Turtle Touching

Apart from swimming in the lukewarm ocean, laying about in hammocks and building sand castles, the Turtles attempt, on very energetic days, to take in some of the tourist attractions here on Grand Cayman.

Yesterday morning started with a couple of thunder showers and windy conditions and the Turtles decided it was the ideal day for breakfast at a coffee shop followed by a visit to Boatswain Beach.

Icoa is the name of the coffee shop we selected.  The Turtles ran from the car, through the rain, into the coffee shop and as soon as they stepped over the doorstep Myrtle knew there were going to be problems...  The coffee shop is part of a store selling fancy household goods.  Beautiful glasses, plates, cutlery and other items lined the racks - well within reach of Tiny's grabbing little hands.  Myrtle understands that stores have no obligation to cater for customers with toddlers and that it is parents' responsibility to control their own children.  However, if the Turtles are in a coffee shop where Tiny is unable to break anything and she can roam fairly free, the Turtles are much more likely to order another cup of coffee or a piece of cake.  In other words, more money in the pockets of the coffee shop owners.  Where Myrtle and Tony have to take turns to chase after Tiny to remove a crystal pepper pot from her inquisitive little fingers, breakfast becomes hard work.  Something you have to get over with as soon as possible.  No extra cake, no extra coffee, no extra bucks.    Hopefully Icoa makes enough money from child-free people and don't need candy covered dollars from people like the Turtles.  It would have been easier, though, if there was a sign on the door stating the obvious: "Children not welcome".

One place where children, and adults, are welcomed with open arms, is the Turtle Farm on Boatswain's Beach.  They breed all kinds of Turtles, a large percentage of which is set free in the ocean.  The ten year old turtles are huge, or as a Spanish family exclaimed upon seeing these monsters: "Grande Tortuga!"  The members of staff were friendly and willing to answer all questions.  One even handed Tony (Tiny refused) a baby turtle to hold.  Eventually Tiny was convinced to touch the tiny thing and Myrtle returned it to the water - it sped away, not knowing we are family!

Tony and Tiny have slapped on sunscreen and hats and have gone down to the beach. Myrtle is still sitting on the patio, in her pajamas, writing this entry.  Time to go and find fish swimming in the shallow water, see ya!