Parents Visit - Sunshine Grill, Stingray Sandbar and Alfresco

We had such a wonderful and fun-filled visit with Brent's parents. I was amazed at all we fit into our five days together. So much, in fact, that I'll need to split it up into a couple blog posts! We picked up Mom and Dad K at 12:30pm on Friday. Our first stop? I'll give you a clue:


That's right - our favorite, Sunshine Grill! Mom and Dad loved the food and ambiance, so we actually went back again our last night together.


Brent and I had placed an Amazon order with things M&D could bring for us. I'm most excited about the new wedding ring for Brent! This is is third ring he's owned in Grand Cayman. The first one he lost a week after moving here, and the second he lost a week after we got back from Christmas. I hope this one sticks around for a while.


Chicken Quesadillas. So beautiful.


On Saturday, we headed to Stingray Sandbar in our boat.


I forgot to take my dramamine, so I was feeling a little seasick from the ride. While I calmed my stomach, Brent and his parents jumped in. I love this next picture for several reasons. Mom's looking worried, Dad is hollering out to her, and Walter's throw up is in the corner (I wasn't the only one who got seasick).


Eventually Mom got very brave and was feeding the stingrays and letting them swim all over her. I was so proud!


Dad really loved the stingrays and had no hesitation. First he chased them...


Then they fought back.


Look at the determination! (FYI for future visitors, this is not the recommended way to approach the stingrays. Dad has the hickies to prove it.)


The boat rocked like crazy when anchored, so getting out was the best thing for the nausea. Brent thought Walter might feel better out of the boat as well, but I didn't want him in the water with the stingrays (not to mention Walter hates swimming and has an irrational fear of the ocean). Sweet Brent carried him around for a bit, until I got overwhelmed by the stingrays and he had to carry me around for a bit.


At the end of their stay, both Mom and Dad said the stingrays were their favorite part. It certainly is a unique experience! That night, we cleaned up and went to Alfresco for dinner. We made reservations for 6:15 to make sure we caught the sunset.

Mom and Dad outside our apartment


At Alfresco - I probably said something really funny to get these smiles. Actually, I think they were laughing at the number of pictures I was taking...


The sunset was lovely and the lighting was perfect for some portrait pictures. I couldn't resist snapping a few (hundred) while we waited for our food.


Each couple got an entree and a pizza to split. The food was amazing, the company was even better :) Mom and Dad got a seafood pizza and some kind of spicy chicken dish.


Our pizza had half pepperoni and half tomato and spinach. We also split the lobster ravioli in pumpkin sauce.


We ended up taking a lot of the pizza home, which I didn't mind one bit. For dessert, we split Baileys Chocolate Cheesecake and Key Lime Pie. See you later, diet! This is what vacations are all about!

(Please don't be a killjoy and remind me that I live here and was not technically on vacation...)


That covers Day 1 and 2. Stay tuned for lots more from the rest of our visit!

Lazy Afternoon on the Boat

Last Sunday, Brent, Walter and I took the boat on a lazy cruise around Governor's Harbor. We decided to forgo the North Sound this time and explore the canals instead. The good news is that we didn't need a tow back! The boat has questionable reliability, but I still enjoy taking it out. It was nice to bask in the sun somewhere else besides the beach and pool. And since I knew it would be a nice slow ride without a lot of splashing, I brought my SLR on its maiden voyage!

There was a whole lot of panting and drooling from Walter.


And this was before Brent even untied the boat!


We have liftoff!


Walter doing an armless impersonation of Leonardo DiCaprio's "I'm the king of the world!"


I love to catch this dog's funny faces. I'm not sure if it was wind or salt water that caused these, but he sure is cute.


And here's a guy who really doesn't take a bad picture :)


Walter stays up front most of the time, but every now and then he'd come and sit by us. Sometimes he would find the tiniest amount of shade and lay there. His life jacket is probably pretty toasty, but better safe than sorry!


You can never really tell, but I like to think that's a happy face.


Iguana sighting!


How relaxing


I got up to take a few pictures and Walter stole my seat. Sneaky dog.


Nothing beats an afternoon on the boat with my boys!

Walter on the Boat

Soon after we arrived back on island, our fickle old boat decided to stop working. At this point, I'm not even sure what was wrong with it. But we got it fixed last week, and Walter got to take his maiden voyage Saturday evening. Brent and I didn't want to go for a long ride, we just wanted to make sure the boat was still working. So we decided to cruise around the canals and bring Walter along. I figured a nice slow ride would be a good way to get him acclimated. And I must say he looked adorable in his little doggy life jacket!


Overall I think Walter did really well on the boat. He seemed a little wary and did a lot of exploring. But he mostly stood up front and looked out at the horizon. First mate Walter!


Proud parents


He seemed ok aboard the boat, but he was also very excited to get out once we docked!


After church on Sunday, we took the boat out again with Jeremy, Sheena, Jenn and Nate. Walter was ready to go!


We went first to Stingray Sandbar. I just can't get enough of this blue water!


Brent's favorite thing to do on island. Look how happy he is!


Walter stayed in boat at the sandbar and was a very good dog. I was worried he might be overly curious with the stingray, but he wasn't at all interested. Maybe he didn't realize they were animals.

After hanging out with the stingrays, we headed to Rum Point. Walter had to swim to land, and he was NOT happy! He tried to swim back to the boat ladder but couldn't get up. It was really pathetic. Ultimately Brent ended up carrying him. I guess we just have to accept we don't have a water pup.


Once we waded to shore, we found out that dogs are only allowed on a tiny corner of the beach, way back by the street. We got drinks and lined up on a log in the dog-friendly area. I wish I had brought my camera - it was pretty comical!

Fun day. I hate to say it, but we once again had to get towed back to our dock. How embarrassing. Still not sure what the problem is - it's very unusual for an engine to cut out while you are running it. Ah, the life of a boat owner.

On a unrelated note, I got my hair cut! It feels so much better to have it shorter, but it's just as unruly as ever. I'm resigned to daily ponytails. This picture was taken just after straightening it, and before stepping outside. It didn't stay like this for long - but at last I could take a picture to show the new length!