I have always loved the movie Under the Tuscan Sun. Twenty minutes into the film and I was hooked on the character’s journey and the beauty of Tuscany. And while I never experienced the kind of heartache she did (and I hope I never would), how she found what she was looking for made me sit up and take notice.

Like her, I wanted to know my real purpose in life. Or at the very least get some idea in the general direction I should go. What better way to look for your path than by traveling!

I didn’t go to the Cayman Islands to specifically to do some soul searching but looking back, it was a wonderful place to begin my search. There’s an undefined quality to its sunshine and the fresh air blowing in from the sea that made me feel good and at peace with myself. It’s probably why a lot of people automatically head to the sea whenever they want to clear their head. The slower pace of life on the island also made it easier to step back and really assess every aspect of your life, from your family to your career and other relationships. I should point out though that I prefer a more modern approach to soul searching, which is to travel and enjoy but being open to lessons and epiphanies.

Places to Go and Lessons to Learn

There’s a reason why the Caymans is a popular tourist destination. It has a little something for everyone, from sun worshippers to adventure seekers, to loners looking for a place off the beaten path.

For me, traveling to these places gave me glimpses into my soul.

A Walk Through Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park

The Cayman Islands are not all sand and sea. The Queen Elizabeth II park is an amazing place to meander around and observe the island’s unique flora and fauna. One plant visitors won’t forget is the Corato. It’s only found in the Caymans and is one of the largest Agave plants in the region. It has massive leaves that can grow to 25 feet high. If you’re lucky, you might even spot the sunshine yellow flowers that brings a dash of color to the greenery.

Walking through the park takes about an hour tops, but it has made me realize more than I ever did in all my years – that it’s okay for me to call for a time-out from time to time. It was literally a “stop and smell the flowers” reminder for me.

Indulge in the Sea’s Bounty

Grand Cayman, the biggest island on the Cayman chain, has been described as the “Culinary Capital of the Caribbean,” and for good reason. This place is teeming with fresh seafood that are perfectly prepared in the island’s eateries. No matter how picky you are, you can find a place to indulge and enjoy life’s little pleasures. You can find them in something as mundane as smiling at your fellow traveler or expanding your horizons at an elegant and romantic waterfront restaurant like Kaibo or a bustling eatery like Margaritaville.

Explore the USS Kittiwake

No other place in the world has such spectacular dives sites like the Cayman Islands. There are about 355 dive sites to explore, and one of the more memorable ones is the USS Kittiwake. The downed submarine is located 62 feet below the sea’s surface. Divers can take their time exploring this piece of history. There’s so much to see of this vessel’s remnants, from the canteen where soldiers happily dined to the restrooms still littered with broken mirrors.

I admit that I love exploring abandoned places, but the eeriness of this sunken ship hammered in how fleeting everything is and how we should make sure we appreciate the beauty we see everywhere. This includes seeing the beauty in the things that challenge me or cause me to reach my boiling point.

Visit a Different Kind of City

The islands are also home to Stingray City. A long, long time ago, a fisherman would throw pieces of gutted fish overboard at particular spots in the reef. This provided stingrays with a tasty meal and up to this day, these magnificent creatures continue to thrive in the area. The fishermen might be long gone, but they have been replaced by tourists. Cayman private charters can bring you to this unique city where you can feed and interact with the stingrays.

Catch a Glimpse of Hell

Just like our life, the beauty we experience exists hand in hand with all things dark. In the case of the Caymans, the island paradise also plays host to Hell or a close approximation to it. This rock-formation certainly lives up to its name’s reputation. Comprised of eroded limestone rocks, the area is virtually desolate. Algae and other natural elements appear to be slowly chipping away at the island’s existence. It’s a very good reminder of how both good and bad can exist in the same plane of existence.