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beach, girls trip, the Tourist, Travel | May 7, 2015

Just A Few Things About Grand Cayman

Some say, “Variety is the spice of life.”  But for me, “VACATION is the spice of life!”  And a vacation with my girlfriends is VITAL!  This post is about our most recent trip.  We were all set to take a road trip but our planning took an exciting u-turn when we decided to fly to Grand Cayman!!  I hope this post has you booking a trip to Grand Cayman and knowing what to do when you get there.

 

Travel Time:  When I only have 3 nights away for fun I want to get to my destination fast!  For Houstonians, United Airlines offers non-stop flights to Grand Cayman and the flight is only 2 hours and 50 minutes.  That’s faster than my frequent road-trip to Dallas!  For other major cities, several airlines offer non-stop flights, here’s a chart to give you an idea:

 

Cab System: I’ve never met a cab driver in GC I didn’t like! This was our method of transportation. The drivers would give you their card and ask you to call them if you needed a ride.  If they weren’t available they’d call their friend for you.  This all started with the very first cab we stepped foot in upon arrival at the airport.

Where To Stay, Good Question:  We had the hardest time deciding where to stay.  I created this map  and a cost comparison to help us figure it out.  It was between a Deluxe Oceanfront Room at the Westin Grand Cayman (top green pin on map) or a Garden View room at The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman (bottom green pin on map).  The two hotels looked like they had about the same linear feet of beachfront but the Ritz was a much bigger resort (so maybe more crowded on the beach?).  At the Westin we’d be able to slide open our patio doors and walk onto the beach or at the Ritz, the walk to the beach from the room (red pin on map) was estimated at 5 min. per the website room description.  So it was The View vs. The Luxury.

We chose the Westin where this was our view, morning, noon and night!  Can you hear the relaxing ocean waves slowly rolling in?!

And when you choose the less expensive hotel, then you’re more inclined to reserve a private cabana for two days!  This is where we ate lunch both days and when a short storm blew through we just closed the drapes and rode it out. 🙂

Red Sail Sports: One of the benefits of staying at the Westin is access to Red Sail Sports.  These are the people who put the adventure into your vacation!  In my opinion, they are the best way to get out to Stingray City (see below). After seeing the other sailboats I was happy we were in the hands of Red Sail Sports,  I was impressed with their practices and felt safe.  We took the 9 am sail on one of their 65′ luxury catamarans out to Stingray City and then to snorkel on a reef.  The trip was about 4 hours and cost us $80 each.

Sting Ray City: I wanted to go to Grand Cayman just for the sake of Sting Ray City.  It’s an area of sand bars where the stingrays come to interact with the people (because the peeps bring easy food).

I suggested it to my friends even though I had no idea how I’d have the courage to do it.  A couple days before the trip I led an Al-Anon meeting for the first time and chose the topic of Courage in hopes of combating the fear.  Then on the sail out to the sandbar I talked to a 6 year old girl who had nothing but joy and excitement and she couldn’t wait to get in the water with the Rays!  I also knew my God did not want me to live in fear and worry.  And with my friends, we were in it together, not alone!

By the time we anchored at Sting Ray City I was that 6 year old and could not wait to have my turn to hold the Stingray.  The fear was gone, completely!

Does this look like courage?  I hope so!  Now, how many tries does it take to get a selfie with a Stingray? Lost count! Ha!

Can’t wait to look back at this one when we’re Golden Girls!  What an adventure! Write Stingray City on your life’s to do list!

Dinner at The Wharf:  This restaurant is touristy but you’ve gotta go to it!  It’s oceanfront and located at the start of Seven Mile Beach.

You’ll get to watch the sunset as you eat dinner, glorious!

AND the biggest draw is all the tarpon fish!  You can feed them if you want, fascinating to watch how they go from 0 to 60 in 5.0 as they dart through the water at The Wharf.

Dinner at Calypso Grill:  This restaurant was recommended to us by everyone!  And we will do the same for you!  If you’re going to have one fancy dinner, make sure it’s at the waterfront Calypso Grill at Morgan’s Harbour, West Bay.

The ambiance inside and outside is charming and the food is delicious!  After you book your flight for Grand Cayman, send an email to Dine@CalypsoGrillCayman.com to reserve your table for dinner. “Order the Sticky Toffee Pudding!”

Friday Night at The Ritz-Carlton’s Silver Palm Lounge: This is a must if you like to dance and people watch.  Do you see the glowing light in the picture above? That’s where the DJ was and they got started around 10 pm.  For a while no one was dancing, but it only took one!  If you know my friend Laura, you know she has the courage to start a dance party at the Ritz-Carlton.

