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].

 

 

Cayman Islands voted "Friendliest Country in the World"

In my visits to the Cayman Islands, I've always thought that the locals are some of the nicest people I have ever met. They are willing to give directions, suggest things to do while on the island, chat, and frequently invite you to go out for drinks with them like you are long-lost friends. 

Because of my experiences on the island, I wasn't surprised at all last week when the HSBC Expat Explorer Survey was released announcing the Cayman Islands as the friendliest country in the world. 

Think about that. There are a lot of countries in the world. There are a lot of friendly people in the world. However, this survey determined Caymanians to be second to none. The Cayman Islands Premier, McKeeva Bush, said "I am delighted to learn that the Cayman Islands has earned the top spot and international recognition as being the No. 1 friendliest country in the world."

The survey was ratings over a variety of factors, including "how  kid friendly the country was" and "economy", but the main four categories were "ability to befriend locals, success in learning the local language, capacity for integrating themselves into the community, and ease in which they fit into the new culture." Based on these criteria, it is no surprise to me that the Cayman Islands won. 

Thinking back on my times on the island, I remember playing pick up basketball on the local court with Caymanians I had never met and they welcomed me as though I was one of them. I also remember talking to taxi drivers and getting all the local gossip, which is always entertaining. The next time you visit Grand Cayman, don't be afraid to strike up a conversation with any local you run into. They are charming, funny, and often times very helpful.

 

Australia finished second on the list, while the United Kingdom was third. The United States finished seventh.

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].

10 Things I think I know about the Cayman Islands

In the last 31 years I have made countless trips to the Cayman Islands. Whether it is your first trip ever or a return trip for the 50th time, everyone can learn a little from someone else's experiences. During my lifetime, there have been numerous changes on the island. Restaurants have come and gone. Technology has gone from no phones or televisions to wi-fi, iphones, and cable television. But some things have remained consistent over the years. With that being said, here is a list of 10 things I think I know about the Cayman Islands.

10. The waters surrounding the Cayman Islands are clear, warm and lacking big waves/strong currents. This provides the Cayman Islands with a great swimming experience for visitors of all ages.

9. The sunsets in the Cayman Islands are breathtaking, with no 2 sunsets ever looking alike. This provides a new photo opportunity and memory each and every night.

8. The restaurants in the Cayman Islands provide the freshest seafood of anywhere in the world, often including fish so fresh it was caught earlier in the day. 

7. The shopping in downtown Georgetown and newly built Camana Bay offers great deals on jewelry, sunglasses, watches, and more with tax-free and duty-free prices.

6. The snorkeling in Grand Cayman provides the clearest waters and most colorful corals of anywhere in the world, not to mention the wide array of fish and animals, including Stingray City.

5. The people of the Cayman Islands are among the friendliest around. They are known for telling great stories to complete strangers and always willing to assist with directions or things to do.

4. The drinks in the Cayman Islands are a great way to cool down  in the middle of the day for some day-time drinking. Try a Cayman Mama, Cayman Lemonade, Mudslide, or a simple Rum Punch.

3. The beach in the Cayman Islands, known as 7 Mile Beach, is ranked as one of the top beaches world wide. As the name states, it extends for almost 7 miles of pristine beach.

2. The weather in the Cayman Islands never disappoints. With temperatures consistently in the 80's and 90's, regardless of the time of year, you are almost certain to return home with a nice tan.

1. The way of life in the Cayman Islands is care-free, which suits a person looking for a relaxing vacation well. As they answer everything in the Cayman Islands, "No Problem Mon."

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].

Cayman Islands from A to Z

For a little fun this week, I decided to go a different route. Enjoy!

A: Appleton Rum--The local rum is much cheaper than the imported rums such as Captain Morgan. By the end of your trip you won't even know the difference.

B: Beach--7 Mile Beach is one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Whether you are walking, jogging, swimming, snorkeling, wading, or relaxing, 7 Mile Beach is for people of all ages.

