Looking back in time: Memories from a 1985 trip to Cayman

One of the many wonderful things about the Cayman Islands is the unforgettable memories it creates for people who visit here.

Anthony Reichardt was one such person who took a trip to Grand Cayman in July 1985. Despite the fact that it was nearly 40 years ago, there are many moments that remain etched in his mind.

In his words, these are his recollections after recently finding a shoebox of old photos.

Flying to the islands

I was a frequent flyer with Republic Airlines, and while on a weeklong vacation from California to visit family in Wisconsin, I took advantage of [my air] miles and inserted another week in order to visit Grand Cayman.

At the age of 24, I was content to stay in modest hotels since I was rarely in them and spent the days out and about wherever I went. Back then, travel agents were the norm, and my regular agent made the arrangements for my week stay at the Ambassadors Inn dive resort.

When I arrived there in the evening, from what I could see in the dark, it was quite tropical, rustic, seemed somewhat outdated, but was very clean and tidy. The proprietor was a nice woman by the name of Joan Evans and I remember that I thought it was odd that I was the only person staying in the two-storey structure of rooms.

Strange creatures

My arrival [day of travel had been] a long one, and after checking in, I was hungry. [I] noticed down the very dark road in front of the inn, the lights of what looked like a nearby hotel. I decided to walk in the pitch-black night on that two-lane road toward the distant lights. As I ventured into the darkness, I heard strange clickety-clackety sounds… but couldn’t see what was making the sounds.

Needless to say, I ran down the centre of the road as fast as I could toward the hotel, and I was fortunate to be the last customer for the buffet.

After eating, I went outside, and while preparing for my sprint in the darkness back to the inn, I noticed a woman taxicab driver sitting in her car. I asked if she could please take me the short drive down the road to my hotel. She smiled and gladly obliged, and as the headlights cast their light onto the road, I then saw and realised what was causing the unusual sounds that I had heard earlier. There were many squashed crabs and many [live ones]… running across. The taxi driver was amused at my anxiety, and I admit I was embarrassed. She didn’t charge me for the ride, which was very kind of her, and I did so appreciate it.

Eating local

On one occasion, I did decide to have dinner at the inn and Joan asked what kind of food I would prefer. I knew that sea turtle was a traditional food on the island, and so that is what I suggested. Sitting outdoors at a round table with an umbrella in the warm evening breeze, the cook prepared dinner for myself, Joan and two other men. I remember that the turtle was delicious and the way that it was prepared reminded me of a beef roast.

My daily routine during that week on the island was to walk from Ambassadors to the main part of George Town. I would go into the Comart Ltd. market and buy fruit that I would eat throughout the day. A lovely and efficient woman whose name I unfortunately never knew, would weigh, wrap and price my produce. She did allow me to take her photo (see below).

Most of my days were spent at a beautiful beach in front of a resort hotel north of the centre of town. The water was a stunning turquoise and the sand, white. Truly paradise. On my way there, I recall walking past the nearby rusty wreck of a ship laying slightly sideways in the shimmering blue water. Not far from that, along the road, was a little white, wood-framed building. [The sign outside said ‘7 – 11’], so intrigued by this simple little convenience market, I decided to take a photo of it as well as two women inside. Deep into their conversation, one appeared to be an employee and the other, a customer. I asked them to say ‘turtle’ for the photo.

Turtles and coconuts

One day, I ventured up to the Cayman Turtle [Farm] in a bus with others who were residents. I absolutely enjoy those types of experiences. The tour of the turtle centre was quite interesting, but upon leaving – and while waiting for the bus to take me back to George Town – a young man was outside selling beautiful conch shells. I purchased one and tried to talk with him, but he didn’t understand my language and I didn’t understand his.

He motioned for me to stay where I was, after which he proceeded to climb a very tall tree with his bare hands and feet. While at the top, he took out a knife and cut the stems of two coconuts, which fell to the ground. He climbed down, cut a hole in the top of a coconut, handed it to me and did the same to the other coconut. He then lifted it over his head and let the coconut water splash into his open mouth and gestured for me to do the same.

I handed him my camera and he took a photo of me drinking from the coconut and I took a photo of him holding a coconut and the conch shell. All of these years later, I wonder what happened to that friendly and agile young fellow.

Enjoying the quiet sights

On my walks from the inn along North and South Church Street, I remember small homes along the road, some of which had gravestones and monuments in the front yard. I assumed they were the resting places of family members or those who had occupied the home. One particularly quaint little Victorian bungalow which was painted a soft peach tone was on South Church Street. I took notice of a friendly man who was outside daily, tending to the yard. I never asked his name, but he did allow me the opportunity to take a photo of him in front of his well-cared-for home.

Unforgettable moments

It has been 37 years since that summer vacation on Grand Cayman. Surely some things that I saw and experienced are no longer there, and the island has more than likely [seen] more construction and modernization, [but] my memories of that week in July 1985 are some of my most treasured.

If you have some old photos that you’d like to submit, we’d love to see them to consider them for publication. Be sure to include the credit for the image and any information you have about it. Email to [email protected].