Pirates Week 2013

Every November, the Cayman Islands have a celebration that turns the island upside down. It is the annual Pirates Week Festival. For the 36th straight year, Pirates Week will kick off this month. The event spans 11 fun packed days beginning Thursday, November 7th and includes music, parades, contests, fireworks and more. With an 11-day celebration, there is something for everyone of all ages.

Thursday the celebration kicks off with a Pre-Pirates Week Happy Hour at Breezes by the Bay on Thursday, a beach BBQ, and a Pre-Pirates Week Kick off Party at the Wharf with a live band.

Friday includes  a Happy  Hour, Street Dance and Food Festival on Harbour Drive and concludes with a fireworks display. There are numerous events over the 11 day span.

Finally Saturday, November 17th is a culmination of an excellent week with another extraordinary fireworks display. Saturday night ends with a Street Dance Finale and another teen disco.

So whether you've never been to Pirate's Week or been there many times, you can see that there is plenty for everyone to do. It's still not too late to get down to Pirates Week 2013, or you can start planning a trip to the 37th annual Pirates Week in November of 2014.

This blog posting was brought to you by Cayman Condos. For information on any of our blog postings or to inquire about booking a condo, please contact our office at 800-999-1388. Something you love about the blog? Something you hate? Something you want me to wrtie about? Let me know: [email protected].

 

 

 

Billy Bones Pool Bar

One of the best things about Sunset Cove Condominiums is having full access to the most popular swim-up bar on the entire Island. Everyone can enjoy Billy Bones, regardless of what you are looking for. When I get off the plane, the first thing I do is get my swimsuit on and head over to Billy Bone's for some lunch. 

Whether looking for a great sandwich, a rum punch, or an evening of entertainment, Billy Bones has it all! Children love the ability to swim up to the bar and not have to take a break from their swimming to get lunch. They offer hot dogs, grilled cheese, and quesadillas that kids can enjoy. Kids usually think it is pretty "cool" to be able to eat their lunch while sitting in the water (I know I did).

Adults love to use Billy Bones as a place to socialize. There is never a lack of activity at the "water side" of the bar or the "land side" of the bar. They have friendly bartenders who can mix any island drink ever created. In addition, there are 3 big screen TVs that show popular American sports, including NFL football, basketball, and baseball. Some other menu items that adults enjoy are the mahi-mahi sandwhich, flatbread pizzas, and delicious wraps. 

In addition to hanging on the "water side" of the pool bar, there is a full seating area on the "land side" if you aren't in the mood to get wet. They often host poker tournaments, parties, and games on the land side during the evenings and even have live music on certain days.

The land side of Billy Bones is open to anyone and is often considered the most popular bar on the island. However, you must be staying on site to utilize the water side of the bar, which keeps the pool off-limits to non-guests, allowing the guests to enjoy the pool without it being over-crowded.

So whether enjoying Happy Hour 2-for-1 rum punch, Thursday night Poker Night, or grabbing lunch with your kids, Billy Bones is a great spot for everyone.

This blog posting was brought to you by Cayman Condos. For information on any of our blog postings or to inquire about booking a condo, please contact our office at 800-999-1388. Something you love about the blog? Something you hate? Something you want me to write about? Let me know: [email protected].

 

Cayman's Top Attractions

When someone plans a vacation, undoubtedly the first question is “What is there to do there?” The nice thing about a trip to the Cayman Islands is laying on the beach, soaking up the rays, listening to the waves, and relaxing with an island drink in hand is enough to make any vacation great. However, if you want to get some relief from the sun, here are five must-see attractions on Grand Cayman.

 #5. Head to Georgetown for Duty-Free Shopping: I will admit, I’m not much for shopping, but even I like to visit the shops downtown once per trip. The shops are all duty and tax free, which allows for some great deals not found in the United States. Shop for sunglasses, jewelry, watches, leather, souvenirs, and more. Helpful tip: Visit the shops in Georgetown on a day when there are no cruise ships. You will be able to have several shops to yourself in a small walking radius. You can find out the cruise schedule at: 

Cayman Islands Cruise Ship Schedule

 #4. Swim with the dolphins at Dolphin Cove: While this is kind of pricey, I feel it is a once in a lifetime opportunity. You get to pet, kiss, and hold the dolphins, while learning all about this amazing creature. Plus there is no bigger thrill than floating on your stomach and waiting for two huge dolphins to swim up from behind you at full speed and push you up in the air by your feet (see picture). As a guy asked the trainer when we were there, "What happens if they miss your feet?", the trainer responded, "They won't miss." Let's hope not...

