A CAYMANIAN CORNUCOPIA

Sting Ray City

Given the fact that Grand Cayman’s Seven-Mile Beach is considered one of the Caribbean’s best, you’d be forgiven for plunking yourself down on the sand, pulling out that beach read and opening a cold Caybrew beer. But that would be a mistake. The beach is just the beginning. Visitors who make landfall in the Cayman Islands are treated to a smorgasbord of delights, a veritable Caymanian Cornucopia.

Pedro St. James Boasting a quirky backstory (one owner renovated this landmark to look like a pirate’s castle, claiming Captain Morgan once lodged here), Pedro St. James has been refurbished to reflect both its architectural legacy and its historical importance.

In addition to a tour of the great house itself, a masterpiece of stone and mahogany, visitors experience a sophisticated multimedia presentation.

Explore the period kitchen here, stroll through rooms boasting authentic furnishings that will ensure you lose yourself in time.

In 1831, Pedro St. James, the island’s oldest structure, hosted Grand Cayman’s first elected parliament. Emancipation was declared from its verandahs in 1835.

Cayman Islands Art Gallery An art gallery might not be the most obvious addition to your island getaway agenda but this repository, offering a wide variety of local art displayed in a majestic alabaster building, is worth the visit.

Explore the light, airy permanent gallery upstairs where they house Cayman Islands’ National Art Collection or visit one of the temporary exhibits downstairs. Peruse the breadth and variety of Caymanian masterpieces, from watercolors to sculpture.

Once you’ve toured the gallery itself head outside to the Sculpture Gardens, maybe pick up a unique locally made fine craft or artwork at the gift shop since money’s no object. Gallery admission is free.

Cayman Islands National Museum Housed in a white Georgian building, testament to Grand Cayman’s colonial British heritage, the Cayman Islands National Museum is a wonderful side trip whether you’re a true history buff or just seeking a bit of island background.

Consider the life-size model of the fisherman in the catboat dominating one gallery upstairs. Might find yourself getting seasick. Listen to recorded tales of the sea.

Comprised of five galleries occupying this erstwhile courthouse, school and church, the museum offers exhibits featuring both natural and cultural history, along with a children’s gallery and two galleries featuring temporary exhibits.

Sting Ray City While this Caymanian mustdo does include fun in the sun, it’s a unique experience where you get up-close-andpersonal with nature.

Visit one of the two locations sharing this title and snorkel in ten feet of water. Sting rays wheel and cavort mere inches from your mask. At the other location wade across a sand bar where these majestic behemoths might pass between your legs and even let you pet them.

But these are no captive animals; fisherman once offloaded their excess bait here and the sting rays appreciated the handouts. And they just kept coming back. Sting Ray City’s just as appealing to them as it is to countless lubberly visitors.

Queen Elizabeth Botanical Gardens Stroll the roughly two-mile-long Woodland Trail in this botanical park and be struck by the beauty and lushness of the foliage here: The Orchid Boardwalk, the floral color gardens.

Stop before the Silver Thatch (the archipelago’s national tree). Listen to the chorus of bird calls as you consider the Duppy Bush, named for island ghosts who haunt come moonlight.

Visit a transplanted Caymanian house (circa 1900) and explore the Heritage Garden with its medicinal herbs.

Bask in a gazebo beside a limpid sundappled pond. Breathe in the fragrances of a concatenation of blooms.

And savor just one more delicacy in this Caymanian Cornucopia.