Ok, the brief summary....
This was our 4th time to the Cayman's. Twice to Cayman in the past, last year to Little Cayman and this trip to the Brac. There were 23 of us in our group with 21 divers. We took over one of the 3 Newtons, The Ocean Sister which we renamed TWISTED SISTER!!
Cayman Air: once again they flew us down on a 737-300! old as heck, but newer engines! The plane was 1/2 full in both directions and we were able to move around as we see fit. I had the emergency row up and back. The air staff are the most laid back on any airline I have ever flown on! They like their jobs! Had the SAAB 340 to and from Brac. It's a work horse and perfect for that leg.
We landed and taxiing in I noticed a United flight debarking. So, I knew we would have a few 100 folks ahead of us at immigration....and we did.BUT...we entered the cattle line 1/2 way and I'd say it took about 1/2 hour to get stamped. Luggage arrived moments later and off we went to check back in for Brac..
Never say never, but I doubt I'll return to the Caymans...diving on this trip was unremarkable to somewhat boring. No dive lasted more than 50 minutes and there were limited sightings of the big stuff. I was surprised by the lack of Grouper as seen over on LC? Even going over my 500 GoPro shots, the water looks murky and I usually get about a dozen or so great shots, but this trip, maybe two...
Water Temps were 81, but this is the first time I had to dive with more than a rash shirt and shorts. I wore Sharkskin Pants and a newly purchased prior to the trip Sharkskin pullover elbow length top...I was comfy, but at time we swam through some very cold spots!
Speaking of COLD! The brand new pool on the resort is large! Its also very COLD? Go figure, but only 2-3 people ventured in the whole week!I wasnt one of them as I do not care for cold waters! Last year the pool on LC was in the 90's, but that was in August.
Food:This is an AI and my wife, a foodie, summed it up perfectly...BLAND and for some reason they dont offer a fish dish each night and jerk only one evening? Breakfast was the best of the three meals IMHO.
The Bar! I live in NYC, so paying $20 and up for a cocktail isn't out of the ordinary, but I do NOT expect to pay $15.00 for a Pina Colada! The Cay Brew on tap was refreshing though! We received a $100 credit each to use as we see fit, so I used mine for Nitrox and my wife's for the bar tab....We brought our own Tequila which lasted to the last evening....great planning!
The staff! Resort staff were top notch and friendly. Most coming from the Philippines so this isn't surprising to me as I find the Philippine people to be some of the warmest on the planet!
Room: We had 219 second floor third from the ocean. We had a fridge and good working AC and a balcony. The bed was a bit soft, but a king as we have at home so sleeping wasn't an issue. There is a TV but we never turned it on.
WIFI: No issues in the room and around the pool area.
The dive staff was well, stiff! I usually make friends with the DM's and keep in contact long after, but not this trip...they were professional and handled themselves extremely well when we had 8-10 foot swells during one of our recoveries. I think having 21 friends together helped as well. It's valet diving which means you sit at the back of the boat and they carry your kit to and from you...twice I had to tell the DM NOT to drag my long hose!
This was our 4th time to the Cayman's. Twice to Cayman in the past, last year to Little Cayman and this trip to the Brac. There were 23 of us in our group with 21 divers. We took over one of the 3 Newtons, The Ocean Sister which we renamed TWISTED SISTER!!
Cayman Air: once again they flew us down on a 737-300! old as heck, but newer engines! The plane was 1/2 full in both directions and we were able to move around as we see fit. I had the emergency row up and back. The air staff are the most laid back on any airline I have ever flown on! They like their jobs! Had the SAAB 340 to and from Brac. It's a work horse and perfect for that leg.
We landed and taxiing in I noticed a United flight debarking. So, I knew we would have a few 100 folks ahead of us at immigration....and we did.BUT...we entered the cattle line 1/2 way and I'd say it took about 1/2 hour to get stamped. Luggage arrived moments later and off we went to check back in for Brac..
Never say never, but I doubt I'll return to the Caymans...diving on this trip was unremarkable to somewhat boring. No dive lasted more than 50 minutes and there were limited sightings of the big stuff. I was surprised by the lack of Grouper as seen over on LC? Even going over my 500 GoPro shots, the water looks murky and I usually get about a dozen or so great shots, but this trip, maybe two...
Water Temps were 81, but this is the first time I had to dive with more than a rash shirt and shorts. I wore Sharkskin Pants and a newly purchased prior to the trip Sharkskin pullover elbow length top...I was comfy, but at time we swam through some very cold spots!
Speaking of COLD! The brand new pool on the resort is large! Its also very COLD? Go figure, but only 2-3 people ventured in the whole week!I wasnt one of them as I do not care for cold waters! Last year the pool on LC was in the 90's, but that was in August.
Food:This is an AI and my wife, a foodie, summed it up perfectly...BLAND and for some reason they dont offer a fish dish each night and jerk only one evening? Breakfast was the best of the three meals IMHO.
The Bar! I live in NYC, so paying $20 and up for a cocktail isn't out of the ordinary, but I do NOT expect to pay $15.00 for a Pina Colada! The Cay Brew on tap was refreshing though! We received a $100 credit each to use as we see fit, so I used mine for Nitrox and my wife's for the bar tab....We brought our own Tequila which lasted to the last evening....great planning!
The staff! Resort staff were top notch and friendly. Most coming from the Philippines so this isn't surprising to me as I find the Philippine people to be some of the warmest on the planet!
Room: We had 219 second floor third from the ocean. We had a fridge and good working AC and a balcony. The bed was a bit soft, but a king as we have at home so sleeping wasn't an issue. There is a TV but we never turned it on.
WIFI: No issues in the room and around the pool area.
The dive staff was well, stiff! I usually make friends with the DM's and keep in contact long after, but not this trip...they were professional and handled themselves extremely well when we had 8-10 foot swells during one of our recoveries. I think having 21 friends together helped as well. It's valet diving which means you sit at the back of the boat and they carry your kit to and from you...twice I had to tell the DM NOT to drag my long hose!
