Experience Hell in a tropical haven

Nov 22 2009 by Ettrick Scott, Sunday Sun

ETTRICK SCOTT is Hell-bound at the Cayman Jazz Fest, held on an island paradise in the Caribbean . . .

The park is also where you’ll find the island’s blue iguana population, which is thankfully on the rise again. In 2001, it was thought that there were fewer than 15 blue iguanas left on the island, and extinction seemed inevitable.

Since then, however, there’s been a huge amount of charitable support throughout the islands for a captive breeding programme and, to date, more than 200 blues are now thriving in the area.

I know that the phrase is a cliche, but Grand Cayman really is a tropical paradise, and if sun, sea and sand are all you want from a holiday, then it’s a perfect destination. But it’s also an ideal spot for those who like to investigate and explore when they’re on vacation.

5 things to do
1 - VISIT Pedro St James’ Castle, the oldest building on the island. Legend has it that the pirate Blackbeard had a lookout point in this area.

2 - EXPLORE pirate caves. The golden age of piracy took place in and around these waters, and many of their secret stashes and smuggling routes can still be visited today.

3 - GO duty-free shopping in George Town, the island’s capital, which is a popular docking destination for passing cruise liners and a great place to pick up tax-free luxuries, such as perfume and designer sunglasses.

4 - SWIM with the stingrays. Dozens of guided charter boats head out to Stingray City every day from the island, so you might want to shop around to find the best price.

5 - DINE out – from traditional shacks to five-star restaurants, you’re spoilt for choice when it comes to great places to eat. As you’d expect from an island, fresh, locally-caught seafood features heavily in many establishments.

Fact file
:: CAYMAN Jazz Fest 2009 takes place from December 3 to 5. For more information, visit www.caymanislands.ky/jazzfest

:: BRITISH Airways flies direct to Grand Cayman from London Heathrow. For information on travel and accommodation in the Cayman Islands from the UK, visit www.caymanislands.co.uk

ETTRICK stayed at The Retreat at Lookout Farm, Bodden Town. Prices start at £66 a night in low season (April 22 to December 14), or £108 a night in high season (December 15 to April 21). For reservations and more information, visit www.retreatatlookout.com