Just Back from Grand Cayman: Part 2
On to part two of my trip to Grand Cayman, where the fun continued. I checked in to my accommodations for the next night, Villa Island Pines (To be added to our inventory soon!), which is a 1 bedroom condo property on Seven Mile Beach. Similar to others, this has a communal pool, but the huge plus is the beachfront location. It’s also conveniently close to Royal Palms, a beach bar restaurant in prime position for that elusive green flash…blink and you’ll miss it.
That evening I had dinner with my new hosts at The Lobster Pot, a popular waterfront location with a great menu: Caribbean lobster tail, pulled pork spring rolls, and my choice, the farm-raised turtle steak (my first time, and no, it does not taste like chicken).
The next day had villa tours in store. Along route, we stopped in through town, where preparations are under way for the 2018 Batabano Festival. Batabano is a salute to Cayman’s turtle heritage, as the word refers to the tracks left in the sand by sea turtles when they crawl onto the beach to nest. We then visited a number of condo properties, which are perfect for couples or the solo traveler looking for a quick escape. I highly recommend the properties on Seven Mile Beach, as the location can’t be beat.
We enjoyed a Saturday night dinner at the Royal Palm on Seven Mile Beach. Fresh ceviche plus an excellent octopus salad was made better by dining on the sand with a cold local brew beer…heaven! I can certainly say that the food I tried on Grand Cayman was very good, with plenty of variety. The Cayman Islands’ food scene attracts plenty of star power of which many travelers may not be aware. World renowned chefs such as Eric Ripert, Daniel Humm, and the late Anthony Bourdain have descended on the islands regularly for the Cayman Cookout. This annual event next takes place January 16-20, 2019, where no doubt, homage will be paid to Bourdain.
On Sunday I toured the island from one end to another; I’ve remarked before that it’s very difficult to get lost on Grand Cayman, despite it being so vast. It’s approximately 76 square miles, with the highest point at 60 ft above sea level. (To compare it to St. Barths, that’s nearly 9 times larger, and a whole lot closer to the water!) Some of the highlights included Villa GCM CWK, an elegant villa with great sea views from most of the rooms. Back along the North Side was GCM RBW, a comfortable 4 bedroom beach front villa at the end of one of the cays, so it is quieter than others, though still in easy walking distance to Rum Point or Kaibo Yacht Club. This is ideal for the more budget conscious, and is a good set up for families.
All in all, Grand Cayman is just waiting for you to discover its charms, and perhaps if you’re lucky enough, to catch a glimpse of the green flash.
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