The busy port of George Town on Grand Cayman Island was the last shore destination of our Panama Canal cruise before it would end a couple days later at Fort Lauderdale Florida.
Our first impression of this island as our ship docked was of a cheerful and prosperous port city -- and that was confirmed when we got off the ship for our day on the island.
The Caymans are a British Territory -- all three of its small islands take up only 102 square miles.
The Islands are about 235 miles South of Cuba, and Cuba is less than 90 miles from Key West Florida. So it wasn't too surprising that we began to feel almost at home here as we neared the end of our cruise.
Downtown George Town looked a lot like a combination of Fort Myers Beach and Key West -- the same plants and flowers, the same beach condos and hotels, the obligatory roosters strolling the sidewalks ... and the downtown mall was even called Bayshore -- which is the name of the main street near our Canal Cottage in Florida.
Very much the same -- except there were a LOT more banks. (Grand Cayman Island is known as an offshore banking haven.) I didn't try to take any pictures, because banks aren't very interesting (unless I suppose you are someone who has hidden -- I mean deposited -- a lot of money in them), but there is one I caught accidentally in the background behind this pretty flowering bush.
We soon wandered off the downtown streets to the beach where we enjoyed the tidal pools and the views. We didn't patronize the Paradise but I had to smile at the sign. "Please dry off before entering" seems a fair request for a beach bar and grill. .. nobody wants to be dripped on as they drink.
A little more off the beaten track we found this sign outside a small storefront restaurant. I think it's fairly obvious that this one catered to locals -- and I wish we'd been hungry enough to try it. (That is the trouble with having all that good food on board ship -- food you've already paid for since meals aboard ship are included in the cruise cost.)
These are some sky moods from ship and shore. The top left photo is a view of the long dock ... we boarded the tender shown in the center to get to shore.
We had enjoyed every day of our cruise from one ocean to another and at the same time, we felt fortunate to be getting close to our winter home -- knowing our weather would be much the same as we had enjoyed on this day. (Most of the people we met on board ship would be going home to more harsh winter weather -- quite an adjustment.)
LINKING this week to the following sharing opportunities: Thank you to all of the hosts.
ALL SEASONS; MOSAIC MONDAY; OUR WORLD on Tuesday; THROUGH MY LENS; FLORAL BLISS; Wednesday AROUND THE WORLD; SIGNS SIGNS; THANKFUL THURSDAY; and SKYWATCH FRIDAY
It was really a wonderful trip. I like a lot your last shot: all is blue, a real dream !
Posted by: Annie | March 19, 2018 at 03:11 AM
I enjoy my virtual trip with you.
But when I thought I am seeing many river banks, I was fooled the other way around.
Have a happy weekend.
Rainfield
Posted by: D | March 18, 2018 at 01:10 AM
I enjoy my virtual trip with you.
But when I thought I am seeing many river banks, I was fooled the other way around.
Have a happy weekend.
Posted by: D | March 18, 2018 at 01:09 AM
Hi Sallie-
The pictures of the Cayman Islands are beautiful.
I enjoyed looking at the photo of the huge cruise ship.
Those things are humongous!
I also want to thank you for something while I am on this post -
Because I never go in person to make withdrawals, I never knew what my bank in the Cayman looked like, but I know. Thanks to you :)
Have a Happy Weekend!
Peace :)
Posted by: GreenComotion | March 17, 2018 at 09:30 PM
Lovely colors!
Posted by: Clair Zarges | March 17, 2018 at 05:47 AM
such a great trip you had. I envy you in some way. But in all, have have a tendency to be seasick :) You got yourselves great memories :)
Posted by: NatureFootstep PhotoArt | March 17, 2018 at 03:06 AM
That menu certainly looks interesting!
Posted by: Lesley | March 16, 2018 at 11:05 AM
i forgot to tell you that i love your new picture!!!
Posted by: Debbie | March 16, 2018 at 10:21 AM
That does look like a busy, interesting port and a fun place to visit!
Posted by: Peter B. | March 15, 2018 at 08:50 PM
Looks like such an interesting place, I love the yellow house - very colourful!
