From: paul.graveline%travel@wugate.wustl.edu (Paul Graveline) 
Newsgroups: soc.culture.caribbean
Subject: CARIBBEAN TRAVEL ROUNDUP6
Date: 1 Sep 92 13:19:00 GMT
Distribution: world
Organization: Travel Online, St. Louis, MO
Reply-To: paul.graveline%travel@wugate.wustl.edu (Paul Graveline) 

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the  island,  picnic  and  snorkel  at  various  spots.  If  you are  
interested  in a return to Cayman, this would also be a perfect time  
to  visit  prospective condos/cottages, which have variable quality,  
convenience  and  facilities.  And of course, the obligatory trip to  
the  Hell  Post  Office  to  mail that postcard-from-hell to friends  
back home.  
 
Since  July  is in the off-season, the beaches are uncrowded and you  
can  easily  take  a pleasant barefoot stroll down Seven Mile beach,  
especially  during  the  cooler  early  morning  or evening. Be very  
careful  about  sunburn, since the lower latitude of the islands can  
easily fool you into under-protecting yourself.  
 
Apparently,  the  scuba-diving at Cayman is excellent, so you should  
consider  getting "qualified" in advance at home and look forward to  
being immediately productive while on the island.  
 
   Our   next   trip   to  Grand  Cayman,  will  probably  be  at  a  
condo/cottage,  to  save  some  money  and  allow for a longer stay.  
We'll rent a car for a week or two and hire a cook!  
 
Grand Cayman by Whit Swain 
-------------------------- 
Grand  Cayman  is  famous  for its clear waters with fabulous diving  
and  snorkeling opportunities. There are, of course many other water  
related  sports  available  for  both the diver and non-diver alike.  
Dives  can range from the 12 foot depth at Stingray City (a must for  
either  diver  or  snorkeler)  to  30-60 foot shore dives (including  
wrecks)  to  boat  Wall  dives of 100 feet for table-using divers or  
130  feet  for  advanced computer divers. SafeAir and Nitrox has not  
yet made its appearance but will probably be there soon.  
 
Don't  plan on spear fishing, in fact don't even bother to bring any  
related  equipment. You will be diving in areas classified as marine  
parks.  A  number  of dive shops line the road opposite 7 Mile Beach  
as  well  in Georgetown. Many of them are well established with very  
competent  people working there as well as a few shops that are just  
starting  up. Prices are fairly standard (for example, approximately  
$50US  for  a  2 tank morning dive) but there is enough variation to  
make  a  search  worthwhile. Almost all offer diving courses ranging  
from  the  "resort"  course  for  the total beginner to PADI or NAUI  
advanced  training. If you need to get your final certification this  
is  a  good place for it. These are called "referral" dives and cost  
about  $200 for a 4 dive program including all the normal equipment.  
In  addition  to  the dive shops, who will pick you up at your hotel  
for  the dive trip, there a several "hotels" dedicated to the diver.  
Sunset  House is the most famous but there are others such as Cayman  
Dive.  
 
There   are  also  several  places  that  specialize  in  underwater  
photography  and  have classes available. Most of the big dive shops  
will  send a video camera along with the Wall or Stingray City dives  
and  some  others  and will make a tape of the entire dive including  
shots  of all divers. You may then get a copy for $40. If you have a  
package  dive  you  can  request  further  shots from later dives be  
added  to  the  tape  for  about  $20  a  dive.  The  results can be  
absolutely  fantastic.  These are not home movies--your friends will  
actually  ask  to  see  them!  Well, at least the first four or five  
times.  If  you  have  only a few chances to dive in the more exotic  
spots in the World a video of that adventure is worth every penny.  
 
Other  advantages of the Caymans include: everyone speaks English of  
some   form   or   another.   Georgetown,  the  capitol  and  easily  
accessible,  has  a  large  number of shops and boutiques. The other  
two  islands,  Cayman  Brac  and  Little Cayman are a short distance  
away  by  air for those that desire real solitude. If you are a deep  
sea  fisherman  some  great  fishing  is available here. There is an  
annual  tournament  in  June called "Million Dollar Month" so called  
because  of the size of the prizes. For example, if you can bring in  
an  Atlantic  Blue  Marlin  larger  than  584  pounds  you  can  win  
$250,000.00.  The  Caymanians stress conservation and so require all  
fish  that  weigh  less  than 300 pounds be released and not entered  
into the tournament. For more info Fodor's Caribbean is good.  
 
Getting  there is not very complex. There are three airlines that go  
there:  Cayman Air, Northwestern Airlines, and American. As with all  
airline  tickets  if  you search about and can plan some distance in  
advance  you can reduce your fares. We went on short notice and paid  
the  price:  $660 round trip each from Dayton, Ohio. We know that it  
can  be  much less than that given greater advance notice. All entry  
is  at  Georgetown,  GC  and  you  then  taxi or rent a car for your  
further  transport  or  catch  the  plane  for Cayman Brac or Little  
Cayman.  
 
The   Entry   requirements  are  very  straight  forward:  Proof  of  
citizenship  such  as  a voter registration card, birth certificate,  
or  passport.  NO  DRIVERS  LICENSES  ACCEPTED. You must also have a  
return  ticket  although they have never asked us to show ours. When  
you  pass  through  Immigration  they  give you a copy of your entry  
visa  (pink).  Keep this and surrender it when you exit the country.  
Not  having it causes a lot of heartburn. The only real baggage hump  
time  is  on  your  return  to  the  States. You almost always enter  
through  Miami.  After exiting the plane you go through Immigration,  
pick  up  ALL  of  your bags, go through Customs, re-check your bags  
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Newsgroups: soc.culture.caribbean