Shade on the beach - Palapas and more Palapas!

The Reef is pretty well defined as a tranquil and relaxed beach resort. However, one area where we seem to get some complaints is that we don't have sufficient shade on the beach itself. Yes, every suite is beachfront (and in the shade much of the day), and yes we have lots of palm trees dotted around the place, but I guess these days people are more and more conscious of excess sun exposure, yet love the feeling of lying out on the beach enjoying the sounds of the ocean lapping on the beach and the cool breeze.

So... we've just finished installing 12 permanent palapas on the beach in front of and around our beach bar. Each of these will provide shade for two beach lounge chairs, and also be in convenient range of a cool drink from the bar.

As was once seen on a thank you note in a hotel in the Phillipines (and I kid you not)... "tenjewberrymuj" :)

$8 each way fares on Spirit to Grand Cayman !

We are always strongly suggesting that Cayman afficianados subscribe to e-newsletters from airlines serving Cayman, and just now an email came in from Sprint advertising an "$8 each way" sale.

If you can travel from Fort Lauderdale (Sprint's Caribbean Hub) to Grand Cayman on any of the following dates and are quick about booking, then you may be lucky !

2/9/07, 2/23/07, 2/26/07, 3/12/07

Return dates from GCM to FLL :

2/20/07, 3/1/07, 3/4/07, 3/8/07

On a related note, we just did a study on airfares from the New York area to Cayman for February and March 2007. Right now availability is good, and fares around US$450-500 return. For flights to Cayman in the height of the season, we think those are good fares, but don't wait until January to book, or you may be disappointed... don't say we didn't warn you !

Kosher Bacon at The Reef ?

Andrew Bacon, that is.... (and apparently he has a few rabbi fans, so he must be kosher !)

Starting this week, Andrew Bacon, MC, DJ and Entertainer, has joined the team at The Reef and can be seen on Wednesday evenings at Castro's Hideaway beach bar from 5:30.

Andrew was for many years the Activities Director at the nearby Morritts resort, so he looks forward to greeting many of his old friends here at The Reef.

Come show Andrew your support for his Wednesday party and you never know, we might be able to convnice him to do something on Mondays too :)

So, we now have Andrew Bacon on Wednesday, Barefoot Man on Tuesday and Thursday, virtuoso "Steel Pan" play from Michael Lemay on Mondays....it's all happening :)

Entering Grand Cayman - Update

In the light of recent controversy over passport requirements we don't want anyone getting confused, (or worst case - stranded at departure!).

There was word in our regional press that the US Government were about to delay the need for travellers to obtain a passport until June 2009 - which would have been a nice bit of breathing space for everyone. But our hopes of the delay have been dashed once and for all - Here's a quote from the most up to date press release on this matter, from the Caribbean Tourism Organization (looks like cruise-ship passengers are the only ones who are off the hook for now):


"(An) amendment delays the implementation of the new passport requirements until June 1, 2009 for land crossings at the Mexican and Canadian borders and for cruise passengers coming to the U.S. from the Caribbean, Mexico, Canada or Bermuda but still requires all U.S. citizens traveling by air to these regions to have a passport by Jan. 8, 2007.

If you don't have a passport and will be visiting Grand Cayman after the 8th of January - now is the time to apply for one - quick smart!

Be sure to contact reservations@thereef.com if you have further questions about this matter.

Cayman Airways from $99 return ! ...and other airline specials

Cayman Airways are doing a quick special (must ticket by Nov 29th.... ie you have 5 days!) for travel from Jan 10th to Feb 28th... from $99 return !

Visit www.caymanairways.com for more info.

As general advice, join the email subscription lists for all airlines servicing Cayman so you can jump on special deals when they come up. Here goes to start with :
www.aa.com
www.spiritair.com
www.usairways.com
www.delta.com
www.britishairways.com
www.nwa.com
www.continental.com

'Snow joke !

This week Cayman is having the first cold front of the season. Some gray skies and high winds (they even had to close the George Town harbourfront the other day). Boy, the daytime temperature barely got above 70, and the windchill (!) must have been in the low 60s.

On the other hand, yesterday, for the first time in three years, Mickey Mouse got snowed upon. According to the Orlando Sentinal, it snowed in Orlando !

Downright strange weather for Thanksgiving week in the Caribbean, this front has dipped down as far as Panama, and they must be finding it extremely odd to feel cool in November !

Sneak preview of our new website

It's been very quiet on the blog front for some time now for us here at The Reef. OddBlog is now living in the North of England and very busy with the "good old" BBC. Coolbeans has taken the brave leap of moving to Calgary to go to University. What is it with these folks and cold weather ? :)

Anyway, in addition to key members of our team spreading to the ends of the earth (or at least Manchester !), we are also working feverishly behind the scenes on our brand new website. I'd love to give an exact date for the launch, but "soon come" is close enough !

In the meantime, we just finished an ad layout for a future issue of Caribbean Travel and Life magazine. The editors there LOVE The Reef, but we also like the magazine, hence we have decided to advertise with them next year.

The new ad gives a preview of the "look" of our new website, tell us what you think !

Hello from Calgary!!

Hello everyone!! This is my first blog from the great white north!! Just in case some of you have forgotten, I am in Calgary, Alberta (Canada) A lot has happened in the past few months, a few which I wish to just forget, a few which will follow me for life, but school is great. The teachers are excellent, public transport is great, it only takes me 20 mins to school. For shopping and such, well, that's another story!! Was thinking about getting a car, but as I have never driven on icy roads, decided against it!!. Oh, and by the way..I'M LOVING THE COLD!! It took some getting used to at first, but I think I have acclimated pretty well (yes I know it will get colder!!). As promised, I have included pictures of my first snowman!! This was harder than I thought, as it all looked sooooo easy on tv u know, but I discovered that picking up a snow man sized ball isn't as easy as it looks!!! No worries, in the end, I accomplished the task, and for my first one, I must say I did a great job!! The snow was only about 8-10 inches deep, but it was a great experience.

