The highs and lows of my visit to the birth place of recreational diving...Cayman Islands
When persons ask me what I like to do or my interests my first response as if on auto pilot is "Travelling". I love exploring landscapes, history, food and cultural practices. I am a firm believer that persons who travel (not those who travel to brag on social media or to their friends) are smarter, more open minded, independent and resilient. Travelling changes your mindset and has the power to make us better versions of ourselves. I could not have a blog and not document my excursions abroad and the tips and tricks that aided in my travel experiences.
My first travel journal will look at my most recent trip to the Cayman Islands. Why you may ask; it is fresh in my mind and aligns with pandemic travelling.
This will be a three part series which will include:
Tips, Tricks and Tickets: requirements, essential documents and additional information
Highs: the experience
Lows: everything that went wrong
Without further ado let’s dive into part 1 of this blog. No scratch that. let’s first look at the history of the island and the reasons for my travel.
Before I sound off on the history and the decision that led me to visit, you should be aware that my trip to this magnificent island was during the pandemic. I have a feeling this travel series will not age well however living and inanimate objects are meant to perish (we could save ourselves from a future zombie apocalypse if we just stop meddling). I do not expect travel and other related rules to be the same a year or two from now; or will it?? ***Plot twist ***cue suspense sound track.
Cayman Islands is a self-governing British Overseas Territory comprising three islands; Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac and Little Cayman. All three are located to the south of Cuba and northeast of Honduras, between Jamaica and Mexico's Yucatán Peninsula. The capital city is George Town on Grand Cayman, which is the most populous of the three islands. In other words, it’s sunny, visually attractive, amazing food and did I mention it’s sunny 😄😄. You must understand my infatuation with the word “sunny” as I am currently being held hostage in my apartment by -15 degrees weather.
According to the Economics and Statistics Office of the Government of the Cayman Islands, the country had a population of 65,786 as of autumn 2020. Small in landmass and population but mighty in finessing travelers to visit and fall in love with the aesthetics. About one-fifth of Caymanians are of European, mainly British, ancestry; another fifth are blacks, and two-fifths are of mixed African and European ancestry. The remainder of the residents are of other mixed ancestry or are expatriates. English is the official language and the main spoken language, heard in a variety of dialects.
So there you go a bit of history for you. Context.
I visited the island in December 2021 before the omicron variant performed a coup d'état overthrowing his brother; the delta. I had not seen my family in four years (glares at COVID and it’s extended family) so this visit was dubbed “Surprise Mom and Dad”. To give a bit of context to those scratching their heads, seemingly wondering if I have denounced my Jamaican heritage. I am a Jamaican (born and raised), my parents live in Jamaica but by sister lives in the Cayman Islands. Long story short, it was cheaper for the entire family to meet in Cayman than to go to Jamaica. There, context and clarification in three sentences. May I continue? Thank you
Sike!!!
See you guys next week….hahahahaha
On a serious note stay tuned for Part 1 of Cayman Travel Diary: Tips, Tricks and Tickets
Until next time....Julz out.
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