Kentucky Christian University's Young Library Virtual Pirate Vacation

Heave to, me hearties! We're in pirate waters now - the Caribbean Sea. Pirate legends were made in these waters, countless battles fought, treasures won, lost, and won again.

Although the Golden Age of piracy is long over, its legacy is still an important part of the culture for many Caribbean countries - and a major factor in tourism. With this in mind, let us explore some not-so-hidden treasures that will have ye shouting, "shiver me timbers!"

*Map of the Caribbean. Image provided by Google Creative Commons.

Nassau, a beautiful, tropical getaway for many vacationers across the globe. This twice-burned city was, for many years, a pirate haven after the British sons of biscuit eaters were chased out of town into nearby Jamaica. Learn more about this history in the video below. Afterwards, we shall see the revelries that await our merry band.

Pirates of Nassau Museum

Visiting the Pirates of Nassau Museum is the first order of business while in Nassau. It's a large building with authentic, interactive displays. Entertainment is balanced with education as visitors encounter numerous true and false questions throughout the walking tour, as well as placards and other artifacts which teach about the pirates and events which made this city famous.

*Outside picture of the Pirates of Nassau Museum. Image provided by http://www.piratesofnassau.com/gallery/

This museum has a gift shop, should ye wish to trade some currency for some pirate loot. There is also a café which serves a local delicacy - conch salad! Continue to the bottom of this page if you want to try and replicate the meal in your own galley.

For those more hungry for adventure than food, try your luck with the Blackbeard's Escape room!

Fort Charlotte

Ready for another pirate ghost story? Let's explore Fort Charlotte, built in 1783 and named for the wife of King George III. This battlement overlooks the Nassau harbor and was a key piece in the island's defense. Eventually, Nassau was overrun by pirates and the fort captured and used against the British. Let's learn more below.

While there is plenty left to do in Nassau, we must make way to our next destination. Heave ho, swabs! Off to the Cayman Isles.

Argh! The Cayman Isles; 3 beautiful pieces of land consisting of Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac, and Little Cayman. Archaeologists say these islands were never inhabited before Christopher Columbus discovered them (originally calling them Las Tortugas for the indigenous turtle population). Eventually, as colonialists expanded from Jamaica, people began to inhabit the islands, especially by outlaw pirates who used the islands to intercept and capture treasure ships - REAL TREASURE SHIPS!!! A popular route for vessels bearing silver and gold lay along the coasts of these unassuming islands.

Now that ye've had yer history lesson, let's have some fun.

Pirates Week

This annual festival attracts tens of thousands of participants who need little excuse to don a captain's hat and cutlass. There is a mock ship boarding, battle re-enactments, sword fighting, dancing, singing, crafts, cooking, and all sorts of fun. It's similar to the festival held at Ocracoke in the US that we discussed earlier. Look below at the 40th anniversary of this event, or check out this link to the Explore Cayman website to learn more.

Outdoor Recreation

So far, we've had a lot of looking and learning, but not much doing...not very pirate-like, savvy? We are about to change that up with some exploration.

Around the Cayman Islands, you can go on glass-bottom boat tours and look at the flora and fauna of the sea. If that's not exciting enough, you can even snorkel or dive and explore real shipwrecks - a favorite pastime of adventuresome tourists.

Having had a bellyful of sailing, we will take a closer look at the Cayman Crystal Caves today - famous natural structures that pirates used as shelter, hideouts, and - as legend has it - to hide away vast hordes of treasure!

It's time for the last adventure of our pirate vacation, and we saved the best for last, you may lay to that!

Off we sail to Port Royal, the most famous pirate city. Be sure to watch below for some quick history, or today's activities may not make much sense.

Explore the Sunken City

The Port Royal we landed at is not the same as what was ruled by pirates some 200 years ago, nay! As you encountered in the video above, the wicked city was struck by all four elements of earth, wind, fire, and water before sliding off into the sea one dreadful night...a most befitting end for the villains who called this place home, some may say. If you truly wish to see the city as walked by Pirates, you'll need to dive down deep, scoot around a few sharks, and swim through that which Davy Jones left behind. Here's a taste of what to expect.

Fort Charles

If you'd rather kick around the dirt like a landlubber, check out Fort Charles. This structure was built in the mid-1600's, and it was shaped like a ship (I do like that architect who decided that). Despite damage from the earthquake which took away a good portion of Old Port Royal, it remains whole and relatively intact. In fact, it may be better than it once was, now that it has a museum within it!

*Inside Fort Charles (Jamaica). Image provided by Google Creative Commons.

Speaking of museums, visit the Port Royal location of the National Museum of Jamaica. The museum covers MUCH MORE than pirate history, but it does hold the "Port Royal" collection which features artifacts recovered from the old sunken city.

Time for your final pirate entrée. As promised, we provided a recipe for you to try your hand at making a conch salad.

Click on the name of the recipe to view it online and learn more. Enjoy today's selection!

Conch Salad

From A Spicy Perspective:

Conch meat – raw, either tenderized or steaks
Fresh veggies – diced tomato, green bell pepper, red bell pepper, and sweet onion
Habanero pepper – continue reading for tips to make this dish more or less spicy
Oranges and limes – juiced
Salt and pepper – to taste

First, set out a large mixing bowl. Chop the conch meat into even ¼ inch cubes and place in the bowl.

Then chop all of the fresh produce and place it in the bowl as well.

Juice the orange and limes, and pour the juices over the salad. Generously season with salt and pepper.

Gently toss to coat. Take care not to mush the conch and veggies.

Taste, then add more salt and pepper as needed.

Cover and chill for at least 15 minutes or up to a few hours in the refrigerator.

You can enjoy small plates of Conch Salad as-is with a fork or spoon. It’s light yet hearty, and is terrific for lunch or dinner!

*Conch salad on leaf of lettuce. Image provided by Google Creative Commons.

"Pirates of Tortuga" (1961) 

It's time to say goodbye to ye, but don't go hangin' the jib about it. As fun as it would have been to make ye walk the plank, it was fun having ye aboard this journey. All us pirates at KCU hope ye had a fun voyage. Yer welcome back if ye ever fancy to sail with us again.

*Ship sailing during sunset. Image provided by Google Creative Commons.

Thank you for taking time to explore another KCU Virtual Vacation. As we stated at the beginning of the guide, we appreciate your feedback, and welcome comments on how your personal vacations are going this summer.