328 lines
11 KiB
Plaintext
Executable File
328 lines
11 KiB
Plaintext
Executable File
sponsored
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travel
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caymanislands
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8373042
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-----
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# The Cayman Islands: Licensed to thrill
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## Enjoy a taste of the high life worthy of 007 while exploring the
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enchanting beauty of the Cayman Islands, relaxing at a luxury resort or even
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learning to dive.
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![The Kittiwake, a five-storey, 246ft-long submarine rescue vessel that was
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sunk to create an artificial reef. ][1]
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Image 1 of 3
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The Kittiwake, a five-storey, 246ft-long submarine rescue vessel that was sunk
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to create an artificial reef.
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![The swim-up bar at Grand Cayman Beach Suites. ][2]
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Image 1 of 3
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The swim-up bar at Grand Cayman Beach Suites.
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![Cayman Island Helicopters will take you on a thrilling ride.][3]
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Image 1 of 3
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Cayman Island Helicopters will take you on a thrilling ride.
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3:54PM GMT 10 Mar 2011
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Skimming the coral reefs in a Cayman Islands helicopter will reveal some
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wonderful surprises: huge eagle rays, hawksbill turtles, giant starfish and
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hundreds of southern stingrays swimming in crystal-clear waters.
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But that's not all. After years of negotiation with the US government, you can
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now get a bird's-eye view of the Kittiwake, a five-storey, 246ft-long
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submarine rescue vessel, that was laid to rest after 50 years of service to
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create an artificial reef close to the sugar-white sand of Seven Mile Beach.
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The chances are that you will also fly over one of the super-yachts which are
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often moored offshore and, invisible from above, the multi-million-pound
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Atlantis Submarine, which descends the Cayman Wall, giving visitors a
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tantalising window into the ethereal underwater world for which Cayman is
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famed.
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Even more revealing are the credentials of your pilot -- a debonair Frenchman
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and former Hollywood stuntman who has 27 movies under his belt and who, along
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with a roll call of noteworthy neighbours, has made his home in this
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diminutive first-world Caribbean country.
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The population of the Cayman Islands is just 50,000, but it blends an
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astonishing 100 nationalities.
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All the inhabitants of these three islands enjoy one of the highest standards
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of living in the Caribbean - and they are proud to share it with others. Small
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wonder, then, that this is a magnet for some of the most influential people of
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our age.
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With a paradise island existence, no prying eyes and the freedom to live like
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a local, why wouldn't you want to move here?
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Grand Cayman has long been regarded as a playground for the well-heeled, so it
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comes as no surprise that the island's spectacular power-boat race that takes
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place here every Easter is called the Million Dollar Run.
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But who would expect to take a respite from the midday sun only to stumble
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across one of the world's most priceless private collections of motor
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vehicles?
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Among the exotic, rare and classic cars on show in the Cayman Motor Museum are
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the original Batmobile from the 1966 movie Batman, a Daimler once owned by
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Elton John, and the world's first car - all displayed for the public's
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enjoyment by a resident of Cayman who happens to have a passion for
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automobiles. Cayman takes boys with toys to a whole new level - and this is
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one for all the family.
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There are several ways to get a taste of Cayman island living. The Ritz-
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Carlton hotel on Grand Cayman is justly regarded as the flagship of the group.
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This luxury resort plays a central role in staging some of the Caribbean's
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most notable events, including a culinary extravaganza every January created
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by a line-up of the world's top celebrity chefs.
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They willingly - and, tellingly, for no fee - swap their Michelin-starred
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restaurants for beach barbecues and local restaurants to galvanise the palates
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of islanders and visitors alike.
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Later in the year, sports fiends flock to the resort's Legends Tennis
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Championship to see and play tennis alongside names lifted straight from the
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annals of the All England Lawn Tennis Club.
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There are also many more traditional pursuits to be enjoyed, from golf on
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three picturesque but challenging courses, to pampering.
