Topside?

[Erik 1]

This thread's bump is timely for me. I will be staying at Compass Point next Wednesday through Saturday (4/29-5/2). I'm totally unfamiliar with the island, never having been before. I plan to dive as much as I can manage, but would love recommendations for places to eat and things to do while I'm not diving. I'll have a rental car and my Garmin while I'm there. Is there any place that's particularly recommended from there? Thanks.

 

[caymaniac]

I should amend my earlier post above, Over the Edge on the east end has traditionally been our favorite restaurant on GC. It offered great food, decent prices, local flavors, and a gorgeous view. But we were disappointed when we visited it last October. It still has the view but the food and the service just were not as good as we remembered. After the first disappointment we went back there again "just in case" but we were still unimpressed. I heard that their chef has left and that may be the reason - whatever, it was not as good as it used to be IMO.

Has anyone been there recently? I am still hopeful that it will have a quality resurgence before our next trip!

We went to Over the Edge a couple of weeks ago...food not that great, I wouldn't repeat, great view.

 

[KathyV]

I should amend my earlier post above, Over the Edge on the east end has traditionally been our favorite restaurant on GC. It offered great food, decent prices, local flavors, and a gorgeous view. But we were disappointed when we visited it last October. It still has the view but the food and the service just were not as good as we remembered. After the first disappointment we went back there again "just in case" but we were still unimpressed. I heard that their chef has left and that may be the reason - whatever, it was not as good as it used to be IMO.Has anyone been there recently? I am still hopeful that it will have a quality resurgence before our next trip!

We went to Over the Edge a couple of weeks ago...food not that great, I wouldn't repeat, great view.

That's too bad, it used to be a favorite spot; thanks for the information.

 

[KathyV]

This was posted in the Shows and Events thread but I am copying it here in case it may be of interest to someone.

Cathy Church Photo Fest Grand Cayman May 9 - 16 2015 at Sunset House:

Cathy Church's photography centre - Overview

 

[KathyV]

Here's a new topside activity on GC

Cultural market opens at East End Blow Holes :: Cayman Compass

Cultural market opens at East End Blow Holes
25 August, 2015

A new market featuring local foods and East End crafts has opened across from the Blow Holes. A sign high on a pole on Sea View Road, opposite the popular attraction, points tourists to the shaded craft stands and picnic tables.
Across from the stairway leading down to the rocks, the new venture hopes to pull in tourists who stop by the side of the road to watch the geyser-like displays. Tourists can now see artisans, all from East End, ply their craft, carving driftwood into statues and furniture, or weaving thatch palm into hats, baskets and fans.

At the Blow Holes, plumes of seawater shoot 20 to 30 feet into the air from submerged caverns as wave after wave crashes ashore, an effect due to pressurized water and air being forced through the holes and caves carved into the rock over eons.

“The popular landmark is often the first impression that visitors get of East End before they enter the district, but there is nothing else there for them to do,” said East Ender Edney McLean, now retired, who said he came up with the idea decades ago.

For many years, Mr. McLean has wanted to develop the area around the popular site to offer more of a cultural experience to visitors.

“By providing more cultural things for visitors to buy and see, visiting the Blow Holes will only further enhance their Cayman vacation experience and give them something to look forward to when they return,” he said.

To kick-start the initiative on Saturday, Mr. McLean, along with other East End artisans and cooks, welcomed visitors to an open-air market.
Visitors were treated to a wide sampling of local heritage and culture, including guided tours, arts and crafts, folk tales and music. Local cuisine is also on offer, including turtle stew, salt beef, fried fish and coconut water.

“The attraction will help boost our economy and support our tourism industry by providing a high-quality welcome to East End for all visitors to enjoy,” said Mr. McLean.

The idea to make the attraction into something broader was born 30 years ago, he said.

“I’m keeping it Caymanian,” Mr. McLean said. “We’re losing too much of our culture. When I see people selling things with a tag made in Cayman but not from Cayman, it makes me want to offer a more genuine taste of not just East End, but Cayman on a whole.”

The initiative also gives artists, cooks and farmers in East End an outlet to sell their goods.

“A lot of tourists come to the Blow Holes … sometimes up to 200 tourists in one day,” he said. “They stop, take pictures and then what? They ask for something to drink after making the short hike and local things to buy, but there is nothing for them. By providing these things, the visitors will find the area more pleasing.”

The market will be open throughout the week except for Sundays.

 

[Doctorfish]

As far as dining, we enjoyed Al Fresco and Sunset Grill last trip. Al Fresco has a wide menu and great view of SMB. +1 for Macabuca BBQ.
My daughter and son in law enjoyed the mangrove kayaking.
We sometimes go out for a snorkel trip with Dexter ( Fantasea Tours ). He runs a relaxed catamaran trip to north sound and the sandbar. Pick a weekend or afternoon to avoid cruise shippers.

I personally would boycott the Turtle Farm and Dolphin Encounter for obvious reasons.

