Once upon a time…. Christopher Columbus was in this water. Then… a little later… a bunch of pirates… and hooligans. But today, it was me. I took a swim in this part of the Caribbean Sea.

I have to say I like swimming in these Caribbean waters, specifically, more than any other place I’ve swam. Ever. They are so very crystal clear and warm. Salty.

But it does a body good. I mean, who wouldn’t love to dive in these waters?

As I mentioned, Old Chris Columbus spotted this here island in 1503. He was on his final trip to the new world and came across this little gem. He named it Las Tortugas… after all the big sea turtles he saw.

For the most part, the islands remained uninhabited (by people) until the late 17th century.

Then somehow….. in a rush….. the word got out. This old place became a home sweet home to pirates, refugees, sailors, slaves …. and even a few deserters from Oliver Cromwell’s army in Jamaica.

Argggghhhhhh matey. Yo-Ho-HO and a bottle of Rum.

Rum is still a popular thing here. I do not know this first hand… but I have witnessed others Yo-Ho-HO-ing.

The whole governance deal came down in 1670. The Treaty of Madrid…. was a little agreement and a handshake… between England and Spain. Part of the deal….. was for England to take formal control of Jamaica and the Cayman Islands. Jamaica would later (much later) break off from English ties. Not CI.

These days….. The Cayman Islands is an Overseas Territory of the United Kingdom with a governor appointed by the Crown. Hail to the Queen. And the Governor.
But I got off track. I swam, swam, swam.

Heck…. if I were big old ancient Sea Turtle…. I’d live in these good waters. And if I were a pirate, on the lamb, I would hide here to.
And If I were a human taking a vacation… this would probably be where I’d go.

Wait a minute. I am human, on vacation. …. … and here.

Well. …… ….. you can check THAT one off.

“By having good memories on every place you just visit, you are building paradise in your own heart and your life.”  – Toba Beta