Hard to believe this trip is almost over.  The Marina anchored the last time for us at George Town, Grand Cayman – –

There she is – the Marina – anchored at George Town, Grand Cayman Island.

The Cayman Islands are made up of 3 islands – Grand, Little and Cayman Brac.  Grand Cayman is 4.5 miles wide by 22 miles long and has approximately 55,000 residents.  It, too, was discovered by Columbus in 1503 and was originally a part of Jamaica!  In 1760, the Treaty of Madrid was reached to stop fighting over Jamaica and handed Grand Cayman over to the British.  It still remains a British subject, and as such, the Queen appoints a Governor every 4 years.  The residents, however, elect a Board of 19 which actually governs the island.

Queen Elizabeth is still a part of the island and, in fact, was there in 1994 to open a Botanic Park (named for her), whose purpose is to preserve and protect both Cayman heritage and native species.  Our visit started in the park at the Rankine House, which is an historical traditional Cayman home – including the kitchen building to the rear (separated for fire safety) completed in the typical thatch style.

The Rankine House, relocated from the east end of the island to the Botanical Garden.

The park also maintains a refuge and recovery program for the endangered Blue Iguana.

This guy was BIG!

Next stop was Pedro St. James – built using slave labor in 1780 by a wealthy Englishman, mariner and plantation owner, William Eden.   It was built of sturdy stone walls and a slate roof and included sweeping mahogany verandas that provided fabulous ocean views – and cool breezes!  All of this elicited the name of ‘Pedro Castle’ – as it is still known today.  Over the years it has been a cotton plantation, a jailhouse, a courthouse, a government assembly and a restaurant.  In 1996 the government of the Cayman Islands finally purchased the land and restored it to its 18th century grandeur – as this is where residents met to elect their first legislative assembly in 1831.  It is they birthplace of democracy.

The recently restored Pedro St. James Great House – –

– – with fabulous ocean views!!

Although the tour of the day was over – it seemed imperative that a bit of the local scene was experienced on Seven Mile Beach before the Marina was boarded for the last time.   So – we were off to find some beach front property to chill on and have a bite of lunch.  Calico Jacks was just the place – –

Our view from our lunch counter at Calico Jacks;-)

E just had to test the waters.

So long Cayman Islands…

And just like that – – we were back in the good old US of A in Miami – –

Hello Miami.

Sixteen days had passed.  We had travelled nearly 5,000 miles – stopped in 8 different ports of call – and crossed from the Pacific to the Atlantic Ocean via the Panama Canal!  We crossed another item off that good old ‘bucket list’ with the company of 4 wonderful friends;-)  What more could we want from life?!?!?

E & G Home Safe and Incredibly Happy;-)!!!!