***CAYMAN ISLANDS & stingrays - PHOTO journal @ Carnival Conquest (September 2012)***

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During our Stingray City tour, we were told to sit anywhere we liked on the boat (and move around as we wished).

 

It's a happy, informal environment. Dancing is not uncommon! : - ))

 

 

After the Captain introduced his small team, he did provide us with the safety briefing, and tolds us all about the stingrays.

 

 

The Captain also explained how you should move around on the sandbar safely, and how to handle and feed the stingrays!

 

VIDEO:

 

 

Stingray City is a protected marine environment, and everyone should be dedicated to preserving its natural beauty.

 

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Boat rides to the sandbar area at the North Sound - Grand Cayman (September 27th 2012)

 

 

 

And finally, we arrived - joining hundreds of others at STINGRAY CITY!

 

 

Stingray City is a series of shallow sandbars found in the North Sound of GRAND CAYMAN, Cayman Islands.

 

 

It is a tourist attraction, where southern stingrays are found in abundance and visitors can pet and interact with them.

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Stingray City is in the shallow waters of the northwest corner of Grand Cayman's North Sound.

 

 

Stingray City is just inside a natural channel that passes through the barrier reef and consists of a string of sandbars

crossing the North Sound from Morgan Harbour to Rum Point.

 

 

 

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VIDEO (visitors can pet and interact with the southern stingrays):

 

 

Some took a snorkeling trip in the heart of the sandbar where the water is only 3 to 5 feet deep.

 

 

Passengers disembark and enter the chest-high water to interact with the stingrays.

 

 

 

 

We were able to see some dolphins too that Thursday (September 27th 2012)!

 

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It may be that stingrays began gathering in the area decades ago when fisherman returned from an excursion,

navigated behind a reef into the sound, and cleaned their fish in the calm water of the shallows and sandbar area.

 

The fish guts were thrown overboard and the stingrays eventually congregated to feast on the discarded guts.

 

 

 

Soon the stingrays associated the sound of a boat engine with food.

 

As this practice turned into a tradition, divers realized that the stingrays could be fed by hand.

 

 

 

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Passengers disembark and enter the chest-high water to interact with the stingrays.

 

The boat Captains bring along with them pails of chunked-up squid meat dispensed by hand to the animals

(attracting various creatures to the feeding spot).

 

 

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Our Stingray City tour lasted approximately 3 hours

(we spent about 45 minutes playing with the stingrays at Stingray City before heading for snorkeling at the reef).

 

Complimentary refreshments were available for the entire duration of the trip (i.e. iced water, fruit punch, sodas).

 

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VIDEO (Stingray City - the sandbar area at the North Sound):

 

 

 

We spent about 45 minutes playing with the stingrays at Stingray City. Great fun!

 

Then we were heading for our next 45 minutes stop - snorkeling at the reef.

 

It was a glorious day, so the complimentary refreshments provided were more than welcomed!

 

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The second leg of our Stingray City tour involved about 45 minutes spent at a beautiful SNORKELING reef,

not far away from the Stingray City:

 

 

 

 

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We got company at this fantastic SNORKELING stop in Grand Cayman!

 

 

 

 

 

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The second leg of our Stingray City tour - 45 minutes spent at a beautiful SNORKELING reef in Grand Cayman

 

 

 

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VIDEO (snorkeling stop in Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands):

 

 

 

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VIDEO (snorkeling stop in Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands):

 

 

 

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A quick summary of what was covered by this Stingray City excursion that soon comes to an end:

 

 

1). Reasonable cost: $25.00 USD/pp paid up-front, directly at the Pier in Grand Cayman/ George Town.

 

2). The Stingray City tour lasted approximately 3 hours

(we spent about 45 minutes playing with the stingrays at Stingray City and then another 45 minutes snorkeling at the reef).

 

Had a fantastic time and the weather couldn't be more beautiful!

 

3). Complimentary refreshments were included and were available for the entire duration of the boat ride

(i.e. iced water, fruit punch, sodas).

 

Drinks came in handy as typically it's hot-hot-hot and one has to hydrate often!

 

4). The atmosphere aboard the boat was informal and very much laid back.

 

One can move around as (s)he wishes (staying inside or outside); even dancing is encouraged!

 

5). The Boat Captain was knowledgeable, funny and friendly.

 

He lead pretty much by example and took care of everything and everyone, making this experience a memorable one!

 

 

*** Stingray City is a protected marine environment, and

everyone should be dedicated to preserving its natural beauty.

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BOAT RIDE back to the Yacht Club (Grand Cayman, September 27th 2012)

 

 

 

VIDEO (our Boat Captain preparing some "clean" SHELLS for us to take home):

 

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VIDEO (our Boat Captain preparing some more "clean" SHELLS for us to take home):

 

 

 

 

HOT day, so the Captain goes again into the water that Thursday afternoon (September 27, 2012):

 

 

VIDEO (our Captain getting into the water... behind the boat):

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BOAT RIDE back to the Yacht Club @ Grand Cayman (September 27, 2012)

 

 

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BOAT RIDE back to the Yacht Club @ Grand Cayman (September 27, 2012)

 

 

 

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BOAT RIDE back to the Yacht Club @ Grand Cayman (September 27, 2012)

 

 

 

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All good things must come to an end eventually and our Stingray City Tour was no exception...

 

 

We had a fabulous time and the crew was great too!

 

 

We disembark the boat at the Yacht Club as ANOTHER GROUP got ready for their own journey to the Stingray City!

 

 

 

The van ride back to the Pier in George Town, Grand Cayman was a breeze and

we had plenty of time left to explore the area by foot for the remaining of the afternoon!

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At the end of our Stingray City excursion, we checked to make sure that our cruise ship,

Carnival's CONQUEST, was still where we expected it to be.

 

 

And it was (with Carnival's LIBERTY also present behind it)!

 

 

There was also the beautiful Carnival's MAGIC:

 

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Few more hours left in George Town, Grand Cayman - time to explore the area some more!

 

 

Next stop: Grand Cayman's famous MARGARITAVILLE!

 

 

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"Aye-aye cap'n, we see land!"

 

"Look out, Parrot heads! Jimmy has hit the high seas again and he's bringing a boatload of excitement your way!

 

His latest conquest is on Grand Cayman in the Cayman Islands,

now home to our biggest and newest outpost, Margaritaville Cayman."

 

 

Margaritaville Cayman has been serving up a giant order of fun since it opened in September 2006,

only steps away from the tender pier in the heart of bustling Georgetown.

 

 

 

 

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Open Mondays to Saturdays, Margaritaville Cayman is the place to enjoy a world-famous Cheeseburger in Paradise,

washed down with a refreshing tropical margarita to go.

 

 

 

 

Just like the other Caribbean locations, Margaritaville Cayman is "wet by day and wild by night."

 

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Grab your friends and come find "the treasure" at Margaritaville Cayman! : - ))