Grand Cayman Local Customs

Caymanians pay no tax, get preferred status for every job on the island and are the only ones allowed to keep the fish caught (by anyone). They're wonderful but they do get plenty of money. I wouldn't worry about them to the point I'd go overboard on tipping. We should be so lucky as to be born a Caymanian!

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For some reason Caymans go way out in there Christmas decorating. I stopped and got pictures of this house as it was on South Sound Road (a road much less traveled) than trying to stop on a busy street and risk getting run over. This particular home had music playing, Santa was actually singing & dancing and the figurines on the front porch moved and sang as well. I'm just amazed at how much work these people put into decorating their homes at Christmas. It must have taken a month to get all this stuff up. And it was just not this house but all over the island houses were decorated just as elaborately.

Make sure you look to the right instead of left when first crossing the streets, as GC traffic sticks with the British way of driving on the left side. Seems the world could standardize this after so many years, but thne again the US won't even go fully to the metric system.

Before you head to Caymans, check out the schedule of events or check with your concierege - there is always fun events going on..

We visited during July 2003, so we were able to catch a summerfest that included all types of Cayman cuisine, drinks, entertainment and local crafts.

To get a feel for real locals and how they live day to day, leave your cushy resort and head to George Town. You'll find friendly folks and children that love to tease and smile..

We spent some time walking around in the town, stopping in little shops to support local artists, visiting the straw market, taking in the daily life of a local and trying Cayman cuisine.

There are many ins and outs to the town, go walking all around and you may be surprised to find a small cafe full of locals enjoying local chit chat and reading the paper. You may also find an artist displaying his/her wooden figurines, flutes, wind pipes, etc. The women have small crocheted dolls and straw purses that are very cute as well.

...one should remember when visiting The Cayman Islands:

* Please note that they drive on the left

* Respect the rules of all the Marine Parks and other protected waters

* Don't disturb the marine life - look but don't touch, especially the coral

* It's not crime free area - take care of your valuables

* Electricity: 110/115 volts in the same configuration as the USA and Canada.

Thank you for your Time - I hope you enjoyed this virtual visit

For more pictures Please go to my travelogue

Natives are so nice. Tip well. Especially now...........

See the nice Parrots. So cute, so colorful, so chained to this branch.