Mae,
We are going to Grand Cayman in May.I read the history of GC and before it was named Christopher Columbus called it Los Tortugas (not sure about the spelling?) because of the turtles that he saw when he found it.So I will let you know if we see alot of them.:)

Christie

Thanks for the report. I am in Ohio as well and our crocus (crocuses? Crocii?) fianlly came up today :)

Itilson, Loved reading your trip report. We are headed to Provo this summer in search of great beaches and great snorkeling. Went back and forth between a few islands before going with Provo. Hope we made the right choice, sounds like the snorkeling in St. John is great as well. Noticed your reference to Belize that is our future choice, waiting for our youngest to get a bit older so we can really enjoy the snorkeling.Which I understand is fantastic but only from a boat. Can you suggest a good place to stay and whom to use for excursions? We were thinking of a week by the water and a week inland to enjoy all the country has to offer. Any suggestions are welcome. Thanks ...

Bargainhunter --- we enjoyed Belize, but we stayed on Ambergris Caye the whole week and never made it to the mainland. We stayed at the Banana Beach Resort and our friends stayed at Caribbean Villas, both were nice. I preferred Banana Beach because it was a one-bedroom suite w/ a kitchen, etc. We had the worst weather I have ever experienced on a vacation, with 4 straight days of torrential rainfall and wind, so we really only had 3 days on the water. But it was a cool place and I would like to go back someday. Everyone rents golf carts, which would have been more fun without the cold rain and mud in our face. The beaches are not great and there is a lot of seagrass close to the shore, but it was not expensive to go out for a snorkel trip...can't remmeber the guy's name but everyone was recommending him on a Belize forum I found before our trip. The town was small but had some fun restaurants and bars.

Itilson, Thanks for your reply, will look ino it.