Grand Turk

This was our last port before returning to Ft. Lauderdale.  Grand Turk is the capital of the Turks & Caicos Islands.  In 1973 the Turks & Caicos became a separate Crown Colony of Great Britain.

Grand Turk is renowned among snorkelers and scuba divers.  Its waters are crystal clear and support a thriving coral reef and abundant marine life.    It was here that astronaut John Glenn splashed down in Friendship 7 after orbiting the earth.

Many passengers spent the day at Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville, which offered dining, a swimming pool including a flow rider and a trading post all right at the pier.

Don did the stingray excursion that day.  After the traditional British fish and chip lunch at the ships Wheelhouse Bar, we headed ashore to do a little sightseeing.  I left him on the pier to meet his tour guide and headed back onboard to watch Julie and Julia in the theatre. 

You can call me a wimp, but I did not fancy dozens of these creatures swimming around me and brushing up against my legs.  Hey, this is open water, not Discovery Cove  where the barbs are removed and the safety of the guests is the #1 priority.   By the way, Discovery Cove is a fabulous place to spend a day if you are in Orlando.

Tomorrow will probably be my last cruise post.  I want to show some of the beautiful features of the ship itself.  We really loved the Emerald Princess.