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. Wendy & Darren Casson the cayman islands experts

"STOP the World...we're getting off"...this is our mantra...it hasn't always been, but living in the Cayman Islands has a way of changing people.  You quickly become accustomed to the "Soon Come Mon" lifestyle...where the rule is "if ya don't move fast, ya won't sweat!" .

We fell in love with Cayman the moment the plane door opened. We were greeted with air so thick with humidity, we could feel it we breathed into our lungs...we could almost taste the salt from the Caribbean Sea. With Jamaica to the South East, Cuba to the North, and Belize/Mexico to the West...we knew we had arrived in paradise.Being a expat in Cayman is an opportunity of a life time.  Where  else can you earn tax free money, and play in the Caribbean during your time off from work?  In Cayman we see tourists come down and spend a fortune just to enjoy our little island for a week or two...we get to enjoy all Cayman has to offer...every single day.  There is so much to see and do, it is really up to you how active, or how laid back, your lifestyle is.  You can chose from snorkeling, SCUBA diving, sailing, kayaking, parasailing, jet skiing, wind surfing, and deep sea fishing.  And don't forget about the different events and festivals...Batabano, Easter Sailing Regatta, June Fishing Tournament, (aka million dollar month), Taste of Cayman,  Pirates Week, and Christmas/ New Year (check out www.caymanislands.ky for a calendar of events).  There are also live music concerts through out the year...Ziggy Marley, Maxi Priest, and Shabba Ranks just to name a few. 
 

When you first arrive in Cayman, you will immediately notice how many foreigners there really are living and working here...the guy that serves you your first frozen cocktail on the beach is from Ireland, the girl that checked you into your hotel is from Canada, the girl that rented you a mask and snorkel was from Texas...and it goes on and on.  With Cayman having a population of around 40,000 residents, and having an additional 10,000 people living in Cayman on work permits, the foreign labour force is definitely apparent...and necessary.

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When you first arrive in Cayman, you will immediately notice how many foreigners there really are living and working here...the guy that serves you your first frozen cocktail on the beach is from Ireland, the girl that checked you into your hotel is from Canada, the girl that rented you a mask and snorkel was from Texas...and it goes on and on.  With Cayman having a population of around 40,000 residents, and having an additional 10,000 people living in Cayman on work permits, the foreign labour force is definitely apparent...and necessary

More and more Caymanians are attending universities and colleges overseas after completing high school, however, their population is still so small that foreign professional and skilled labour is relied on to keep the country moving...and boy is Cayman moving.  Tourism is  booming  and the number of hotel rooms in Cayman continues to grow to meet this demand.  Currently there are two major resort projects underway on Seven Mile Beach, The Ritz Carlton and the New Holiday Inn.  With tourism continuing to boom, so do all other areas of their economy...construction, retail, computer & technical areas, just to name a few...this means more jobs, and a greater need for experienced skilled and professional people.

Life in Cayman is unique.  The longer you stay, the more friends you see come and go...you meet amazing people from all over the world...and this does make the planet seem allot smaller. We have made friends from all over the globe including Canada, USA  Cayman, Jamaica,  South Africa, Italy, England, Columbia, Australia, New Zealand, Costa Rica, France, Austria, Germany, Spain, India, Zimbabwe, and Ireland. There are so many things to do in Cayman...and so many people to do things with...it's  up to you to decide what you want to spend your time doing.  We must tell you though...SCUBA diving is almost mandatory!  Cayman is rated one of the top three dive destinations world wide...and there really aren't any sharks to be afraid of...so if you were traumatized by "Jaws" as a kid, have no fear, there are no Great White sharks in Cayman's warm tropical waters!!!

There are a few things though that take some getting used to for the expat that has just arrived in Cayman.  Driving in Cayman is an experience...as Cayman is a British Crown Colony, we drive on the left. However, most cars we import are North American in design, with the steering on the left side of the car.  The driver winds up with a very unusual view of the road, not to mention the confusion newcomers and tourists create in parking lots and intersections...just try to take it slow and  remember to drive on the left!!! 

Another interesting local factoid is that Cayman is just starting to use street numbers for buildings.  As there is no home delivery for mail, houses had never been numbered.  Everyone has received their official number now, but old habits die hard...ordering a pizza for delivery, for example, can still turn into an ten minute long description in the color of your house, the color of your neighbors house, the color of your neighbors dog and the size of the coconut tree on the corner of your street!
 

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Don't pass up the any chance you get to try some of the local cuisine...it is an experience not to be missed...curried chicken, stewed beef, curried goat, jerk chicken and pork,  stewed chicken, oxtail, stewed turtle, stewed conch, red bean soup, black bean soup, breadfruit, cassava, rice and beans...be adventurous...you'll be surprised what your taste buds will enjoy!

Don't pass up the any chance you get to try some of the local cuisine...it is an experience not to be missed...curried chicken, stewed beef, curried goat, jerk chicken and pork,  stewed chicken, oxtail, stewed turtle, stewed conch, red bean soup, black bean soup, breadfruit, cassava, rice and beans...be adventurous...you'll be surprised what your taste buds will enjoy!

Nightlife in Cayman consist of a few pubs and bars, one movie theatre, numerous restaurants, and night diving.  If you have never experienced a night dive, Cayman will amaze you. For the brave or adventurous, book a north wall night dive...it will be one of your most memorable dives ever!

So, if you have ever found yourself wondering what else there is to life...then living in Cayman might be just what you are looking for. There aren't too many places left in the world where foreigners are commonly granted work permit...but this little piece of paradise is still one of the worlds best kept secrets.
 

We think Tom said it best..."Sell the car, pack your bags, meet me at the airport, we're heading south"! Wendy & Darren Casson the cayman islands experts.

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