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Gilbert Nicoletta

February 3, 1987

About the article

This is a digitised version of an article from The Cayman Compass's print archive. Occasionally, the digitisation process introduces transcription errors, or other problems.

See the article in its original context from February 1987.

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The February issue of Modern Black Men, a national US lifestyles magazine, contains an extensive article on the Cayman Islands written by local writer and photographer Gilbert Nicoletta. The publication, which is distributed throughout the United States, Europe and much of the Caribbean, bills the Caymans as "The Friendliest Islands in the Caribbean: A Perfect Backdrop for Relaxation and Romance." And Mr. Nicoletta's article highlights the islands as a major "get-away-from-it-all" tourist haven.

Calling the Caymans "tropical islands with all the luxuries of a modern world, but none of the unpleasantries," Mr. Nicoletta goes on to say that "peace and serenity await (the visitor) -- clear azure skies; sugary,-snow-white sands; and the sound of ocean waves lapping lustfully at the shore's edge.... While describing the natural beauty of the three Islands in lush and tempting terms, the writer provides a thumbnail sketch of the Caymans' history, from Blackbeard to the present. "Progress and commercial development are inevitable," he says, "however, the 'mother' island of Grand Cayman has managed to successfully maintain her charm, warding off the 'high-rise ghetto' image of some of her Caribbean neighbours. A major portion of that charm," says Nicoletta, "can be attributed to the native population" and its "amiable disposition."

As further enticement to visitors, Nicoletta hints at the pleasures that await those who would escape "the hassles and the hustle of the big city" with a trip to the Cayman Islands, among them "the finest in sophisticated living arrangements," night life, dining, water sports and a range of day-time activities for the "landlubber." He says: "Majestic beaches, the grand surreal beauty of the undersea world, and political stability are among the key factors making the Cayman Islands among the most sought-after and enjoyable tourist spots."

The Islands' other resourses -- such as duty-free status and the Caymans' reputation in the finance industry world-wide -- also gain mention within the text of the article's flashy double-page layout.

There, the familiar Seven Mile Beach with windsurfer and sail boat scenes are augmented with some breathtaking shots of the Cayman skies, the outlying coast and at least one smiling Caymanian face.

Both the text and the accompanying photographs were done by Gilbert Nicoletta, a former staff news photographer and writer for the Caymanian Compass.

Mr. Nicoletta, "Mr. Cayman Islands" - 1985, currently lives in New York City. Apart from working as a freelance writer, as this latest publication will attest, he is actively pursuing an interest in acting while continuing work on his first book.