Dear Steemit friends, Gemma here, let me take you on a journey to Hell on the island of Grand Cayman in the western Caribbean. Grand Cayman is the largest of the three islands that make up the Cayman Islands. It is a British overseas territory that serves up tropical climate and white sandy beaches. The Cayman islands are an excellent choice for your next island getaway.

To find me, look for my chihuahua

The capital of Grand Cayman is George Town, you can get to the Cayman Islands either by cruise ship as one of its designated ports of call or by taking a one and a half hour flight from Miami, Florida. There are many reasons that make the Cayman Islands a top choice for a family friendly adventure or a romantic getaway. Swimming with stingrays at stingray city, horseback riding along 7 mile beach and into the ocean, visiting the crystal caves, swimming with sea turtles, fantastic scuba diving and snorkeling or just relaxing on the beach with an exotic cocktail. Please check out my travel blog #1 for Swimming with stingrays and travel blog #2 for horseback riding along 7 mile beach. Grand Cayman is also famous for Hell, that's right, if you have ever wished someone would go to hell, I bet you didn't picture a tropical island paradise.

Hell as you can see on my map as just above 7 mile beach which I'll tell you a secret isn't really 7 miles long

Hell is a very bizarre place, seeing is believing. I really never thought I would ever want to go to a place called hell but here I am. Among the lush tropical island is a patch of short, black, limestone formations located in West Bay, it is approximately half the size of a football field. Hell is about a 30 minutes drive from George Town. Visitors are not permitted to walk on the limestone formations, not that you would want to, they look sharp, pointy and extremely hot. There are much nicer, comfortable viewing platforms where you can take in the unusual view.

Here I am in Hell standing on one of the viewing platforms

Hell was created by salt and lime deposits over the course of 24 million years, and the legend of its name’s origin is controversial. Some say locals believed the place was similar to Hell’s landscape. Others believed that when a British general went bird hunting in the area , he shouted “Oh hell,” when he missed a shot.

The field of black limestone with what looks like the devil formation in the middle

Whatever the history behind the name, Hell is a popular attraction for visitors to the island. There is even a post office in the Devil's hangout gift shop where you can send postcards from Hell and pick up a devil themed souvenir. Some of the more religious locals refuse to visit the site as they believe it is one of the 13 gates to the underworld.

The devil formation in the limestone which the locals say just formed on its own, somehow I think it may have been placed there to add to the theme of the place

Hell can be very hot, especially in the summer where temperatures often reach 35 degrees Celsius (95 degrees Fahrenheit) which I supposed you'd imagine to be fairly cool for hell. Most people picture hell as fire and brimstone when this hell is mostly tourists and gimmicky locals dressed as devils which could very well be some people's idea of hell.

The Devil's Hangout gift shop and post office

I couldn't leave without my own photo in hell, It's my only chance, an angel like me would never end up in the real hell

Tours to hell can be purchased through your cruise ship shore excursion desk or through various tour companies in George Town and the 7 mile beach area. Hell however is very small, it literally is just a post office gift shop and the crater of black limestone. I would recommend to do what I did and take a taxi tour around the Island. That way you get to see Hell, some of the beautiful beaches and if you are lucky try some of the islands delicious food, plantains are a must try. A plantain is basically a cooking banana, they are usually fried and served hot and crispy. I took a taxi tour with two other ladies and it cost us US$20 each for two hours, of course you can do it on your own but sharing saves money and is a great way to make new friends.

Sancy from Jamaica, myself and Aretha from St. Lucia

One of my favourite things about visiting the Caribbean islands are the gorgeous people. They treat you like family and are some of the happiest, care-free people you'll ever meet. Definitely all about that island vibe.

Sancy and I in the taxi

The greatest thing about taking a taxi tour is that you can customize it to exactly where you want to go. Just make sure you agree on a set price at the start of the trip and a definite drop off location. You can always barter the taxi driver's down on price as they want your business. After our trip to hell, the ladies and I visited a cute dock in West Bay where the boat tours out to stingray city sandbar usually leave from.

Enjoying the dock

The fresh sea air makes me feel like flying

The next stop of course was a white sandy beach, we decided to go to one along Old Man Bay rather than the more famous 7 mile beach and it did not disappoint. The taxi driver recommended Old Man Bay as he said it was the local's preferred beach. If you want secluded hammocks and a quiet relaxing spot, this is the place for you.

We certainly had a lot of fun

Before ending our amazing tour on the incredible island of Grand Cayman, my beautiful island lady friends, Sancy and Aretha introduced me to the true locals, the Green Iguana. These huge lizards are all over the island and are even a delicacy in many island restaurants.

Of course I had to end my time on the incredible must see island of Grand Cayman in the Caribbean by having a tropical cocktail at a Caribbean favourite, Margaritaville. I hope you have enjoyed my blog on visiting hell, thank you for reading and I look forward to sharing more adventures with you, until next time, Vegoutt Everybody!!

Margaritaville, George Town