THE GREATER ANTILLES, “SPECTACULAR CARIBBEAN”

CAYMAN ISLANDS, "WHITE SUGAR BEACHES"

BY CLAY LARROY

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With beautiful beaches, world-class diving, the unique experience of swimming with semi-tame stingrays at Stingray City, mangrove swamps and all, a trip to Cayman is the stuff of bucket lists for most people. The extraordinary beaches on all three islands are perfect for lazing about on, whilst the surrounding waters are a treasure trove of marine life, with unprecedented visibility due to the lack of rivers feeding silt into the ocean.

The islands – Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac and Little Cayman – are home to around 50,000 people, a significant number of these being expatriate workers filling jobs in everything from high finance to bartending, diving staff to low-paid jobs in the service industry. The financial industry looms large over most initial discussions about the islands, and there’s no income tax, leading many to believe paradise really does exist here. Still, the high duty on consumer goods, food and fuel makes the cost of living sharply felt.

The locals refer to the islands as ‘Cayman’ (never ‘The Caymans’), a collective noun that encompasses all three islands, whilst the Sister Islands is the collective name for Little Cayman and Cayman Brac. But that wasn’t the first name these small specks in the centre of the Caribbean enjoyed.

None other than Columbus named the islands Las Tortugas for the large numbers of turtles on the islands, making them a valuable stop-off for passing ships to replenish meat stocks. Indeed, in future years, turtling was a major part of the local economy both as a work and food source. To this day, Cayman has the oft-controversial Turtle Farm providing meat to local restaurants.

The word 'Cayman' comes from the Carib word for marine crocodile, caymanas, suggesting that the islands were also well-populated with somewhat snappier reptiles. Occasionally crocs do pop up, having journeyed from Cuba, Cayman’s closest neighbour. One particular croc – renamed Smiley – now has her home at the Turtle Farm.

These days, there are more gourmet options available; there’s a fine array of top class restaurants – over 200 on Grand Cayman alone – including the exquisite Blue at the Ritz-Carlton by Eric Ripert, head honcho behind New York’s fine dining fish restaurant Le Bernardin.

All things culinary are celebrated each year at Cayman Cookout – a top-end event attended by world famous chefs including Anthony Bourdain, Jose Andres and more – and the local celebration of Taste of Cayman.

Pirates Week festival celebrates local culture in the company of pirate crews from around the world, drawing well over 5,000 to its events. It all begins with an invasion of the hoary old soaks, who capture the (mock) governor each year and create as much chaos as you’d expect. Each district competes in a float parade, whilst sporting and family events make great entertainment, and Heritage Days allow visitors to can sample the local food, entertainment, history and atmosphere of the island in even more detail.

Another must-see is Batabano – Cayman’s own version of Carnival, complete with floats, extravagant costumes, steel bands and all the dancing you can muster. So pour out a glass of the local drink Swanky, grab a spot on Seven Mile Beach (or one of the many other incredible options), sit back and enjoy the show.

REFERENCE SITES

http://www.travelresearchonline.com/

I grew up in the Cayman Islands. I didn't play video games or watch TV. I would basically come home from school, throw down my backpack, grab my machete, and go hike and chop down trees to make a fort.

— Armie Hammer

Enjoy life and travel often, the more you travel, the more memories you create!