 

[howswedeofme]

I second Sunset Grill for good eats. Breakfast - blueberry pancakes (one order will feed two people). Lunch - fish tacos! Macabuca has a great conch platter, too. We didn't care for the Monday barbecue. Starfish point is low key but really fun to see the star fish. I touched one just to see what it was like but would have felt bad picking them up. They're quite beautiful to look at even if you don't pick them up, though. We also enjoyed walking around Camana Bay. Great shops, nice views of the water, children playing in the fountains, great restaurants, and neat lizards running around. We also saw some baby chickens running around outside the shops that my husband was trying to lure over to see him until an angry mama came over for a turf war. That was fun for me, not so much for my husband. I refuse to go to the Turtle Farm for the same obvious reasons as Doctorfish.

 

[KathyV]

Here's a link with suggestions for a driving tour of GC:

Grand Cayman: Driving Tour - A Guide - TripAdvisor

 

[KathyV]

Things to do in Cayman by Good Morning America:

See This, Skip That: Cayman Islands - ABC News

Aug 1, 2015, 6:12 AM ET
By GABE SAGLIE, Senior Editor, Travelzoo via Good Morning America

As the popularity of the Cayman Islands continues to surge, the British territory is responding: later this summer, a four-year expansion of Owen Roberts International Airport will break ground. Aimed at doubling the capacity of one of its major terminals, it’ll accommodate more than 2-1/2 million visitors. And the hotel sector is moving to meet demand, too: The Westin Grand Cayman and the Grand Cayman Marriott Resort just finished their multi-million dollar revamps, the Ritz-Carlton is in the middle of remodeling its rooms and restaurants right now, and the stylish Kimpton brand is set to open its first international boutique hotel along famous Seven Mile Beach next year.

The laid-back allure of this island trio -– Grand Cayman, Little Cayman and Cayman Brac -– may well hinge on what locals call Caymankind. It’s an attitude of hospitality and inclusiveness that embraces the islands’ multi-faceted reality. Old and new converge here. Their reputation as an offshore financial hub is buoyed by their love for traditions. And the 100-plus nationalities that live here, including many American ex-pats, meld a colorful history (Columbus referred to the islands as “tortugas,” or turtles, when he dropped anchor here) with modern-day sophistication.
Here are a few of the neat things to do and see on the Cayman Islands:

Skip the Legacy Carrier, Fly Cayman

The fact that several big carriers, including JetBlue, fly into the Cayman Islands daily help keep airfare affordable. But my friends at flight comparison website Fly.com suggest Cayman Airways, which services New York City, Chicago, Dallas, Tampa and Miami. Checked bags are free, and so is the Cayman Rum Punch they serve onboard (helping you get into the island spirit well before you land). The flight from Miami to Grand Cayman lasts less than 90 minutes.

Don’t Just Dive, Dive with the Best

Diving buffs will tell you true relaxation here is found not on the beach, but rather 80 feet below the ocean’s surface. Diving to discover shipwrecks, reefs and a plethora of wildlife is a way of life here, and there are close to 400 diving sites to choose from. For recreational divers, or even novices, the best introduction to the sport may be the annual Legend & Lions. During an entire month – September 5th through October 3rd this year – visitors can book week-long packages that feature classes, equipment demos, special certifications and more. During the fete’s final week (September 26 through October 3rd), you get the added bonus of attending the International SCUBA Diving Hall of fame induction party as well as the chance to dive with one of the inductees themselves.

Skip Seven Mile Beach, Head to Rum Point

Congratulations to my colleague Matt Ring! A senior producer in Travelzoo’s New York City headquarters, he just tied the knot with his wife, Charleen, on Grand Cayman, and honeymooned there. Like many tourists, they spent time along Seven Mile Beach, whose coral sands and clear waters are home to many of the island’s luxury resorts. But when they needed some alone time, they drove about 45 minutes to Rum Point Beach. “It's a more chilled-out vibe, with hammocks and some casual restaurants, known for their signature mudslide cocktails,” he told me upon his return to reality. “It can get crowded when cruise ships are docked in Cayman, but weekends tend to see fewer ships.” Ring says locals also recommended nearby Kaibo Beach for its thinner crowds and its proximity to Starfish Point, where a large number of sea stars can be seen in shallow waters.

Skip the Stingray City Tour, Charter a Boat

The newlywed Rings also played tourist in Stingray City, easily one of Grand Cayman’s biggest attractions, allowing guests to pet dozens of stingrays wading in no more than three feet of water. But for a more personal experience, Mr. Ring suggests chartering your own boat. “If you are only a small family, buddy up with other people at your hotel,” he says. “We chartered our boat for less than $35 per person. Our guides were great and we visited Sting Ray City, Starfish Point and a reef for snorkeling. It was great because we could stay at each site on our own time and were not tied into a schedule. Our hotel concierge helped us set this up with a local charter company.”

