Grand Turks

Miles

 “We went boating. We accidentally went too far out to sea. When we looked down into the sea it looked like it was not deep. That’s just because it was so clear. Which means that no rivers were leading to the ocean. “

Ian

“The next day I went to Grand Turk. We didn’t buy souvenirs because we had to go to the beach first. It was great. Me and Grandma Jamie went snorkeling. It was way better snorkeling in this water versus half moon cay. You could find more fish and more coral reefs. It was really cool what we found. I eventually went back and relaxed. We had a great time. Once we got back on the beach it was fun. Although the food here is ’islandish’ food and there was chicken and corn and stuff. I decided to pass because I like American food fresh from America which is much nicer than the food like this island has. If I was stranded on an island I would not like eating just chicken and coconuts. I like American food better because of the taste." 

Lisa

Grand Turk had a beach that was not nearly as soft sand perfect as Half Moon Cay, but its snorkeling was INCREDIBLE! Due to the coral reef nature of the beaches, they were a little rockier, but as I snorkeled I was blown away by the sheer number, variety, and color of tropical fish that I saw. First I took Liam out snorkeling which was a blast. Liam found a giant clam and dived for it bringing it back. Later in the day, I went snorkeling at one point hand in hand with Matt. This was perhaps the best part of the entire trip. Through the ocean and over coral reefs we went pointing out different fish together in a silent pantomime. We even saw one of those super flat fish swimming along. It was amazing. 

Matt

Our morning at Grand Turk started beautiful, like most of the days on our cruise with a little bit of overcast. The Carnival Conquest pulled right up to the dock and after another hurried breakfast we were off the boat and trudging up the dock to the enclave that said "Welcome to Grand Turk" with shops and booths for the excursions. Today was a family beach day albeit one spent without a villa. Despite this, it turned out to be one of the best days of the voyage.

We loaded onto a bus that took us to our destination. Grand Turk drivers drive on the left hand side, despite many of the vehicles configured like our cars here in the United States. The route to the private family beach took us past some sad scenes of devastation caused by previous hurricanes. The driver informed us that many of the home owners were still waiting for insurance claims to be processed before they could rebuild. Grand Turk was different from Jamaica, Cayman Islands and even the Bahamas in that it was more of a desert island. There were salt pans where pools of salt water had dried up and there were lots of donkeys wondering the countryside and even the streets; their ancestors imported by Europeans for work on the island. A U.S. military base was one situated on the island but even that source of income left when the installation closed down. A huge feeling of compassion for the inhabitants filled me on this drive.

Matt

We reached our destination where a sort of courtyard stood in front of a lunch hall and rec center. We were told that our tickets for the excursion allowed for as much island food as we wanted at the buffet, drinks and water toy rental. We all quickly claimed our beach chairs and umbrellas. I got a picture with the boys on the beach chair similar to the one I took with them four years ago in Jamaica (although that one was done in the surf.) Most of our group immediately broke out the snorkel gear and were well rewarded for their efforts. My impulse was to run into the water.

Ian

"Mom and Liam came back with this incredible find… a giant clam! I heard that clams have pearls and there could be a pearl worth a million bucks in there that could make us rich. I hear that clams are not air breathers. I put him in the water. I got tired of that. I stopped messing with the clam. I took the Tupperware we were building sandcastles with and filled the Tupperware with sea water, put the clam in, and put on the lid. I put it next to the sand castle, so no one would steal it. I had so such fun. I got up on this platform. I rode on this boat and sang ‘A pirate’s life for me’. Dad helped me along. There were these holes in the boat and I was afraid I would sink. Miles and Liam went on this canoe. I didn’t get a canoe. I got a boat with one person (the canoe was for two). I might grow up getting one of these boats and having lots of water fun time. I was able to control it. It is pretty cool to go on your very own boat and use the paddles to go. You should say so yourself. Once I got back to the sand castle. Some was occupying it. I went back to check for the clam, but it was gone. Oh no, I thought someone had stolen the Tupperware with the clam. Someone put the Tupperware with Maga. I asked Maga what she had done with it. She said she didn’t do anything with the clam; she didn’t even touch it. I believed her. We had much more fun. By the time it was the end I realized DAD had thrown our million-dollar clam back into the sea. We could have had dinner with it, but NO he threw our million bucks into the sea. Our souvenir could have been that pearl. We never found a way to open it before dad threw it back. We would need some kind of special fork to open it. I was thinking we should take it back to the boat and use the silverware on the Carnival Conquest to open it. I guess Dad was right if we opened it there may not be a pearl inside. There might be creepy things; which I don’t want to describe. Afterwards we ate dinner.”

Liam

 “This beach is fun. Ellie got sad. Legs and arms got hurt on the rocks. I went in the ocean on a boat with mommy. It was fun. I got to use paddles.”

