A Tourist Trap in the Grand Cayman Islands: I've Been to Hell and Back

I can honestly say I've been to Hell and back. And you know what? It was a lot prettier than you might expect. That's because I am not talking about the place of eternal damnation with firey pits- I am referring to the tourist trap in the Grand Cayman Islands - a city known as Hell.

Just as with the attractions such as The Butterfly Farm and Stingray City, we had to visit Hell while we were on the main island of Grand Cayman. It was just a short driving distance from our hotel and wasn't far from The Turtle Farm we were going to stop at it. It was the epitome of tourist trap!

Located in the heart of the town of Hell are three souvenir shops fulled with sweatshirts, t-shirts, mugs, shot glasses and other things that willing tourists bring back from Hell. Of course there is plenty of hot sauce with Devils plastered all over the labels. Then there is the official government post office where you can send your family and friends an official postcard from Hell. We sent a postcard from there to our Pastor - we thought it would make good conversation among his colleagues. I mean how many of them can actually say their congregation members went there and came back to talk about it?Hopefully none of their congregation members ever go there on a permanent basis!

While we were there, we had to pose for a picture with one of those wooden cut outs where you insert your face. One was an angel and one was the devil. You can guess which one I was can't you? The angel of course! What else?

After doing all the tourist things that one must do in Hell, we witnessed the reason for it's name. In the back of one of the shops is a large area of rocks known as "Ironshore," which can be found in various spots through Grand Cayman. As you might have guessed, they are dark black and charcoal gray rock formations that are long pointed and jagged. The tale is told that local officials stated, "This is what hell must look like," hence the name Hell.

Personally I am a Heaven seeker, but I must admit, it was quite funny to visit there. And the even funnier part is that when we left we discovered that the road from Hell leads to a white Holy-like Church! Now that's ironic!