C: Casanova's By The Sea--There isn't a better restaurant on the entire island than Casanova's. This authentic Italian restaurant overlooks the ocean and the service is what sets this restaurant apart from any other restaurant in the world.

D: Diving--Cayman has been known to have some of the best diving in the world. If you have never gotten certified, there are half-day certification classes offered at several places on the island. 

E: Eel--A morray eel is among the many exciting sea creatures you can see on a snorkel trip to the North Sound, including lobsters, sea turtles, nurse sharks, and barracuda to name a few.

F: Food--The Cayman Islands offer some of the best seafood in the world. It is always caught fresh and every restaurant has their own unique preparation, including the always popular "Cayman Style."

G: Georgetown--Downtown Georgetown offers the island's best shopping. From jewelry, sunglasses, watches to souveniers and t-shirts, you will find it all in Georgetown. You'll even be able to find discounts and deals due to everything being duty free and tax free.

H: Hell--Yes there is a city on Grand Cayman called Hell. You can visit for photos, and even have a postcard sent back home from the "Hell" Post Office with an official postage stamp. 

I: Iguanas--Don't be frightened by the large iguanas that sometimes hang around the pool area. They are very friendly and offer great photo opportunities.

J: Jolly Roger: This sunset cruise on an old pirate ship offers a great opportunity to sip on some rum punch while watching the sun hit the horizon. They also offer a day time lunch cruise, geared towards children, complete with walking the plank, like the old pirates.

K: Kirk's--This supermarket is centrally located near 7 Mile Beach for you to stock up on groceries for your stay.

L: Lobster Pot--Another popular Cayman Restuarant that over looks the ocean and offers some of the best lobster dishes you will ever find.

M: Moon--When the full moon reflects off the ocean at night, there isn't a more romantic moment.

N: North Sound--This is the area between the two points of the North side of the island, where all the snorkel trips visit. The snorkel reef at the North Sound is second to none with the beautiful corrals and colorful fish.

O: Ocean--The Cayman Islands waters offer great clarity for snorkeling and optimum temperatures for swimming or wading all day. They also are safe for children because the Cayman Islands have no current or high waves.

P: People--Caymanians are some of the friendliest people in all the world. They are always willing to help and are quite entertaining to talk to with all their stories. You will also see Jamaicans on the island who make their way over from the nearby island.

Q: Quiet--Grand Cayman is not a place to go if you are looking for a lot of noise and night life. It is a very quiet, relaxing island, whicn is perfect for a vacation. 

R: Rum Point--Home of the Original Mudslide, Rum Point is a must-visit place. It's a good 45 minute drive from Georgetown, but offers an opportunity to see the native land and you are rewarded with a mudslide when you get there. This quiet beach offers a nice swimming area as well.

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. If you have the right captain, you might even be able to get 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: Vacation--There is no better vacation spot in my mind than Grand Cayman. It combines sunshine, water, drinks, great food, relaxation, and beautiful sunsets all into one amazing visit.

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.

So there you have it--a quick A to Z guide of the Cayman Islands. Enjoy your next visit!

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].

 

Batabano Festival

If you ever make it down to Grand Cayman during early May, you might want to check out the Batabano Festival. In 1983 the Rotary Club of Grand Cayman launched a festival, which is a salute to Cayman's turtling heritage. The word batabano actually refers to the tracks in the sand by sea turtles as they crawl onto the beach to nest. The legend says that finding these tracks is a reason to celebrate. 

This carnival is a celebration unlike any other seen on the island. It includes a wide range of music, dance and pageantry, all while showing off colorful and extravagant costumes.

 

While on the island last week, I took in the parade on May 7th. I was blown away by what I saw. People lined the streets for miles from Camana Bay all the way through downtown Georgetown. The parade included hundreds of wild masqueraders dancing for the crowd along West Bay Road. The music was loud! The costumes were scandalous! The actions were not suitable for children. This was a parade unlike any I had ever seen before. 

