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November/December, 2004 - Pirate’s Point, Little Cayman

Island condition after 'Ivan'

There is debris above the shoreline on most Southside areas we looked at. This is just sand, rock and coral that was cleaned off the beaches by the resorts or home owners after Ivan.

Pirate's point rented a front loader to clean off the debris left on the resort. The good news is that they have a much larger beach now, until another storm comes along and washes it back into the ocean. Ah, Mother nature.

Some resorts didn’t have their boats back in operation yet when we were there. We hosted several divers from other resorts (Paradise Villas) on our boat. We had nine divers most of the week, with only a few more at other times. Nice... (I believe that Paradise Villas was getting their boat back the day after we left)

Island Upgrades

They doubled the law enforcement contingent this year (2004), from one officer to two. Seems to me they've upgraded the police cars too. <G>

The Cayman government, which owns Cayman Airways, improved Little Cayman's runway with a topping of asphalt. I guess they thought that getting dings in the undercarriage and props of their airplanes was unacceptable, although the only independent airline operator (Island Air) had to endure that same damage over the previous years he was the ONLY one to provide air service to Little Cayman. --- Funny how government works in The Caymans. Reminds me of a corrupt city council Ward in Chicago.

They've added more wildlife observation platforms on the island to observe waterfowl and other creatures.

I see that they rent motor-bikes on LC now. ANOTHER way to kill yourself while on vacation and annoy those trying to relax.

They how have a very modern telecommunications tower on LC, or maybe I've just noticed it this year as they have two cellular companies serving LC now. <sigh> --- Another reason to GO there before modernity trashes LC completely.

Facilities at Pirate's Point

Gladys has now installed a 'Guest' computer for those guests who just CAN'T do without checking their e-mail back in 'the world'. I guess it's a good thing, but I have one word of warning, the machine may not have the most current security protection software on it.

With the approval of 'the front office' I ran a quick remote antivirus sweep on it and it had 101 infected files. Until they re-format it (it's almost impossible to completely clean up a machine that far down in the mud) and install antivirus and a firewall, I'd not check my mail or go to any website that I needed a password for. You're simply asking for your private information, not to say the email addresses of your friends to be 'harvested' by some internet slug.

Gladys has invested in new bicycles! WOW, bright, shiny and well lubricated too! I think Peter has the responsibility 

Lots of Seagrape trees came down during the storm. The trees remaining at PP have lost limbs and therefore the shade during lunch is at a premium. Gladys has already planted new palm trees along the shore to replace those that didn't survive and to augment other trees that remain.

From the boat, while going to the days diving, you can see the brown salt spray damage on the vegetation across much of the island. Still, these hardy trees were already showing new green growth during the week we were there. Gosh, stuff grows quickly down there.

Gladys has taken the two original room on the resort and renovated them. They also have AC in them if you wish to turn it on.

Lobster Hunting

Cam was ready for the start of lobster season at midnight, November 30. He went out with a newbie (not me) and they caught their limit in an hour. You could see their flashlights play back and forth under the water in front of the resort. I watched from the dock with a beer. <G> --- By the way, lobster season is 3 months long and tourists don't need a license. Seems most locals don't go for them. Go figure...

Birthday Party for Amber

One evening Steve (former PP divemaster) and his girlfriend Amber came down from Southern Cross for Amber's Birthday. Gladys hauled out the party hats and made us all wear them during dinner. I wish there was no photographic evidence of the hats, sigh, but I'm afraid that when I get my film back from the lab I'll have to upload some here. 

Visiting LCBR

We rode (bicycles) down to LCBR to see Coco (former PP divemaster) at LCBR with Ryan, her new husband. She's as bubbly as always and shared the info the 'jungle drums' were passing around LC. Love that DIRT. <G>

Yes, we even PAID for some beers at the bar down there. <G> They had the same bartender from last year. She complained about all the cigar smokers at the resort. I think they were the Chicago guys I talked to on the plane from Miami. <G>

The Iguanas

Janet and Lynda rode down to where we fed the iguanas last year and said they're MUCH bigger than before. Said the BIG one scared them a bit when they offered the grapes.

The Wreck of the 'Ganja Runner'

About 2 days before we arrived, a sailboat tried to enter 'the sound' via the channel at 2:00a.m. under sail. He missed, or the keel wouldn't clear the cut, and ran aground. The story goes that the captain was Canadian and the crew were three Jamaicans.

The Jamaicans rowed the skiff ashore and started knocking on doors asking for a pilot and plane to fly them off the island because of a 'medical' emergency.

