Tag: https://www.visitcaymanislands.com/en-gb

Countries, UK

Cayman feel the Thames

funtime65

Cayman feel the Thames they said and we’ll bring you the world.

The world being the World Travel Market at ExCel in London Docklands.

And we’d be going in style… by the river barge Will, and then cable car over to the other side of London Docklands.

Brunch? Well, seeing our Caribbean chums are hosting this’ll be of the liquid variety.

Which means Mixologist Maya’s creations.

Maya is a mover and shaker all right… when she’s not creating cocktails she’s ripping it up on the Soca circuit back in the Cayman Islands.

All of which comes in handy for their three (count them) carnivals.

Turtley cool carnival

Shell life: Our turtle pals

Batabano which gets the ball rolling in George Town in May is a celebration of Caymanian life… turtle life.

After all they were here long before any of us and keep coming back to nest and leave their imprints in the sand.

Which in the local tongue is Batabano.

Watch out for Mudslides

Maya heroine: Bandanaman, Maya & Laura

I get my tongue around the Seaside Sip, a variation on the Hot Toddy and welcoming in the autumn breeze up on deck.

The sip being is a Seven Seas rum base with fever-grass tea, thyme-infused honey and a hint of zesty lemon juice.

Warmed by your first Seaside Sip it would be rude, of course, not to accept our hosts’ offer of their take on Caymanian staple, the Mudslide.

The Shots Fired blends Gun Bay vodka, made on the island, almond milk, Caymanian coffee and a chocolate syrup.

It’s strong, so that’ll be the recoil you’ll feel.

Your captain speaking

Boat comes in: Will

Nor are they the only shots offered on Will with the crew offering clay pigeon outings too.

Though wisely as we were well into the cocktails by now, they didn’t put any rifles in our hands.

Although the captain did allow me to steer the wheel… for show you understand.

Cable talk: The Thames Cable Car

As even the Thames isn’t wide enough for my driving even before I hit the cocktails.

So the invitation to Cayman feel the Thames accepted and delivered it’s full steam ahead to a day of appointments.

I’m just careful of breathing too closely to the exhibitors for fear of knocking them out.

MEET YOU ON THE ROAD

 

 

 

Caribbean, Cruising

The paradise capers

funtime65

I have certain writing rules built up over years of scribbling about Travel, one of which is never to use the cliche ‘paradise’ but every rule has an exception and that applies to Grand Cayman and the paradise capers.

The story begins, as so many do on a foreign shore.

And a Travel fair, the American IPW, when an invitation came through to visit Grand Cayman.

Which, alas, I was unable to attend because there were still parts of America I had to explore.

Lie back and think… Of the Eastern Caribbean

Fortunately though I was in a position to share the love.

And I knew exactly the person who would do such a trip to the Eastern Caribbean justice, my fellow award-winner Melanie May.

And so I went about my travels and Melanie got her passport out and scribbling pad for the Caribbean.

Come what May

Tree-mendous: Fort Lauderdale

Of course she returned with a headful of ideas, pictures and honeyed phrases to do the island justice.

And all that was left for me to do was to design it into my award-winning Travel section.

And put an eye-catching headline on it… Grand Cayman the paradise capers.

All of which I was reminded of when my old friends at Platinum Travel got in touch to promote their 10-night Eastern Caribbean cruise with Celebrity Cruises.

A seven port, three sea days trip around the fabulous Caribbean with the sumptuous ocean liner is just the sort of pick-me-up.

If you’re trying to get through the cold, dark, winter months.

So get on board Celebrity Silhouette departing from Fort Lauderdale on March 13.

And soon you’ll be lounging on Aruba‘s impeccable white-sand beaches.

Coral singing

Lapping it up: In Bonaire

And dive in the vibrant waters of Bonaire, full of pristine coral reefs.

Now, I’m sure you’re all naturals with the scuba-diving.

So you won’t make the mistake of the amateur who stands on and kills the reef in, say the Maldives.

You’ll visit Curacao too which, of course, my own Scary One has visited.

On her well-told voyage around the world from when she came back from Australia as a child.

She usually reminds me after I get the Blue Curacao out for our Saturday cocktails.

For those of you who like to tick off continents too.

Colombia is a picture

All the colours: Cartagena in Colombia

Then you’ll be pleased to know that you get time too in the cathedral city of Cartagena in Colombia.

And when you’re in the south Caribbean then the urge is to mark South America on your map.

As was the case when we visited Tobago on the doorstep of Venezuela.

Deal us in

If you’ve been saving, or if you can put it on the long finger then the 10-night cruise comes in  at from €2,6999pp including flights from Dublin, drinks, wi-fi and tips.

And $400 on board spend per person.

Now go ahead book before December 5 for up ot 75% for a second guest and up to $800 onboard credit per stateroom.

And drink in the Eastern Caribbean and Grand Cayman and the paradise capers.

 

 

Caribbean, Countries, Culture

Caymankind Paradise Capers

funtime65

It’s a First World problem at the American Travel Fair, IPW and you get invited to the Cayman Islands and you get thinking Caymankind Paradise Capers.

Only you’re double booked.

But thankfully Young Travel Writer of the Year Melanie May was free to fill in.

And it’s a question I have often been asked is my process in running a team of writers to travel the world.

I would often be accused of favouritism to which I would gladly plead guilty.

It’s just that I would always reward ability and attitude.