I will blog more later. I will be attending the Presidents Ball at the university on Thursday Nov. 9th. I won the ticket for being one of the top employees ( I work part time as well), so that is all exciting. I will post photos in a few days. I am also looking forward to more snow (I know I know, I must be sick!! LOL), but don't forget, I am not driving, so I don't have to deal with the car not starting, or the traffic on the road. I just sit nicely on the bus/c-train, and let them do the driving. I just loving watching the snow fall, it so beautiful. Ok everyone, thanks for reading!!

National 'Talk Like a Pirate' Day - September 19th

It appears that people all over the world are (perhaps inadvertently) preparing for Pirate's Week in Grand Cayman. A man called Dave Barry is responsible for the debauchery. Join in the fun by visiting the 'official' website

Here be a snippet of what to be expecting:

How To Be Speakin' Pirate-Like

Startin' Rules:

Double up on all your adjectives and you'll be bountifully bombastic with your phrasing. Pirates never speak of "a big ship", they call it a "great, grand ship!" They never say never, they say "No nay ne'er!"

Drop all your "g"'s when you speak and you'll get words like "rowin'", "sailin'" and "fightin'". Dropping all of your "v"'s will get you words like "ne'er", "e'er" and "o'er".

Instead of saying "I am", sailors say, "I be". Instead of saying "You are", sailors say, "You be". Instead of saying, "They are", sailors say, "They be". Ne'er be speakin' in anythin' but the present tense!

Don't forget Grand Cayman's own Pirate's Week begins this year on November the 9th, running through to the 19th. The Reef Resort is a great place to join in with the shinannigans, so be sure you don't miss out.

For detailed information the Pirate's Week website is now there for the viewin' me hearties. www.piratesweekfestival.com

National Geographic endorses East End divers

Ocean Frontiers, our in-house dive operator has for a while now had “PADI National Geographic Dive Centre” status. This award is only granted to progressive PADI 5 star centres/Golden Palm resorts that excel in providing diver education programmes, retail equipment and experience opportunities as well as promoting environmental awareness. A PADI National Geographic Dive Centre assures that you get quality service, quality education, quality equipment and quality dive trips/travel.

When you learn to dive with or continue your diving experiences at Ocean Frontiers you just get the feeling that you are with the best. I have been diving with them for nearly ten years and still enjoying it. Just like above the water, the undersea landscape is changing all the time.

As a National Geographic Diver, you join an elite group of explorers, adventurers and conservationists. The insight and training you gain during this program will broaden your awareness and take your diving skills to a new level. You'll learn to observe and explore like an underwater scientist and be introduced to a multitude of aquatic species and be able to identify local plants and animals.

The PADI National Geographic website comes highly recommended for further information about this project and the retro theme tune that greets you. www.padi.com/ng/

For our British guests....

The British Airways world offers sale is now on - meaning you can get a return flight this fall (or autumn if you prefer) from £457.00 return to Grand Cayman from UK airports. And there are great prices for next January to March, I doubt they'll last long before being snapped up by the keen ones.




Get the low down here (and don't forget to check out the latest deals on accommodation at The Reef to find the best value).

What's with the run around?

"The Cayman Islands cordially invites runners of all experience levels to lace up their shoes and join us for a jaunt along the sugar sand beaches and through the scenic neighborhoods of the Caribbean's safest, most stunningly beautiful locale".

That's the message from the organisers of the Cayman Islands Marathon.

Stretching along a fast, flat, IAAF-sanctioned route ideal for posting great times, the Cayman Islands Marathon is billed as the perfect time for friends and family to experience first hand the legendary warmth and wonder of our magnificent islands.

The Cayman Islands Marathon welcomes half-marathoners, half-marathon walkers and 4-person relay runners as well. You must be at least 16 years of age and in good health to participate. The marathon, which benefits The Cayman Islands Cadet Corps and the Cayman Islands Cancer Society, must be completed within a 6-hour period and will be measured using a state-of-the-art computerised chip timing system.


The event begins at 5am on Sunday December 3rd. (Visit the Reef's accommodation page to check for availability at this time if you haven't planned your trip already).

Participants will receive:

An Official Cayman Islands Marathon T-shirt
A specially-designed commemorative Finisher's Medal
A custom Finisher's Certificate

Visit www.caymanislandsmarathon.com for event details, and make plans to join us for the 2006 Cayman Islands Marathon.

This image is taken from the Press and PR material that we are seeing on the island.

Be friendly with your fish...

Look out for the Cayman Sea Sense icon when dining out in Grand Cayman. We blogged back in March about this unique sustainable seafood education program dedicated to helping restaurants and their customers make informed and environmentally positive seafood choices.





What is sustainable seafood?

A species that is abundant and resilient to fishing pressures.

A species that is well managed with a comprehensive management plan based on current research.

A species that is harvested in a method that ensures limited bycatch on non-target and endangered species.

A species that has a method of catch which ensures there is limited habitat loss associated with the harvesting method.

Try The Reef's Restaurant Castro's Hideaway to find some delicious 'clear conscience' dishes - don't miss the crabcake over mixed greens with rasberry vinaigrette; Light but filling (and just naughty enough to be classed as a vacation 'treat') it's just the right fuel for some beachfront relaxation.

Introducing....Postcodes

Snail mailers take heed, there's a new code of practice for sending letters to Grand Cayman.

In what is described on the Cayman Islands Government Website as 'an historic move for the postal service in the Cayman Islands, a new seven-digit alphanumeric postcode system took effect on Wednesday, 9 August 2006.

As of this date, the Post Office, also known as the Postal Department, is now called the Cayman Islands Postal Service (CIPS), in a move towards a fresh image for our postal people.

Postmaster General Ms Sheena Glasgow noted that the seven-digit postcode is being implemented to facilitate better sorting of mail and to expedite delivery of mail.

It is expected that proper use of this system will help to reduce the instances of undeliverable mail caused by improper addressing.

"Through [our] campaign on how to properly use the postcode and address mail, we hope to reeducate our population across all three islands. Ideally, each person will then spread the message on how to properly address mail for the Cayman Islands to the people they communicate with internationally," Ms Glasgow stated.





And here's the science

Because mail is delivered via private letterboxes and there is no home delivery of mail in the Cayman Islands other than by express service, for the Postal Service to effectively deliver the mail, there must be a PO Box reference included in the address. This applies to postal services on all three islands.

Under the new system, each customer has been issued with a postcode with seven characters that start by identifying each of the three islands. For instance KY1 is for Grand Cayman, KY2 is for Cayman Brac and KY3 is for Little Cayman.

The other characters establish the locations of the 15 post offices or postal agencies located on the three islands and the last two characters indicate the section where the box is located.

All addresses should be in title case and in English, which is the official language of the Cayman Islands. The name of the island and postcode should always appear on the same line. The postcode should be in upper case and be separated from the name of the island by two spaces.

The first three elements of the postcode are separated from the last four numbers by a single hyphen. The last line of the address block should always be the name of the country in upper case (CAYMAN ISLANDS).


The Reef Resort's new fully-coded address:

The Reef Resort,

P.O. Box 30865,

Grand Cayman KY1-1204,

CAYMAN ISLANDS

Share a bit of Cayman

Other travellers need your help!

Wheretostay.com have just added two new sections (Attractions and Dining) to their online Destination Guides. Who knows "What To Do" and "Where To Eat" near The Reef Resort better than you? No one, that's who.

So, if you can spare a few moments, please help Wheretostay.com get the ball rolling by following this link and posting as many things as you can think of. You are the expert. Share your expertise with other readers.

If you'd like to help:

Click here to write about Attractions

Or here to share Dining recommendations.

The Unmissable Barefoot

Great news for Barefoot fans - appearing exclusively at The Reef Resort, The Barefoot Man has just finalized his performance schedule for the next 12 months, which you can see in all its glory on The Reef's own dedicated page. Check out the menus too.. yum!
Guaranteed to be a memorable night every time you see this show.

Hurrican't

Just a little tip for anyone who is longing for some pure beach relaxation but feels concerned about the hurricane season getting in the way of that.

Whilst the Cayman Islands are officially in the Hurricane Belt, the risk of your particular vacation at your particular time of year actually being disrupted by a Hurricane are statistically low (the Weather Channel has a lot to answer for !), so don’t let the dates of the official hurricane season deter you from planning your visit to The Reef.

Atlantic Hurricane Season Jun 01 – Nov 30:

These are the dates of the “official hurricane season” but it is also often one of the calmest, most tranquil seaons of the whole year. The persistent high weather patterns that help spawn the occasional Atlantic and Caribbean hurricanes otherwise brings weeks on end of light, balmy southeasterly breezes, calm seas, and excellent diving and snorkelling conditions.

But just in case you are still concerned, The Reef, as part of our commitment to total guest satisfaction, offers you our Hurricane Guarantee to put your mind at ease so you can go ahead and plan your visit with us :

VACATION DISRUPTION:

In the unlikely event that hurricane force winds directly hit The Reef while you are a guest, we will offer a free replacement stay for the same duration as the one originally booked, regardless of how many days were affected by hurricane force winds.

Visit the reservations section of our website to find out more.

A NOTE ON OUR CANCELLATION POLICY:
“No Problem !” Hurricane Guarantee and Cancellation Policy. For Hurricane Season (Jun 1st – Nov 30th), should you be worried about weather in any way shape or form, we will allow you to cancel your stay with only a one night penalty (or rebook with no penalty at all) at any time up to 48 hours prior to check in.

Outside Hurricane Season, cancellations made 14 days or more prior to arrival will be charged a penalty of one night plus tax. No refund for cancellations made within 14 days of arrival or for early checkouts .

Change of dates for stay will be allowed at no charge if made at least 14 days prior to arrival (48 hours in Hurricane Season), other than any difference in applicable rate between original reservation and new dates , which must be paid in full at the time of rebooking .

All the best to Cool Beans !

TomCayman blogging in from distant shores, just want to wish Ethel all the best as she moves to study in the Frozen North (brr!), and may she warm the Canadian winter with her big smile.

Farewell Reef Resort, Owners and Past Guests!!

Today - Friday July 14, 2006 - is my last day here at The Reef Resort. I have had a memorable 2.5 years here, and it hurts my heart to leave. Yet, I am happy as I will be leaving to further my education. They all think I am nuts here, as I am going to be studying in Canada. Basically, leaving the warmth for the cold. But I am sure I will manage, and besides, I love challenges!! Also looking forward to being a student again.

Even though I will be physically leaving The Reef, the memories will always follow me wherever I go. Especially Phil’s daily phone messages, or Leona’s artsy crafty days, and of course Castro as well. I'm gonna miss watching the crew at the bar on a Sunday, and I will definitley miss helping guests plan their vacation. Speaking of which, my replacements will be Shankino Ebanks, Nelesa Connoly, and a lot of you are already familiar with Leona Baker!! They are more than capable on helping you plan your vacation, so don’t hesitate to email them at concierge@thereef.com.ky
I have also gotten to know many of the owners here at the resort, and will definitely miss seeing you all each year. All I can say is that I will be back!! I will come home for summer break and maybe winter as well, but this year, I am looking forward to experiencing my first white Christmas!! Looking forward to building my first snowman, and throwing my first snowball!! If it’s ok with The Reef, I would like to blog on my first snow experience!!

So, farewell my friends, but do not be disheartened, as the memories will continue to live on!!

(C)live Entertainment

Lis Groeger has just got back home from a glorious stay at The Reef Resort and kindly sent us one of her vacation snapshots. Here is Clive helping the Groeger boys Tommy, Kevin and Brian to find 'pirate treasure' on our beach.









The kids love Clive! Many of our regulars know him or recognise him as a familiar face around the resort - he's one of our longest serving staff members and is himself a treasure.


Take a look at our photo gallery or accommodations page for more images of The Reef Resort and Grand Cayman.

Dates for your Diary

Cayman Good Taste magazine has announced that this year's anticipated Taste of Cayman festival will be held on Saturday 4th of November at Boatswains Beach (formerly the Turtle Farm). If you're visiting The Reef at this time it's a great excuse to visit the other end of the island and you can sample some great fresh, traditional food at the event and watch the highly competitive 'Chilli cook-off' while you chow down on some of the hot stuff itself.




Another date for the Cayman calendar is Pirates Week Cayman 2006 which will be held a few weeks later than last year. This year Pirates Week will be held for eleven days from November 9th to November 19th on Grand Cayman. Come and see the island come to life with fireworks and pirate themed parties - (rum drinking and plank walking not always compulsory by the way).

Stingray Survives

Further to recent discussion on our blog (see recent posts) as to whether the renowned Grand Cayman Stingray Brewery is closing down or not, we're pleased to confirm that the plant is still up and running.

We serve the Dark variety at our beach bar - and we believe that it's just the Brewery tours that have stopped.

I think you'll agree this is great news for all beer connoisseurs who visit the island.

While we're on the subject...

More thrills and spills for adventure seekers and families - the Thriller Cayman is described as 'the world's most exciting tour boat' and the high-speed experience is said to be like riding a rollercoaster on water.

http://www.thrillercayman.ky/ has more information.

Based on the busier stretch of Grand Cayman (i.e. Seven Mile Beach), this is one of the most fun trips in Cayman, especially for guests who may be concerned with keeping the children entertained.

The Reef advises that you plan your thrill-seeking for a day when there are few cruise ships in town so you don't have to fight through the masses.

Find George Town cruise ship port schedule here for useful information.(as we know : http://www.caymanport.com/schedule.htm )

The Antidote to the Hammock

The Antidote to the Hammock - Black Pearl Skate and Surf

Grand Cayman, well known as a tranquil Caribbean hideaway, also has some hidden gems of excitement. One of these is a glistening Black Pearl in a world of white sandy beaches.




Black Pearl is the true antidote to the hammock; it is the world’s 2nd largest skate park and with a snazzy mechanical surfing wave, it’s a radical departure from the usual laid-back island fare.

Hidden away behind the Grand Harbour shopping centre, the park encompasses 62,000 square feet of skateboarding terrain and a free standing surf machine that creates a wave of up to 11 feet for body-boarding and surfing.

Skaters of all abilities, (age 6 and up) can progress between the beginner and advanced sections of the park. There is lots of room and variety for beginners to safely work on learning the basic tricks but also challenging runs for even the most experienced. The Black Pearl has been endorsed by champion Tony Hawk who was so impressed with it that he cites it as one of the top ten in the world and filmed his ‘Secret Skatepark Tour’ video here in September 2005.

The surfing wave is geared to all ages and abilities and is the perfect place to give surfing a try without having to wait around for hours for the right conditions. And it’s fun to watch too! Bystanders can sit and watch the excitement, in the shade with a cool drink from one of the cafes or bars located within the complex.

If you’re visiting The Reef this year and looking for something different – perhaps you feel exhilaration is on the agenda and want to plan a break from all that beach-rest – pack your most adventurous friends and get set for some Cayman fun that is far from the ordinary.

More information about opening times and how to get there is available from our concierge at The Reef Resort and you can visit their website: www.blackpearl.ky

New Attraction to the East End??

This is a Cuban refugee boat that arrived on the island about 2 weeks ago. It had some damage, and had ran aground, and thus was surrendered. It has been rescued by some locals from the district of East End( my mom and stepdad actually!!). It has taken them 3 consecutive days to get the boat off of the shore, into the water and then onto the trailer. I am glad I was just the photographer, that boat ways a ton!!!

Many thoughts are flying on how to make it a local attraction. It is something you have to really see with your own eyes!! I will definitely keep tabs on this, and update the blog accordingly!!. This will be a great new popular attraction !!

Anyways, gotta go now , camera in hand, photos to follow!!

Blushing Brides Enjoy Destination Dresses

Your wedding can now look and feel even more perfect on the tranquil white sands of The Reef Resort.

Choose a 'destination wedding dress' designed specially by Dessy in conjunction with Sandals resorts - browse their selection of five styles created for the barefooted bride.

Now of course you will have chosen The Reef Resort for an exclusive, peaceful and natural experience but this is a nice choice for a wedding dress and at around US$499 there's no reason not to take advantage of the offers that are available to those who choose the 'more popular' large scale resorts.



One of five destination wedding dress designs to choose from at Dessy

Lenny's Close Shave

A bit of Island news to remind you that Grand Cayman really must be one of the friendliest and most caring places you'll find on this earth.

A story by Anna Wootton in the Caymanian Compass yesterday reports this warming story of how a Caymanian community rallied behind a search for an injured Bassett Hound.

"Last Monday night at around 8,40pm, Julie Allan and Jonathan Arch’s beloved Bassett Hound, Lenny, was hit by a car and dragged more than 50 feet before rolling out from under the car’s back bumper. Lenny then took himself off the road and disappeared into the bush, where he remained missing for nearly 48 hours."

According to the article, Julie Allan immediately emailed a friend of hers who works at dms, who then forwarded the email to everyone in her address book, and encouraged the recipients to do the same. In the next two days, an unexpected flood of support presented itself to Ms Allan and Mr. Arch who received over 50 emails and 30 phone calls. According to Ms Allan, “One woman was in town, and drove all the way back to East End, picked up her Bassett, and drove all the way back into town to help look for Lenny.”

Ms Allan was inspired by everyone’s involvement and kind comments, especially those of Gary Hagland, also an owner of Bassett Hounds.

(I didn't realise we had so many Bassett Hounds on the island!!! They're not indigenous )

It is thought that because Bassetts are so muscular and close to the ground the chances of a hound surviving being hit is greater than for other animals - this thought kept them going during the 2 day hunt.

Thankfully, Lenny was found at around 5pm last Wednesday, not quite 48 hours after he was first hit. He was hiding in the bushes and to everyone's surprise his injuries were slight.

The article says that Ms Allan and Mr Arch would both like to thank all of the people who responded to their email, and who came out and helped search themselves.


Photo and quotes from the Caymanian Compass

Your Voice = Your Choice

Today I'm appealing for help from our blog community.

Due to popular demand, The Reef Resort is currently creating a 'most wanted' selection of favourite Gift Experiences that will soon be available for purchase online and over the phone.


Has someone surprised you with a special treat upon arrival at the resort, or secretly organized a surprise excursion during your trip? Maybe you've thought of something during your time here that we could do to make an experience even more special... We'd love to hear from you.

Your feedback and ideas will help us directly with deciding which gift ideas work best for our guests...and it's only a matter of time before you can start dropping hints or planning a surprise for someone you care about.

Send us an email at feedback@thereef.com.ky or click on my profile and contact me direct.

We look forward to hearing from you!

Diving with a Difference - Ventus Land Spring

Scuba fanatics will be excited to read that Ocean Frontiers (The Reef's on-site Dive Operator) are still pushing the boundaries that they did ten years ago when they first set up their operation out here on the 'undiscovered' East End of Grand Cayman.
This is definitely one to look out for on future visits to The Reef.

One of the final frontiers in Cayman diving are the fresh water springs in the interior of the island. One of the largest is in the East End district on private farm land about 3 miles from the ocean and almost a mile of a trek off the beaten path! After getting permission from one of the land owners and manager for the farm land, Evelyn McLaughlin, some of the guys from Ocean Frontiers (O.F.) set the date to make this special dive in late February 2006.

Fraser Purdon, General Manager of O.F., and David Rhea a very experienced Cave diver were the two 'designated divers'- the rest of the gang (3) say they were there as the cheap mules to carry all their tanks and gear through the bush and to the entry point.

The Ventus Land Spring is a water hole for cattle and is still used today. Local legend has it that the spring is bottomless and connects through to the sea. This is certainly an interesting dive, Fraser and Dave spent over an hour exploring as much of the cave system as possible in one dive and reached a maximum depth of approx 145ft. Fraser and Dave felt they covered most of the system that could be reached by divers, but there were still some areas that need further investigation.

Ocean Frontiers say that they hope to see some development of this cave as a dive site over the next few years- but don't expect to this until the access path/road is improved :)

Investing in Cayman

Grand Cayman has always been a bit of an enigma when it comes to wondering 'how does such a small island have so much financial pull?'


If you are investing or thinking about investing in the Cayman Islands, the Cayman Islands Chamber of Commerce is a good place for information.

Whether it's land, real-estate, a business partnership or mutual funds; investing in the Cayman Islands is almost certain to be profitable venture. Growth in population and in tourism fuels the success of investments in the islands.

Key Points About Investing In Cayman
(taken from the Chamber):

No local taxes - there is currently no income tax, non resident tax, capital gains or other similar taxes in the Cayman Islands

Stability and Security - the Cayman Islands has a stable government, sophisticated infrastructure and a strong economy based on international banking and tourism

Privacy - no reporting of income or ownership to any government agency

Investment freedom - no restrictions on investment purchases

Comprehensive - investment services and opportunities include:
Banking & Trusts
Real Estate
Mutual funds
Offshore Insurance
E-business Opportunities
Shipping Registration
Cayman Islands Stock Exchange
Company Management

For more information about investing in property here on Grand Cayman, you can talk to Lyall Watt, a realtor based within the Reef Resort who is here on the East End of the island to assist you with your real estate enquiries. Email The Reef concierge at concierge@thereef.com.ky if you'd like to set up a meeting with Lyall during your next trip to Cayman.

Cayman Carnival Time again

This week sees the arrival of the Batabano Cayman Carnival 2006 - where visitors and locals alike can witness our colourful parades of costume, music, dancing and culture.

If you're staying at The Reef this week, jump in and be a part of the action or simply watch on the side lines as the streets come alive - local bands play an array of island music to set the party to - steel bands, dance groups and school children all join in to create a magical party atmosphere.

Batabano (meaning 'Turtle tracks') was launched by the Rotary Club in 1984 and is one of the main highlights of Cayman's entertainment calendar. The event is an annual affair and is usually held after Ash Wednesday. Carnival is a communal celebration of life, as much a part of the Caribbean life as the palm trees and the beaches.

For more information on this event visit www.caymancarnival.com

Cool Refreshment - with a sting in its tail

What better way to celebrate a Wednesday than a tribute to our favourite island brew?

Stingray Beer is produced on Grand Cayman at the renowned Stingray Brewery near George Town - one of the only full-scale independent breweries in the Caribbean.

Stingray Brewery produces fine hand-crafted beers to the traditional German Purity Standard. Under this standard, the beer is made from only four high-quality ingredients: hops, malt from grain, water and yeast. No additives or preservatives are allowed.

And you won't find it anywhere else in the world...

The Reef Resort serves 'Stingray Dark' straight from the pump at Castro's Beach Bar. It's also available from The Thirsty Surfer (The Reef's in-house liquor store and internet cafe), so you can take a bit of island taste home with you as a gift or souvenir. Cool off on the beach or take a bit of unique caribbean flavour home with you - but make sure you sup on a Stingray!

Visit the Stingray website for more information about Cayman's well loved and unusual tipple.





PS/ The Reef's concierge can remind you of opening hours during your visit - for assistance at any time, simply visit the main lobby any time during your stay or call from your suite.

Hard Worker Winston now Rests in Peace

This is sad news following our blog about the value of older workers on March 24th - 'Age is Just a Number'.

Arthur Winston, the Los Angeles Transit Worker who celebrated his 99th birthday at work on March 22nd 2005 - less than a month after retiring on his 100th birthday, died in his sleep 2 weeks ago on April 15th.

To his former colleagues at the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, Winston was more than a model employee known for his energy, punctuality and longevity. He was a legend. Winston missed one day of work in over 70 years, and that was to attend his wife's funeral in 1988. In 1996, he received an "Employee of the Century" citation from President Bill Clinton.

This news reminds us of all those special people who work hard to improve the world throughout their lives and dedicate themselves to the company or individual they work for - spending their limited time on this earth in service and helping others.
We are very lucky to have many of these loyal and dedicated people at The Reef Resort and plan to keep them here as long as we possibly can!
So raise your next glass to Arthur Winston and all who follow him.

Good Cause for a New Page

The Reef Resort website now has a page dedicated to some of the conservation efforts that we support. The information here will be frequently updated as and when we become aware of new projects that we can help with and that you can get involved in during your vacation.

Visit our brand new conservation page for a run down of some of the projects we are currently embracing.

Also this summer - look out for our special conservation vacation packages soon to be published on our home page... We all know that it's better to give than receive - but it's even better when we all benefit from it! Guilt free indulgence is coming soon to a computer screen near you!!

The Captain's Back Log

There's been a boat full of activity going on with Ecoventures who've been so busy lately they've hardly had time to report back to the beach-hut with their latest news.... much as they look like they're relaxing in this photo - it's all an act so that you won't feel guilty!!



HOWEVER, Rebecca of Ecoventures did tell me that she now strongly recommends pre-booking if you're planning a vacation at The Reef as they are becoming booked up, up to three months in advance for some activities - especially with regards to their speciality fishing and snorkelling excursions.

Have a shuffle through The Reef website to seek more information about their schedules or use the complimentary e-concierge service for guests.

Drum Roll Please...

... Fosters Food Fair is NOW OPEN.

This comes as great news to the districts of East End and North Side. After many months of anticipation, Fosters Food Fair (across the street from us) will be officially opening their doors today, April 21, 2006. Now our guests, as well as us locals, will be able to do their grocery shopping right across the street, instead of back in George Town!!

And as if that wasn’t enough good news, there is an added bonus....(another drum roll please!!)....There will be a Cayman National Bank ATM set up there as well. That should be completed by the end of next week!!! That is REALLY big news for this end of the island. We are all so excited!!!!

Check back soon for more detailed updates!!

The Legacy of a Great Man

Norberg K Thompson, OBE

The Staff of The Reef Resort regret to announce that Founder of our resort, Norberg K. Thompson, OBE, died last Thursday morning. He was 81.

Local newspapers have been paying tribute to Mr Thompson who has been a prominent and well-known member of Cayman’s business community. The Cayman Net News described him fondly as a ‘stalwart’ of Cayman.

Mr Thompson was educated at the Cayman Islands Government School and started his long career by spending ten years as a seafarer. He went on to start Wholesome Bakery in 1954, developing trade district by district on a bicycle. A founding member of Cayman’s Rotary Club, Mr Thompson then began building condominiums in 1964 and became involved in numerous other real estate ventures – one of them being the creation of the Reef Resort.

Flags were flown at half mast at some business establishments and those offices were also closed for half a day on 30th March 2006 in recognition of the passing of Mr. Thompson. He leaves a rich legacy on Cayman of a life of hard work and dedication and has been an inspiration to many people. In 2002 he received the Order of the British Empire (OBE) during the Queen’s Birthday honours.

Mr. Thompson, one of Cayman’s most successful businessmen, served as Chamber President from 1970-1974 and was awarded the Chamber’s Businessman of the Year Award in 1997. The Cayman Islands Chamber of Commerce have paid a special tribute to Mr Thompson on their website.

He is survived by his devoted wife of almost 50 years, Mary Thompson; two sons, Kel and Gene Thompson and a large, extended family. Kel has been very actively involved in creating The Reef Resort and we send our sincere condolences to him and the rest of the family. This is a loss to the Thompson family but also to Grand Cayman as a whole.

The service of thanksgiving for the life of Norberg K. Thompson, Sr., O.B.E. will be held at the George Town Seventh Day Adventist Church Sunday, 9 April at 3.30pm.

