Day 14: Drying Out

Up at the crack of dawn for another Parrot Reserve expedition. Saw a beautiful sunrise on the way but did not manage to catch a glimpse of the elusive Brac Parrot. Spent the morning thoroughly rinsing all the gear and letting it bake in the sun for the day (we always come back a few pounds heavier due to the moisture retained in our suits so did our best to get them dry). Drove back to NIM Things in the afternoon to pick up some jewelry and took a picture of Polly the parrot. Spent an hour by the pool, caught our last sunset then headed to Brac Reef for the barbeque buffet with the crew from the Brac Scuba Shack.
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Nani (Chandelier) Cave

Find Vicky ('s). Not telling how many???
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Day 13: Valentine's Variety

Up extra early this morning to catch sunrise on the bluff. We left a little later than hoped but made it in time to catch the sun coming through the clouds. Next a walk on Bight Road in the hopes of catching a glimpse of the Brac Parrot at the edge of the Parrot Preserve. Unfortunately, the only picture of the bird we got is the one on the information board in the parking area but we did enjoy the walk in the forest. We stopped at Nani Cave (aka Chandelier Cave because of the stalactites). Spent an hour exploring, taking photos and making music (we were told to try tapping on the stalactites by one of the band members from last night...so we did). Back to the apartment for a late breakfast then off to 'Radar Reef' for a shore dive. We found the dolphin and stingray statue but did not make it to Atlantis. Saw a green moray eel out on a swim and were super excited as it's something you don't typically see swimming about for any length of time (video to come). Back at the dive shop they said the eel was a resident and we figured that with all the lionfish spearing that happens in the area, he heard us and came looking for a free meal. Late lunch and siesta then night dive back at 'Radar Reef'. Not too much fish action but saw two small rays, a southern stingray, couple lobsters and a small octopus. The octopus was on a small coral head in shallow water and while we were hovering above him a large southern stingray swam between us and the octopus, we think he was as spooked by us as we were by him. Late dinner of cold chicken, ginger coconut ceviche (courtesy of Rox&Phil, our dive guides/neighbours) and crackers n' cheese.
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Day 12: Birthdays and Jerk Chicken

Another two dive day, 'Cemetery Wall' and 'Greenhouse Channels'. Sandy bottom channel took us out to the wall around 90 ft. We had several trailing groupers looking for a free meal, saw a large green moray and small goldentail moray. The second site had more algae growth and tonnes of fish. It was a great shallower dive with many coral fingers to explore.

Saw a porcupine fish in the coral all spiked out which was pretty cool, typically they are just cruisin' along (spikes flat on body). Grabbed some of Barry's jerk chicken for dinner then headed over to 'Secluded Sunsets' for a Birthday party with some of the guys we were diving with (father and his newly certified sons from Calgary). Enjoyed cake and music on the beach. Finsished the night off having drinks with the Brac Scuba Shack crew for Martin's (owner) Bday at the Captains table.
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Cayman Brac Skull Cave

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Day 11: Sunrise Sunset

Up and out for sunrise. Vicky enjoyed a cup of coffee and her Kindle on the balcony while Gary snuck down to the hammock and snapped a few photos from the beach. First dive at 'East Channel' where we took a sandy bottom swim through out to the coral wall around 100 ft. Second dive was at an unnamed site which one of the boys we were diving with suggested 'Lionfish Graveyard' due to the 13 lionfish that met there demise onsite. Highlights for the day were our first crab sighting, a school of baracuda, an anemone, and an overall large variety of fish on the second site. We decided to have lunch out - burgs, fries and a coke at the Captains Table - excellent! Afternoon siesta, a little reading and another beautiful sunset.
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Day 10: Tropical Rain

Got out of bed early to see the sunrise but the weather didn't agree. Rain on and off and two separate power outages left us with PBJs for breakfast (fortunately the coffee was on first thing so Vicky was caffeinated). The skies broke up quickly and we hit the rough seas on schedule. The first dive was at 'Buckaneer' where we saw a cool juvenile Bearded fireworm, loads of shrimp, two different Southern stingrays (both with a trailing jack) and an Eagle ray in the distance. Second dive at 'Stingray Tower' where there were several large Nassau groupers and a juvenile Goldentail eel amongst all the usual suspects. After our dive, we drove over to 'Secluded Sunsets' to drop off the cooler we borrowed, then up to the bakery for fresh dinner buns. Stopped at Skull Cave on the way back, this one had  bats but they were too far above for a good photo. Back to the condo for dinner and sunset. Two more dives tomorrow.
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Day 09: R&R!

