Christmas time on the rock is typically the same as anywhere else in the world except that you are on a magical island and life really (and I mean really) moves slowly. Everyone is in a festive mood, especially from 30 November when the hurricane season officially ends and the endless Christmas parties begin. The usual year end office parties take place with great gusto as does the carol singing and christmas tree lighting at various locations on the island. Many of the bars and restaurants get an annual boost to their revenues from the local residents at this time of the year.
The one thing about Christmas time on the Cayman Islands that kind of distinguishes it from other places I have been to during the festive season is that the islanders really know how to light up their houses with the most wonderful christmas lights and decorations. So much so that many houses on Grand Cayman have become a tourist attraction during the festive season for both locals residents and visitors to the island. Another Caymanian tradition, which dates way back is to have “fresh” meat on Christmas day. This goes back to the days when fresh meat was a rarity on the island, and fresh literally means the beast was slaughtered today (in a very human way off course).
Last year I spent my first Christmas on island and had a wonderful time with my wife, this year however I am travelling back home to spend time with friends and family, but I will definitely miss a good old fashioned Carribean Christmas.
Filed under: Life In Cayman | Tagged: bars, caribbean, Cayman Islands, christmas, festive, hurricane, meat, tradition