The police, both of them I assume <G>, were called and the crew were "interviewed" in separate rooms. Seems their stories didn't track together, so the police, along with other law enforcement officers motored out to the sailboat to interview the captain and see what was "up".

They found the sailboat had several drums of gas lashed to the deck, unusual since gas normally goes in the gas tank. When they opened the "gas" tank they found 700 pounds of Marijuana! Couldn't guess that, could ya? <G>

As you may know, the ONE place you don't want to be landing drugs in the Caribbean is the Caymans. These guys will be guests of the State well into the next decade, I'd guess.

HOLD ON, the story's not finished! --- The next chapter begins two days later, the day after we arrived. Two soft spoken gentlemen of the RCMP (Royal Canadian Mounted Police) arrived unbidden on the mid-day flight from Grand Cayman and proceeded to hire one of the resort divemasters to retrieve a piece of "equipment" from the sailboat, which by now was overturned and beginning to break up. This was done.

It seems the RCMP had been investigating the Canadian and his crew for two years, and sometime in the investigation had secreted a GPS transponder in the vessel to track their visits throughout the Caribbean. It seems apparent the RCMP, and other Drug enforcement folk, were hoping to roll up larger fish along the way.

Needless to say, this is not the end of the tale. I'm looking forward to the next installment. Stay tuned...

Refugees at sea

One morning while motoring around to the North side to dive, we came across a small 18" boat with Cuban refugees on a dive-site morning. Our boat captain had been on the radio with the immigration folks and we were under instructions to not approach them nor wave (I think an issue of rules of the sea if they wave and ask for assistance). As we passed them a government boat was approaching them to evaluate their circumstances. --- It is likely that they moored offshore rather than attempt to land because the Cayman government's official policy is to return all Cuban refugees back.

After diving, as we entered the sound to get to our dock we saw that immigration had towed them in and they were on our dock getting assistance from the authorities. They were drying their clothing, and getting food and water, apparently in preparation of putting back to sea on their way to Honduras.

One could not help feeling sympathy for them. I wish them well in their new life.

Weather

I think we had the best weather in several years. We only had rain on late afternoon and early evening. We were mostly in the bar anyway. <G> The winds let us dive almost exclusively on the North side, although a couple of dives were on the Southside.

 2004 Daily Dinner Menu entrees

Fajitas 

Medallions of Beef

Tuna Steaks

BBQ Ribs and BBQ Chicken

Paella

Fajitas 

November/December, 2003 - Pirate’s Point, Little Cayman

Island Tour

Bob & Lynda decided to rent a jeep and invited me drive around the island with them. We drove up the to the airport and cut across to the north side to take the road to the east end of the island where Bob and Lynda were going to snorkel at Point of Sand. We saw lots of heavy weather on the north side, thus we didn't see any dive boats challenging the north side. <G>

We stopped a couple of times at the newly installed point of interest sites. There was a marshy point (very clear water) that indicated several type of waterfowl that lived there. The second was a site overlooking the volcanic rock formations. both were interesting. It's nice to see the government make efforts to spruce up the various points of interest on LC.

We drove by Point of Sand accidentally and got directions from Madeline McCoy. She was escorting a representative of the Danish Tourist board around the island. We followed them back to POS and chatted for a few minutes.

Bob and Lynda geared up for snorkeling and I broke out the snacks and a book I'd been reading. B&L came back from snorkeling and said they'd seen lots of good stuff, including a nurse shark snoozing in the shallows.

It's useful to note that I'd gotten some information about renting vehicles on LC from a guest. They shared one incident where they didn't think the jeep they rented was full of gas and they had to put in more gas than they'd used. --- With that tidbit, I suggested to Bob that we stop by the rental place (where the gas pump is too) and ask them to top off the tank BEFORE we started off on our tour. The tank took $6.51ci (about $10.00US) to reach full !!! -- Good hint -- Thanks, to the anonymous guest. <G>

Glady's Reception for the Cayman History book

Glady's held a reception at her house for the Cayman Government's introduction of it's new Cayman Islands history, which has just been published. We were "encouraged" to buy the book (Gladys: "we can easily add it to your bill" <G>) It benefits the National Trust so I didn't mind. <G> 

Most anyone who IS anyone on Little Cayman was there, or so we were told.  Gladys laid on the hors d'oeuvres with champagne. She also gave tours of her house, which is coming along nicely. The newest part I'd not seen was the screened in room on the porch. 

Gay's Book

Gay has written a book, "So, you want to live on an island...". It's being edited and illustrated now. Gay will have a web site where the book can be purchased as well as at several Cayman outlets. I CAN'T wait to read it!

