Patrick

Coming Back To Cayman - May, 2020 To all who love the Cayman Islands: Like your heart, mine is weary.  The Coronavirus-19 pandemic has changed just about every part of my daily life.  Shopping for groceries.  Meeting friends for coffee.  Going to a job that I love.  Knowing what my paycheck will be.  Going to church on Sundays.  Masks.  Gloves.  Hand sanitizer.  Take-out from restaurants.   Meals at home.  Jobs have been lost, furloughed, or postponed.  First-responders both work and worry overtime.  Friends can’t visit loved ones in nursing homes.  Life has been shockingly different lately. In spite of [...]

Dive Tech Remember the movie “Back to the Future”?  Marty cruised back in time using Doc Brown’s “Flux-Capacitor!”  After experiencing the past, he had a better understanding of his future. In a way, Dive Tech has gone Back to the Future!  Their Future!  Back to where it all began years ago at Cobalt Coast Resort. Recently we caught up with Joanna Mikutowicz, Owner and Manager of Dive Tech, and asked her about their exciting return to Cobalt Coast. “The best part is the additional room, which allows us to have everything in the same space: tanks, compressor, training [...]

Eden Rock Diving Center The Cayman Islands provide some of the world’s best diving and snorkeling.  Passenger Picks customers tell us that Eden Rock Diving Center is a great place to begin a Cayman diving or snorkeling experience.  If the beauty of Eden Rock and The Devil’s Grotto, with their coral reefs, caves and curtains of silverfish and tarpons sounds appealing, consider one of Eden Rock Dive Center’s guided snorkeling or one or two tank dive tours. One of the best Cayman activities that all ages and stages can enjoy is to learn how to dive!  We decided [...]

Experiencing Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park Using the Five Senses by Frances Daniel with collaboration from Val Kegel Visiting Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park can overwhelm even the most well-planned traveler simply because the Park consists of 65 fabulous acres!  Spending just 15 minutes on the website will certainly help.  Both an overview of the Park’s attractions and a printable map are on the Nature page.  The Events page provides information about major activities held at the Park throughout the year. However, some visitors to the Park might not have had the time or the opportunity to formulate [...]

Ezona’s Aquatic Charters Ezona and her husband, Captain Stacy, have been taking couples, families, and corporate parties on excursions and fishing charters for many years.  Ezona had the opportunity to get into the business years ago and knew what had been missing all these years on the water with guests was the personal touch that she, her family and team bring to every charter and fishing trip.  She understood that guests wanted to know about the stingrays they were swimming with and the fish they saw when they snorkeled and that they wanted a truly personalized experience for [...]

Fidel Murphy's Long ago Fidel Murphy’s established itself as one of Cayman’s best restaurants, becoming a second home for many who moved to the Cayman Islands from across the pond. Its friendly atmosphere, reassuring Guinness on tap, and familiar comfort food has always made it a popular choice of visitors and residents. As this month’s Passenger Pick of the Month, we wanted to learn more about the story behind Fidel Murphy’s Public House, so we caught up with owner John Dunne. PP: Chef John, this place has a really warm, comfortable vibe. Just recently we had lunch here. [...]

Fidel Murphy’s Public House Fidel Murphy’s Public House at Queen’s Court Plaza, Seven Mile Beach, has been a part of Cayman’s food landscape for 27 years, and it continues to be the perfect spot where both residents and visitors can enjoy a hearty meal in a warm, friendly atmosphere.  Fidel Murphy’s is this month’s Passenger Pick of the Month, so we’ve touched base with owner John Dunne to find out about an exciting all-inclusive event on March 16th.  Irish John and his Canadian wife Caitlin run the business together.  Their Cayman-born children Mac (8) and Tadhg (4) round [...]

Lobster Pot Situated on the waterfront on North Church Street with a spectacular view of George Town harbour, the Lobster Pot restaurant has long been a favourite of locals and visitors alike.  As this month’s Passenger Pick of the Month, we wanted to learn more about the story behind the Lobster Pot, so recently we caught up with restaurant general manager Niels Schulze-Gattermann. PP:  Niels, how long has the restaurant been in existence? NSG:  The Lobster Pot was established in 1965 and is the longest established restaurant on the Island.  Operated by the same family for over 40 [...]

Lobster Pot Restaurant & Wine Bar Situated on the waterfront on North Church Street with a spectacular view of George Town harbour, the Lobster Pot restaurant has long been a favourite of locals and visitors alike.  As this month’s Passenger Pick of the Month, we wanted to learn more about the story behind the Lobster Pot, so recently we caught up with restaurant general manager Grant Sam. PP:  Grant, how long has the restaurant been in existence? GS:  The Lobster Pot was established in 1965 and is the longest established restaurant on the Island.  Operated by the same [...]

