Cayman Islads - the perfect place for spelunking
You're probably aware that there are great diving and snorkelling opportunities on Grand Cayman and Little Cayman. Well Cayman Brac offers something completely different, although you may still get wet.
If you stay on Cayman Brac you will have the chance to go 'spelunking'. In other words you can explore 'wild' cave systems. You have to be quite fit, as you may be called upon to squeeze through narrow gaps, climb with or without ropes or wade through cold water.
Some people do this for the thrill of being the first to explore a new cave, others just to say that they were there.
Even now new caves and sinkholes are being discovered on Cayman Brac. Locals believe that pirates such as Henry Morgan or Blackbeard used caves to store their treasure, although no evidence has been found. The more usual use of the caves is to shelter from bad storms.
Spelunking can be dangerous, so most of the caves are closed to the public; however there are some gentler caves than most people will be able to visit, as long as they are suitably equipped.
If flying mammals don't bother you, take a visit to Bat Cave, which is home to Jamaican Fruit Bats, as well as other wildlife such as owls.
Peter's Cave offers you a stunning view of Spot Bay, but the climb can be tricky, even when using railings.
Great Cave has numerous chambers and can be found at Cayman Brac's southeast end. It is the hardest of the open caves to reach.
So don't forget your hardhat when visiting Cayman Brac!
The Pirates Week
If you want to get the most out of your Cayman Islands holiday, then practise your Captain Jack Sparrow impersonation and visit during 'Pirates Week'. This is held every year in late October or November, and despite its name, it usually lasts for 10/11 days.
The Cayman Islands, sometimes called "Tortuga", after the Spanish for turtles, has a mythic status as a hangout for pirates and privateers.
This myth has increased since the start of Pirates Week. It started in 1977 by Jim Bodden, the Minister of Tourism, not to 'celebrate' actual pirate history, but as a way to increase tourism during the low season. It has grown into a major event with music, street dances, costumes, games, food and drink, Kids Day, a glittering parade, sports events, Heritage Days, fireworks and most importantly a "pirate invasion" of the capital George Town. Two pirate ships, containing dozens of pirates, land at the harbour and thousands join in as they parade through the town.
Each day during the festival the districts of West Bay, Bodden Town, East End, Northside, and George Town take it turns to host a district heritage day, with local skills and crafts on show as well as food, drink and an evening of live music.
Pirates Week ends with a "Trial of the Pirates" on the final Saturday and a Street Dance and fireworks downtown.
Most importantly, most of this is free.
Not everyone in the Cayman Islands is happy with Pirates Week, some feel that piracy should not be celebrated or made light of, and there was a campaign to end it in 2009. This was defeated, and Pirates Week remains on the Cayman Islands calendar.
If you want to fit in during your Cayman Islands holiday during Pirates Week, then you need to learn how to speak like a pirate. Here are some handy words.
Ahoy - Oi! Avast- Stop! Aye - Yes Booty - treasure Grog - a pirate's favourite drink. Landlubber - slang for "Land-lover," someone not used to life on board a ship. Lass - a woman. Lily-livered - faint o' heart Me hearty - a friend or shipmate. Scurvy dog! - an insult! Shiver me timbers! - well I'll be blowed Thar - the opposite of "here." Yo-ho-ho - Pirate laughter
Arrr, don't forget t' book early as hotels get fully booked for pirates week Aye.