local cement blocks
Wednesday 6 March 2025
Sailing aboard the Norwegian Jewel we began our southern Caribbean adventure with a return to Cozumel, and to Grand Cayman, two islands we’ve visited a number of times since 2003 but each visit is an opportunity for new experiences and new knowledge. This time we’re with our friends Sean & Arleene so we’re a small group which is a nice change of pace. On our first trip to Cozumel we had two amazing experiences, one was a ferry ride and a long bus trip to visit the ancient Mayan site of Tulum. Then later in the day we had the unexpected delight of seeing the Carnival parade on the evening before Ash Wednesday. Other times we’ve done excursions to the beach, shopped in downtown San Miguel, or checked out some of the local food and drink opportunities. This time we engaged Charlie Adventuours Mx for a taxi to San Gervasio, a ancient Mayan site in the center of the island of Cozumel. What we got was a tour with Bernardo and a running commentary of the history of the island then upon arrival at the San Gervasio archeological site, we engaged Miguel to give the four of us a guided tour of what was a spiritual and administrative site for the Mayans beginning in 300 AD. Dedicated to Ix Chel, the goddess of the moon, it was pilgrimage destination for Mayans throughout Mesoamerica though many centuries. Although the Mayan civilization began to decline with the arrival of the Toltec civilization a thousand years ago, it was the arrival of the Spaniards and the smallpox virus in the 1500s that ended the period of pilgrimage to San Gervasio. We learned not just about the Mayans but about local plants and animals, the nesting sea turtles, the swallows after which the island is named, and about the Carnival celebration that was to take place that evening shortly after our ship’s sailing time. Then on Wednesday we returned to Georgetown, Grand Cayman. Our first visit there was also in 2003 and through the years we’ve wandered the streets and shops downtown. walked Seven Mile Beach, checked out the local museum, and last visit we toured a local rum distillery. This time we visited on Ash Wednesday so some places like the museum were closed but we got to visit Elmslie Memorial United Church with its history dating back to 1845 and its stout marine architecture, and sample a beef patty pasty – similar to and empanada or a Cornish pasty, shop an Asian market in a vain attempt to get some particular ginger cookies and visit some local shops resulting in a couple of purchases for dress-up occasions. In both ports of call we could have been tempted to say we’ve been there before, let’s just stay on the ship, but after venturing out and about we can truly say we’ve had a rich cultural experience once again. From here next five ports of call will be places new to us! This is such an incredible adventure we’re experiencing! Thanks for journeying along with us.
We honeymooned in Grand Cayman 43 years ago. I’d love to see it again. Hope it hasn’t changed much.
Do you know the name of the animal on the right hand side second one down? Is it a Kudamundi? We have them in Southern Arizona.