Since I'm busy uploading some photos I've taken so far to Photobucket just in case something happens to the camera, I might as well share some photos I've taken so far:
Shortly after takeoff
Notice the difference in water clarity - the Gulf of Mexico:
In flight action shot!
Our first view of the Caymans!
The coconut tree in our friends back yard:
The local brewery "Caybrew" which is 5 minutes from where we are staying. Ross (our host) and I went to pick up some beer. You can enjoy a free pint while you are waiting for your order!
Local wildlife on the wall of the condo. These critters are everywhere!
Our digs:
The pool area:
Banana tree:
The swampy area behind the condo property:
One of two iguanas that frequent the yard. It was hard to get a good shot as they scurry into the water when you try to approach them:
We spent most of the day making last minute wedding plans so there wasn't much time for photos. Tomorrow we go sight seeing and to the beach to chill out. I'll have better photos as the week progresses. Stay tuned!
When I was golfing in Palm Beach last November I hit my drive and walked down the fairway. My ball was on the fringe under a palm tree. I start walking right up to it and see a big prawn lying just behind my ball I get to within two feet of my ball and that prawn was a freaking 6 foot iguana. Scared the you know what out of me.
haha. I hear there's scorpions around here. Ross has his house perimeter sprayed twice a year to keep them out. He has been stung and it's pretty painful. Tomorrow I wear the CP shirt. The only thing close to a real car I've seen so far is a new Petty Blue Challenger RT. There is quite a mix of brands here- both left and right hand drive (they drive on the wrong side of the road here). A lot of cars come from Florida. There are quite a few models I've never seen before (Toyota Noah for example as well as some funky Japanese Kei cars and vans) I'll get photos. There's no shortage of money on the island. Some of the ocean front homes are amazing. You can get a nice 5000 sq foot condo in the Ritz Carlton resort for only 4 million U.S!
You may wonder how I managed to be on here right now- Connie had too much champagne while getting her pedicure today and she is down for the count!
This morning I woke to find about 40 Iguana and other assorted lizards in the yard. You don't have to worry about cutting grass here- the reptiles do it for you:
-- Edited by 69Laurentian on Tuesday 8th of December 2009 11:56:51 AM
I am glad you are there with the lawnmowers I would not leave the house with wiggly thing around give me some concrete and paved spaces instead..lol yuck!
Yesterday was spent site seeing the less busy part of the island (the North side). It's a slower pace than George Town which we will spend more time in tomorrow. Here's some highlights:
Hurricane Ivan did significant damage to the island in 2004. It's amazing how well the vegetation came back. Our hosts lived through that storm and lost most of their home. As you can see in the earlier photos it has been rebuilt nicely. Some folks weren't so lucky. The insurance companies had a clause in most policies saying if you didn't have full replacement value on your home they could nullify your agreement and that happened to a lot of middle and lower class homeowners. Hence, there are still quite a few abandoned homes such as this:
Travelling along the costal road we came across a natural blow hole- an area where the waves enter a small cave and the water blows out through a hole in the ground. Located across the road was a local fellow selling fruit juices. He is the "Unofficial blow hole tour guide". "Alan" would take you on a "free" tour down to the hole, tell you all about it, take your photos and then at that point you feel guilty and buy his juice. Smart guy! The mango juice was quite good: The stand:
Meet Alan, shrewd businessman:
The blow hole:
A little shelled creature living near the blow hole:
A typical rental car. I wonder if big block will fit?
Scenery along the way:
Sadly, the leading cause of death in young people is traffic accidents. It is very busy on the island and most roads are only two lanes. Mix this with people from all over the world living here on work permits and it can get hairy! This is a wreck that took the life of a young guy several months ago. Street racing is a problem (mostly Jap cars) and there is now a drag strip just opened to hopefully get it off the street. This car had sport pedals, racing wheel and it looked like the jaws of life were needed to remove the victim. It's strange that the car hasn't been taken to the scrap yard. Perhaps it's placed at the side of the road to remind kids what can happen when you drive like an idiot. Maybe we should do that in Canada :
The public beaches in this area are very quiet. We were the only ones here!
We finished our afternoon at "Rum Point". There is a good restaurant there with a nice beach. I had the best fish and chips here!
Some simple rules:
I had my CP shirt. I noticed more than one person look at it with a "WTF is Canadian Poncho?" look on their face!
Pelicans are quite rare in Cayman. We saw these two at Rum Point. Many folks had gathered to take photos. Our hosts said it was the first they've seen in 6 years of living in Cayman.
We stuck around to watch the spectacular sunset
To celebrate the day before the wedding we had dinner at a fine Italian restaurant located in George Town right on the ocean. It was spectacular. Named "Casanova" it was the closest thing to a true Italian restaurant that I have ever been to (I could hardly understand the waiter!). We had a table on the ocean front. It was surreal for me. I've never been anywhere quite like this. The night was beautiful and clear. With the stars in the sky, the sound of the ocean and good food, I felt like I was on an episode of "Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous"! We also had a musician playing traditional Sicilian music on a harp serenade us. After dinner the waiter, host and owner came over to our table, ensured we enjoyed our meal, shook our hands and said "Grazie" It was a great end to a great day. I didn't have my camera but our friends did so I will have dinner photos to post. I hear there has been some crappy weather back home. I am not looking forward to coming home to it! Today is supposed to be quite hot (31 with high humidity). The big day! Think of me at about 4:30 today!
Todd
-- Edited by 69Laurentian on Wednesday 9th of December 2009 10:38:16 AM
Haha. No worries. The girls are out getting their hair and faces done so Ross and I went to a huge fireworks store and bought some to celebrate with later tonight. We'll set up on one of the beaches.
She on a holiday there too..