This is our first trip to Grand Cayman. We booked the trip with the LDS. It was originally planned for a quick 5 day trip but we decided to make it 7 nights.
We were a little apprehensive traveling on the Sunday after Thanksgiving but decided to do it. We got to the airport in Denver 2 hours early. There was plenty of time for security and things were off to a good start. Our plane left on time and got into Miami 15 minutes early. Yea for American Airlines. After a 5 hour layover and a gate change we left for Grand Cayman an hour late, boo American airlines, but we got there with no other problems. We got to our room at Sunset House at 10:30 PM.
We got up on Monday and gathered our gear and headed for the Diveshop and Restaurant. Both opened on time with smiling and helpful staff. Breakfast was served quickly and was hot and cold as needed. The food was good and satisfying.
The boat was on time, left on time with the full crew of helpful members. Since the rest of our group will not come until 11/29 we were put on a boat with folks that have been diving all week with the same crew. While no solo is allowed and is clearly stated as such, the rest of the divers were allowed to dive their profiles, advised to dive their plan and computers and return to the boat with 500PSI. We were told we would be required to dive with the DM for our first dive with a DM. Briefing was done well and all safety equipment was on board I was told where it was and was told if I wished to see it they would be happy to show it to me. I looked, it was all there and appeared to be in excellent condition. A hookah was dangled off the back of the boat once we were tied to the mooring. We got in the water and descended to our planned depth of <80 FSW (actually 75') and did made our way long the wall at Sentential Rock. The wildlife was abundant and wonderful to see.
We ended up with our dive time at 30 min at Max depth of 75'. There was a moderate current and I, having made my first dive in 8 months gobbled air while working into the current, we turned at 1500 PSI and made our way back to the mooring line with 700 PSI. With a slow ascent to 15' and a full 5 minute safety stop. I surfaced with 480 PSI and climbed the ladder and safely completed the dive. We saw huge tarpon and a laundry list of corals and sponges.
We had a 45 minute surface interval while traveling to North Eden. A 40' reef dive. We made our way through several swim throughs and saw huge tarpon, a napping nurse shark and corals and sponges too numerous to mention. 55 minutes, (as planned) Max depth 42 feet and we spent 15 minutes below the boat exploring the reef. The DM surfaced giving us latitude to finish the last 15 minutes of the dive unattended. I completed the dive with 1080 PSI. Not that bad for and old guy using a 72 CF tank. Water temp was 81 deg F surface temp +/-83 with water as smooth as glass. A wonderful dive.
We returned to the dock in time to have a good lunch at My Bar and fill out our log books. We decided to explore some and went to the turtle farm where we saw hundreds of turtles of various ages and an area for the them to do the wild thing and make and hatch their young. There are tanks that allow one to handle to turtles and have a first hand approach to seeing and experiencing the Green turtles before they are released into the wild to increase the population.
We then headed for Hell Grand Cayman, looked at the strange rock formations and then purchased and sent postcards to friends and families postmarked Hell.
We returned to Sunset House. We explored the gift shop, bought a rum cake and went to the Cathy Church gallery onsite. We did purchase 3 8 X 10 prints that were matted and a coffee table book with lots of great pictures. While looking Cathy Church came in and introduced herself to us a personalized the autograph of her book.
We then went and had an adult beverage, with enough time for a quick nap and then down to dinner at the harvest house onsite. Dinner was plenty and satisfying at and fair price.
So in summation, our first 2 days and 1 night at Sunset House has been every thing we had hoped for and more. I will report on day 3 of our journey and vacation tomorrow evening. This is shaping up to be a memorable vacation.
We were a little apprehensive traveling on the Sunday after Thanksgiving but decided to do it. We got to the airport in Denver 2 hours early. There was plenty of time for security and things were off to a good start. Our plane left on time and got into Miami 15 minutes early. Yea for American Airlines. After a 5 hour layover and a gate change we left for Grand Cayman an hour late, boo American airlines, but we got there with no other problems. We got to our room at Sunset House at 10:30 PM.
We got up on Monday and gathered our gear and headed for the Diveshop and Restaurant. Both opened on time with smiling and helpful staff. Breakfast was served quickly and was hot and cold as needed. The food was good and satisfying.
The boat was on time, left on time with the full crew of helpful members. Since the rest of our group will not come until 11/29 we were put on a boat with folks that have been diving all week with the same crew. While no solo is allowed and is clearly stated as such, the rest of the divers were allowed to dive their profiles, advised to dive their plan and computers and return to the boat with 500PSI. We were told we would be required to dive with the DM for our first dive with a DM. Briefing was done well and all safety equipment was on board I was told where it was and was told if I wished to see it they would be happy to show it to me. I looked, it was all there and appeared to be in excellent condition. A hookah was dangled off the back of the boat once we were tied to the mooring. We got in the water and descended to our planned depth of <80 FSW (actually 75') and did made our way long the wall at Sentential Rock. The wildlife was abundant and wonderful to see.
We ended up with our dive time at 30 min at Max depth of 75'. There was a moderate current and I, having made my first dive in 8 months gobbled air while working into the current, we turned at 1500 PSI and made our way back to the mooring line with 700 PSI. With a slow ascent to 15' and a full 5 minute safety stop. I surfaced with 480 PSI and climbed the ladder and safely completed the dive. We saw huge tarpon and a laundry list of corals and sponges.
We had a 45 minute surface interval while traveling to North Eden. A 40' reef dive. We made our way through several swim throughs and saw huge tarpon, a napping nurse shark and corals and sponges too numerous to mention. 55 minutes, (as planned) Max depth 42 feet and we spent 15 minutes below the boat exploring the reef. The DM surfaced giving us latitude to finish the last 15 minutes of the dive unattended. I completed the dive with 1080 PSI. Not that bad for and old guy using a 72 CF tank. Water temp was 81 deg F surface temp +/-83 with water as smooth as glass. A wonderful dive.
We returned to the dock in time to have a good lunch at My Bar and fill out our log books. We decided to explore some and went to the turtle farm where we saw hundreds of turtles of various ages and an area for the them to do the wild thing and make and hatch their young. There are tanks that allow one to handle to turtles and have a first hand approach to seeing and experiencing the Green turtles before they are released into the wild to increase the population.
We then headed for Hell Grand Cayman, looked at the strange rock formations and then purchased and sent postcards to friends and families postmarked Hell.
We returned to Sunset House. We explored the gift shop, bought a rum cake and went to the Cathy Church gallery onsite. We did purchase 3 8 X 10 prints that were matted and a coffee table book with lots of great pictures. While looking Cathy Church came in and introduced herself to us a personalized the autograph of her book.
We then went and had an adult beverage, with enough time for a quick nap and then down to dinner at the harvest house onsite. Dinner was plenty and satisfying at and fair price.
So in summation, our first 2 days and 1 night at Sunset House has been every thing we had hoped for and more. I will report on day 3 of our journey and vacation tomorrow evening. This is shaping up to be a memorable vacation.