A day of reading and relaxation. Thats it nothing more. 

Hope your expectations were not too high. :)

Day 08: Caves and Boobies

This morning we left our neighbours at Secluded Sunsets and headed across the island to Carib Sands. After settling in we decided to head out on a terrestrial adventure. Gary checked out the map, marked some waypoints and we were off. First stop was Bat Cave which was a fairly large cave that unfortunately did not contain any bats (we searched thoroughly). The second was one of the largest caves, Great Cave, which is situated in the bluff at the end of the road on the south coast. After a short tour of the cave I decided to head toward the ocean and cool off in the breeze while G took a few more pictures (actually it was a stronger wind but breeze sounds more inviting). Next we headed to the top of the bluff to the Lighthouse in search of the Brown boobies that nest on the cliff side. We were lucky to come across a couple nests where we spent time with the birds and got some great pictures and video.  The last cave we visited was Peter's Cave (left). Situated in the bluff above Spot Bay, where it still provides shelter during hurricanes.
Enjoyed a sunset on the bluff and then headed back.

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Day 07: Wreck and Relax

Coconut French Toast for breakfast, the slightly heavier bread soaked up the egg mixture well and after adding some butter and syrup it was delicious! Lounged by the pool late morning and after lunch decided we'd dive the wreck - the M/V Keith Tibbetts.
We jumped in at Buckaneer slip and used the Bladefish 5000 DPV to help take us out along the surface to the stern buoy approx. 300 m offshore. From the surface we could see the two gun turrets, we descended the stern line and began exploring the ship. We swam the full length and Gary lead the way as we navigated an inner passage through a small section of the wreck to find the large resident grouper. Saw a few barracuda, loads of garden eels and the largest french angelfish we've ever seen. The boat had many sponges and a surprising variety of fish. We made our way back to shore over the sandy bottom and spotted a Southern stingray feeding on something in the sand. Gary took off towards him and managed to get some great close ups following close behind as he and his opportunistic friend made a break for it. Spent the rest of the afternoon with our neighbours by the pool then had BBQ buffet at the Brac Reef Resort. Moving day tomorrow, we change locations to the other side of the island.

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Day 06: Catching Wahoo with a Button

Up before the sun today, we are set for eastern time now! First dive at 'Inside Out' named because there is a mini wall inside the main wall. We passed through a sand channel where our guide picked up a stray diver - Scuba Barbie. Swam along the outer wall hoping to see a reef shark in the deep, saw several groupers, an invasive lion fish speared for dinner and a good variety of reef fish. We came back up the wall to the inner channel and shortly afterward the resident Carribean Reef Shark made an appearance. Second dive at 'Cayman Keys', lots of coral islands with a sandy bottom, great shallow dive for taking pictures and exploring the coral. After lunch we drove to Long Beach to see the bluff but decided to do the full walk another day when we have better footwear and more sunscreen. On our way home we stopped at a little shop called NIM Things (Native Island Made) where we met Tenson Scott, a 74 year local fisherman and jewelry maker. We enjoyed stories of fishing and island life before it became a tourist destination. He's a fisherman first and told us how he catches Wahoo with a button and about the special knots for his hooks.

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Day 05: Little Cayman & Cornhole

Seas were good this morning and the group decided to head over to Little Cayman Island to enjoy some diving in the Bloody Bay Marine Park. Our Guides took us to two of their favorite sites, Lea Leas Lookout and Jackson Wall. The first dive took us into a swim through to about 90 feet where we came out on the edge of the wall. Enjoyed the coral formations and worked our way along the wall and around a pinnacle to find a Tiger Grouper at a cleaning station. The second dive we descended to a sandy bottom covered with garden eels and the odd conch. Headed out for a tour along the wall around 60 feet but had the best time around 25-30 feet exploring sand channels and

coral formations inside the wall. Saw a large variety of fish, a turtle and a couple eels. The trip to the island was an hour each way and we had rougher seas on the return trip. Got back for a late lunch around 2:15 then reviewed our 200+ pictures to find the best ones.

