18 February Georgetown, Grand Cayman

We left Cienfuegos at dawn yesterday and arrived into Georgetown mid morning. The first two hours of the trip was motoring in no wind with a short swell on the beam until we were clear of the wind shadow of Cuba. Once we picked up the breeze it was a much more comfortable ride.

My first sight of Grand Cayman was a low lying island in the early morning light.

Seven mile beach

When we were an hour from the anchorage we made radio contact with Port Authority to advise our imminent arrival. We were asked the usual questions about name, souls on board and last port, etc plus if we had an animal on board. They asked us to radio again when we arrived at the cruise ships.

cruise ships everyday

Once we were off Georgetown the Harbour Pilot asked us to wait until the clearance dock was cleared. Another yacht had arrived half an hour before us. Once they were clear the boat came out to escort us in. The harbour was busy with four cruise ships anchored off and the many boats ferrying passengers twixt ship and shore. We tied up along a cement finger peer with our bow a boats' length from the beach (still enough water under our keel) and accompanied the Customs officer to his small office on the jetty. Paperwork was quickly completed, but we had to have the Agriculture department come as well to check Polly's papers. Apparently we didn't have all the correct papers, ie import license, so were issued with a citation whereby we agreed not to bring Polly ashore on pain of a big fine. The lady from Immigration popped in and issued us thirty day visas. Job done and no costs to pay.

When we were back on Jackster the Harbour Pilot guided us out to one of the seven complimentary government yacht moorings next to our friends on Mon Ark who had arrived from Cayo Largo the day before.

They came over for a cup of tea and catch up and them we took the dinghy ashore for a walk and to visit the very well stocked supermarket. Wow! What a contrast to the supermarkets in Cuba and the first 'big' supermarket I've been to since Charleston in November. Madness took over as we filled the trolley with desirable luxuries like mushrooms, brie, salmon and spinach. A case of want, not need.

Needless to say we slept soundly.