Dolphin Cove Website

#3. Dine at Casanova’s By The Sea. I don’t typically consider a good restaurant a tourist attraction, but Casanova’s is always a highlight of my trip. This Italian restaurant, overlooking the Caribbean Sea, offers a wide variety of pasta, seafood, and chicken entrees. Tony Crescente, a true Italian, is the owner and prides himself on authentic food from his homeland with family recipes. The service is impeccable and they definitely make every person feel welcome, as though you are part of their family. Whether on a romantic honeymoon get-away or there with a large group, the atmosphere at Casanova's makes this a must-try attraction. Even if you are making your first ever visit to Casanova's, the staff will make you feel like Norm from "Cheers", where everyone knows your name.

Casanova's Website

 

#2. Have a mudslide at the Wreck Bar at Rum Point: If you have ever had a mudslide in America or at any other bar in Cayman, you might think it’s pretty good. You haven’t had a mudslide until you try one from the Wreck Bar at Rum Point. The sign at the bar says it best: “How much for a virgin mudslide? Cups of ice are FREE!!” If you can find a captain to take you over via boat, that allows you to enjoy the mudslides without worrying about driving. If you have a rental car, it is about a 45 minute drive across the beautiful scenery of the Cayman Islands along the East End. Whether by boat or by car, Rum Point is a must visit attraction. Spend an afternoon here lounging on the beach and floating in the shallow water, or relaxing in a hammock after a mudslide and a mahi sandwich! Friendly tip from experience: when you are with 7 people---42 mudslides in one afternoon is about 28 too many.

#1. Take a boat on a snorkel trip to Stingray City. The highlight of any trip to the Cayman Islands is a day on the North Sound. There are several different captains that will take you out. The trip usually starts with a visit to Stingray City for a once in a lifetime opportunity to hold, pet, and play with these fascinating creatures. These create some great photo opportunities as the captains will feed and hold the stingrays allowing them to be held in a calm manner. The next stop is along the coral reef in the North Sound. It is here that you might see lobsters, nurse sharks, and lots of beautiful fish. Finally a stop by the coral gardens to look at schools of colorful fish, sea turtles, and even a moray eel, ends the wonderful day. 

This blog posting was brought to you by Cayman Condos. For information on any of our blog postings or to inquire about booking a condo, please contact our office at 800-999-1388. Something you love about the blog? Something you hate? Something you want me to write about? Let me know: [email protected].

The History and Evolution of Grand Cayman

When I began going to the Cayman Islands 30 years ago, it wasn’t quite what it is today. Sure it had beautiful blue sky, turquoise ocean, and pristine sand. 

None of that has changed. However, the island has changed a lot. 30 years ago, you could walk miles down 7 mile beach before you saw another person.

If you wanted meat? You brought your own. If you wanted to make a phone call? You searched high and dry for a pay phone. If you wanted to watch TV? Yeah, right. Needless to say, things have changed. 

Believe it or not, Christopher Columbus founded Grand Cayman back in 1503 during a voyage to the "new world." Due to the abundant amount of sea turtles, he coined the term Las Tortugas for the name of the islands. The turtle remains a face of the island to this day.

Despite Columbus’ findings, the Islands remained uninhabited until the 17^th century. The first people to settle on the island were pirates, shipwrecked sailors, and slaves. Finally, in the 1730’s, Great Britain took control of the Cayman Islands. The first census taken in 1802 showed a population of 933 people on Grand Cayman, 545 of which were slaves. 

This British colony is located about 400 miles south of Miami, 180 miles south of Cuba, and 195 miles northwest of Jamaica.

Due to its close proximity to the islands, Jamaica became a key country to the Cayman Islands’ development. Initially, the Cayman Islands were administered as a dependency of Jamaica. However, they became an independent colony in 1959 and are now a self-governing British territory. Several Jamaicans make the Cayman Islands their home today.

Cayman has become a very wealthy island that continues to advance and become more modernized. It has been amazing to see the transformation in the last 30 years from a very uninhabited island with little development to the island we know today. Now the island is equipped with several supermarkets, cell phones, cable TV, fitness centers and even wi-fi internet connections. As people continue to visit this beautiful island, they will continue to see changes, but perhaps none as drastic as the island has seen in the past 30 years. 