Next Door Next Door, a boutique bar in Camana Bay in George Town, is our June, 2022 Passenger Pick of the Month.  We already know that Next Door is a great place for anyone who enjoys a delicious cocktail or drink in a nice environment because it comes to us from the same amazing team that brought us Agua Restaurant & Lounge.  In fact, Next Door is next door to Agua, a familiar location to many visitors to Cayman.  Recently, we connected with Walter Fajette and Cristiano Vincentini for an update on their new cocktail bar with “two [...]

Pedro St James National Historic Site (‘Pedro Castle’) Step back in time and experience the history and heritage that blossoms at Pedro St James!  Known by locals as ‘Pedro Castle’, this Great House is the oldest surviving stone structure in the Cayman Islands.  It is also the “birthplace of democracy”, and home to Cayman’s many cultural and historic tales.  It was built using slave labour in 1780 by a wealthy Englishman, mariner and plantation owner, William Eden.  At a time when most people lived in small thatch houses, this spectacularly built 3-storey home earned its name as ‘Pedro Castle’. [...]

Red Sail Waverunner Safari Tour A Cayman Must! What passenger’s really like about this Red Sail tour is that it’s limited to smaller groups of people which allows for a more intimate experience (max 5 machines).  Guests can choose to ride their own Waverunner, or share one with a partner. The tour guide gives great instruction on how to safely use the Waverunners, and also briefs you were he or she will be taking you to find the best snorkel sites on the island.  Their goal is to set you up for vacation fun with an action packed [...]

Taco Cantina Nestled on the quaint and quiet End End is Taco Cantina, the fantastic new Mexican restaurant from the inspiration of restauranteur Chef Ron Hargrave. Don’t let this modest Mexican eatery fool you, Taco Cantina has a lot to offer any foodie, and is full of Mexican fun!  Chef Ron, an Aussie, would not have it any other way.  Many years ago he moved to Cayman, and subsequently opened his first restaurant on East End, known as Tukka. Now, after many successful seasons with the popular Tukka, then more recently the addition of Eagle Ray’s Dive Bar [...]

Taco Cantina There is a great Mexican restaurant on 7 Mile Beach, called Taco Cantina!  But wait… it’s not a new restaurant…Taco Cantina is the very popular restaurant that relocated from the East End. And Taco Cantina is as good as it’s ever been, maybe even better, if that’s even possible.  A creation of Chef Ron, it has a lot to offer any foodie, is full of Mexican fun, and the Aussie in Ron would not have it any other way.  Many years ago he moved to Cayman, and subsequently opened his first restaurant on East End, known [...]

The Falls Steakhouse The Falls Steakhouse has established itself as one of Cayman’s best restaurants.  As this month’s Passenger Pick of the Month, we wanted to learn more about the story behind The Falls, so recently we caught up with owner, Dianne Parsons. PP:  The Falls has been a flagship restaurant in Cayman for years, and your reputation brings hundreds to your restaurant.  What is your secret? DP:  We have a legacy of serving the finest cuts of beef in a friendly and professional manner, providing our friends and guests an exceptional dining experience.  We like to say, [...]

Tukka Restaurant and Bar Located just footsteps from one of the most gorgeous ocean views in Cayman, looking out on the Wreck of the Ten Sails, passenger’s rave about the friendly and fun atmosphere Chef Ron and his wife Lana have created.  Tukka native fusion Restaurant is celebrating its ninth birthday and is named by many passengers as one of the best restaurants on the island.  Recently Passenger Picks caught up with the creator of Tukka, owner and head chef Ron Hargrave, a native Aussie and long-time Cayman Islands resident. PP:  Ron, November starts off with Cayman’s Pirates Week [...]

Villas Of The Galleon Right in the middle of the world-famous Seven Mile Beach is the wonderful, spacious and relaxing Villas Of The Galleon.  We wanted to learn more about this extraordinary property, so we caught up with Lisa Ebanks, Manager of Villas Of The Galleon, who with her unique staff provides some of the most warm and caring customer service on the island. PP:  Lisa, we’ve come to love your property!  You’re right in between the Ritz Carlton and the Westin, and yet Villas Of The Galleon has such a calm, relaxing almost pastoral feel. LE:  Thanks!  [...]

Shipwrecked by Frances Daniel with collaboration from Val Kegel Well, shiver me timbers!  Matey, batten down the hatches!  Blimey!  Now we’re all SHIPWRECKED!  But wait—don’t panic!  Being shipwrecked in November on Grand Cayman, Little Cayman, or Cayman Brac is like finding paradise!  You and your family can experience the 42nd Annual Pirates Week Festival which will begin in Cayman Brac (November 1 – 3), continue in Grand Cayman (November 7 – 11), and conclude in Little Cayman (November 15 – 17).  Arrrrrr pirates really going to be there?  Certainly!  So search the internet for some pirate lingo, and [...]