Posted by: Amy | March 15, 2018 at 08:20 PM
I have long wanted to visit the Caymans, Sallie - and now I have, if only vicariously. What lovely photos and descriptions. I can't help but wonder, however, if I would be brave enough to try cow foot soup. :)
Posted by: Penny | March 15, 2018 at 07:26 PM
I confess I would have tried the oxtail and beans from the local place. Sounds delish! Thanks for linking up today!
Posted by: Michelle | March 15, 2018 at 03:51 PM
looks like a great spot!! it sure does look cheerful and colorful... i like the purple and yellow house. i usually get pretty excited about the food but i am not so sure about cow foot soup?? i think i will pass on that!!!
Posted by: Debbie | March 15, 2018 at 03:21 PM
Thanks for sharing these sights with us! It does look like a great place to spend the day.
Posted by: betty - NZ | March 15, 2018 at 03:04 PM
Interesting view.
Posted by: Jim, Sydney, Australia | March 15, 2018 at 02:18 PM
what a colorful place! i would love to visit there! the rooster walking around was cute!
Posted by: tanya breese | March 15, 2018 at 12:23 PM
What a wonderful trip you had!!!
Posted by: Linda Brown | March 15, 2018 at 08:24 AM
Hello, Sallie, Pretty views of Cayman Island. I love the last shot of the pretty water and ship. We did the Stingray City tour during our port stop here. Great photos. Enjoy your day!
Posted by: Eileen Wise | March 15, 2018 at 04:30 AM
What a wonderful cruise, Sallie!
Posted by: RedPat | March 14, 2018 at 02:24 PM
Terrific shots.
Posted by: Jim, Sydney, Australia | March 14, 2018 at 01:50 PM
What a beautiful place! Have a great week!
Posted by: Amanda | March 14, 2018 at 08:29 AM
What lovely sights and scenes!
Posted by: Tamar Strauss-Benjamin | March 14, 2018 at 03:52 AM
What a treat to read you post today, so many beautiful scenes, a visual holiday for your readers.
Joy
Posted by: Joy | March 13, 2018 at 10:38 PM
Years ago I knew a woman whose husband had a cash business and they often took trips to the Cayman Islands, Now I know why! HaHa.
It does look a lot like Key West--very pretty and relaxed. It sounds like yoyr cruise adventure was a wonderful one, Sallie!
Posted by: Pat | March 13, 2018 at 10:11 PM
So beautiful sea & city views. This exotic place is very far from us! Have a nice week.
Posted by: riitta k | March 13, 2018 at 09:49 PM
We went on a cruise eons ago and one of the stops was the Caymans. It was quite the change after the poverty of Jamaica and Haiti.
We went snorkeling there and my main memory is that we were all in the water and then a storm came up really quick and everybody but Heather and I got out of the water and into the boat. We asked the captain if we had to leave, and he said no, he wasn't moving the boat. I asked him, why everybody got out of the water to freeze in the boat, and he said he didn't know but that was what people usually did when it started raining. I said well, we are going to stay in the water if that is okay with you. He said it was fine with him.
Everybody else was mad at us for some reason. They were freezing in the boat and we were in the warm water.
Posted by: Yogi | March 13, 2018 at 07:25 PM
Cow foot soup...that sounds interesting. You really saw a lot on this cruise. I wonder how much restraint I'd have in eating on a ship. Glad you had this opportunity and that you got to come home to good weather. We had a couple nice sunny days in a row...soon we'll have a lot more.
Posted by: ellen b | March 13, 2018 at 05:30 PM
...bit of this look like Maui!
Posted by: tomthebackroadstraveller | March 13, 2018 at 05:01 PM
What a wonderful tour! I know what you mean about not wanting to eat until you get back to the ship, but I only know it because my husband wouldn't let me buy food: "Wait until we're back onboard." !! Your photos are wonderful, Sallie. I haven't been to Grand Cayman but I did go through the Panama Canal a long, long time ago. From west to east, and back from east to west, on the old Oriana. The country was quite different then...it had just been taken over by a military coup, and there were soldiers on every street corner in Panama City, with fierce-looking weapons. It was completely unlike it is now, a retirement destination for so many North Americans. Thanks for the tour, Sallie. I enjoyed it!