This blog posting was brought to you by Cayman Condos. For information on any of our blog postings or to inquire about booking a condo, please contact our office at 800-999-1388. Something you love about the blog? Something you hate? Something you want me to write about? Let me know: [email protected].

Camana Bay: Farmer's Market

During my last trip to Grand Cayman, I decided to swing over to Camana Bay one day to see what was happening. To my surprise, there was a great Farmer's Market set up right in the heart of Cayman's newest city. Not only is Camana Bay loaded with shops, restuarants, live music and more, but it also features a Wednesday Farmer's Market. The market runs form 12:00-7:00 every Wednesday.

It's a great opportunity to stock up on fresh fruits and vegetables for your stay on the island. It also features many island souveniers, juices, smoothies, and other snacks.

I decided to try their mango-banana smoothie and it was outstanding. We also picked up some fresh mangos and they were juicy and ripe and made a declicious snack during Happy Hour.There were also baskets, conch shells, jewelry and more.

The Farmer's Market isn't large, but it's very good. I'd strongly recommend giving it a visit the next time you are on the island.

This blog posting was brought to you by Cayman Condos. For information on any of our blog postings or to inquire about booking a condo, please contact our office at 800-999-1388. Something you love about the blog? Something you hate? Something you want me to write about? Let me know: [email protected].

 

Tortuga Rum

Have you ever tried a Tortuga Rum Cake? Have you ever heard of it? A staple of the Cayman Islands, Tortuga Rum Cake is a big hit amont tourists that visit the Islands. 

Since 1984, Tortuga Rum has been a fixture of the Cayman Islands. They introduced the rums to the Cayman Islands primarily as a souvenier for the rapidly growing tourist industry. In 1987, they opened the first duty free rum-store and shortly after the now famous Tortuga Rum Cake.

By 1990 the demand for the Rum Cakes was so great that they expanded the company with a bakery.

In 1997, a Tortuga Rum Cake Company opened in Miami, Florida. They began to handle worldwide distribution, mail order and online sales. The Tortuga brand is now well-known by more than 20 million annual Caribbean tourists. Tortuga Rum Cakes are now the #1 exported item of the Cayman Islands and was named the "#1 Cruise Souvenir by Porthole Cruise Magazine.

So the next time you visit Grand Cayman, make sure you take a bite out of history-try a Tortuga Rum Cake!

This blog posting was brought to you by Cayman Condos. For information on any of our blog postings or to inquire about booking a condo, please contact our office at 800-999-1388. Something you love about the blog? Something you hate? Something you want me to write about? Let me know: [email protected].

Drinks All Around!

When visiting the Cayman Islands, it is only natural to relax and have a drink or several. There are lots of options, in addition to your standard beer and wine. The Cayman Islands are known for their many different Island drinks. Guys, if you are going to get caught drinking a "girly" drink, the Cayman Islands are the place to do it. You won't know anybody anyway and some of them are delicions. Here are some examples of drinks you can get at any Cayman Island pool bar or beach bar:

• Mudslide: Vodka, Kahlua liqueur and Bailey's (Virgin: Chopped Ice)
• Cayman Lemonade: Vodka, Triple Sec, Peach Schnapps and Cranberry Juice (Virgin: Cranberry juice)
• Rum Punch: Orange Juice, Pineapple Juice and Rum (Virgin: Orange Juice & Pineapple Juice)
• Cayma Mama: Tortuga Rum, Tortuga Coconut Rum, Orange Juice and Pineapple Juice (Virgin: Orange Juice & Pineapple Juice)
• Electric Lemonade: Vodka, Blue Curacao, Sprite. (Virgin: Sprite)
• Daiquiris (Strawberry, Rasperry, Mango): Frozen drinks.

There are lots of other options, but the above are my favorite. Don't be afraid to try something you woulnd't try back home. You are on vacation and the drinks always taste better in the Cayman sun.

This blog posting was brought to you by Cayman Condos. For information on any of our blog postings or to inquire about booking a condo, please contact our office at 800-999-1388. Something you love about the blog? Something you hate? Something you want me to write about? Let me know: [email protected].

Seven Mile Beach: More Than Just a Beach

The beautiful Seven Mile Beach spans the Western shore of Grand Cayman, spanning the area from George Town to West Bay. This pristine beach can be spotted from an aerial shot as you fly into Grand Cayman. This is the most developed area of Grand Cayman. The sandy beach begins at our Sunset Cove property and you can walk or jog for a sandy 5.5 mile stretch. There are restaurants, bars, water sports and snorkel reefs along this Grand Cayman landmark. A "walk" up the beach can take an entire day. A mix of walking, wading and swimming can make for a leisurely stroll or get up in the morning for an early morning beach run.