Lisa

"Part of our package deal with this excursion was the ability to rent various items from them without additional cost. Liam and I rented a two man kayak. I learned from this experience that Liam does not know how to paddle as a team. I eventually learned to sit and let him paddle and when he started to do something that would land us in danger; I would tell him to take a break and take over. This worked much better than trying to paddle at the same time. We had a fun Caribbean lunch. Although it was not spectacular it was still yards better then mildly under cooked hamburgers and mediocre hot dogs of the prior excursion. Best of all was the open bar. Being a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Days Saints...open bar means unlimited Diet Coke. This day was incredible. A "date" with Matt, amazing sea life, kayaking around with the kids, and feeling warm Caribbean sunshine on my face." 

Matt

The water was beautiful. Miles and I swam to a large inflatable dock with a round center. He clambered up it and then ran down the gang plank and jumped into the water. Liam joined us shortly afterward and did all kinds of silly things (like pretend to fall in), amusing some of the other tourists that were there. After playing on this for a while, I went and started a sand castle with Ellie and Maga. Ellie started whining for drink and food (mostly because she can never eat enough before we leave the ship to sustain her throughout the day.) I took her inside to pick something from the buffet, but all the food was different to what she usually eats and so she started sobbing. The English lady that had explained everything to us in the courtyard saw her crying and asked if she could get her something. I told her if she had bread and butter, that would be awesome. She managed to find a hot dog bun and butter for her, but even better, she found a bag of mini Oreos which brought a big smile to her face. Miles saw her with them and demanded he get some. In order to divert him from throwing a tantrum about this, I suggested we rent one of the double kayaks and paddle out to the sea. The Oreos were immediately forgotten.

Matt

One of the reasons I like the beach and staring out to sea is the soothing atmosphere that is conducive to reflection and contemplation. There is nothing I find more annoying than loud, blaring music or just as bad, some entertainment organizer with a megaphone. As Miles and I paddled out to sea, the noise quickly receded into the background and I was able to enjoy the beauty of the continuous blue expanse that went out into the horizon. 

Having this beautiful scene in front of me, and the beautiful depths of the ocean below us helped Miles and I have a bonding moment. We tested how deep the water was with our paddles and discovered coral reefs with our paddles. We talked about the tides and how Miles used to be afraid of the water, and now he wasn't. After enjoying this for about twenty minutes, we had to paddle back so that we wouldn't be charged for the rental. Encouraged by my compliments at his swimming abilities (Miles had swim lessons all summer thanks to Grandma Jamie) he swam by himself from shore to the inflatable dock numerous times after we got back. I was very proud of how far he had come and how he was swimming like a fish.

Matt

I took Ian out as well, but we weren't able to use the double kayak because someone else was using it. Instead, Ian got to use one of the smaller single kayaks that fit him perfectly. He was a little nervous about going out on his own, but I reassured him and told him I would swim next to him and help guide him. 

What had once been self-doubt and anxiety quickly turned to excitement and confidence. He had a great time and talked with me about all kinds of things, particularly his clam he had which he was convinced had a pearl. He was very reluctant to paddle back to shore and kept talking about how he wished he could come here every day and paddle in his own kayak.

The day passed tranquilly as we all lounged, swam, snorkeled, kayaked or played in the sand. Lisa insisted on she and I having a "mini' date by snorkeling together. 

Despite growing up in Florida, I had never done any kind of serious snorkeling, and the snorkeling I did had not been very interesting. Lisa insisted, and it was an experience I will never forget. The coral reefs appeared as dark blobs when looking down into the water, but underneath it had a display of beautiful fish and sea life that you just couldn't see from the surface. We saw Sargent Major Fish, blue tang, yellow tang, black tang, Royal Gramma (the purple and yellow fish from Finding Nemo), even flat fish with their eyes in weird spots. They were everywhere and Lisa and I held hands as we swam and pointed our each amazing fish that we saw. It was a poignant experience and reminded me of how so many people walk along in the world without access to the spiritual light of the gospel. As beautiful as the surface of the sea is, and as wonderful an experience it can be, it doesn't compare to that snorkeling experience. You can literally tread the same spot and miss out on so many things, just like those that go through life without their "spiritual snorkel gear" giving them access to experiences even more profound and breathtaking. 

After our thirty minute snorkel, we noticed it was overcast and rain clouds had rolled in. We wandered over to the front courtyard to wait for the bus and it started to rain. It wasn't the cold rain you expect in Utah, but a warm tropical rain that came down hard and then stopped making it more humid than it was before. The open air bus pulled up and it was with deep reluctance we drove back to the enclave. Lisa took the kids to go shopping and so Liam got a captain hat and Ellie got a stuffed monkey and stuffed unicorn. Ian got a wooden sword that the Cruise staff confiscated because it was a "weapon" much to Lisa's annoyance and amusement and Ian's delight (the fact that it was considered "dangerous" only enhanced its appeal). Dinner was a sumptuous experience and involved exotic foods again. At this point I had eaten rabbit and alligator with alligator being the first time I tried it. We all went to bed, a little sun burnt but thankfully due to the diligence of Lisa applying sun block frequently, no one was unduly burnt. All of us were excited for the next day's adventure in Puerto Plata.

Ellie

"My poor little monkey had its back broken wide open. It was so hurt, and then you (mom) fixed it with your little case."