Skip Stingray City, Hit the Park

For nature lovers and history buffs alike, the 65-acre Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park is a wonderful alternative to the water. Located in Grand Cayman’s North Side district, it highlights Caymanian history and many native wonders. The Visitors Centre mirrors Colonial Caribbean architecture, with its wooden shutter windows, brick courtyard and colors of coral and green. The two-acre Heritage Garden features native plants and flowers, as well as a restored traditional zinc-roofed Caymanian wooden cottage. And a two-acre lake is dotted with islands that serve as a breeding ground for native birds. Check out the Blue Iguana Habitat; the male that stars in the park’s captive breeding program can be best spotted in mid-morning. Open every day, adult tickets are $16 and kids get in for $3, with free entry for kids under six. The park was named in honor of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, who officially opened it in 1994.

Skip the SCUBA Gear, Ride a Sub

Among the guests at the Ring wedding was my pal Warren Chang, Vice President of Search at Travelzoo. He traveled 100 feet below the sea in a 48-passenger Atlantis sub from Cayman Islands Submarines. “You ride in an actual submarine, and it's battery-powered so it's environmentally friendly,” he tells me. “It's a neat experience for anyone who has never ridden an actual submarine before, and it's a great opportunity for people who do not snorkel or SCUBA dive – or otherwise do not like getting into the water – to see below the ocean’s surface!”

To Send a Postcard, Go to Hell

Chang also biked past Hell, a series of short, black limestone formations in Grand Cayman’s West Bay. It’s small, about the size of a soccer field, so it makes for a quick visit. “But what may be fun is that there is a post office there,” Chang says, “and so you can send people postcards from Hell.”

Skip the Beach, Take a Hike

Grand Cayman’s Mastic Reserve is significant for its rarity: it’s part of the largest contiguous area of untouched dry, subtropical forest remaining on the island. The 2.3-mile Mastic Trail is moderately rugged and peppered with wet sections, and it takes hikers through various ecosystems inhabited by native orchids, trees, parrots and reptiles. For a small fee, you can hire a guide through the National Trust who will highlight special areas and share interesting anecdotes about the area. The hike usually takes about three hours to complete and is not recommended for kids under 10 or the elderly. Bring your camera, water and bug spray.

Skip Grand Cayman, Visit Little Cayman

Truth is, Grand Cayman’s sister islands may be the best way to enjoy a more secluded and more off-the-beaten-path Cayman experience. Little Cayman is home to its own museum, which preserves the island’s heritage through collections of artifacts and documents; it’s open every day except Sunday. The Salt Rock Natural Trail is a footpath that dates back to the 1850s and leads hikers to myriad points of interest and past exotic plants and animals. At the Booby Pond Reserve, a high-powered telescope helps you spot the 20,000 boobies that live here, making this one of the largest colonies of this breed of sea birds in the Western Hemisphere. And for a truly secluded beach experience, visit the uninhabited islet known as Owen Island; kayak the 200 yards to get there and bring your snorkel gear. Little Cayman is also home to the Caribbean’s largest population of rock iguanas, and its South Hole Sound Lagoon is a popular spot for bonefishing. Divers who want an extended stay should check in to the Little Cayman Beach Resort, which offers all-inclusive stays, with all meals and several boat dives a day.

Skip Grand Cayman, Visit Cayman Brac

On Cayman Brac, a rugged 14-square-mile island named for its sweeping 140-foot bluff, R&R is the name of the game. There’s plenty of wildlife here, too, which you can discover through free customizable tours offered through Nature Tourism Guides. Brac Parrot Reserve is a hiker’s heaven, with myriad paths that traverse varying types of terrain – from mango orchards and thickets to old forests and farmland; there are native trees here that are breeding ground for various birds and are not found on Cayman Brac’s sister islands. Culture and history are alive and well, too; you’ll find the oldest museum in the Cayman Islands here, and the Heritage House, a pretty replica of an old traditional Caymanian home, hosts cultural events throughout the year. For SCUBA buffs seeking an escape, the Brac Reef Beach Resort offers all-inclusive dive vacations that also include fishing trips and rock climbing excursions.

Gabe Saglie is senior editor for Travelzoo, which features exclusive deals to and in the Cayman Islands at travelzoo.com/destinations/cayman_islands/.

 

[KathyV]

We were recently in the Caymans and we went to see The Barefoot Man perform at the Wyndham Reef Resort. He plays in the restaurant at The Reef on Thursday nights (East End near Morritts) and at The Wharf (near Georgetown and the 7MB) on Saturday nights.

It was a fun and very entertaining dinner show. The Barefoot Man is sort of an irreverent, local, Jimmy Buffet. His songs are Caribbean and Country and funny - and sometimes a bit naughty but NOT nasty or mean. We laughed very hard all through the show.

I think that the dinner/show at The Reef was $100 per person. The venue and the food were okay but nothing special but the performance was a very enjoyable vacation experience. We got there a little early and had a couple of drinks out at the beach bar and that was nice, too.

Based on the crowd we saw at The Reef, I would say that The Barefoot Man primarily appeals to a slightly older demographic, but that's okay with us and it varied. I don't know what the crowd is like at The Wharf on Saturdays.

I am just passing this on in case someone is looking for an evening of enjoyable, unsophisticated entertainment on Grand Cayman. You can find more information at the link below:

http://www.barefootman.com/whahappenin.html