As we stepped off the Boeing 777 and descended the steps on to the concrete runway it was immediately apparent that we were somewhere exotic. The hot gentle breeze upon the face and the fragrant smells that were in the air were an instant reminder, as if we needed one, that this was to be no ordinary holiday. Could it really be that John & Sylvia who for most of their married lives had struggled to raise the money for a week in Blackpool or Torquay with their four children, were now embarking upon a week in the luxurious Cayman Islands and apart from a little pocket money it wasn't costing them a penny? That's right, I t was a 'no strings attached' gift from some friends. To discover how we heard about this gift come with me and eavesdrop on a telephone conversation which took place at our home one evening earlier this year.

Telephone rings and John answers
"Good evening! can I help you?" (Professional telephone manner even at home - I just can't help it!)
"Hello John, this is Carole" - (Carole is a friend from church.)
"How are you doing?"
"Fine thanks, but tell me have you and Sylvia booked a holiday this year?"
"Yes, we are going to Scotland for a week in July - it is something we have wanted to do for years."
"Oh I see; well would you like another holiday?"
"Yes of course - wouldn't we all?"
"No! I'm serious," said Carole, "Paul and I would like you and Sylvia to go to the Cayman Islands to visit Suzanne & James." (daughter and son-in-law who work out there).
"That would be lovely but...."
"We would like to pay for you because Suzanne & James would so much like to see you."
John takes a Sharp intake of breath "I can't believe it."
"Well it's true but the only snag might be that you have to go during the first week in May so will that be convenient?"

Well the rest is history. Having come to terms with the initial shock, told the news in the office and arranged the leave situation it was all systems go. Our knowledge of the Cayman Islands was negligible and so we took to reading travel books and watching a video about the place in order to find out all we could.

There are three small islands which make up the Caymans, they are Little Cayman, Cayman Mac and the largest (which is still not very big) and is where we would be going called Grand Cayman, the capital of which is Georgetown. The Islands are situated in the Caribbean between Jamaica and Cuba. The Caymans are a British colony the currency is the dollar and there is a great deal of wealth.

The climate is most definitely on the tropical side and the temperatures at the time we were going would be around 90 degrees Fahrenheit with a fairly high humidity.

It is true to say that I counted the days down like a little child waiting for Father Christmas. I was so excited.

The day finally arrived for setting off and we took a 4.30am coach to London Gatwick in order to catch the 11am flight to Grand Cayman. It was such a great adventure.

Safely on board the plane for an 11 hour flight (surpassing our previous longest trip by some 7 hours) we were treated to a couple of lovely meals, a free bar service and some good movies. We did have a stop for people to get off at Nassau in the Bahamas and for re-fuelling and then on for just over an hour to land at Grand Cayman.

Having collected our luggage Suzanne & James were there to greet us enthusiastically with hugs all round and then off by car for the 20 minute journey to their flat, which they are renting for the two years they are working out there. The car ride was a mixture of excited conversation catching up on news from home and eyes looking out of the window not wanting to miss any of the scenery, where palm trees were very much in evidence across the flat landscape. Driving took place on the lefthand side of the road, though most of the vehicles were lefthand drive as they were imported from America.

Our hosts lived in a complex called Flowers Apartments consisting of about 30 very spacious two bedroomed flats which were served by an open air swimming pool, that was to be quite a haven for us to escape from the blazing sun during the course of our holiday.

The Cayman Islands are six hours behind our British Summer Time and so after a long trip we were not late out of bed that first night. The air conditioning in the flat was superb, as it was in all of the shops and places of work on the Island, so we had an excellent night's sleep.