Another week gone, and the time is flying. Jill left for New York this morning where she's going to be staying with Fiona for a week. She'll be detoxing until October knowing Fi! And the credit card will be suffering for a longer time afterward. The Big Apple, what I wouldnt give to be going with her. Last time I was there was with one Mr Cooney back in 2000 after we decided one drunken night up in Club 92 that we'd try New York for New Years for a change, and two weeks later we were there, in minus 8 degrees weather, with a blizzard that shut 5th Avenue. Some craic!
New York in the summer, I'll have to get to see it some day.
Anyhoo.....we picked up the new car on Monday (sorry, no photos yet, Jill has taken the camera to New York), so were finally back to right hand drive, although itsfunny how used you get to driving on the passenger side!
Busy week in work, a lot done, but planning to spend the next week getting our marketing efforts sorted out. We've an article appearing in the papers tomorrow from the Cayman Net News (www.caymannetnews.com), officially its Monday's edition, in the business section, not sure if they'll put the pictures on line, but check it out just in case. Very cheesy.
We ate out most nights this week, its just so hard not to! You cant be cooking for yourself around here, apart from Wednesday when a meeting with my boss ran til 11pm and Jill had to throw my dinner away! Ah well.....
Bad news on the other car front when Jay informed us that our buyer for the Mini fell through as she couldnt get the finance, so its still on the market...any takers??? Talk to Jay if you're interested, when he gets back from hols next week.
The dogs have found themselves a new sport, chasing crabs! Every night when I take them for a walk on the beach, its ususally sunset, which is when the crabs seem to get going (only little white fellas, nothing too big), and they dig little holes all by the shoreline and up on the beach.
Well the other night there was more than usual, and the dogs were well wide to it, they were hunting in the dark up and down the beach, digging into holes, chasing the crabs into the water, trying to catch them. Great craic to watch, so they're hooked now, every night and morning looking for them. Beats chasing cats anyway!
Decided we're buying a boat this week (will probably never happen but its good to have dreams!). You can pick up a decent sized second hand one for 15 grand or so, so if we can get another couple to go in on it with us were laughing! Sure we're on an island, you need a boat surely, dont you?
Took it easy last night as we were up at 6 this morn to go the airport, found myself a great spot for breakfast on the way back, and old syle English caf and bakery that do propr frys. Had myself a brown bap with proper sausages, a fried egg, mayo and ketchup, and a cup of proper tea. Top notch, I will be back!
Looked into buying a kayak today (you see this boat lark has gone to my head), but they're 600 lids! Decided to try renting one instead to see if I like it. Cost me 12 quid for an hour and it was boring. Another 588 quid saved!
Heading out for a few pints with the lads tonight, with the mrs away and all! Would be a shame not to.
Anyway, Jill will update with her NYC hol tales next week.
Until then....
By the way, I have pulished a video of the bus last week from the pub crawl here:
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-1823642046889757778&hl=en
Quite painful, you really had to be there.....
Saturday, July 29, 2006
Sunday, July 23, 2006
Frogs, Pub Crawls, Sushi, and CRVs
So there we are, last Sunday evening, sitting on he couch, when Jill says: "Whats that on the curtain?" "Its just a tag", says I. "No, I think its a frog" says Jill. Sure enough, there was a frog clinging to the top of our curtain! Not something you see every day back home! Nearly as weird as a couple of weeks ago when I had to swerve on the road to avoid a crab! Or walking back from the bank the other day walking through a gathering of three hens! In the middle of town! It takes a bit of getting used to around here.
Anyway, our inclination to cook our own food is waning! Made one meal this week and ate out the rest of the week. Sure why wouldnt you? The one time I tried to buy fish in the supermarket, the guy behind the counter walks out and brings me on a tour of the shop showing me witch seasoning, vegetables, and spices to buy to make my fish taste great. I had a former chef as a personal shopper in the equivalent of the local Tesco!
On Friday we bought a car! A new CRV (well 1996) in aqua marine blue (Jill hates the colour). Have to pick it up, and pay for it, tomorrow.
