The Cayman Islands

Abby chose the Cayman Islands for her 13th birthday trip. Lucky kid!

They had an amazingly beautiful Airbnb that was right along the water. Abby had fun catching and playing with the hermit crabs that were all over the beach. They found a restaurant called Tukka that by the end of the week was making Abby special things to accommodate her gluten free needs. She also was introduced to virgin strawberry daiquiris which she ordered most nights. 

They rode 4 wheelers on the beach which Abby said was really fun. She even got to drive at the end.

While they were there she got to see some sea turtles. The neighbor also told them that he had a nest he was watching and showed Abby were they were at. He sent Abby a picture of the sea turtles when they hatched.

One of the only things that Abby wanted to do on her vacation was to ride a horse on the beach. She got her wish, Susie and her both rode a horse. 

They went through the botanical gardens. She got to see beautiful plants and flowers. I think Susie found a lot of things she would like to bring home for her sunroom.   

Abby said that while they were coming back from the beach one day, they noticed a parade assembling. Everyone else was dressed up and he flags to celebrate the Queens Platinum Jubilee. Abby got a little history lesson learning that the Cayman Islands still recognized the Queen and British rule, but the Cayman Islands is a self-governing British Territory. This we happened to find out afterward when we got a $200 plus dollar phone bill from the 2 times that Abby called us for a couple minutes. It turns out that by being self-governing they can charge a lot of money in fees for you to use your phone there. It was fun to see the Jubilee though because it recognized her 70th year as the Queen. She died about 3 months later. Abby was lucky to get some of the money that still had Queen Elizabeth on it.

Abby's very favorite part of the vacation was swimming with the dolphins. Bob and Abby did the dolphin swim while Susie took pictures of them. Abby said that it wasn't scary at all and she wants to do it again if she ever gets the chance. 

She got to hang on to the fins while the dolphin pulled her through the water.

They were also able to go out on a boat with a guide (that drove the boat with his feet). They were able to snorkel, and Abby got to see an Eel. 

All the kids have been incredibly lucky to get to take such a fun once in a lifetime trip with their grandparents.