Turtles, Turtles, and more Turtles!

Just got back from an amazing cruise to the Western Caribbean.  We have been saving for and anticipating this cruise for quite some time.  It actually went really smoothly, aside from a bad sunburn on Brigham's part, and a cold on my part. We really couldn't have asked for a better experience. It basically consisted of gorging ourselves on food, amazing shows, more food, interacting with animals, swimming, amazing views, lots of sun, some shopping, and more food.  One of the best parts of the cruise was just spending time together, with no ability to be distracted by internet, phone calls, texts, etc. Just us for a whole week, without any other care in the world. Our itinerary was: Day at Sea, Cozumel Mexico, Belize, Roatan Honduras, Grand Cayman, Day at Sea. 


One of the stops, and one of the main reasons for picking this cruise, was Grand Cayman. This island houses a sea turtle farm. I believe it is the only one like it. They hatch and grow baby sea turtles to: educate people,  release some into the wild, and grossly- to eat.  I prefer not to think about the last option. But, it did offer us the chance to hold baby sea turtles, and swim with teenage sea turtles.  Definitely a dream come true.  They were completely adorable and amazing and majestic. Looking back at the pictures I am still squealing over how dang cute they are! Here is a small taste of our experience there:

Here is Brigham with a 9 month old turtle:

 

Here I am with the biggest turtles they let us hold. I think it was 18 months to 2 years?

And Brigham with one of the biggest ones:

6 month old turtle, the smallest at the facility right now.  Their shells are so soft if you drop them they will die because they have no protection. I am about as happy as can be here, but I have no idea what is up the the guy in the background? 

Baby turtle....  Too adorable for words.

Here are some of the turtles we got to swim with. Apparently these are getting ready to be released which is why they are in the big tank.

And here is Brigham checking out the turtles:

 

Short video of the turtle swimming:

 

Here is video of me holding the baby sea turtle: