the Tourist Archives - Tell it to your Neighbor

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!