You can stop at Royal Palms and their beach bar for your favorite island drink. Or you could bring your snorkel gear and check out some of the beachside reefs, which have been known to be the home to stingray, barracuda and more. Perhaps you want to grab a football and play catch as you make your way down the beach. Do you have kids? Bring a bucket because they'll surely want to collect shells or build a sand castle. Have you ever parasailed? Sign up for a same-day trip at any of the many water sport stands along Seven Mile Beach. Do you want to race jet skis in the Caribbean Sea? Rent them for a thrilling ride, where you might even spot some giant sea turtles. 

The opprotunities along Seven Mile Beach are endless, but one thing you will want to make certain to do is wear sunscreen and reapply frequently. The intense sun combined with the reflection off the water can cause a quick sun burn, even on a cloudy day. 

This blog posting was brought to you by Cayman Condos. For information on any of our blog postings or to inquire about booking a condo, please contact our office at 800-999-1388. Something you love about the blog? Something you hate? Something you want me to write about? Let me know: [email protected].

The ABCs of Grand Cayman

I did a similar posting a couple years ago, but I thought it was time to refresh my list! Enjoy!

A: Atlantis-Take an under-water tour on the Atlantis Submarine. To spice it up a little bit, try the night trip.

B: Billy Bones-Visit the swim-up pool bar at Sunset Cove. With barside seating (out of the water) and barstool seating (in the water), they have all your favorite island drinks and a delicious food menu.

C: Camana Bay-Spanning 500 acres from Seven Mile Beach to the North Sound, there is something for everyone in this new village. Check out the shops, restaurants, movie theater and more.

D: Dog House-A popular destination for those die-hard sports fans wondering how they are going to see their favorite NFL team play on Sunday. This sports bar has all the games. Located in Red Bay, just East of downtown George Town.

E: East End: If you have a car, take a drive to the East End. It will give you a great view of the non-touristy part of Grand Cayman. You'll see a lot of locals, homes, schools and more as you make the scenic drive along the coast. On the way home, stop at the Lighthouse Restaurant for a great lunch.

F: Fidel Murphy's: This Irish Pub is located right next door to Sunset Cove and provides great food and drinks for a reasonable price.

G: George Town: Head to the heart of downtown Grand Cayman for some duty-free shopping. However, check out the cruise ship schedule and try to time your visit downtown on a day with no cruise ships.

H: Happy Hour: Enjoy Happy Hour on the patio of your condo with your favorite beverage (wine for me) and snacks as you watch the beautiful Cayman sunset.

I: Island Time: Rembmer that everyone in Grand Cayman operates on "Island Time". 9:00 means 9:20. There is no such thing as a quick meal. And sometimes you'll go to a shop in the middle of the day and there will be a sign that says "Be Back Soon" on the door. Don't worry about it. No problem, mon. You're on vacation.

J: Jolly Roger: Enjoy a sunset cruise on an old pirate ship, with all you can drink rum punch. Warning: These pirates go light on the juice.

K: Karma: Cayman's new sushi bar offers a great dining experience, complete with their specialty dessert-liquid nitrogen ice cream, prepared at your table from scratch.

L: Lazy: It's OK to be lazy in Cayman. It's your time to relax. Read a book. Lay in the sun. Cool down in the pool or ocean. Repeat.

M: Morgan's Harbour. Visit West Bay and make a stop at Morgan's Harbour for a great dining experience at Calypso Grill with waterfront seating.

N: Nature: Enjoy all the beutiful things nature has to offer on one island. Flowers. Palm trees. Plants. Animals. Fish. Sunsets. Moonlight. 

O: Ocean Swimming Cove: The newly created cove at Sunset Cove allows for swimming in the ocean perfect for kids as the cove keeps the water warm and protects against the big waves. Grab a drink and a raft and spend a few hours in the cove.

P: Positano: Casanova's is the Island's best restaurant and my favorite dish is the Spaghettini Positano. The atmosphere, wait staff, wine and food are second to none at this island treasure. Stop in and visit Tony, Gianni, Antonio and the rest of the guys for a night you won't soon forget.

 

Q: Quick: The vacation to Grand Cayman always goes too quick. Enjoy every moment because it truly is paradise.

R: Rum Point--Home of the Original Mudslide, Rum Point is a must-visit. If you can find a boat or jet ski tour to take you there, that is best because you don't have to worry about driving home after your Mudslides.