The parade started promptly at 3:00 PM (ok ok....who are we kidding? This is Cayman time-it was more like 3:09) and included stilt walkers, extravagant costumes, and people of all shapes, sizes and backgrounds to flaunt their bodies and throw away their worries for an hour. 

CLICK HERE FOR: Batabano Parade Video #1

CLICK HERE FOR: Batabano Parade Video #2

If you happen to be on the island during this festival, I recommend checking out the parade, but you better hide the children. If they want to take part, there is a children's parade one week later to conclude Batabano that would be more suitable for their eyes. 

Barefoot Man

One of Grand Cayman's most notable people is known simply as "Barefoot". George Nowak and his band have been performing at various island sites for 25 years. Amazingly, he arrived on the island in 1971, when he showed up with his guitar and one bag. He was once quoted as saying, "Anywhere there's a coconut tree and sunshine, that's where you'll find me." He was coined the nickname Barefoot Man by the locals because he performed with no shoes on. Interestingly enough, that name has helped his popularity tremendously, as he noted, "Can you imagine anyone on the island saying, "Let's go see George Nowak?" 

The Barefoot Man performance features a reggae band that is based on comedic satires often about current events, including songs such as "Tiger in the Woods" and "OK OJ-Where Did You Leave Your DNA". The island sound of his music makes his songs very popular for tourists trying to get a flavor for the island culture. Some of his more popular songs are "You Jamacian Me Crazy", "Time Flies When You're Having Rum", "Son of a Beach", and "Hot, Hot, Hot.". The music often is provocative, funny, and always entertaining. 

You can find the Barefoot man on Tuesdays and Thursdays at the Reef Resort on the East End. It's about a 40 minute drive from Seven Mile Beach so you would need a rental car to see him, but if you are looking for some evening entertainment, it would be a great way to spend a night. For samples of his music, you can find 83 songs by searching the itunes library or you can find several videos by searching "Barefoot Man" on YouTube. To find out more information about one of Grand Cayman's finest, visit his website:

Barefoot Man Website

The Wonderful People of Grand Cayman

Besides the weather, dining, and water, one of the things that makes Grand Cayman so special is the people that reside there. Natives of the Cayman Islands are termed Caymanian and they are a very proud bunch. The population of the islands is under 60,000 people, which is the size of a small American town. Caymanians are a mixture of Afro-European, African, and European. There is a distinct Caymanian dialect that can be difficult for visitors to understand, but they do speak English. The most prolific trait of Caymanians is their genuine personality. They are all very welcoming of their visitors, unlike many European countries. I've yet to meet a Caymanian that wasn't willing to help me with directions or advice on things to do. 

The Cayman Islands are a very wealthy island with low unemployment. Due to this fact, there is very little crime on the island, making it one of the safest travel destinations in the world. Recently there has been some talk of crime on the island, but relative to other cities around the world, the Cayman Islands have the lowest crime rate of anywhere. Crime is so rare on the Island, that when something does happen, it is major news. If you take general travel precautions (don't walk alone late at night, lock your doors, and stay in the populated areas of the island) you will have no issues.

From the moment you land at the airport, each and every Caymanian makes you feel welcome. It typically starts with the taxi driver on the way to your condo. They are always willing to chat about the weather, where you're from, and if it is your first visit. I recommend using the taxi driver as a tour guide. Ask them questions and you will have a nice understanding of where things are and what to do, before you ever get to your condo. A few examples of the great personalities of Caymanians is evident here:

Debbie Myers Greets You Upon Your Arrival

Kerry Ebanks Talks About a Trip on the Sea Fire

Don't be afraid to rely on the local personalities to make your trip to Grand Cayman even more special. They truly are some of the nicest people around the world. One small piece of advice, don't expect them to be on time, or move very fast to get things done. But you can't really blame them because they are on "Cayman Time". After all, when your in the Cayman Islands, your watches should be left in the luggage anyway. Enjoy!