Kay
An Unfittie's Guide to Adventurous Travel
Posted by: Kay L. Davies | March 13, 2018 at 04:52 PM
Hi Sallie! Really nice photos! Thanks for interesting info also.
I have to admit that at this moment, all I can think about is what cows are standing in most of the time... I'll pass on the cow foot soup, cow foot and bean, or anything else related to cow foot.
Truth be told, if I was there I'd try it. After all, I would have my reputation of being able to eat anything at stake.
Posted by: Patrick Tillett | March 13, 2018 at 02:52 PM
I thought they had "Crow's Feet Soup" and were having a laugh with their clientele.
Posted by: Jeanna | March 13, 2018 at 02:45 PM
Just one question, How long have you been waiting to use "obligatory roosters" in a sentence?
Posted by: Jeanna | March 13, 2018 at 02:42 PM
Yes Sally. The Cayman Islands have quite a reputation here in England as the place where the politicians and "stars" stash their money. The same people who are so adept in telling us Joe Bloggs' how and what to to think or vote and also how to run our lives.
An interesting menu you show us there however I'm not so sure I fancy Cow's Feet. The British used to eat pig's trotters so I guess it's not that different but like you I think I would opt for the ship's buffet.
Maybe "an incarnation of ibis"?
Posted by: phil | March 13, 2018 at 12:54 PM
Looks like it was a fantastic cruise. Beautiful photos, Sallie.
Posted by: bill burke | March 13, 2018 at 12:06 PM
It looks rather nice, cheers Sallie.
Posted by: Bob Bushell | March 13, 2018 at 10:05 AM
I've enjoyed reading about your wonderful ocean to ocean cruise. Great ports of call! I don't know about that local menu - the Cow's Foot Soup might have put me off. Lovely colours in the Caymans. Enjoy your winter home! Soon it will be time to head west again!
Posted by: Lorrie | March 13, 2018 at 08:47 AM
Beautiful series of photos of the Cayman Island ~ lovely journey!
Happy Day to you,
A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)
Posted by: A ShutterBug Explores | March 13, 2018 at 08:10 AM
Another beautiful extract of your trip !
Posted by: Gattina | March 13, 2018 at 03:35 AM
It looks like a very pretty place. I love those tidal pools.
Posted by: Lisa | Handmade in Israel | March 13, 2018 at 01:59 AM
I had to make another comment because your comments on Ocala always make me feel so good and brighten my day! And I'd forgotten to mention the "Cow feet soup" ad. Yikes. Just the thought of it. As a kid I worked on several farms, including my grandmother's place in northern Minnesota, and when I read the ad I had visions of cowpies and cows stomping through manure strewn barns. :) Hope you have a great week. Our son and daughter-in-law are coming in from Texas, so I may not be able to post for a few days.
Posted by: Lowell | March 13, 2018 at 01:32 AM
What a wonderful trip you had and so lucky that you don't have far to go when you get back to USA. I'd love to do a trip like that but it is too far to go to get to the ship, although there probably are cruises from here but we are not keen to cruise for too long. I'll just have to enjoy your trip with you.
Posted by: diane | March 13, 2018 at 12:21 AM
Looks like a lovely place!
Posted by: Lady Fi | March 12, 2018 at 10:45 PM
I love cruising and I love exploring the ports of call.
Posted by: Photo Cache | March 12, 2018 at 09:04 PM
Ah, Grand Cayman. Know it well - it has been our scuba destination as a family for over 5 years. The harbor area has its attractions, but I wish I could have taken you to some other parts of the island - incredible beauty. When Hubby and I get tired of our new winter digs here in Montana, Grand Cayman will be our get-away!
Posted by: Angie | March 12, 2018 at 08:09 PM
I'm not a cruise person, but I'm sure it is amazing!
Posted by: Jennifer Jilks | March 12, 2018 at 06:30 PM
It looks like a very pretty, tropical place.
Posted by: Al | March 12, 2018 at 04:56 PM
Beautiful photography! I'm lusting after your cruise!
Posted by: Carol | March 12, 2018 at 04:10 PM
What an onteresting cruise. You saw so much and did so much. Not sure about that cow foot soup though.