Sports Day

Just keeping you in touch with what is going on in the community. Over the past month the different primary schools have been having their "sports day". Many parents take off an hour or two, or even the full day, to go watch their child "compete" within their school. Granted, everyone sees it more as fun than competition though!! The above photos were taken at the North Side Primary School Sports Day, which was held at The Truman Bodden Sports Complex in George Town. It was a great event, activities ranging from bean bag races, to 800 metre races!! Exciting to say the least!! This week the "Inter-School Sports Day" is being held. This is where the top winners of the different primary schools compete with each other, I guess you could call this "Nationals!! " In any event, it was a fun day for the kids, a nice break before their exams!!.

Photographic Art at The Reef

Regular Reefians may remember that we have had 12 lovely framed prints hanging in and around the lobby since last summer.

They are the creation of talented Caymanian Photographer, Patrick Broderick, who has finally confirmed pricing of US$350 per print. The prints are not framed but are limited editions and signed by the artist. They would make a very special gift or souvenir of your relaxing time spent here.

Patrick's keen intuitive eye connects to his photography subjects with a very quiet sense. His use of a natural composition and lighting draws the viewer into the works. One feels Patrick knows his subjects well, as the intimacy is obvious, be it a landscape or portrait. His attention to detail enhances the work as well as his use of available photographic technology.

- Lesley Bigelman, Former Director
National Gallery of the Cayman Islands

More information is available on Patrick's website, his contact information is below :

Patrick Broderick
30180 Seven Mile Beach, Grand Cayman
Ph. 345-947-8400    Cell 345-925-9247
E. pbp@candw.ky

 
AND GET THIS: If guests order and pay for their prints whilst at the resort, we will extend a discount of $20 on each print.

Castro has left the building………..

But no worries, he is in the very capable hands of Gerald Dilbert. Gerry will be opening an aviary/parrot Jungle within a few months. He will have 1 acre of land under netting so that Castro and his new found friends can fly to their heart’s content!! Gerry said he was taking Castro home to meet a female bird, her name is Cheetah!!. I will go visit him later this week, to take pictures of him in his new home, and will of course blog them for you all to see. Since the aviary is not yet ready, Gerry has built a temporary aviary behind his house where he will keep Castro and the rest of his birds.
We are all excited for Castro, as now he has the opportunity to meet friends of his own, of course he has “people friends”, but he was lacking in “bird friends”!! He will be greatly missed by the staff and the owners of the resort, but the good thing is that the aviary will be located behind the Frank Sound Fire Station, near the Mastic Trail . So in reality he is only 15 minutes away!!

Age is just a number

News from Los Angeles: After working for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority for 76 years, Arthur Winston is celebrating his 100th birthday by retiring.
In the last 72 years, Winston has missed just one day of work, in 1988 when his wife died.

This got us to thinking about our own staff and how lucky we are also, to have such dedicated workers.

Papi started at The Reef Resort on February 9th, 2001. He is the beach attendant and with ours being one of the largest resort beaches on the island (1600ft) he takes pride in keeping it looking tidy and beautiful.



Papi is very dedicated. The other day he was having severe back pains but continued to work. Mr. Lawrence the Resort Manager really had to force him to take a day off and rest up. In all his years that was his first sick day. He’s 71 years of age (and looks great in a cowboy hat ;)


Ms. Barbara Forbes works for Housekeeping at The Reef and is very reliable. She can sometimes be heard muttering away as you walk past her, maybe this is the secret to success because she is always here when scheduled. She’s 64.

Vida Christian, one of our Housekeeping supervisors, also has a fantastic attitude to work. She’s 52 years of age going on 32 with boundless energy and good humour - Vida is totally dedicated to the keeping the resort clean and our guests happy.

Many employers these days are reluctant to hire individuals who are considered to be reaching the end of their careers - The Reef's policy is not to discriminate in any way and to employ people for their abilities and positive attributes - after all, age is just a number and besides, the three staff mentioned above would put many a 21 year old to shame!!!

Conservationism evolves for our future

Biodiversity has never been so hot on the agenda.

Further to our blog on the Cayman Sea Sense initiative - Conservation of Cayman’s rich environmental diversity received a further hefty boost last week with the official launch of the Cayman Islands Darwin Project.

The UK Government are funding the project with a US $300,000 grant - Cayman's bid for this was successful in the face of global competition.

The Caymanian Compass covered this story and Monday's edition outlined the plans;
which include the creation of satellite imagery maps of the Islands’ physical features that will be used as baseline information.

In addition to the satellite mapping, it seems the other two main components of the CI Darwin project are:

1) to aid the development of a biodiversity action plan for the Cayman Islands outlining a specific set of actions that need to be taken to preserve the extraordinary diversity of species on the Islands.

According to the Caymanian Compass, the plans will focus on habitats and species of both ecological and commercial significance, such as conch and lobster; indigenous species unique to the Cayman Islands, such as the silver thatch; and threatened and endangered species, such as the Grand Cayman Blue iguana and the Nassau grouper.


2) Funding from the Darwin Project will be used in providing public education on preserving biodiversity. Workshops and activities will be planned around practical conservation projects.

One such project is the proposed native tree nursery at the QEII Botanic Park in the hope of establishing a nursery as a self-financing sourse of native plant material to encourage the use of native plants in landscaping.

A website has been set up called caymanbiodiversity.com - the site is currently 'under construction' but I'm sure we'll be telling you more about this project as it continues.

Home Alone ?

As of now, making calls to those you left back home is better value at The Reef.

We have reduced the flat connection fee for calling toll free call card numbers from your suite - down from US$3 to US$1 flat fee.

