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Monday, January 17, 2011

Cayman Islands – Home of Pirates’ Folklore

Cayman Islands

DAY 3 - Our first stop after one day at sea are the delightful, friendly Cayman Islands and the port city of Georgetown on Friday, January 7th. The town is full of historic buildings and 600 banks! The people who live on the island pay no income tax and they received this glorious gift in perpetuity from King George of England when the brave Cayman Islanders saved his young nephew from sure death during a shipwreck near their island in 1708. (And yes, it’s very hard to get citizenship there!)

There are many mansions in Georgetown, and the tourism and large oil companies literally support almost all of the island citizen’s health insurance, education, and more. Truly a great place to live and islanders are only a one hour airline flight away from Miami, Florida.

Here are photo highlights of our Cayman Islands excursion:

 The shoreline of Grand Cayman Island is ringed with gorgeous coral reefs and clear waters that are famed for their great snorkeling and scuba diving worldwide.  

We transferred from our ship to a tender boat that took us to the island’s capital, Georgetown.   Down at the water level on our tender boat, the cruise ship appears like a giant in the sea!

 Excited about my first visit to the Cayman Islands! 

Larry stopped by to check out the female cayman sculpture, complete with toenail polish and braided locks, at one of the white sand beaches.  This crock-like critter is how the islands got their name.

Fort George canons helped to protect these islands from pirates and other islanders’ enemies.

 The history of the Cayman Islands and the British rule is evident throughout Georgetown. 

Life-size pirate figures and people in costume all over Georgetown help carry on the tales of lost treasures from the escapades of Blackbeard and Long John Silver who frequented the Cayman Islands.  And, for those who can afford the real estate in this international off-shore banking capital, the Georgetown mansions offer true luxury living!

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