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Silver Rain - the first La Prairie Spa in the Caribbean - provides a fabulous
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distraction from The Ritz-Carlton's floating cabanas on Seven Mile Beach.
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Youngsters and teens will be kept active and intrigued by Jean Michel
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Cousteau's Ambassador of the Environment programme. Activities might include
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stargazing, mangrove kayak explorations and a close encounter with the giant
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blue iguana, a prehistoric native of Grand Cayman that is the first species to
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be saved from extinction in the 21st century - thanks to the dedication of
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another resident, British scientist Fred Burton MBE.
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Grand Cayman was the birthplace of recreational diving. A year-round water
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temperature of 26C and 130ft visibility make learning to dive child's play,
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and advanced divers know that there is no greater thrill than falling into the
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abyss with walls that descend more than 6,560ft in a sheer drop.
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However, the unofficial national sport of the Cayman Islands is fishing, and
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with prize catches just a quarter mile offshore, where the ocean floor lies
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thousands of feet below, a charter in one of Grand Cayman's fishing fleets is
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an experience not to be missed.
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If privacy and escapism is your thing, then head out of George Town to explore
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70 miles of undeveloped coastline. Drive along surprisingly empty roads lined
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in spring and summer by the flame-red Royal Poinciana tree.
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You will be hard-pressed to find a resort but there is a smattering of lavish
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private ocean-front homes and villas, many available to rent for a week or
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more.
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One fine example is Pease Bay House, which has five bedrooms, marbled
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bathrooms, an exquisite nursery - children are welcome everywhere on these
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islands - a 59ft great room, a living room with piano, and a state-of-the-art
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kitchen.
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The property has landscaped gardens with tennis courts, a huge pool and a
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beach cabana - not to mention the most extraordinary view. Think Italian
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palazzo by the sea with more than a dash of James Bond.
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And there's more. Or less, perhaps, would be a better way to describe the
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Sister Islands, in the sense that these two gems are probably the best-kept
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secrets in the Caribbean.
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Cayman Brac is like a lost world - Jurassic Park without the dinosaurs,
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perhaps. Little Cayman is an idyllic sun-drenched coral cay, 10 miles long and
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one mile wide, population 150 - on a busy day.
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Lying 80 miles north-east of Grand Cayman towards Cuba, a 40-minute flight by
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Twin Otter prop plane, it is probably the last really wild island in the
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Caribbean.
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Choose from three tiny resorts - one of which is run by a Cordon Bleu-trained
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chef, dive mistress and passionate conservationist who celebrates 25 years of
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operation this year. With the exception of running water and electricity,
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little has changed since Gladys Howard took up residence.
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On Little Cayman you will find some of the best diving in the world but even
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for non-divers this is barefoot luxury in its purest form - unfettered and
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untarnished by the frivolous demands of modern-day travellers.
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It is possible that the Caribbean adage "no shoes, no shirt, no problem" was
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invented here. If so, it has remained true to this day.
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### CAYMAN ISLANDS TRAVEL INFORMATION
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Stay at the five-star **Ritz-Carlton** in Grand Cayman for seven nights with**
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British Airways** from £1,569pp departing Aug 21 to Nov 13, 2011.
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This exclusive resort covers 144 acres overlooking pristine beaches. Includes
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return BA flights from Heathrow and accommodation only. Subject to
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availability, based on two sharing and includes all UK taxes. Call British
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Airways on **0844 493 0758**.
