Our first port was Key West for a day. I think I was there when I was younger, but I didn't remember it. We started the day by eating a ridiculously huge breakfast at the buffet, and then hopped off the boat, and onto the Conch Train. The Conch Train is one of those cheesy guided train tours you can take of a city, but it's the best way to see it if you only have a day. Some of the architecture in Key West is pretty cool. The only issue with the train is that it was FREEZING outside, so when we were not in the sun I was pretty miserable.
We visited the Hemmingway House after our tour (as in Ernest). That man was a little odd. He went through about five wives, came close to death about ten times, and had all of those six-toed cats. There are still 44 cats on the property that just roam around, and a cat cemetery. The tour guide was fantastic, and I was happy to find out that he will be on an upcoming episode of one of my favorite shows with Samantha Brown on the Travel Channel.
We of course then had to get in the spirit of Key West and have a few afternoon adult beverages. We went to Captain Tony's, which is the bar that Hemmingway used to hang out at when he lived in Key West. Apparently, people like to leave their bras there, and the man playing guitar liked to sing dirty songs.
Another great thing about Key West is that they don't have an open container law. At least that's what the person who sold us the beers in paper bags told us.
After Key West we had a day at sea to head to the Cayman Islands. Personally, I love days at sea on a cruise. There is so much to do! We played trivia, sat by the pool, played bingo (I'm obsessed), people watched, listened to music, ate, saw a show, ate more, went to a dessert party, watched people dance. Loved it! The weather wasn't great though (like the whole trip). But it certainly didn't stop me from having a good time.
Next up was the Cayman's. I have a family friend who moved there a few years ago, so he emailed me the places I should check out to get away from all of the tourists. When you get off the boat, there is a Hard Rock, Margaritaville, souvenir shops, etc. We high-tailed it out of there to find a cab and go to a restaurant called Morgan's Harbor which was in the West Bay area, about eight miles away from where we were. The lady driving the cab told us it was going to be about $60.00. No thanks! She explained that if we took the bus, it would only be $4.50. Yes please!
We couldn't find this damn bus station, so we were just walking around when a van pulled up that said "bus" on the window and picked us up. We told him where we were going, and he said he could get us there after he dropped people off at Seven Mile Beach. A few things about this "bus": they drive on the other side of the road, like maniacs. So I pretty much felt like I was going to die, but it was super fun. There didn't seem to be bus stops- he just pulled over and picked people up, and they told him where they wanted to get off. I'm sure there was a route, but it didn't seem like there was. We drove past cows, shacks, very nice houses, chickens, and had a very large lady sing us a lovely gospel song on the bus.
PS- there is an insanely large amount of wandering chickens in the Cayman Islands.
About 45 minutes later, the driver tell us "this is where you get off. Walk about a mile and a half that way until you hit the water". Um, what?! But we decided we had gone that far, so why not. So we walked down a long winding road, past local houses, a dead chicken, and a few lizards, until we hit the water, and found the great restaurant that was recommended. And we took a cab back.
The rest of the cruise was really fun- one more day at sea, and then back to Miami. I'm probably ten pounds heavier than when I left, but it was well worth it!
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