EDITORIAL

There's Plenty To Do In Grand Cayman

Monday, March 29, 2004

It is not rare to hear complaints from adult residents, especially expatriates from cities overseas, that there is little to do in the Cayman Islands, aside from the obvious sun, sea and sand natural attractions here. 

There is only so much swimming, snorkelling, scuba diving, and sunning a person can do, it is said, before it becomes unexciting.

Although such laments might have held water years ago, Cayman has now become a place where a person cannot possibly fit into their schedule more than a small fraction of the things there are to do here. The challenge seems to be finding out what they are.

A quick look at the Community Calendar in Cayman Net News will provide more than two dozen widely varied happenings, some of them one-time events, some of them weekly or otherwise regular.

In the sporting scene, Cayman quite possibly has as many structured associations per capita as anywhere in the world. There's organised athletics, swimming, running, squash, rugby, football, American football, Gaelic football, tennis, softball, basketball, bodybuilding, ten-pin bowling, skeet shooting, sailing, cricket, field hockey, ball hockey, golf, volleyball, jet skiing, motorsports, and event equestrian riding. There's also an organised bridge league. 

Walking, which is not really an organised activity, is widely practiced on a daily basis, and nearly every public running event held here - which seem to occur every couple of weeks - normally are open to walkers as well. Walkers have the beaches, the Mastic Trail, and other venues to explore.

Working out at the gym is another big pursuit here, with four major facilities in such a small place as Cayman. Each offers classes in a variety of activities, providing both social and health benefits.

For those interested in the arts, Cayman offers regular opportunities and exhibitions for writers, poets, painters, photographers, sculptors, filmmakers, storytellers, and crafts people. There's also organised theatre, dancing, singing, and orchestra events which people can either participate in or attend. Then there's the Toastmasters' meetings, where people can learn to speak publicly while having a good time in a social setting.

Cayman's many churches of just about every denomination offer spiritual opportunities and ways to help the community, but there are a number of other organisations that residents can join in effort to help their fellow humans, such as the Rotary, Lions and Kawanis Clubs, the National Council of Voluntary Organisations, Business and Professional Women's Club, the Special Constabulary programme, the Pink Ladies, and a good number of other organisations and support groups.

For those interesting in assisting our four-legged and winged friends, the Humane Society offers a number of ways to help out, including dogs walks on Sunday morning.

There are also a number of 'touristy' things to do that residents can take advantage of, such as a trip to the Botanic Garden, the Turtle Farm, Pedro St James or Stingray City.

Even the pubs and restaurants are expanding from just serving food, drink and entertainment, by offering organised games like darts, pool and dominoes. Pubs also now have karaoke nights, salsa nights and trivia nights.

We also have movies, clubs, and so many restaurants that a person could eat a different style of cuisine every day of the week.

There is truly something for everyone in all three of the Cayman Islands these days. In fact, with the large number of different nationalities represented here, this three-island country probably offers a wider variety of things to do than many other places in the world. It might not be New York City, London for Miami, but there are plenty of interesting ways to pass the time, if people will only go out and find them.

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