The Cayman Islands are a  group of three small islands located in the Caribbean Sea approximately 150 miles south of Cuba and 180 miles west of Jamaica.  They are part of the British West Indies, and they boast an extraordinarily high standard of living for it's native residents.  The average household income of a Cayman Islander is $68,292 U.S. Dollars.  Tourism plays a huge role in the economy, making up almost 70% of government revenues.  However, the Cayman's also boast a highly successful financial market as well.  There are over 600 licensed banks - this places them in the same company as the Swiss and the Japanese in banking terms.

We were able to visit the islands in February 1999.  We spent our time on Grand Cayman Island, the largest island in the chain at 22 miles long by seven miles wide.  The other two islands, Cayman Brac and Little Cayman lie a little farther east and can be reached by sea plane from Grand Cayman.  We stayed at the Marriott Beach Resort located on seven mile beach.

How would I describe Cayman?  Simple.  Expensive.  Very Expensive.  However, it is a very safe island and the locals are very friendly and courteous.  The facilities are modern and the quality of life is very good.  There is no abstract poverty amidst the grandeur of tourist resorts.  In addition, the scuba diving is excellent.  Here  are some photos from the trip...

There's not much to see top side on Grand Cayman.  We covered it in one day with our sturdy Jeep rental.  One thing, you have to drive on the left side of the road; it's a British thing.  As info, the  flowers pictured below were in the hotel lobby and locally grown.

No scuba diver can visit the Cayman's without a trip to Sting Ray City.  This shallow area of the North Bay is home to a large group of tame sting rays.  They have become acclimated to divers and are on the look out for a free handout.  They swim right up to you!  It's a little weird and intimidating at first, but once you get used to it, it's a blast.  

They're like puppy dogs looking for a treat.  Angela and I have never seen anything like it before.  Their skin feels like a firm mushroom and it's very delicate. The females grow to around three feet in diameter while the males are a little smaller at one to two feet.  This experience was a lot of fun, but we worked for it.  While at the site the current was quite swift.  Most people hung onto the anchor line and flapped in the breeze.  Anj and I were a bit more daring and were able to interact with the rays on the bottom while the current blew over our heads.

The scuba diving off Grand Cayman is magnificent; the reefs are healthy and robust.  The majority of these  photos are from west shore and north shore wall dives.  I captured the large barrel sponge on a 130 foot dive on the north wall.  This was an accidental picture.  I was really shooting at a school of Eagle Rays off in the distance, however, they were gone before I could set up the camera.  It was at this point that I realized the barrel sponge would make a nice photo...