Day 4 Grand Cayman

Ok, so I am really, really on my trip now. Today was really great in my flying experience it was right up there at the top. I had a leisurely breakfast and finally left around 1 pm and flew out over the Florida Keys. There were some scattered clouds but all in all a beautiful day. I flew right over Key West (or Key Largo) and then out into the gulf. Cuba is shocking close to Florida, I knew that but it still surprised me. I was looking forward to the Cuban overflight as much as anything I am planning - ok maybe Buenos Aires, but I was very excited. As I was handed off to Havana control just the very name gave me some kind of thrill. Then I started to negotiate a lower altitude. I asked in English for 3,000 feet. He told me I could only go to 9,000 feet going South over Cuba.

The picture to the left is me decending over Havana. I asked 5 different times and even tried in Spanish to explain I wanted to go lower because of the cloud layers as I wanted to sight see. He was very professional and denied me, but as he handed me off he said "I hope that you got to see some of our beautiful country - sorry I coud not allow lower. I thought that was cool.

Below is the MFD showing me approaching Cuba - I dont know why I just think this is all way too cool, but hey I am apilot geek. My pilot friends will understand.

This is Havana as I approached at 9,000 feet.

The photo to the right was taken over the central portioin of Cuba when I got a clean shot through the clouds.

The shot of my MFD below is me approaching The Grand Cayman - I know still the geek. (still cool)

Below is a picture of the Grand Caymand Island and the seven mile beach on the right hand side. The hotel I am staying is on seven mile beach.

I asked to cancel my flight plan and asked tp tour the Island at 500 feet. To me that was as much fun as anything so far. (geek again)

The photo to the right is called Stingray Point. It is hard to see but there are a bunch of boats with people snorkeling around hundreds of stingrays.

After circling the Island I set up to land - I love the shots on short final. (geek again)

The Ritz is on the most beautiful beach as you can see on the right. The water is the perfect tempature and clear clear clear. As soon as I got here I wanted to cancel the rest of the trip - or at least alter it so I could stay here about a week.

This is a beautiful hotel and the food is good as well. I would definately come back again and stay longer. Tomorrow I am planning to leave about 12 with a box lunch on my way to Cartegena.

Juat like the California beaches - the sun sets in the West and I couldn't help taking 20 shots of the sunset - I am just sparring you all by editing the amount of photos.

All in all a dear diary kind of day!