Friday night we decided to go posh and got dressed up to go to the Ritz Carlton for cocktails, the "place to be seen on a Friday night", alledgedly.
Very posh, apparently the rooms start at $800 a night for a small room, corporate rate! We ordered a bottle of Veuve Rose Champagne with Sushi for two and sat our wannabe asses outside overlooking the pool and golf course. Hubb and Louise, you will love this place when you arrive, right up your street! Graham and Ais, you missed out, we should have gone to the Ritz instead of Aqua Beach!
Saturday consisted of a walk on the beach with the dogs, a half hour in the pool beside us followed by breakfast in Cimboco's restaurant (fabulous breakkie) to line our stomach for the day ahead.
One of the lads here, Martin, from Cork, who works in UBS is leaving the island next week to go to Dubai, so as a send off, 32 of us met up in the Hard Rock Cafe in George Town where we boarded a mini bus (a very mini bus that didnt quite hold us all!) and proceeded on a pub crawl of every local bar on the island from the far North side back to the South side and back into town. We had a kitty of two grand running, which was gone by 11! Some craic with selected Gift Grubs and Rebel songs playing in the bus between each pub.
First bar was "The Country & Western", where women ordinarily do not go! Very backward! On then to a similar local Caymanian boozer where they handed out free cups of chicken soup! (I still dont get that), then up to Driftwood, a beach bar on the way to Rum Point, where we had pizzas and were entertained by a local band, all on the edge of the water with sand as our dancefloor. Beer was replaced by mudlsides, the most popular cocktail on the island, which went down very nicely!
Back then to town where we found another local bar benhind the airport, with sand and deck chairs, about two miles from the nearest beach!
The bus ride home consisted of a rendition of Fields of Athenry, the Hakka, a Zimbabwean drinking song, The Langer, and numerous others in between. The bus swayed from side to side with 32 drunken fools singing and dancing in a van not much biggeer than a Transit!
We more or less took over a bar that prior to our arrival had a bout ten customers! So here we are in the middle of nowhere, in a local bar, when Jill bumps into Seamus Byrne's son John, the No 2 lad in Digicel Cayman. Joyce, you'll be glad to know that he came straight up to introduce himself to Jill after hearing through someone else that she was in the bar! You can let his father know that he says Hi! (see photo in Flickr).
Sore heads ensued and we were back in the house by closing time!
Anyway, off now to enjoy the day in the sun. Might take a boat ride or just go to the beach. Too hot for the dogs so will leave them be and go work on our tans!.
By the way, Friday marked the one year to go point to our wedding next year. 364 days to go! Jill has booked her flights to New York, leaving next Saturday for a week, so if anyone fancies joining her on her shopping trip.........
Rafter
Jill and Johnny
Anyway, our inclination to cook our own food is waning! Made one meal this week and ate out the rest of the week. Sure why wouldnt you? The one time I tried to buy fish in the supermarket, the guy behind the counter walks out and brings me on a tour of the shop showing me witch seasoning, vegetables, and spices to buy to make my fish taste great. I had a former chef as a personal shopper in the equivalent of the local Tesco!
On Friday we bought a car! A new CRV (well 1996) in aqua marine blue (Jill hates the colour). Have to pick it up, and pay for it, tomorrow.
Friday night we decided to go posh and got dressed up to go to the Ritz Carlton for cocktails, the "place to be seen on a Friday night", alledgedly.
Very posh, apparently the rooms start at $800 a night for a small room, corporate rate! We ordered a bottle of Veuve Rose Champagne with Sushi for two and sat our wannabe asses outside overlooking the pool and golf course. Hubb and Louise, you will love this place when you arrive, right up your street! Graham and Ais, you missed out, we should have gone to the Ritz instead of Aqua Beach!
Saturday consisted of a walk on the beach with the dogs, a half hour in the pool beside us followed by breakfast in Cimboco's restaurant (fabulous breakkie) to line our stomach for the day ahead.
One of the lads here, Martin, from Cork, who works in UBS is leaving the island next week to go to Dubai, so as a send off, 32 of us met up in the Hard Rock Cafe in George Town where we boarded a mini bus (a very mini bus that didnt quite hold us all!) and proceeded on a pub crawl of every local bar on the island from the far North side back to the South side and back into town. We had a kitty of two grand running, which was gone by 11! Some craic with selected Gift Grubs and Rebel songs playing in the bus between each pub.
First bar was "The Country & Western", where women ordinarily do not go! Very backward! On then to a similar local Caymanian boozer where they handed out free cups of chicken soup! (I still dont get that), then up to Driftwood, a beach bar on the way to Rum Point, where we had pizzas and were entertained by a local band, all on the edge of the water with sand as our dancefloor. Beer was replaced by mudlsides, the most popular cocktail on the island, which went down very nicely!
Back then to town where we found another local bar benhind the airport, with sand and deck chairs, about two miles from the nearest beach!
The bus ride home consisted of a rendition of Fields of Athenry, the Hakka, a Zimbabwean drinking song, The Langer, and numerous others in between. The bus swayed from side to side with 32 drunken fools singing and dancing in a van not much biggeer than a Transit!
We more or less took over a bar that prior to our arrival had a bout ten customers! So here we are in the middle of nowhere, in a local bar, when Jill bumps into Seamus Byrne's son John, the No 2 lad in Digicel Cayman. Joyce, you'll be glad to know that he came straight up to introduce himself to Jill after hearing through someone else that she was in the bar! You can let his father know that he says Hi! (see photo in Flickr).
Sore heads ensued and we were back in the house by closing time!
Anyway, off now to enjoy the day in the sun. Might take a boat ride or just go to the beach. Too hot for the dogs so will leave them be and go work on our tans!.
By the way, Friday marked the one year to go point to our wedding next year. 364 days to go! Jill has booked her flights to New York, leaving next Saturday for a week, so if anyone fancies joining her on her shopping trip.........
Rafter
Jill and Johnny
Tuesday, July 18, 2006
Quick Update
Morning all. Just heading off to work so quick update before I do.
Jill and the dogs arrived safe and sound last week.
The poor dogs were wrecked from the journey and were only too glad to get out of their (massive) containers at the airport.
They have settled now and seem to love the place, sleeping all day from their two walks a day (I have to get up at bloody 630am for the first walk! Pain in the neck).
Only real problem is Daisy's love of pooing in the sea (very embarassing) and the fact that Toby keeps drinking the sea water, making himself sick all the time. Ah well!
Jill got bitten by all the mozzies in Cayman in her first few days but touch wood it seems to be fine now, only the sunburn to worry about!
We went out on the lash with all the Irish croud on Friday night, starting in Aqua Beach and ending in the new nightclub beside our condo.
Saturday was spent on Seven Mile Beach, followed by a visit to the flicks for Pirates of the Caribbean and then a Doninoes on the couch (its muck pizza here).
Sunday we brought the dogs to Rum Point for the day and they were very well behaved but we were all knackered by the end of it.
Anyway, Jill has to head off to NYC for a week soon so that her work permit can be procesed (cant be on island while it goes through), so as soon as Fiona bloody well answers the phone in New York, we can arrange it. Still 6 weeks more holidays for her though, the jammy fecker!
Anyway, back to the grindstone, talk later
Jill and the dogs arrived safe and sound last week.
The poor dogs were wrecked from the journey and were only too glad to get out of their (massive) containers at the airport.
They have settled now and seem to love the place, sleeping all day from their two walks a day (I have to get up at bloody 630am for the first walk! Pain in the neck).
Only real problem is Daisy's love of pooing in the sea (very embarassing) and the fact that Toby keeps drinking the sea water, making himself sick all the time. Ah well!
Jill got bitten by all the mozzies in Cayman in her first few days but touch wood it seems to be fine now, only the sunburn to worry about!
We went out on the lash with all the Irish croud on Friday night, starting in Aqua Beach and ending in the new nightclub beside our condo.
Saturday was spent on Seven Mile Beach, followed by a visit to the flicks for Pirates of the Caribbean and then a Doninoes on the couch (its muck pizza here).
Sunday we brought the dogs to Rum Point for the day and they were very well behaved but we were all knackered by the end of it.
Anyway, Jill has to head off to NYC for a week soon so that her work permit can be procesed (cant be on island while it goes through), so as soon as Fiona bloody well answers the phone in New York, we can arrange it. Still 6 weeks more holidays for her though, the jammy fecker!
Anyway, back to the grindstone, talk later
Sunday, July 09, 2006
And then there was one....again!
I'm sitting on the couch after having watched France lose the world cup earlier on (Italy didnt win it you see, France merely lost it!). Graham and Ais went home on Friday after finishing their holiday here under a sky of numerous showers and not so great weather whilst I believe Dublin had a heat wave! Then again a bad day here means you might get wet on the beach, but you'll still stay there!
Anyway, although I was dying for a quiet nnight on the couch for the last week and a half, I have realised its not all its cracked up to be and I'd take midweek eating and drinking out with family anytime! Graham and Ais, all is forgiven, come back and drag me back out on the piss!
Speaking of which, went out on Friday night with the lads, starting off in a "local" bar out by the airport. More like "Redneck, Cayman style"! Wall to wall Caymanians, Jamaicans and us 8 Irish eejits listening to C&W music blaring from the speakers beside us, but the place was packed. Take note all Irish bar owners, when you hire 8 curvy latino girls as your only staff, you'll have a packed bar!
Anyway, next on to the Reef Grill, a bar on the beach in Seven Mile, which was packed, with a local band playing. Again, food was great (hard to find bad food anyway here, even in the Irissh bar!). Swiftly on to Aqua Beach and then into the Nightclub next door. Funny story before I go on, Graham and Ais went to the same nightttttt club on Wednesday night, not knowing it was Reggae night. They were pretty much the only white people in a packed club where everyone else were practically dry humping each other, reggae style!
Anyway, not quite the same on Friday night, but good night reagrdless as I stumbled home at 3 oclock (handy being so close to the clubs etc).
Yesterday was a wash-out. Went to the gym and nearly made myself sick. Didnt leave the house again until late, to head to the cinema to see Superman Returns. Good film by the way, except they have an intermission here in the cinema, and everyone takes calls in the middle of the film! Slightly annoying.
Snorkelling this morning (have to get some sun at the weekend, would be a disgrace if I didnt at least try), then watched the match in the Irish bar, Fidel's.
Jill arrives on Wednesday (thank god), so will put some more photos up next week.
By the way, I am using Skype now in the house, so if any of ye have broadband at home, download skype (www.skype.com), get a headset (about 10 euros) and I can call you for free (and vice versa). If you need instructions, just mail me.
Rafter
BTW, have dropped the price of the Mini to 16,950, have to get rid of it if any of ye know anyone looking! Jay will have it (086 805 2235)
Anyway, although I was dying for a quiet nnight on the couch for the last week and a half, I have realised its not all its cracked up to be and I'd take midweek eating and drinking out with family anytime! Graham and Ais, all is forgiven, come back and drag me back out on the piss!
Speaking of which, went out on Friday night with the lads, starting off in a "local" bar out by the airport. More like "Redneck, Cayman style"! Wall to wall Caymanians, Jamaicans and us 8 Irish eejits listening to C&W music blaring from the speakers beside us, but the place was packed. Take note all Irish bar owners, when you hire 8 curvy latino girls as your only staff, you'll have a packed bar!
Anyway, next on to the Reef Grill, a bar on the beach in Seven Mile, which was packed, with a local band playing. Again, food was great (hard to find bad food anyway here, even in the Irissh bar!). Swiftly on to Aqua Beach and then into the Nightclub next door. Funny story before I go on, Graham and Ais went to the same nightttttt club on Wednesday night, not knowing it was Reggae night. They were pretty much the only white people in a packed club where everyone else were practically dry humping each other, reggae style!