The Thirsty Surfer will be selling $10.00 and $20.00 calling cards.
Now you can use these cards from the comfort of your own beachfront suite, for just a dollar.






This might come as a surprise in the light of today's news that the cost of living in Cayman has increased by an average of 7 percent in 2005...

These figures are reported in the latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) and it's thought that major contributors to this rise are increases in the housing sector, as a result of higher rental and insurance premiums.

The following information on the CPI is taken from today's Cayman Net News:

In 2005, Cayman's annual average index rose in six of the eight major groups. A high of 18.7 percent was registered in the housing group, which includes rent, maintenance, insurance and utilities.

Increases in alcohol and tobacco were second with 5.2 percent, followed by transport and communication, 3.9 percent; food, 2.8 percent; and personal goods and services, 2.6 percent. The lowest rise of 2.2 percent was in the education and medical group.
The two groups that showed a decline in 2005 were clothing, by 2.3 percent; and household equipment, by 2.2 percent.

For the love of Seafood and the Oceans....

Choose Cayman Sea Sense items next time you dine out in Grand Cayman.

The Cayman Sea Sense project is a sustainable seafood education program dedicated to helping restaurants and their customers make informed and environmentally positive seafood choices.

Castro's Hideaway at The Reef is already upholding principles of sustainability - there is an inspection process to go through and we are waiting for this to happen.

What is sustainable seafood? The Cayman Islands National Trust's website lists it as the following:

A species that is abundant and resilient to fishing pressures.

A species that is well managed with a comprehensive management plan based on current research.

A species that is harvested in a method that ensures limited bycatch on non-target and endangered species.

A species that has a method of catch which ensures there is limited habitat loss associated with the harvesting method.


The project will assist local chefs and restaurant owners in general, in reducing the number of non-sustainable seafood items on their menus. Participation is open to any restaurant that provides at least one sustainable option on their menu, with a commitment for continuous improvement. Full certification comes when all seafood items on the menu are sustainable.





So be sure to look out for the Cayman Sea Sense icon on menus which will allow you to choose sustainable seafood options as certified by the Cayman Sea Sense Team.

Annual Agriculture Fair

This was an exciting event as usual. This took place on Ash Wednesday. It’s a day for all of the local crafters and farmers to come out and display their goods for sale. There were also booths where they sell local food, cooked the good old Caymanian way!!! Things like cassava cake, stewed turtle and a whole lot more!! This is a great stop for visitors to the island, to get to know the culture a little more. They also had activities to keep the kids entertained, like cake walks, and horseback riding. It’s a fun event for the whole family!!

Mardi Gras rocks Cayman

How about Mardi Gras on the beach...
Kaibo hosts their 7th annual Mardi Gras Celebrations on the east side of the island (about 20 min drive from The Reef Resort)
This year's high light is Lady Precise, a vocalist and freestyle performer out of Vancouver, next to local Rock Band Ratskyn and DJ Presser and DJ Johnny G, who are Mardi Gras alums and many more. And of course food & drinks in Mardi Gras style are offerd all day for this event from midday to midnight.
If you missed it this year, plan for next years celebration, every year on Ash Wednesday, which by the way is a public holiday in the Caymans.

Strip Mall soon to be opened

The latest update on the strip mall across from the resort is - to be opened in April.
A definite addition to this side of the island will be the Foster's Supermarket with groceries and other items.
If you are arriving in April/May please check with our concierge team on the progress otherwise we recommend on doing your grocery shopping in George Town/near airport.
You may stop at Foster's Foodfair or Hurley's Supermarket conveniently located on your way to The Reef.

The Sun, the Sea and.....Stingrays!!

For those of you who have not yet visited us here in Grand Cayman, the sandbar at Stingray City is a MUST do. Our trip goes out every Tuesday afternoon. For those of you who think you wont get in the water, no worries, you can see them as clear as day just sitting on the boat (I should know as it took me my second trip before I got in!!). Nothing to be afraid of though, as Leona puts it, they are like great big tame cats!! Just remember to let go of the bait otherwise you'll get a stingray hickey from the suction!!

Tini & Cosmo - The Resort Patrol

For everybody who was wondering how Tini & Cosmo have been doing, ...please look for yourself. They are well and back together. Tini had four beautiful kittens back in December and spent several weeks at the Humane Society in George Town. The volunteers there are doing a fantastic job for homeless cats & dogs on the island and Tini and her offspring were very well taken care of as it would have been difficult to guarantee their safety around the resort while nursing. They were visited often by Linda, Patricia and myself. Unfortunately one kittens was lost to a virus, but Patricia, our Human Recourses Manager actually decided to adopt two of Tini's little ones and the third one also got adopted. Siblings Tini & Cosmo got both neutered/spayed and are now happy to be back together at The Reef as you can see. They are looking forward to your visit :)

A new addition to The Reef is "Leona’s World of Art”. Leona, our activities director, is seen here painting her new arts & crafts room. Behind this door lies all kinds of crafty ideas, from painting to making refridgerator magnets . She does a variety of crafts with the guests from Tuesday through Friday. Make sure when you come down you sign your kids (and kids at heart) up for a few days of arts & crafts!! :o)

World Famous Harlem Gospel Choir visits Cayman

The Cayman Art Festival started off with an excellent show.
Cayman got to see a great performance of the world famous Harlem Gospel Choir at the First Babtist Church in George Town.
I had seen them several years ago in my hometown in Germany and would go to see them again at any time. The atmosphere was great, they had everybody off their seats.
If you are interested have a look at their official website www.harlemgospelchoir.com for their tour plan.
After the show they were also available for autographs and questions.