Drinks buy the pool, a game of  Cornhole, and jerk chicken n' pie with the neighbours to round out the day.  On for two boat dives again tomorrow.

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Day 04: Lively Lobsters

We were happy to wake up before the alarm clock this morning for our 2 dive day. The first dive was at 'End of Island' where we saw several lobsters out walking on the coral (usually you only get to see heads out in the daytime). Second dive at 'Tarpon Reef', named for the group of Tarpon seen there. Saw a large variety of fish at this site and many juveniles within the coral. The wind was light today and we were able to enjoy the colours of the ocean while we had lunch.

Had a siesta in the afternoon and spent a couple hours with our neighbours at the pool. Headed out for a drive to see the sunset from a different location then to Island Star Restaurant for a delicious seafood dinner. Have two dives scheduled again tomorrow.

AN2 - today I perfected the coconut blender beverage and got a good start on the hand tan :)


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Day 03: Coconut Bread

Got out for our first shore dive today. Checked out a few sites and found one with a great sheltered entry point (really windy so was essential). Saw 5 barracuda, a southern stingray and a variety of reef fish. The best part of the dive site was it's location - directly across from the Pioneer Bakery. Grabbed a cinnamon bun, some 'white' buns for lunches and a loaf of coconut bread. Gary suggested we slice it, I figured we could cut it back at our place.

Of course we had to try it while still warmish - should have had it sliced, after a few smallish samples, we were left with only half a loaf. I think it will make delicious french toast so will report back on that. Two boat dives planned for tomorrow morning.
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Day 02: Red Rocks

Feeling a little groggy this morning but sat up to see the ocean through the front door and instantly felt better. A couple cups of coffee and a couple hours later, we were ready to head out. We headed over to the dive shop which was closed for lunch so we decided to drive up the south coast to the end of the road. Saw many well  marked hiking trails and got our first view of the bluff (Round-trip 15 min, 14 sq miles is even smaller than you think). Still had some time to kill so drove across the island and up the other side as far as we could.
On our way back to the dive shop I noticed a red rock on the side of the road marked 9 (14) Plymouth Reef then noticed several others as we drove back down the coast - the shore dive sites are marked! Though they are a bigger swim out to the reef than Bonaire we will give them a go as diving on our own schedule is great. We met with Liesel at the Brac Scuba Shack, who recommended a site for us to start with. We got tanks/weights and then headed back to the house. Sat in the sun for a bit with a coconut drink (yes, coconut cream was acquired in our first shopping trip-it is an essential). Pizza for dinner and a movie....still feeling a bit out of sorts with the time change.

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Day 01: Odd Coincidences

All flights were on schedule except for the last one which was delayed by 30 min because of a medical transport. Flight 2 (Portland to Atlanta) we sat with a university student who spent his childhood vacations on Cayman Brac and was designing a quad helicopter drone for a military competition. Gary's been discussing doing that lately for work..Jeff...(always comes around to tech talk). We were in the Brac Airport and a woman sent her rolling bag out to a friend to receive, I caught and directed it into the corner; turns out they are with the group staying downstairs in the rental house we are at...
Odd coincidences...
It was long haul to get here - just over 24 hours in transit to where we sit now. Unfortunately we arrived in the dark so will need to do the overview island photo on the way back.  Took a wall picture at TGI Fridays where we had a big breakfast/lunch (for you JT).

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Day00:The Journay Begins

Started the day with a 45 min wait at Waneta border. Then an uneventful sunny drive to Spokane. Picked up BDay/Xmas present at Best Buy (new  GoPro..thanks mom dad). Fueled up on Panda Express (just for Tia) and Starbucks. Followed by a rousing game of musical gear trying to achirve the magical 50.9 lbs( 1 keen shoe = 0.7lbs, 1 dive safety sausage = 1.2 lbs). Awaiting  first of 4 flights to our destination -Cayman Brac.