The Cayman Islands. Waiting for you to explore
02/27/2017
Originally scuba-diving took off in the 1980's in an area of the ocean called Stingray City.Here divers used to feed squid to the Stingrays, the fish started to associate the sound of boats with food and made it a regular feeding ground.
CAYMAN ISLANDS
It has just been announced that Southwest Airlines are to start a route to the Cayman Islands, so we thought we would give you an introduction to this tropical gem, sitting in the West Caribbean.
INTRODUCTION
Three Islands constitute the Cayman Islands: Grand Cayman, Little Cayman, and Cayman Brac. Regarding proximity to other islands, you might recognize, it is located south of Cuba and northwest of Jamaica. It is a British overseas territory, with a population of just 60,000.While a major center for the financial services industry and a tax haven, the Cayman Islands are rapidly becoming popular with tourists.
OUT AND ABOUT
The main beach is a massive seven miles long and is the location of most of the hotels and resorts.The beach is public property, so it is possible to walk the whole length, Seven Mile Beach is considered one of the best beaches in the Caribbean. As of February 2017 this beach has been voted 12th best in the world. A remarkable achievement.
However, it is below the water-line that the Cayman Islands amazes. There is an abundance of underwater fauna and flora, and some stunning marine life. There are many coral reefs, and one is created by man, in the shape of the U.S.S. Kittiwake, which was bought by the Cayman Islands government as a decommissioned hulk and deliberately scuttled for ecological reasons. After six years underwater the five decks of the Kittiwake is home to a cornucopia of vivid color and a huge range of marine life including rare sponges, urchins and squirrel fish. As a direct consequence of these aquatic delights, scuba diving is wildly popular amongst tourists and locals alike.
Originally scuba-diving took off in the 1980's in an area of the ocean called Stingray City.Here divers used to feed squid to the Stingrays, the fish started to associate the sound of boats with food and made it a regular feeding ground.
Another attraction is Pirates Week an 11 day festival in November, which was started to attract extra visitors during a fallow period in the tourist season; the festival celebrates the Islands association with Piracy. The Cayman Islands were not permanently inhabited until 1730, but before that, they were a haven for privateers and deserters from Cromwell's army (which conquered neighboring Jamaica in 1655). The festival is now a highlight of the local calendar.Beginning with a massive street party, and a steel drum competition, there is extensive live music and ends with a spectacular firework display.Don't miss the 'Pirate invasion' when ships from the period storm the harbor.Get into the swing of things by entering one of the costume contests; there is some great food too. The festival is centered on the island's capital ,Georgetown.
Boatswain's Beach, a 23-acre marine theme park is well worth a visit, where you can also see the Cayman Islands Turtle Farm.For the adventurous, the National Trust for the Cayman Islands provides guided hikes through the Mastic Trail which goes through the island's forests.
Panoramic views can be obtained from the 'East End Light.'The Lighthouse at the Eastern end of Grand Cayman, and the 75ft tall Observation Tower, which provides a 360-degree view of the Seven Mile Beach and George Town.
The Cayman Crystal Caves are a stunning grotto; the underground caverns are set in a tropical forest in Old Man Bay, Grand Cayman.
For food and drink lovers, tours can be booked for the Cayman Islands Brewery, the Cayman Islands distillery and a culinary tour.
DINING OUT
Cayman Island's cuisine is typically Caribbean; including tuna, rice and peas, snapper, yams, and mango. The Red Lionfish is a specialty. Cassava Cake is a particularly delicious dessert made with plenty of Coconut milk, brown sugar, and vanilla essence. There are an impressive seventy-four seafood restaurants in the Cayman Islands, but also twenty-four Italian restaurants, nine Indian and six Chinese.You will have such a wide choice from gourmet to snack. The Cayman Mudslide Cocktail is the signature local drink.
CONCLUSION
Just about 4 hours from New York (direct flights with Cayman Airways), with competitive air fares, this little slice of paradise is just waiting for you.Check out some super offers on www.paylessflights.com