A Great Escape

Many people dream of escaping to an island where there are no traffic jams and no crowds - where the loudest sound one might hear is the chirping of the birds or the sound of the sea lapping the shore as you walk alone on the beach. This fantasy place does exist - a little over an hour's flight south of Miami in the Caribbean. The tiny cigar shaped island of some 10 square miles is the ultimate in getaways. The place is Little Cayman, the smallest of the three Cayman Islands. There is one shopping centre and Cable and Wireless opened a new exchange in 1991, making it possible for all residents to have telephones. Not to be outdone on the banking scene, Little Cayman now boasts a branch of Cayman National Bank which opens only once a week!

There are approximately 30 vehicles and 40 very friendly permanent residents. They also boast some of the finest snorkeling and scuba diving in the world with the famous wall beginning at only 15-20 feet.

Add to this some of the best bone fishing found anywhere, just offshore, sometimes close enough for casting from the beach, and an inland Tarpon Pond which occupies over 15 acres.

Just 200 yards offshore of Little Cayman is an even smaller, more isolated place called Owen Island. Looking much as it did eons ago, the 1 1 acres with a sandy beach and blue lagoon is a great place to spend the day and picnic, and is easily accessible by a row boat. While organized recreation is practically non-existent on Little Cayman, a perfect day may be spent laying on the pearl-white beach or listening to the roar of the ocean as it breaks over the coral reefs. At night do something creative; have a bonfire or go crabbing. All you need is a sack, a stick and a little instruction from one of the Islanders on how to do it. Nighttime and moonlight are the perfect ingredients for a midnight cook-out or fishing trip. Also included in the price is a blanket of stars, cool Caribbean breezes and the sound of waves gently splashing against the side of your boat.

Imagine lying in bed, with a sea breeze blowing through a screened window, listening to the sound of the sea lapping at the mangrove roots and smelling the sweet perfume of Star of Bethlehem flowers.

Island Air has teamed up with Chip McCoy, a native of Little Cayman who was born and raised there. McCoy shows visitors a Little Cayman they wouldn't see on their own, as he knows every nook and cranny of the Island. He is also an expert bonefishing guide.

The McCoy/Little Cayman one-day adventure costs US$159 which includes round-trip air fare from Grand Cayman, a private tour of the island, snorkeling at various sites, and a beach lunch.

If you are not taking the Little Cayman adventure tour with Chip McCoy but are planning to visit Little Cayman for just the day, it's advisable to make arrangements with one of the hotels if you wish to have a meal while there. Telephone: 948-1000. Island Air offers regular flights to Little Cayman.