Grand Cayman Islands
Jun 5, 2022 15:31:42 #
Concerns: risk of walking alone with high end camera, crime in general, bird photography, photo sites?
Jun 5, 2022 16:18:38 #
Your question piqued my interest since my wife and I spent our honeymoon there nearly 40 years ago. At that time it was unspoiled, and never worrisome. We had a wonderful time, and I had a very decent Nikon Film camera kit which I frequently left in our room for beach, diving, etc. A quick glance online seems to indicate that it has changed, but what hasn't changed in the last 40 years. In your position I would do considerable research and weigh risk vs. gain.
Jun 6, 2022 07:45:34 #
Jun 6, 2022 07:51:06 #
The Caymans are probably the safest place in the Caribbean. Have to learn to drive on the other side of the road though. lol
Jun 6, 2022 07:51:43 #
chuckla
Loc: Kennesaw, GA USA
The Cayman Islands are actually three islands, Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac and Little Cayman. I've scuba dived there many times over the last 30 years, most recently in Nov 2019 just before Covid closed down tourism travel. Little Cayman and Cayman Brac are small, and have relatively few local residents, most of whom seem to work in the tourist industry. Very safe generally- never heard of anybody who had a problem there. Grand Cayman is much more populace, but in all the times I've been there I've never felt threatened, though at night I mostly tend to stay in the Georgetown/7 Mile Beach area where there a lot of people. During the day I'm all over the island, and never felt concerned, even with a D850 around my neck. That said, there are areas, like in any city, that I wouldn't venture into alone at night.
Jun 6, 2022 08:04:20 #
Don't know about now. We had the most relaxing vacation of our lives staying near Rum Point years ago. Never felt unsafe. It is a small island, very developed, not a lot of poverty - it would probably not be easy to fence an expensive camera. I would think that in the daytime in the areas frequented by tourists you should be OK. I wouldn't wander around in the heart of any unknown city at night, though, with or without a camera.
Jun 6, 2022 08:35:26 #
That's one reason why I travel with a small, pocketable camera. There used to be a video on YouTube of a guy being robbed of all his camera gear in about five seconds by several guys in Russia. Boom, boom, boom, and they gone with the gear. Professional thieves know what they're doing.
http://www.lensrentals.com/blog/2013/06/protecting-yourself-from-gear-theft
http://www.clickinmoms.com/blog/10-tips-for-traveling-with-your-camera-equipment-by-jen-cooke/
http://www.naturefocused.com/articles/traveling-with-camera-gear.html
http://hairygoat.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/Staying-Safe.pdf
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=camera+theft
http://www.lensrentals.com/blog/2013/06/protecting-yourself-from-gear-theft
http://www.clickinmoms.com/blog/10-tips-for-traveling-with-your-camera-equipment-by-jen-cooke/
http://www.naturefocused.com/articles/traveling-with-camera-gear.html
http://hairygoat.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/Staying-Safe.pdf
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=camera+theft
Jun 6, 2022 11:22:57 #
leftj
Loc: Texas
thegrover wrote:
Concerns: risk of walking alone with high end camera, crime in general, bird photography, photo sites?
If you are concerned. Don't do it.
Jun 6, 2022 11:33:24 #
I have traveled 33 countries including Vietnam, Cambodia, and China. Never had a fear, just like to know the landscape. The most dangerous places I have been include Jackson Mississippi, New York, New Orleans,etc.
Jun 6, 2022 11:39:36 #
[quote=thegrover]Concerns: risk of walking alone with high end camera, crime in general, bird photography, photo sites?[/quote
Jun 6, 2022 12:41:06 #
Jun 6, 2022 13:08:34 #
Jun 6, 2022 15:24:11 #
If you just want a photo collection of different birds, you might consider simply using a modest priced bridge camera like the Lumix DC-FZ80 which has a viewfinder and 60X lens and is only $298 new.
Then there is the pocketable Lumix DCZS80 which also has a viewfinder and has a 24-720 mm (35 equiv) lens for $398. I have one of these I use for a pocketable camera with a 30X zoom lens.
Then there is the pocketable Lumix DCZS80 which also has a viewfinder and has a 24-720 mm (35 equiv) lens for $398. I have one of these I use for a pocketable camera with a 30X zoom lens.
Jun 6, 2022 16:58:27 #
Actually, grand Cayman is pretty crime free. My parents lived there during the high season and had no problems. Just pay attention
Jun 7, 2022 10:54:17 #
My wife and I have been going to Cayman when the only hotel on Grand Cayman was the Royal Palm and they were building a Holiday Inn. The Brac had the Buccaneers Inn. That's over 50 years ago. I have friends there and have never heard of any major crime. We mostly hung out an the Brac which is where I like to dive the most. Divi was there and they would take the 7 mile trip to dive by Little Cayman. I would guess that I have about 700 dives between the three islands. I good friend is building a house on the Brac as we speak so my wife and I will be spending some winter time there. Don't know if I'll dive since I'm in my 80's.
If you're going to stay on Grand Cayman take a trip to Hell. It's a little area at the east end of the island. The Cracked Conch Restaurant is there. If it hasn't changed, it's one of the best restaurants on the island. If you like black coral go to Passman's in Georgetown, but be prepared to spend some money.
I will be amazed if you don't have a great trip. It's probably the safest place in the Caribbean.
If you're going to stay on Grand Cayman take a trip to Hell. It's a little area at the east end of the island. The Cracked Conch Restaurant is there. If it hasn't changed, it's one of the best restaurants on the island. If you like black coral go to Passman's in Georgetown, but be prepared to spend some money.
I will be amazed if you don't have a great trip. It's probably the safest place in the Caribbean.
If you want to reply, then register here. Registration is free and your account is created instantly, so you can post right away.