House Sitting Grand Cayman
December - January, 2019
We are extremely grateful to be spending our Christmas holidays in Grand Cayman! We're caring for a dog named Jessie and housesitting near the best beach on the island and a short drive to the main town of Gerogetown. The home owners are very kind, warm and generous people and we feel like we've known them forever. Grand Cayman is the largest of three of Cayman islands and its all about beaches, sunshine and laid back island life. As a local said to us: "if you're not about outdoor living, swimming and beaches, then you're in the wrong place"! Very true! Expats outnumber native Caymanians and there's a higher end feel to Grand Cayman seen in its developments of housing and other commercial sectors. While over 2 million people visit the islands each year, we can honestly say it doesn't feel overly touristy. The only time the crowds were noticeable was when cruise ship patrons flood the small town of Georgetown. Tourism and the financial sectors are large drivers of the economy in Grand Cayman. The reputation of being a tax haven for shady transactions has been greatly curtailed over the last 7 years due to legislation by other countries. Though there is no tax, it is expensive to live here...But the sunny beach is always free!
The House and Pets
We're caring for a condo located in a quiet neighborhood just 5 min walk to the best beach on the island (7 mile beach)
and a 2 year old mix breed dog named Jessie
7 Mile Beach
There's a reason why 7 mile beach is one of the most famous beaches in the Caribbean...stretching for 7 miles this picture perfect stretch of sand is where you'll find clear turquoise waters, areas to snorkel and lots of space to soak up the sun.
Christmas and New Years on Grand Cayman
Photo's of a few local homes decorated for Christmas
Christmas Day
We were kindly invited for Christmas dinner with friends of the home owners who live just a few doors down. It was really nice to spend the day with them and enjoy a gourmet turkey dinner!
New Years
Our new years was spent swimming on the beach followed by some pina colodas at home and fireworks over the bay at a nearby complex called Camana Bay
Stingray City Tour
We used a tour group called Aquarius Sea Tours, headed by Captain Mario who is a friend of the home owners we're housesitting for. We would highly recommend this tour group who's crew is informative and funny! Its a very unique experience and we highly enjoyed our tour!
First stop: snorkeling
Second stop: starfish point
A nice little beach with shallow waters and a abundance of orange starfish
Stingray City
Before Stingray City became the island’s major tourist attraction, it was an area where local fishermen would clean out their fish in the calm waters of the sandbars before returning to the harbor. They would deposit fish guts and any leftovers overboard into the water which is what is believed to have attracted the stingrays to the area in the first place. Over time, the stingrays began to associate the boats with an easy meal and continued to return to the site. Today, visitors can enter the shallow water to interact and feed the stingrays.
Spotts Beach
This beach is famous for its turtles who come to graze on its grass. The turtles can often be spotted throughout the day
Smith's Cove
A small rocky bay that often has good snorkeling
Cayman Cottages
Many of the properties along the coastline are new developments consisting of massive hotel chains, condos and modern homes. But if you head a little inland, you'll come across more traditional structures left over from another era. Traditional cottages are usually painted in pastel hues of pink, turquoise and green and usually have a porch and sandy gardens.
House Sitting Grand Cayman
December-January, 2020
How could we say no to returning to paradise and caring for our doggy friend Jessi...We couldn't say no! So we enjoyed another Christmas on Grand Cayman and this year a visit from our friends Erin and Josee to celebrate Erin's special milestone birthday!
Grand Cayman - Visit from Friends in 2020