Goin' Coco Loco on Coco Cay

Coco Cay is a small island in the Bahama chain that is leased out to Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines (RCCL), and this was the final stop before returning to Ft. Lauderdale on our recent cruise adventure. The "drink of the day" is a Coco Loco, with generous portions of rum cleverly hidden amongst the many different fruits and berries. The day was quite windy, and the tide was out so nobody was able to jet ski. There was however para-sailing, and snorkeling. A fair amount of amusement was had watching people try to walk forward in flippers, almost as funny as watching them walk backwards.

The island is staffed by local Bahamians who commute to work on a boat from a nearby island, and supposedly there are only seven lifeguards who actually live (spend the night) on Coco Cay. The locals operate the Straw Market, where the usual tourist stuff can be found. I think we bought a T-shirt on Coco Cay, thus our buying spree ended with a whimper and not a bang.

As we packed for an early departure on Thursday mornings, having embarked the prior Saturday, we tallied up the purchases (those to place on the customs form) and realized we probably were under the "allowable" limit since several things were actually purchased in America. Actually, they were purchased in Key West, which may officially be part of Monroe County, Florida, but many would argue that the Conch Republic, which seceded in 1982 on my 35th birthday is not a part of these United States. It got that name after the DEA blockaded US Highway 1 at Homestead, and set up a drug checkpoint to inspect traffic coming north from Key West. The Mayor, Chamber of Commerce, and many other notable (and quotable) stoners all participated in this act of polite rebellion. The day (April 23rd) is celebrated every year at the various bars around town, with Sloppy Joe's and Margaritaville being well known.

Thursday morning broke early as we slipped back into Ft. Lauderdale around daybreak, and we sadly exited the ship at 0800 hours to once again traverse Alligator Alley where my wife spotted four gators in the canals, and I spied 8 FHP or Sheriff's cars with unlucky motorists at the side of the road. The short vacation was over, and I had pictures to download and stories to tell.

Watch this space for further adventures of Hizzoner, former Mayor and President of the Bank of Dad.