Arrived at George Roberts International Airport, Grand Cayman after a 9-hour flight to Nassau (Bahamas), an hour's wait during refuelling & crew change (and 75% of passengers disembarking), and another 50 mins or so to Grand Cayman - took about 15 mins to go though immigration and collect my hold luggage which arrived on the carousel very promptly (unsurprising given the size of the airport). Met by friends waving from the viewing balcony above the Arrivals entrance as I walked off the tarmac.
Stayed with friends (Brits who have recently emigrated to become residents and work in CI) in their apartment within a residential block at Seven Mile Beach, c.15 mins drive from George Town (the island capital, where the airport is located). Friends both working during weekdays, so I occupied myself with my books by the complex pool (small, but as most of the other residents were also at work, I usually only had to share the pool & choice of loungers with the 2-3 iguanas which were roaming around the complex), reading, sitting on the apartment balcony, investigating the local shops, or doing some shopping in George Town (my friend came back in her lunch hour to pick me up, then I met her after work to go back ‘home' together). The shops in GT, at least around the harbour area, are geared towards the American cruise ships which arrive regularly (6 days a week), of which there can be anything between 1 and 6 a day! So lots of duty-free perfume/toiletries, jewellery, usual ‘tourist tat' souvenir gift shops. All advertising prices in and taking US dollars, as well as local CI dollar currency (fixed rate of 1 dollar CI = 1.2 dollars US). Also bars/restaurants for lunch, drinks etc. Recommend Breezes By The Bay - first floor bar with balcony overlooking the harbour, served great conch fritters and 23fl.oz. cocktails!!
One memorable afternoon was spent taking afternoon tea in the Silver Palm lounge at the Grand Cayman Ritz-Carlton hotel, which was 15 mins walk away from the apartment at Seven Mile Beach. Very genteel and a lovely experience! Details & sample menus are on the Cayman Ritz website (Google it).
Also had a great time at Rum Point, in the north of the island where locals and tourists go for "beach Sundays" - a fairly small white sandy beach under palm trees with loungers, a pier and turquoise waters of the bay for cooling off (or washing the sand off) before sampling the famous Mudslide cocktails!
Another visit was to the Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park (bargain, entrance fee of about 5 UK pounds), where I saw rare native Caymanian blue iguanas, walked the woodland trail through the tropical rainforest and strolled through the colour garden of rainbow-coloured plants and shrubs. Very humid - like the Eden Project without the domes!
Weather was consistently 30-32C (high of 35C on the day we went to Rum Point). About 6 days of either clear blue skies or sunshine with passing clouds, and 4 days when it rained (mostly fairly short, but very heavy showers, although a couple of lengthy rainstorms with thunder). Still warm enough to sit under shelter (balcony) with a book! Very humid, around 75-80% most days.
Returned on the evening of 03/06, having again checked in online and chosen my seat some hours earlier. Unable to print my boarding pass this time, so collected it at GCM airport. 2 people before me at check-in, through security scanner & body-search quickly, passport stamped with exit stamp and into departure lounge at GCM: one large-ish hall with fixed seating and 5-6 duty-free shops around the sides, and 5 glass swing-doors out onto the tarmac at one end - these were the 5 gates! Flight departed promptly, again a hop to Nassau where the plane filled before the long haul back to the UK. Night-flight, so cabin lights dimmed later on during flight to allow sleep. Arrived back at LHR late morning UK time on 04/06, 20 mins ahead of schedule, although had to wait to dock at our gate as the previous flight hadn't taxied back from it. Swiftly through immigration, security & baggage claim (hold luggage was arriving as I got to the carousel). Only quibble was the lack of signage showing me how to get from T4 to Central Bus Station, having never used LHR before and being unsure where to go. Bus info desk gave me directions, but in the tone of voice which implied I was a bit dim for having to ask.
Overall a great break! Really enjoyed it, and am proud of myself for managing all aspects of the travel and journey on my own (first time I've done this). Recommend going during March/April/May (June 1st is the start of the hurricane season).
I've never even tried to price up a holiday there as it always seems so expensive. Good if you don't have to get accomodation though!
