Easter is one time of year when people in the Cayman Islands get back to their roots and celebrate their heritage of living off the sea and land, as many observe the annual ritual of Easter camping at various sites around the Islands.

Traditionally, the Rum Point area in Grand Cayman has seen the most traffic over the years, with many locals simply wanting to get away from the hustle and bustle that can characterise George Town on most days. It is a time of reflection and revelry intertwined with dependence on nature.

The action usually starts at around 22 April on Good Friday and ends on Monday, 26 April and families begin clamouring for beaches early on in the holiday, consequently it is a good idea to get a head start on the action if you want to find that extra special patch of real estate.

Some of the necessities needed to thoroughly enjoy the camping experience without missing any of the perks of modern life are batteries, a cellphone (of course), flash lights or lanterns, mosquito spray, fishing tackle and bait, lots of drinking water and cooking utensils – preferably a grill. Part of the thrill of the experience comes from not knowing who your neighbours along the beach may be and having to rely on your own resolve and determination to be comfortable as opposed to being conscious of help or amenities being next door.

For those with boats, wave runners or other water crafts, this will no doubt put an extra splash in your vacation, not to mention boosting your profile. Fishing will also be made a lot more accessible in this ideal scenario.

There are plenty of bars and restaurants spread out along most any beach in the Cayman Islands so in the unlikely event of a shortage of any kind, one can simply resort to cash to bring them back to reality. Do not forget to take some of this, as well as a debit card, in case your money gets wet, lost or stolen.

It is important to remember to keep your camping area clean and dispose of all garbage when you are done using items. After being relaxed and engaged in activity for the entire weekend, it can be easy to leave things behind. It’s a good idea to do a checklist before leaving your temporary sanctuary just to make sure you don’t litter or forget something important.

Other tips that may come in handy during the Easter include remembering to consume alcohol responsibly, as families and children will be trying to enjoy themselves without the added danger of intoxicated boaters. Try to keep your camping areas well lit as a deterrent against any unwarranted visitors and avoid lighting bush fires for cooking.

All beaches around the Islands can serve as camping areas, provided there are no “No Trespass” signs on the premises.   WH

How to cook your rabbit

Not to worry, the rabbit we’re referring to here isn’t the Easter Bunny. The agouti, also known as the Cayman rabbit, may not be considered as an ideal meal to some but in the Cayman Islands, this mammal has been celebrated as a delicacy from the time settlers first started arriving to Islands from South and Central America in the 1700s. The animal is a close relative of the rabbit and is known for its distinct flavour. Some of the popular ways to prepare the dish include stewing the meat in coconut milk or grilling, but an agouti curry is an excellent way for those not yet acquainted with the taste to sample their first taste of rabbit.

Ingredients:

1 1/2 pounds of agouti meat

Marinade:

2 table spoons of curry

1/2 of tea spoon of clove powder

3/4 tea spoon of geera powder

1/4 tea spoon of salt

1/4 tea spoon of grated ginger

1 bay leaf

2 pimento peppers

3 blades of lemon grass (fever grass)

1 lemon

2 bundles of chives

1 small onion

To cook:

1 tablespoon of curry powder

1/4 teaspoon of geera powder

1 clove garlic, chopped finely

1 cup chopped green papaya

1/2 cup coconut milk

Water as needed

The process

Mix together the ingredients for the marinade and add the meat. Once the meat has been allowed to marinade for approximately two to three hours, add the meat as well as the rest of the ingredients together in a pot and cook for roughly a half hour. The pot should be covered to allow the contents to simmer. You may want to include some fried fritters or mashed potatoes and rice with your dish.

Most of these ingredients can be sourced at local supermarkets. Agouti meat is available from local hunters on request and can be sourced at the Farmer’s Market at the Agricultural Grounds. Enjoy!