Tuesday, March 1, 2011

Day One - Palm Beach to Grand Cayman

Departed West Palm Beach airport shortly after 10:00 a.m. (this is a holiday - nobody's  rushing) for the 460 nm. flight to Grand Cayman, Owen Roberts International airport. Factoid - we had to climb to about 30,000 feet above sea level to find temperatures as cold as the good folks of Edmonton are enjoying on the ground this week. We flew down at 35,000 feet, temp -48c (actually about 8 degrees warmer than standard, which hurts our performance), winds westerly at about 70 kt. Weather clear, with puffy cumulous over islands. Our route of flight took us over Cuba, east of Havana and just west of the Bahia de Cochinos, which for those who remember the glorious '60's, translates as the Bay of Pigs. Cuban air traffic controllers very professional and friendly.

 Now that's more like it
 Mouth of the Bay of Pigs from the west


No hassles clearing customs and immigration, and off to our hotel on 7 mile beach in George Town. Our cab driver (with the wheel on the right, and driving on the lef)t told us that Cayman Islands have no income tax, sales tax, if he makes two million today he gets to keep it all. The mainstay of the economy is the financial industry,with over 600 banks in town, as well as insurance companies, fund management companies, etc.  The beach at our hostel is lovely, and water fine. Didn't see any exotic species, fish colouration more designed for camouflage than to impress mates or tourists.

View from our balcony in George Town, Grand Cayman

1 comment:

  1. Look forward to hearing more and more. Your hotel looks wonderful Cathie

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