Come what May

Beach life

I could always tell what kind of job somebody would do by their response to assignments.

If they referred to the commission as a junket they immediately put me offside.

I would always seek out and receive feedback from the holiday providers on how they conducted themselves.

Respect and gratitude should be a given but tales are legend in Travel of writers who go all along for the journey.

And try to ditch the party or refuse to take part in the activities.

Headline act

Best bar none: Cayman

Melanie has always been a dream, going that extra mile on a brief.

I could always tell too how good a piece was if I could nail a headline within a few paragraphs.

And so with the Cayman Islands I quickly fell upon Paradise Capers.

A positive spin on something we all associate the Caymans with… a tax haven.

The Caymans clearly preserve their status as a seductive destination because of their good management and planning.

Which is why I’m not surprised but obviously delighted that the Caymans have now set out a five-point plan for full reopening in 2022.

Yes Minister

Minister’s call: Kenneth Bryan

Minister for Tourism and Transport, Hon. Kenneth Bryan fills us in.

“My colleagues and I in government have worked tirelessly to develop this phased approach in preparation for the opening of our borders to international travellers.

“And we are pleased to announce the wait for paradise is almost over!

“Our guests will appreciate the impactful developments and enhancements we’ve made to the destination – surely proving that Cayman is worth the wait.”

And obvs there are palm trees

West Indians are famous for their welcome and accessibility the world over.

Which is why Government ministers are expected to be at hand for their people.

And so can be expected to be at the cricket in Barbados (in shorts and polo shirt though maybe don’t do that, Boris).

Or finish off their rum punch on the Anguilla beach to make your Zoom meeting.

And so the Cayman Minister for Tourism is making himself available to us travel professionals to speak individually with him.

Access all areas

And turtles

I’ll share with you, as always happens in the Caribbean, the chat, our chat.

But just to put out some further good news,

Quarantine requirements will be removed for all securely verified, fully vaccinated travellers on October 14.

Which is phase four, and the real game changer for us.

Of course you can only truly get a proper flavour of Grand Cayman, Little Cayman and Cayman Brac.

And there are four direct flights from Heathrow to Grand Cayman this autumn/winter.

Caymankind

And there are regular flights

So what does Caymankind offer?

There’s the Seven Mile Beach (self-explanatory really), the iconic Stingray City Sand Bar, the Cayman Caves.

And what I know my own green-fingered goddess will appreciate, stunning orchid gardens.’

I’m a great believer in never allowing an opportunity to pass you by.

And that means going back to ask again.

Which I’ll certainly do when I speak to the Cayman Minister for Tourism about Caymankind Paradise Capers.

 

Caribbean, Countries, Deals, Europe

Newsday Tuesday – Green for more go

funtime65

Don’t fret Bandanini and Bandanettes I’m incorporating Cruiseday Tuesday into a new feature as things are moving quickly…. here’s Newsday Tuesday – Green for more go.

We’ve long lobbied for Greece, and particularly its islands to be first off the block with a UK green light and now we’re pushing Cyprus.

Hype for Cyprus

The pool is all mine

My friend Diomedous in Aegeanworld has good news for us.

Pafos on the southwest coast is reporting a 0.000 rate of positive cases!

And in Cyprus as a whole there are 0.1 positive cases which is prompting the Athena Beach Hotel to open up again on June 9.

Seven nights with free half-board upgrade for July departures from £689pp, flying from Gatwick, with other airports available on request.

More ports in the storm

Obrigado: With the Scary One in Portugal Centro

Now wouldn’t it be a treat if we could all broaden our horizons from our current Green List go-to countries of Portugal, Gibraltar and Iceland?

The UK Government will be releasing their Travel review on Thursday, June 3, with the new destinations to come in on June 10.

We’re hearing on the grapevine that these ten are mooted because they’re leading the way on vaccinations and Covid rates.

And no, Cyprus, isn’t on it but I know Boris Johnson and Grant Shapps are ardent readers… imagine them in Bandanas.

The perfect ten

The Malta archipelago

So let’s look at some of the ten that could get the green light.

Malta has long held a special place in our heart while we need little invitation to flag up the Caribbean.

Each have their individual merits.

Anguilla and the Caribbean

Caribbean queens: In Anguilla

But on alphabetical order, and because their Minister got off the beach and put down his rum punch to talk to us… let’s headline Anguilla.

Antigua and Barbuda (one country),

The British Virgin Islands, The Cayman Islands, St Kitts and Nevis (again a oner) and the Turks and Caicos Islands (you get the picture) complete the Caribbean comeback.

Fiji or there would be a mutiny

Fiji singing

Exotic islands you say? Fiji is being championed too and why not as it has been voted Happiest Place on Earth.

And I put their patience to the test when I tried going native with my Dad Dancing when they brought their show to Dublin.

The big Finnish

Let’s finish our list of contenders with, well with a big Finnish, where we all know they love a sauna and cutting ice circles in lakes to jump into.

And we suspect there will be a mass dunking if they get the nod.

It’s Newsday Tuesday – more Green for go. Go, go, go.

And Bye Bye Love Boat cap’n

The Cap’n

And for most of us Fiftysomethings our first insight into the magical world of cruising wax The Love Boat.

So it was only natural that Princess Cruises should get Captain Stubing on board to serve as their Global Ambassador for 35 years.

May heaven be a calm sea, Cptn Gavin MacLeod.