The Cayman Islands are world-renowned as a beautiful tourism destination and for many people it’s a dream, once-in-a-lifetime visit.
That’s not the case, though, for Terry Guhr and his wife, Sandy, who have clocked up an impressive 15 visits over the years.
“My husband and I are both from Chicago, known for its brutal winters,” Mrs. Guhr told the Compass. “I am a retired 911 dispatcher from the police department and my husband is a retired electrician. We ventured to Grand Cayman in February 2000; we were on our honeymoon. We fell in love with the island immediately. As we exited the airplane, we were greeted by the island people and their steel drums. Over the years we have sent countless friends and family to the island, in hopes that they would fall in love with such a beautiful place, as we have, over and over.”
She added that they were both addicted to the pristine beaches and crystal-clear waters and that the diving and snorkelling drew them back here again and again.
“Although we have been to many, many other islands, we continually return, as no other island can compare to Grand Cayman,” she said. “It is the only island that I can walk down the street at midnight and get a cup of coffee, and feel safe. The cleanliness of the island is another reason we return.”
Birthday and Christmas
She said that when her husband asks her what she wants for Christmas or her birthday, he already knows the answer – a trip to Cayman – so he simply says to pick some suitable dates and go ahead and book.
The couple says that their favoured place to stay is the Grand Cayman Marriott Beach Resort, where they feel that they are treated like family.
The Guhrs also enjoy taking a walk downtown to take lunch on the water at Paradise Cafe.
“The views are remarkable and often times breath-taking,” she said. “Every moment we spend in Cayman is memorable. The entire island is truly a relaxing adventure.
“There is so much to do in Cayman, that even after all our visits, we find new adventures,” she added.
“Some just a simple ride to the east-end of the island to see the bougainvillaeas canopy the roadways. The people of the island are the nicest people you will ever meet.”
The couple’s next trip is scheduled for 5 to 19 September.
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Such a lovely story. I’ve been visiting the Caymans for 26 years at least a few times a year and absolutely loved the island, until the past few years. Unfortunately, with crime high, I would not recommend venturing out on the streets at midnight for your own safety… With the economic unrest on such a small island, I will be spending more time on other Caribbean Islands. I truly miss the old Caymans.
I too have been regularly visiting all three Cayman islands for many years and disagree wholly with your estimation. The economic unrest to which you refer is not endemic to Cayman nor the Caribbean nor the Western Hemisphere. It’s a world-wide condition. I’m not sure which other Caribbean islands you’re going to visit but you seem to be looking for greener pastures and you’re in for some disappointment. Where in the Caribbean can you not find economic issues and the accompanying social crimes they precipitate?
While there seems to be an increase in crime in Cayman, you need to ask how attenuated the media and readers such as yourself are in focusing on those stories. I feel safer and more comfortable having my family, including two young children, on any of the Cayman islands than almost anywhere else in the world. Focusing on the exception can cause you to overlook the rule.
Could we note that it is not bougainvillea that canopies the road but Poinciana.
Moreover, this would be a great time to start a weekly newstory featuring all of the people that travel to Cayman regularly as tourists, who come and donate their time to things such as Blue Iguana Recovery programme, donate supplies to local schools or charities or get out to meet the people of the island. Let us hear about what they like about CaymanKind.