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[X][4] Share & bookmark
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Delicious Facebook Google Messenger Reddit Twitter
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Digg Fark LinkedIn Google Buzz StumbleUpon Y! Buzz
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[What are these?][5]
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* Share: [Share][4] [ ][6] [ ][7]
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[Tweet][8]
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http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sponsored/travel/caymanislands/8373042/The-Cayman-
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Islands-Licensed-to-thrill.html
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Telegraph
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## [Cayman Islands][9]
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* ### [Sponsored »][10]
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* ### [Travel »][11]
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### [Licensed to thrill][12]
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[![The Kittiwake, a five-storey, 246ft-long submarine rescue vessel that was
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sunk to create an artificial reef. ][13] ][12]
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### [Seven days in heaven][14]
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[![The girls hit the beach in the Cayman Islands...][15] ][14]
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### [A family holiday in paradise][16]
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[![Visit the Cayman Islands to share thrilling experiences with your little
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ones, including diving alongside sea turtles.][17] ][16]
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### [The Cayman Islands in pictures][18]
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[![][19] ][18]
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[X][4] Share & bookmark
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Delicious Facebook Google Messenger Reddit Twitter
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Digg Fark LinkedIn Google Buzz StumbleUpon Y! Buzz
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[What are these?][5]
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Share:
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* [ ][4]
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* [ ][6]
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* [ ][7]
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* [Tweet][8]
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* ![][20]
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[Cayman Islands Competition »][21]
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### [Win a luxury holiday in the Cayman Islands][22]
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[![][23]][22]
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The Cayman Islands Dept. of Tourism is giving away a 7-night holiday for two
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at the Grand Cayman Marriott Beach Resort.
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## [Cayman Islands E-Book »][24]
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### [The Cayman Islands][24]
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[![][25]][24]
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Read our guide to the Caribbean's most surprising and enchanting destination.
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Interactive map
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### [Discover the Cayman Islands][26]
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[![][27]][26]
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Plot your trip to the Cayman Islands using our interactive map
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[1]: http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/01845/ship_1845263b.jpg
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[2]: http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/01845/night_1845267b.jpg
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[3]: http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/01845/heli_1845269b.jpg
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[4]: #
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[5]: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/news/4590190/Share-this-article-
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What-are-these.html
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[6]: mailto:?subject=A Telegraph reader thought you would be interested in
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this article&body=Depending on your email program, you may be able to click on
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the link in the email. Alternatively, you may have to open a web browser, such
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as Firefox or Internet Explorer, and copy the link over into the address bar.
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%0A%0Ahttp://www.telegraph.co.uk/sponsored/travel/caymanislands/8373042/The-
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Cayman-Islands-Licensed-to-thrill.html %0A%0AFor the best content online,
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visit www.telegraph.co.uk
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[7]: javascript:print()
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[8]: http://twitter.com/share?via=Telegraph
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[9]: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sponsored/travel/caymanislands/
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[10]: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sponsored/
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[11]: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sponsored/travel/
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[12]: /sponsored/travel/caymanislands/8373042/The-Cayman-Islands-Licensed-
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to-thrill.html
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[13]: http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/01845/ship_1845263g.jpg
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[14]: /sponsored/travel/caymanislands/8373202/The-Cayman-Islands-Seven-
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days-in-heaven.html
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[15]: http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/01845/girls_1845296g.jpg
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[16]: /sponsored/travel/caymanislands/8373000/The-Cayman-Islands-A-family-
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holiday-made-in-paradise.html
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[17]: http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/01845/family_1845207g.jpg
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[18]: /sponsored/travel/caymanislands/8373278/The-Cayman-Islands-in-
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pictures.html
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[19]: http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/01845/c16_1845568g.jpg
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[20]: http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/01585/cayman_logo_sponso_
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1585237a.jpg
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[21]: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sponsored/travel/caymanislands/7306093
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/cayman-island-competition.html
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[22]: http://www.caymanislands.co.uk/tour_guide/newsletter_signup.aspx
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[23]: http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/01849/cayman-summary-
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ima_1849711e.jpg
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[24]: http://www.e-brochure.org/TELEGRAPH/CAYMAN_ISLANDS
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[25]: http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/01586/CaymanIs_bottompuf_
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1586738g.jpg
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[26]: http://www.discovercayman.co.uk/
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[27]: http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/01849/cayman-
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night_1849698g.jpg
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