I'll post a short excerpt when Gay gives me the thumbs up. It's supposed to be quite humorous as well as offering practical advice for those of us who are beset by our muse to chuck it all and move to Little Cayman. <G>

Daily Menu was . . .

November/December, 2002 - Pirate’s Point, Little Cayman

With this fall's storms some tree branches on the resort were blown down, thus no more lunch under the trees. You now eat on the veranda or inside in the restaurant or bar; your choice.  The veranda is Ok but not all the tables are in the shade. Best to arrive early or wear a hat. Bring bug spray.

Blind Date 2002

We had a film team from the U.K. version of 'Blind Date'. Cam served a grill lobster lunch for the blind daters. Here is a film record of the lunch date. Diane (the other PP chef) is the foxy lady in the red pantaloons. Cam's opinion was that the guy was a "doorknob".

Little Cayman "sells out"

It appears that that old Joni Mitchell song, “Pave Paradise, put up a parking lot” is about to come true on Little Cayman!

Signs that 'civilization' is coming too close to Little Cayman:

• They have a ‘Real’ policeman now – from New York – He has an SUV with light bar and a permanent police station

• There is a scar in the interior of the island where the new airport is being built – They keep putting fill in it but it just disappears, time after time <G> -- The airport is WAY over budget – They're in the process of "re-evaluating" the cost of airport <G>

• My traditional arrival ritual, the "Bucket O’ Beer" can no longer be displayed in public. I was advised to only give Bob & Lynda their beers inside of the van after we loaded up. I guess the new 'County Mounty' has too little to do. <sigh>

• Speaking of vans, it's no longer legal to transport people in the back of trucks

The message here is, GO BEFORE IT GETS TRASHED LIKE GRAND CAYMAN OR EVEN CAYMAN BRAC!!!

2001 Activities, etc

Resort Changes 12/01

Well, when we arrived for this year's visit we found several new things to be enjoyed on the resort proper.

Gladys' House

Gladys' new house is finished; it's ROUND! Gladys no longer has to bunk in back of the bar with the supplies. <G> Gladys hosted us for hors d'oeuvre, wine and a tour one evening.

The house has full windows all around the shore side with a wonderful view of Preston Bay. There is a nice wrap around porch that will be enclosed, if I remember right.

Inside it is fully air-conditioned with a demonstration kitchen that is combined with a nice living room area and dinning room. In addition, there is a master bedroom, guest room and 'mud room'. The guest bedroom has an overhead hideaway type bunk bed area for the new grand daughter, when Gladys's daughter comes to visit. The main area has high tapering ceilings with decorative/functional ceiling fans for when you do not wish to use the AC.  

The kitchen is wonderful! It has a built-in 'Sub Zero' refrigerator, red and white wine separate temperature controlled vertical cellars, range with warming section and demonstration area with a 'serve-over' where students can observe everything or nibble on the "results" in process. 

The "new" Bar

They've re-configured the bar/lounge area. Gladys's former room has been opened up and the storage area has been re-configured so that the bar has been enlarged. They now have it fully air-conditioned as well.  I must say, it is much more pleasant than before; not that we were EVER put off from spending time there in the past anyway. <G>

Dining Room

There is not much new in the dining room but they now turn the air conditioning on for the evening meal each day. A fine idea.

Off resort changes

New experiences did not stop with the resort itself. Gladys has finally obtained permission to build a dock on some other land she owns on the south side. We no longer have to drive to Southern Cross Club to load up.

Sadly though, you no longer load at Salt Rocks. I always enjoyed the short ride to load up there on the north side and thus have a MUCH shorter ride to the Wall on Bloody Bay.

Topside fun 12/01

Wine dinner - One night we had a special event at dinner. Curtis prepared a special seafood dinner and one of the wine distributors from Grand Cayman provided a Sauvignon Blanc horizontal tasting to go with the meal. They even printed up special menus. Here is the menu. I HOPE they do one next year too.

Wine/Cheese at Gladys' new house

Although Gladys talked about her new house, we'd only seen the outside, until she hosted a wine and cheese party and tour one evening before dinner. WHAT A HOUSE!!! When can I move in? <G>

Feeding the Iguanas near Pirate's Point

One afternoon we took some bikes down the road to where some iguanas are known to reside. We were advised that they like grapes. This is the result. Oh YEA, they like grapes! Lots of fun!

Tell me what you think. Questions or comments are always welcome!

Email me at timboyd1 at yahoo.com  
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