East
of George Town takes a look at the land, much of it unimproved swamp
and buttonwood forest, stretching east of the capital city of George Town. A
favorite of birders, hikers, and those seeking a look at the flora and fauna
of the islands, the East End is little changed from its days before the boom
in Cayman tourism. This is the quietest part of Grand Cayman and well worth a
day trip even for those staying on other areas of the island.
George
Town covers the capital city, the heart of the business and banking
industry that has made these islands so affluent. The stop of all cruise ship
passengers, George Town is also the best place for those looking to learn more
about Caymanian history, to do some duty-free shopping, and to enjoy some of
the island's best underwater fun.
The Seven
Mile Beach
section explores what for many travelers is the Cayman Islands, a stretch
of powdery beach lined not just with palms and casuarina trees, but also with
resorts, condominiums, and innumerable watersports operators. The heart of the
Caymanian tourism business, this is one of the most popular beaches in the
Caribbean.
n West Bay takes a look at the region to the north of Seven Mile Beach, a
quiet residential section that's also home to some of the island's top tourism
attractions: the Turtle Farm and Hell.
West
Bay. Vacationers along fun-loving
Seven Mile Beach miss the "real" Grand Cayman, a place where homes,
not condos, line quiet streets. Where children grow up in cozy neighborhoods.
Where friends take time from their day to stop and say hello or to sit out in
the yard and just enjoy a Caribbean afternoon. That feeling of real life is
found in West Bay, directly north of Seven Mile Beach, but a much greater
distance away in terms of atmosphere. Don't look for slick swimwear shops or
shipwreck jewelry here. Hotels are few. But West Bay, like the East End, is
for visitors looking for the real Grand Cayman.
