Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands (2005)

For those tourists or travellers looking for itineraries or recommendations about Cayman Islands - apologies, this is not the right post or site, however I will be mentioning some interesting things about my second home.

Never in my life I have wished to work nor live in the Caribbean.  Because of my inclination to Geography and beauty pageants, I am aware where Cayman Islands is.  It was the last quarter of 2005 when I moved to Grand Cayman to work - huge thanks to my then-bff.

From APAC, you have 2 travel options - 1st one is via London and the other is the US way.  Due to absence of a US Visa no choice but Heathrow it is.  From Manila to Hong Kong to Heathrow to Bahamas to Grand Cayman, a total of 30+ hours including the waiting period in airports.  Very exhausting.

Paradise - Seven Mile Beach

Cayman Islands is divided into 3 islands - you have the Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac, and Little Brac.  It is located in Caribbean or Central America, while geography is America - the government is quasi-dependent to UK.  The residents are called Caymanians.  Weather is tropical just like the Philippines.  There are only 2 seasons, summer and rainy - again just the typical equatorial country.  Currency is CID (Cayman Dollar).

I have to admit that it was not love at first sight primarily, I was there not as a tourist but as an expat.  But I can say this, the beaches are perfect especially within the stretch of the famous Seven Mile Beach. My first residence was situated near Seven Mile Beach (SMB) unfortunately I was not a water-loving person so I was not jumping up and down.   

I stayed at DesignCraft with Pinay as a landlord.  All tenants are Filipinos, the room charge back then was 600CI$ - studio type.  Unlike other rooms, I have my own T&B, aircon was centralized but really good.  In one word, the place is "home-y" and closer to home.

For non-Pinoys, rent will be much higher depending on the location and type of apartment (one we had in 2009 costed 1800 CI$).

The first batch of items I bought were DVD player (ultimate hobby), TV set, Desk, Microwave, and a medusa lamp (so gay but love it).  There are garage sales every weekend so if you need stuff, I suggest these garages will be your first stop. 

During that year, the island was still in the process of recovery from the devastation of Hurricane Ivan (2004).

Grand Cayman (GCM) at that time had

• 4 Supermarkets (Kirk, Fosters (2), Hurleys)
• 1 Cinema (Marquee)
• 3 Fast Food Chains (Burger King, Wendy's, KFC)

 

However, since this is a tourist spot - a lot of restaurants (superb service) can be found.  I only started checking these places around 2006.

The cost of living is too expensive 1.25 USD = 1 CID.

Before 2005 finishes, I have experienced to ride a yacht and - did I mention I had my 15 minute of fame by being featured in a newspaper?  Yes!  One of my dreams came true, to become a celebrity :)

It would be really unfair to compare Christmas in any other places with Philippines.  Cayman was melancholic but still special.

Time space warp to 2006...