S: Stingray City--One of the more unique places in the world, Stingray City offers the opportunity to swim with, pet, and feed these amazing animals. You might even score with a stingray back massage. 

T: Turtle Farm--The Cayman Island's Turtle Farm is a great spot for children to visit where then can pet, hold, and learn all about turtles.

U: UV Rays--No matter how much sun you are used to or how much you tanned before you visited, lots of sunscreen is going to be needed. The Cayman Islands are located on the equator and combined with the reflection of the sun off the pool and ocean, the perfect receipe for sunburn.

V: Video Camera: Take a video camera because there are sure to be moments you will want to remember forever.

W: Watersports--Take a walk down 7 Mile Beach and visit any of the Watersports stands. Jetski. Parasail. Kayak. Banana Boat Rides. They have it all for you or your family to enjoy.

X: XoXo: Weddings. Honeymoons. Anniversaries. There is no more romantic place than Grand Cayman in the world.

Y: Year-round: Grand Cayman is a year-round destination. There is never a bad time to visit Cayman. Whether in the hot summer months, or the warm winter months, the Cayman Islands are always comfortable and the water is always warm.

Z: Zoo: The Grand Cayman waters offer your very own under-water zoo full of animals and fish.

This blog posting was brought to you by Cayman Condos. For information on any of our blog postings or to inquire about booking a condo, please contact our office at 800-999-1388. Something you love about the blog? Something you hate? Something you want me to write about? Let me know: [email protected].

 

 

Stingray City: As told by a Stingray.......

The following post is told by a stingray that resides at Stingray City in the North Sound of Grand Cayman. 

Hey humans! I am the longest living stingray in the North Sound. My name is Frank. That's right. Frank the stingray. Pretty clever, huh? I'm here to tell you how Stingray City was created and what we think of it. I hope you enjoy my story and maybe someday you'll even come visit us. I mean..I won't be around much longer, but the rest of my friends and family will be.

We make our home in the North Sound of Grand Cayman, in the Caribbean Sea between West Bay and Rum Point. The shallow waters just south of the long reef are where we spend most of our time. It's kind of funny how we came to make this our home. 

A few decades ago, we noticed fishermen would return from their fishing trips in the deep sea and park their boats right in the same area to clean all the fish. It became very easy for us to eat because this occurred daily. The fishermen had to make a living so they'd fish every morning. We began to recognize the sound of the motors and knew the fish guts were coming. You wouldn't believe how delicious the scraps of fish that you guys throw away are. What a waste! Oh well, your misfortune is our survival. 

Snorkel tours used to come by this area because of the beautiful reef and coral gardens nearby. Ironically, they used to blow a horn to notify their guests to get back on the boat when they spotted one of us. Now they market us and make money off us. Do we get a cut of that cash? Nope. All we get is an occasional squid fed to us. Sometimes it sucks to be a stingray!

Once the locals realized we are completely  harmless, they began swimming with us, petting us, feeding us, and we kind of loved the attention. It has been going on this way for over 20 years. A marriage made in stingray heaven. 

Every day. 365 days a year. Like clockwork. From about 9:00 AM until 3:00 PM, we have constant activity. Boats and boats full of people come to visit. It's funny because we are so excited to see you people, but we often hear screams, tears, and terror. I guess we take some time to warm up to. 

The waters are only waist deep so you don't even need a mask and snorkel if you don't want to. Oh and please, whatever you do, don't wear your big fins, or whatever you call them. It never fails that you step on us and those fins hurt! We pose for photos all day long. We give back massages. In exchange, you feed us squid and fish guts. It's a win-win for all of us. 

I know our name scares some of you, but just beause we are called stingrays, it doesn't mean we sting. We don't really have a stinger, but rather a barb on our back. We never actively attack humans, but please don't step on the barb because that's our defense mechanism. 

There are dozens of boat tours that you can book to come visit us when you come to Grand Cayman. We look forward to meeting all of you and always welcome return visitors. After all, Stingray City is probably the coolest thing in Grand Cayman, so don't miss out!

Well, that's all the time I have for blogging today. I hear the boat engines approaching, and I'm getting hungry. Until next time.............signing off.

This blog posting was brought to you by Cayman Condos. For information on any of our blog postings or to inquire about booking a condo, please contact our office at 800-999-1388. Something you love about the blog? Something you hate? Something you want me to write about? Let me know: [email protected].