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| When you first lay eyes on Grand Cayman, you won't even
think about mountains. It's a flat piece of land
that barely seems to rise out of the water. To find a steep slope, you'll have to look elsewhere, in this
case, straight down. Just offshore, the coral reefs and walls plunge dramatically into the abyss, creating
superb conditions for scuba diving and snorkeling. These underwater "mountainsides" (the peak being the
island itself) have left divers and snorkelers awestruck for more than 40 years. (If you don't at least catch
a glimpse of this underwater world, you're missing the main attraction.) There are other reasons that travelers,
especially cruise-ship passengers, keep arriving in Grand Cayman in large numbers. One of the best is that it
offers a largely stress-free place to vacation. Crime is relatively rare. Islanders are friendly, speak English
and enjoy the highest standard of living in the Caribbean. And the beaches are wide, sandy and fringed with palm
trees. In short, it's a perfect place to relax. |
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| For much of its history, Belize has been a wild place, attractive to the adventurous and the hardy, who could carve a
place to live from the forbidding jungle. It was only a matter of time until
adventurous eco-travelers found this corner of Central America. Today, Belize has become a rising star among those
seeking active and educational vacations. They go to see its vast expanses of rain forest, rich collection of birds and
animals, long stretch of coral reef and plentiful Mayan ruins. Of course, Belize's growing popularity is making it
somewhat less wild than it used to be, especially if you find yourself in a well-appointed jungle lodge or seaside resort
(even the sounds of howler monkeys can seem rather civilized when you're sipping cappuccino on the veranda). With the
paving of the Southern Highway from Dangriga to Punta Gorda, all of Belize's main roads are now in very good condition. |
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