice or two of pizza and a hamburger. But , of course.
Next stop, Deck 9 Lido!