Posted by: Fun60 | March 12, 2018 at 03:28 PM
I've never taken a cruise, or really had the desire. But with plenty of time from point A to B, why not. Especially through the canal. Thanks for the great tour.
Posted by: Gaelyn | March 12, 2018 at 03:02 PM
Lovely photos Sallie! I could use a cruise right about now.
Posted by: Lois | March 12, 2018 at 02:38 PM
Picture perfect. Cow foot?? Why did that chicken cross the road?
Posted by: Colleen LOOSELEAFNOTES | March 12, 2018 at 01:50 PM
It really is a beautiful place to visit. I hope you took the time to stop at one of the banks and make a withdrawal! heehee! Wouldn't that be nice! Hugs!
Posted by: Lavender Dreamer | March 12, 2018 at 12:30 PM
Sallie, Wonderful blue water. I'm so glad you had a wonderful cruise. Thanks for sharing your photos. Sylvia D.
Posted by: Sylvia D. | March 12, 2018 at 08:41 AM
Idyllic shots!
Posted by: William Kendall | March 12, 2018 at 07:51 AM
Great shots, Sallie. Your cruise was obviously a very pleasant experience and perhaps you will make this you regular way of getting to Florida!
Posted by: David Gascoigne | March 12, 2018 at 06:55 AM
Amazing photos and the sky and water is so blue! They are just beautiful! Have a grand week!
Posted by: Cathy Keller | March 12, 2018 at 06:03 AM
You two certainly know how to get the most out of a voyage and I've certainly enjoyed taking this cruise with you, it has quite brightened up the long days of winter in Normandy.
Happy MM!
Posted by: Maggie | March 12, 2018 at 05:07 AM
What a pleasant way to come to your winter home. We’ve only been on one cruise (Alaska) and tthere was sooo much good food.
Posted by: Florence | March 12, 2018 at 03:35 AM
I know nothing about this place so I really appreciated your photos. Beautiful work, Sallie, and it helped fill in a lot of blanks in my head. I had in mind, big banks surrounded by huge fences and guarded by fierce dogs; a place where so many of the crooks that run our government hide their ill-gotten gains. Grand Cayman is known as a tax-evasion haven.
Posted by: Lowell | March 12, 2018 at 03:27 AM
Cow foot soup, I wonder how that would taste like ...! Your first capture is so clear, Sallie - amazing! I wonder if it felt strange to see familiar things from where you live at another location? I had that in Tuscany - the plants and flowers, the hills looked very much the same as in California.
Thanks so much for sharing this cruise with All Seasons! Have a lovely week!
Posted by: jesh StG | March 12, 2018 at 12:19 AM
Nice to see bit of the UK I have never been to!! I like that passing rooster.
Cheers - Stewart M - Melbourne
Posted by: Stewart M | March 11, 2018 at 11:19 PM
Interesting. When we went on a cruise, I ate in port whenever possible. The lunches onboard the ship were monotonous and I craved something different.
Posted by: Linja in Virginia | March 11, 2018 at 09:46 PM
Lovely! I was in Grand Cayman a few years back, but we never really ventured too far away from the dock because the weather was horrible that day. Maybe another time!
Posted by: Kelleyn Rothaermel | March 11, 2018 at 07:49 PM
I got curious about the number of banks there. One source said nearly 600 with 43 of the 50 largest banks there. It's a wonder the islands haven't sunk with all the money kept there. lol
Posted by: Su-sieee! Mac | March 11, 2018 at 07:16 PM
Another very interesting post. I think the nicest part of all those photos is the beautiful blue sky and blue sea.
Posted by: mick | March 11, 2018 at 05:49 PM
You had an amazing cruise...saw so many exotic places, awesome memories I'm sure. Lovely flowers and the colorfully painted house is really cool. I wish I had money to hide..lol I dig under the sofa cushions jic. West Indian food always seems to be the unwanted parts of the poor beast, the foot and tail. I told my Haitian friend Anthony he needed to eat a little "higher" on the cow when he ordered Ox tail and cabbage.
Posted by: Sondra | March 11, 2018 at 04:59 PM