The Botanic Park has 10 of the 26 orchid species recorded present
on the Cayman Islands. Three of these—including the world’s rarest orchid, the Ghost Orchid—are found nowhere else on earth. Also in Grand Cayman’s eastern districts is the Mastic Reserve & Trail, the largest contiguous area of untouched old growth dry forest remaining on the island. It is a popular hiking trail for nature lovers.
In recent years, and with a concerted effort to enhance its appeal
as a destination of choice for discerning travellers, the Cayman Islands has been carefully cultivating a reputation as the culinary capital of the Caribbean. With more than 100 restaurants on Grand Cayman, dining is a smorgasbord of local and international cuisine. Distinctly Caymanian fare such as turtle stew, fish and fritters, and conch fritters, along with Caribbean specialties including jerk and fusions of Caribbean and international cuisine, are presented alongside authentic representations of French, Thai, Italian, Japanese, English, American and even Mexican fare—in everything from elegant five-star establishments to beachfront restaurants and casual diners and eateries.
A signature element of the Cayman Islands’ culinary offering
for the past three years has been Cayman Cookout, a four-day gastronomic event of demonstrations, tastings and gala events presented by the Department of Tourism, the Ritz-Carlton Grand Cayman and Food & Wine magazine, all hosted by celebrity chef Eric Ripert, creator of acclaimed restaurant Blue.
Cayman Cookout has been drawing foodies and a host of celebrity Beyond its beaches and underwater wonders, the Cayman Islands
has an array of other seductive offers, including some world-class shopping in the many small, quaint, or modern and expansive storefronts along the George Town waterfront. A casual stroll will connect visitors with some of the best duty-free shops and the widest assortment of luxury goods to be found in a Caribbean port.
If such opportunities don’t offer enough of a vacation allure,
then several historical and cultural attractions beckon visitors to learn a bit more about the Islands’ past and present. Significant among them is the well-known Cayman Turtle Farm, a one-of-a- kind adventure marine park situated on 23 acres, and forming the Islands’ largest land-based attraction. Here visitors can get close to thousands of green sea turtles, which are farmed commercially and to preserve the species.
Towards the eastern end of Grand Cayman, and situated on the
dramatic Pedro Bluff overlooking the Caribbean Sea, is another popular site for visitors and residents alike—Pedro Saint James Castle, a great house built in the late 18th century. Throughout the centuries, this structure was used for many activities, including a courthouse, jail and government meeting place. Best known as the ‘birthplace of democracy in the Cayman Islands’, Pedro Saint James was the venue for a meeting on December 5, 1831, at which the decision was made to form the first elected parliament.
Further east, in the district of North Side, lies the Queen Elizabeth
II Botanic Park, the only one of its kind in the Cayman Islands. Within its well-kept gardens and woodland trails, the Botanic Park is home to many highly endangered, uniquely Caymanian plants. The Cayman Islands’ rare blue iguanas roam the park, which also houses the Blue Iguana Recovery Programme, which was established in recent times to prevent their almost certain extinction.
First-time and repeat visitors to the Cayman Islands will also
warm to its unique culture and heritage, embodied in a wide variety of creative local arts and crafts, festivals and special events. The Islands’ storied past as a place visited by pirates in bygone centuries is colourfully and dramatically recalled in the popular Pirates Week Festival, held annually in November and marked by 11 days of pageantry, street parades, a mock pirates landing in George Town Harbour, costume competitions, heritage day celebrations and fireworks.
In addition to Pirates Week, the Cayman Islands proudly celebrates
its national carnival—Batabano—with the vibrancy, colourful costumes, music, dance and street parades that are synonymous with such cultural expressions under a warm Caribbean sun.
For those who know the Cayman Islands as a bustling, reputable
place to do business, or as an alluring vacation spot replete with sandy beaches, captivating natural scenery, first-class hotels, abundant restaurants and friendly faces, there is always one constant—time spent under its tropical skies and in its warm waters is a uniquely enriching experience worth repeating time and time again.
The Cayman Islands Department of Tourism website is:
www.caymanislands.ky
CAYMAN CAPTIVE 71
chefs to Grand Cayman, and the next event, to be held from January 13-16, 2011, will feature culinary masters Anthony Bourdain, José Andrés, Rachel Allen, Susur Lee, Michael Schwartz, Charlie Trotter, Food & Wine magazine’s Gail Simmons, and wine and spirits experts Ray Isle, Anthony Giglio, Denis Cakebread and Bo Barrett.
In addition to Cayman Cookout, January 2011 has been
designated as Culinary Month, with a series of exciting events and activities that will culminate in the Islands’ national food festival, Taste of Cayman.
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iStockphoto.com / jimmyvillalta
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