ArcaMax

He was a smooth operator, this one -- his silky body caressing mine in most provocative ways. But I knew we wouldn't be leaving together as his home was a large sandbar he shared with several of his wingmen - very large wingmen, actually -- emphasis on wing. Although we're visiting their habitat in the wild, let's be clear here. They know where their next squid meal is coming from.

But Midnight and I made close eye contact -- and I mean close -- his eyes were huge. We were so sympatico as I held his huge, slinky body in my outstretched arms that I kissed him on the nose, which I later learned guaranteed me seven years of good luck. A totally unexpected bonus.

Such was my introduction to the seductive appeal of stingrays as part of Red Sail Sports Stingray City and Snorkeling excursion near Rum Point on Grand Cayman, where my husband and I were spending two weeks. As we sailed to our next adventure, just being out on the open water in a 65-foot catamaran full speed ahead is its own exhilarating experience.

In vivid contrast to the expansive grayness of the world of stingrays is the added snorkeling outing, also offered by Red Sail Sports. The cacophony of color of the myriad itinerant fish exploring their coral reef home is a memory to which you will return over and over again -- an experience words cannot adequately convey.

But the warnings before entering the water -- Red Sail provides all the snorkeling equipment, including vests to keep you afloat, if necessary -- to avoid any contact with the reef made me feel almost homicidal if I were to even come too close. Coral reefs are very fragile, and they die from human contact.

But the fish are a different story. They are glorious as they flit all around you, and I was told that if I got really lucky I might even see a turtle or a huge grouper. I settled for a whole lot of blue and yellow darlings among their other colorful brethren. To add to the fun, we were able to check the fish guide on board to help identify the denizens of the deep with whom we had just communed. And even more fun -- there's a bar on board to reward you for all your water-based efforts.

Later, as I lay on a wide cushiony chaise lounge that more resembled a bed than a beach chair at Kaibo Beach, staring up at lofty palm trees swaying in the breeze, my foot pumping to the reggae music gently piped in and sipping on a pina colada, my mind occasionally focused on the sub-freezing temperatures back home. Yup -- I wouldn't want to be anywhere else -- except maybe sharing another intimate moment with Midnight.

For more information: redsailcayman.com.

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Fyllis Hockman is a freelance writer. To read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.

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