And before we knew it, the whole lounge was on their feet, no backs against the wall.  And the night was unforgettable!

Seven Mile Beach: Amazing relaxing water that we loved hanging out in as if it were the pool.

 

 

George Town Yacht Club:  This is a great place to hang out if you have a few hours to kill between hotel checkout and airplane departure.  And no worries if you realize you don’t have time to wait for a  cab to take you to the airport, you can walk. Ha!

Reward, Relax, Rejuvenate and cherish Relationships. These are the 4 Rs I’ve come up with to motivate us all.  Whether it’s a staycation or a trip to Grand Cayman, if you want it, YOU can make a vacation happen!  We booked this trip mid June and were on a plane at the beginning of August.  Forward this post to your girlfriends to get the ball rolling!

If this post has you feeling sporty, I selected a few rash guards I’m loving right now!  Click on the thumbnail picture above to shop it.

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Travel Edition: TRAVAASA Austin, Texas

Austin, friend, girls trip, the Tourist, Travel | February 12, 2014

Travel Edition: TRAVAASA Austin, Texas

This long lasting cold weather has me thinking about a sunny and warm vacation!  I really need to get something in the works so I can get through the rest of this cloudy and freezing season!  Y'all thinking what I'm thinking?  Spa, Pool, Sun, Girl's Trip!!!   If you are, please let me Continue Reading

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The Prairie By Rachel Ashwell

B&B, girls trip, Round Top, the Tourist, Travel | October 1, 2013

The Prairie By Rachel Ashwell

We'll never be royals but we sure felt like them at The Prairie By Rachel Ashwell.  Everything about her B&B in Round Top, Texas was beautiful!  My sister, my cousin and I stayed there for just one night and we fell in love with The Prairie. May I please give you a tour of the grounds and our Continue Reading

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Travel Edition: La Jolla, CA

friend, girls trip, La Jolla, the Tourist, Travel | August 27, 2012

Travel Edition: La Jolla, CA

****Email Subscribers, this post was getting a lot of spam.  I had to take it down and re-publish to hopefully stop the spam.  I apologize, you're getting it twice! Thank you, TITYN**** You might give some serious thought to getting away to La Jolla, California.  Everything about it adds up to a Continue Reading

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Hello Neighbor! I’m Erica Smith and this is where I share discoveries and tell a few stories!

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  • New Favorites Added (and a SALE!)
    I’ve done a lot of shopping for clients recently, and I’ve been trying to remember to add the items we find that are winners and the ones I run across while shopping online in the “shop” ->” shop by category” folders for you guys to shop! Here are a few of the new favorite I’ve […]

Currently on Instagram

DOUBLE SIDED✌️gift wrap bundles, genius!! And DOUBLE SIDED✌️gift wrap bundles, genius!! And HOWDY stationery, yee-haw!! 🤠 (Swipe left to see it all.) Thank you, @spicepaperdesigns for the gift! I’m all set for camp care packages and letters, packing lists, Father’s Day and teacher thank you-s! 🎉 Neighbors, check out Becca’s goods, love the new double sided chunky stripe paper! 🌈
#shoplocalhouston #houstonstationery #spicepaperdesigns #boxwoodbreakfastclub #papergoods #custompapergoods #houstongraphicdesigner #paperaddict #giftwrap #titynparty
I took this photo to send to my sister @cstyleblog I took this photo to send to my sister @cstyleblog back in January while on vacation in Miami Beach because she styled my outfit and I felt 👌💁🏼‍♀️. But now I’m posting it to the internet because I got an email saying these favorite street leggings of mine are on sale only for today!!! (I love them and I sized up.) And now I have this whole exact outfit (every item is available and some items on sale) linked in the @liketoknow.it app, use my profile for a short cut to it 👉 @tellittoyourneighbor or find a link only to the leggings there, too! Thank you and have a good night! 😴 
 http://liketk.it/3d0gJ #liketkit #LTKfit #LTKtravel #LTKsalealert 
#shoplocalhouston @shoptheavenue #tityntravels #streetwear #streetstyle #ootdinspo #southbeachmiami #titynshops
These three companies are so extraordinary to me, These three companies are so extraordinary to me, for one they have supported me personally more than I’ve promoted them professionally! 💞 They’ve also each had a historic moment with me here at #TITYN, see below 👇!

