Half Moon Cay — Part 1

Half Moon Cay Beach

It’s winter, so it must be time for one of my warm-weather blogs.  Fortunately, our recent transatlantic cruise afforded me just such an opportunity to spring on you now.

Half Moon Cay

After Lisbon the MS Ryndam set sail across the Atlantic.  The crossing took eight days, during which I spent many an hour at the bridge table.  My Canadian partner and I had not played together prior to this voyage, so it took a little while to get acclimated to one another’s style of play.  Nevertheless, we didn’t do too badly toward the end of the voyage, placing in the run for ACBL master points several times and even taking first place on one occasion.

Sand, Sun, and a Splash of Color

Ursula was also enjoying the eight-day crossing.  By then we were pretty worn, having averaged perhaps around eight miles on foot at every port.  She was taking advantage of the library and other cruise ship diversions.

Half Moon Cay

I got the feeling however that we were in the minority.  After only five days at sea many aboard ship were expressing their desire to set foot on dry land.  Others were desperately looking forward sun and fun.  Fortunately, Holland America had just the cure for the transatlantic blues — some turquoise blue of their own known popularly as Half Moon Cay, but officially as Little San Salvador Island.

Enjoying the View at Half Moon Cay

Little San Salvador was purchased by Holland America from rival Norwegian Cruise Lines back in 1996 for $6 million.  At 3.75 square miles ( 9.7km²) that comes out to only $1.6 million per square mile, or a measly $2,500 an acre.  That’s surprisingly cheap even by El Paso standards.

At the Bar

Anyway, Half Moon Cay turned out to be quite a popular destination.  Here’s today’s slideshow (click on any image below to bring up today’s slideshow):

Half Moon Cay

Half Moon Cay Shopping Area

Half Moon Cay Flowers

Half Moon Cay

Half Moon Cay

Half Moon Cay Color