Colin, G4CWH will be active again as ZF2CA from Cayman Islands, IOTA NA - 016, in Beru Contest, 8 - 9 March 2025.
Before and after contest he will operate on 160 - 10m CW, SSB.
Recent DX Spots ZF2CA
QSL via home call direct.
Ads for direct QSL:
Colin Smithers, 10 Grange Park, Bishops Stortford, Herts CM23 2HX, England.
The Cayman Islands are one of the best tourist destinations in the Caribbean
Not all that gold that glitters, it is also not a fact that the islands are swarming with alligators, even if they are called Cayman Islands. The history of the islands' name has to do with a different animal altogether. When in 1503 Christopher Columbus' ship docked at the shores of the hitherto unknown islands in the Caribbean Sea, somewhere in the middle between Cuba and Jamaica, both he and the sailors were shocked by the huge number of green sea turtles. That's when the islands got the name Las Tortugas - the turtles.
A little later, Europeans visited the island, and they came up with a new name: Lagartos - alligators, which became the original version for the name of the Cayman Islands, which has been fixed since 1530. The answer to the reasonable question: “why are the islands called Cayman Islands if there are no crocodiles there?” is simple. Europeans unsophisticated in exotic fauna simply confused large but harmless iguanas with bloodthirsty crocodiles. To this day, iguanas of different species live peacefully here: sand iguanas, green iguanas and even unique blue iguanas. A rare species of blue iguana, preserved only in the Cayman Islands, is protected by the Law.
Cayman Islands - a paradise for tourists, but for decent money!
A small archipelago of tectonic origin consists of three islands, on which live about 50 thousand people: Big, Small, Cayman Brac and a lot of uninhabited tiny islets and reefs. Since the area is not disposed to the development of industry or large-scale agriculture, the population of the islands with special enthusiasm welcomes foreign visitors, generously replenishing the coffers and family budgets of local residents.
Tourist business on the islands put on a wide footing. According to statistics, the Caymans annually rushes about 2 million vacationers, lured by the magnificent climatic conditions, wonderful landscapes, wonderful water and underwater entertainment and excellent infrastructure.
One of the curious activities is catching lionfish by hand. There is no doubt, the colorful coloring of striped fish is really beautiful, but that's where all the charms end. Firstly, the uninvited guest, accidentally got into the Caribbean Sea basin, was very voracious, which affects native species of fish. Secondly, the fish is aggressive and poses a serious threat to divers, because the poisonous spines can hurt a person, cause muscle spasm and paralysis, provoke headaches and vomiting.
Year-round extermination of fish of this species, including for a fee, is a government program in action, aimed at saving the local ecosystem. The local authorities, having learned from the bitter experience with lionfish, are very sensitive to the issue of protecting unique natural resources. Everyone entering the islands should be prepared to have any cuttings, shoots and seedlings taken away from them due to the threat of alteration of the native island landscapes.
You have been asked to send greetings and a package from hell!
If you have received such a message, do not be offended or frightened. Most likely it's from a friend who is vacationing on Grand Cayman Island. There is a popular pastime in these parts - sending a photo postcard postmarked “from hell”. In fact, the bizarre devil's landscape is a picturesque, somewhat intimidating array of jagged rock faces formed by natural erosion processes.
Georgetown and other Cayman Islands attractions
Georgetown is the capital and famed seaport, and the suburb is home to Owen Roberts International Airport. The contrasting mix of luxurious, European-style ultra-modern buildings and the pastoral look of tropical bungalows built of shell and coral is colorful. In the duty-free stores on Cardinal Avenue or just on the streets of the small town you can meet famous stars and millionaires walking or driving around in expensive cars.
Most visitors to the capital have a standard program - visiting local attractions:
- Cayman Islands National Museum - here you can dive into history and buy original souvenirs for friends.
- Cayman Marine Treasure Museum, which features a unique innovation - an automated cybernetic guide.
- Elmsley or John Gray Memorial Churches on Church Street.
- The pyramid-like Legislative Assembly building.
Tourists more active and beach lovers are sure to find some of the magnificent beaches with snow-white sand and amazingly clear waters, in the thickness of which you can clearly see everything that happens even at a depth of 3-5 meters. In the coastal zone there are diving and snorkeling schools, as well as rental centers for scuba diving equipment. Nature lovers will definitely go to the turtle farm, where endangered green turtles are bred.
