My answer, “Walmart”, but that’s just me. Until recently I hadn’t been off this little island called Grand Cayman in four long years and my vacation motto is “when your on vacation you have to do things you can’t do at home” for me that’s shopping as sadly there is no Walmart in Grand Cayman.

I realize that many of our guests live by my vacation motto too. Trying new things like visiting Stingray City, getting out on the water with kayaks or simply relaxing on the beach with a Cayman Lemonade (highly recommended by our guests from big cities!).

 But this year I finally did get off the rock, and besides shopping (lots of shopping!) my family and I went to the Smokey Mountains, to the forests and rivers of North Carolina and Tennessee. I must tell you first hand, that driving down a winding, twisting mountain road at night with nothing but your headlights on, is ten times scarier than any roller coaster ride I have ever been on. We went White Water Rafting and tubeing down a creek. As many of our blog readers know, Grand Cayman is really a small island, so we took advantage of the open American roads and embarked on a few road trips. Something you really can’t do on an island which is less than 100 square miles.

The majority of our staff here at theReef go home to visit family and friends; it can be difficult to be away from loved ones. Others go on road trips like I did, and some explore Cuba and nearby countries throughout the Caribbean & Central America.

We came back to Grand Cayman, our bags filled with bargains and hearts filled with memories. I returned with a renewed energy and enthusiasm ready to make sure you enjoy your vacation as much as we did ours!

At theReef our guests join us from all over the USA, Canada and Europe and many of our staff are from far away places too; that is I think makes Cayman so interesting, a culture combined from many continents, different cuisines and a wonderful history.

Being on vacation gave me insight as to what our guests at theReef need while they are on holiday, for me it was fun family time. So whether you are looking for an action packed family vacation or relaxing romantic vacation, stop by and see me at the concierge desk.

Even though our island is small there is still loads going on! 

- Cathy Richardson, Concierge

This year, Cayman Night will be held on Saturday, September 25^th at the Carl Parker Multipurpose Center from 5.30 to 11.30pm.

Barefoot Man, Chuck and Barrie Quappe, and Andy Martin, “The Cayman Cowboy,” will be heading the festivities. The pre-show will feature, the OutRigger Band, featuring Bob Brammer and K.O. Harlow!
Island Cuisine and Cayman Rum Punch will also be available for purchase, as well as soft drinks and other beverages. There will be children’s activities, limbo contests, door prize give-a-ways, and photos among the festivities for the night. Tickets are US$20 per adult and kids under 12 are free!

For tickets and further information please visit www.caymannight.com. Special hotel rates are also available.

Starting November 4, WestJet will fly three times a week to Grand Cayman. Flights will depart at 9:40 a.m./1:45 p.m and return at 2:35 p.m/6:30 p.m. and vacationers have a choice of leaving on Tuesday, Thursday or Saturday with introductory fares starting as low as $189.

The Reef Resort, is a the ideal choice for Toronto travelers looking for an all beachfront escape. The resort boasts the largest beachfront on the island, 1,600 feet, and has a cool beachfront bar; the Rusty Pelican serving up Caribbean-concocted island beverages. The resort also offers a wide-variety of water sports; new to the activity list is power snorkeling, add-in kayaking, surfing, paddle boarding wind surfing, sea hammocks and more, plus it’s East End location is a true Caribbean escape idyllic and authentic, untarnished from tourism development.

We, at The Reef Resort are asking all of our new and repeat guests alike to cast a vote for The Reef Resort. We know from our TripAdvisor posts that The Reef is a Cayman Island favorite and we hope your votes will show the world what we already know; The Reef Resort is truly a fun, low-key escape on the isolated East End of the island, offering affordable rates, a ton of family-friendly activities, great food some of the best island entertainment and more.

Thanks for the votes!

Now did you know that The Reef Resort offers a modern twist to snorkeling? They do, and it’s called Power Snorkeling. Power snorkeling is simply a handheld device which uses electric powered dive propulsion vehicles (DPV’s) to propel guests effortlessly through the water exploring the magnificent undersea world in a new way.