But first, the photos (above) are from a #boxwoodbreakfastclub back in January. 😬 I get behind on things I want to devote a lot of time to, don’t we all?! 🤦🏼‍♀️ The event was an excellent media workshop with STREETE MEDIA at the Memorial Green LAM BESPOKE location. (Thanks @laurensmills for putting these three greats together! 🙏)

Now, what’s in it for you? I think just knowing about these 3 favorites of mine, checking out their Instagram accounts and keeping them in your back pocket for when you’re in need of their services! 

Here are their moment’s in @tellittoyourneighbor history 📰 !👇

1) @lambespoke was my very 1st monthly feature 2 years ago! She said yes to a new idea I had been hesitant to try and kicked it off with a successful start! 🤗 Cathy!

2) @streete_media gave me the skills and confidence to interview people on Instagram Live for the 1st time and twice more after it!  It was something I wanted to do but I thought I would “never” be able to do. She’s a media marketing idea generating gem! 🤗 Megan!

3) @tresmarket_foods is in my Top 3 most interacted with posts of all time! Our whole neighborhood and beyond was excited at the chance to win a happy hour with them! 🤗🤗 Julie and Jeannine!

I’m most of all happy to call all of these women friends, tell it to your neighbor! 

#houstonnetworking #mediatraining #videoproducer #houstoncatering #houstondesign #houstonproducer #houstonmedia #shophouston #houstonblogger
Love is resurrection and love is a trumpet sound. Love is resurrection and love is a trumpet sound. 🎺 There ain’t no grave gonna hold my body down.📣 @bethelmusic 

My first time to hear this 👆song with a lot of history including @johnnycash! Have you heard it?!

Thank you @chapelwoodumc and @thejohnstephens for an #Easter service outside (even if we weren’t in a pandemic) and for the introduction to this song! 

Love to you, neighbor! ♥️🎺

#aintnograve #eastersunday #heisrisen #houstonchurches #faith #donotbeafraid #takeasecondlook #linger
How do I get everyone to listen to last week’s e How do I get everyone to listen to last week’s episode of Connecting With @drkimswales? “ADHD with Dr. Ned Hallowell.” Coaches, parents, teachers, managers... well I think we are all working with or being mystified/maybe frustrated by someone with ADD. Or the term ADHD has been so misleading that it’s prevented you from seeking help for yourself or a child. 🙋🏼‍♀️ In a nutshell the episode clears up the confusion, explains the advancements and Dr. Swales asks THE question that has kept me up at night and made me question. Her guest, @dr_hallowell, is the author of the book I recommended last summer. Now he’s written another relatable book with the latest science. I’m only on the intro and it’s opened my eyes again! The more I learn about ADD, the more relief I feel and it makes me think a lot about my first job out of college (swipe left), a job I loved and a job I had to work a ton of overtime for because of a condition I didn’t know I have. I’m curious about my billable hours compared to my coworkers or on second thought, I don’t think I could handle that comparison. And I may have tweaked my hours to appear “normal” so a comparison might not even be accurate! But I would like to speak up for myself and others today for my experience back then. A co-worker once said to me, “Most of the time I think you’re really smart but sometimes I feel like you’re in elementary school.” 😳 I think this person was trying to be funny but it came out horribly. In that moment I knew they were just experiencing ME and the way I operate, it’s how I’ve always been.  Sometimes there’s so much to focus on and take in all at once that I look frozen or I get distracted. Luckily, because of the temperament I was born with and the way I was raised, I had no doubt I was smart. I also knew this was why my Mom tried to protect me by telling me to keep my pace to myself.🤫 By the way, I knew my Mom’s suggestion wasn’t okay, it’s just how SHE was raised. Well, I’m hoping for a future with less of all of that and more of focusing on people’s strengths and understanding of ADHD. Take a listen to Episode 24 of Connecting With @drkimswales 👈, it helps and you will enjoy it! Thank you!
Howdy Neighbors! We are back from our trip to West Howdy Neighbors! We are back from our trip to West Texas and I am currently downloading our trip highlights on stories and saving them to highlights, too. If you’re interested in taking a trip to @historic_alpine_texas, Marfa, Big Bend and Fort Davis, I’m sharing our recommendations and lessons learned. In terms of pandemic/small town/national and state park travel, this was a last minute trip and I’m not good with reservations anyway but we made the best of it! We loved it, it was a grrrrreat trip! Check it out and tell us if you’ve taken this trip and loved it, too! 👇

@1909_vaquero @abbeybranch #westtexas #pradamarfa #alpinetexas #marfatexas #bigbendnationalpark #davismountains #thedesk #sculpture #artinstallation #duststorm #houstondesigner #texasroadtrip #pandemictravel #tityntravels

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