Check out The Reef’s Power Snorkeling Safari Package just in time for summer fun:
• One hour guided snorkeling excursions (with a DPV pac)
• Trip to a secluded beach about ¾ of a mile away from The Reef
• Guided back down the coast stopping at the top snorkeling and fish holes in the area
• A glass of chilled fruit punch or chilled rum await guests
The rental cost for a DPV is CI$32.00 (US$40) per person and includes transportation, all snorkeling equipment, and a safety vest.

Snorkel season on Grand Cayman Island all year round! So pack your bags, and forget about packing your snorkel gear as we’ll have it ready when you arrive?

For those who don’t already know, Batabano is a truly unique street parade, filled with music, art, food and fun. Participants have the chance to dress up in stunning carnival regalia as the island comes alive with celebration. I have to say, Cayman’s street parades are something I miss the most when I’m away at university. It’s almost impossible to capture the atmosphere in words- you really have to experience it for yourself!

There is something for everyone. A junior parade starts on April 24th, which is a kid-friendly fete that the whole family can enjoy! Then, if you’re looking for some more grown-up fun, stick around for the main street dance on May 1st. If the costumes alone don’t get you, the rhythm and flavor of the event will!  And with every room at theReef being beach-front, you can celebrate in the streets one day and relax by the ocean the next!

Come and “jump” in the streets with locals and people from all over the world- it’s a Caribbean tradition you don’t want to miss!

For more event info check out the Cayman Carnival website: http://www.caymancarnival.com

Last Summer Spongebob loved his vacation so much that he is coming back to Grand Cayman. This Summer kids can laugh and play with their favorite porous pal – Spongebob Squarepants!

Spongebob Squarepants will be hosting the  Cayman Islands Seas School, a programme set up to educate youngsters about the importance of the marine life environment – and what better place to learn than in the warm tropical waters of Cayman! During the Summer Sea School, children will learn about marine life through hands on activities, arts and crafts and of course through a very special episode of Spongebob Squarepants.

TheReef is joining forces with Spongebob and is offering -

• every fifth night free
• 2 tickets to the legendary stingray city, and
• kids eat free at Pelican’s Reef Restaurant and the Rusty Pelican Beach Bar (one free child 11 and younger per paying adult)

For more information and booking, visit theReef.com

 For more information on the Cayman Sea School please visit www.caymanislands.ky/summersplash

The Reef Resort, a popular family destination, has developed a wonderful volunteerism package. Families will have an opportunity to help the critically endangered Blue Iguanas, known by locals as “Blue Dragons.” These magical creatures need help to survive, as only 20 are left in the wild. The Reef is happily involved with the Blue Iguana Recovery Programme, so much so that they have adopted a “blue dragon” named Tootsie. As the name implies, he is quite a character. Read more here and become a Facebook fan to post your experiences with Tootsie when visiting him on your next Grand Cayman vacation.

Read below for package details on The Reef’s new volunteerism opportunity:
The Reef Launches a Cayman Island Submersion Experience
Travelers looking to submerge themselves and experience an authentic Cayman vacation can do so with the Reef’s new Cayman Island Submersion Experience vacation package. Guests will have an opportunity to visit some of the island’s most historic sites both on land and under the sea with excursions to Pedro St. James, Mission House and Wreck of the Ten Sails. Lovers of animals will relish a snorkel trip complete with a fish recognition card and a behind-the-scenes tour to see the critically endangered Blue Iguana in its natural habitat at the Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park. A special volunteer morning is also on the menu, allowing guests to get involved in the local community through different weekly activities such as beach clean-ups and the Blue Iguana Recovery Programme (clean-ups, building cages, feeding etc.) The Cayman Island Submersion Experience includes:
5 nights stay in a beachfront Studio Suite for two
5 day car rental
Guided ocean tour to the Wreck of the Ten Sails with White Sands Watersports
Behind the scenes Blue Iguana tour at the Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park with Blue Iguana Trail island map
Guided tour of East End/Bodden Town/Savannah including Pedro St James, Mission House and East End attractions
Volunteer morning – get involved in the local community participating in The Reef’s weekly ‘volunteerism’ morning
Daily snorkel rental with fish recognition card
Dinner for two with the Barefoot Man
The Reef will donate $25 to the Cayman National Trust for every package booked
Rates: winter 2010 — US $1,995/summer 2010 – $1,695 for two including taxes (Sunday/Monday arrivals only)