Anyway, not quite the same on Friday night, but good night reagrdless as I stumbled home at 3 oclock (handy being so close to the clubs etc).
Yesterday was a wash-out. Went to the gym and nearly made myself sick. Didnt leave the house again until late, to head to the cinema to see Superman Returns. Good film by the way, except they have an intermission here in the cinema, and everyone takes calls in the middle of the film! Slightly annoying.
Snorkelling this morning (have to get some sun at the weekend, would be a disgrace if I didnt at least try), then watched the match in the Irish bar, Fidel's.
Jill arrives on Wednesday (thank god), so will put some more photos up next week.
By the way, I am using Skype now in the house, so if any of ye have broadband at home, download skype (www.skype.com), get a headset (about 10 euros) and I can call you for free (and vice versa). If you need instructions, just mail me.
Rafter
BTW, have dropped the price of the Mini to 16,950, have to get rid of it if any of ye know anyone looking! Jay will have it (086 805 2235)
Tuesday, July 04, 2006
The Long Weekend!
Right so, lots to talk about since our (no longer just mine!) blog as although before there was one, now there is three, well at least until Friday!
Last Friday I had to go to work with two hours sleep after we stayed up drinking til near 5am. Our apologies to anyone we called whilst trying out the old Skype! Very embarassing but equally funny!
So anyway, picked up the keys to the new condo and we moved on Friday night, in two loads. First load we let Ais unpack while we went back for more only to realise we had lost the keys! So sure enough we broke into the old place (surprisingly easy to do, which is a litttle scary to say the least). We said goodbye to the cockroaches and lizards and mad our way to Seven Mile.
What a place the new condo is, the Ritz compared to the Holiday Inn!
We strolled up the road to Deckers and drank a few very very strong cockails before coming back to drink for a few more hours (sorry Graham!).
Saturday was hungover on Seven Mile Beach snorkelling and reading books before a brief but heavy shower forced us to the local beach bar. What do you know. it was Canada day so the bar was packed and the beer was flowing. After a race back to the condo to get changed we went off to Sunset Bar in South Sound to meet up with Gavin Linda and their mates, sipping Dacquiris in the heat whilst a beautiful electrical storm raged in the distance. Paradise!
More late night drinks ensued after absorbing some sobering stories of Hurrican Ivan two years ago, although in a typically Irish fashion the guys spoke more of great craic getting drunk every night because there wa no electricty or transport!
Drunk til 4am (really really sorry Graham) and eventually fell out of bed on Sunday to drag a grumpy Graham to Rum Point, which would cheer anyone up (see photos for authentic smiles).
Nice evening followed by a few drinks down in Aqua Beach which unfortunately shut at 12!
Sensible drinks til 2am allowed us to get up early enough on Bank Holiday Monday to book our boat trip, but not before sampling what had been called the "best breakfast on the island" down the road (best lattes ever according to Ais).
The boat left from the canal side of the island, which is a bit like I imagine the Hamptons are! (half price for locals!)
We stopped to snorkel with the fish, then onto the Sandbar where we swam with the Stingray in shallow water. Great expeience holding them until one mistook my wrist for food and tried to suck the life out of me! Check out the photo for real blood effects!
But not to be detered, Ais duly stood up to the plate and was holding and kissing the fish with pride (a mean feat for anyone who knows her)
Then on to the reef to swim with the 6ft visciuos eel who's name we cant spell (sorry Graham) who some mad Japanese tourist tried to wrestle!! Mad!
Great craic of a day ended with a few beers that we had brought along in the cooler, and Ais even made a friend, 10 year old Jordan from Wales. Aaaah! Bless!
We finished off the night in one of the nicest, poshest restaurants on the island, up in West Bay, in the most beautiful surroundings where you could buy a bottle of wine for 500 euros, if you wanted. We didnt!
But Graham still managed to have the best pasta he has ever tasted (TM), and the rest of the grub wasnt bad either!
Back in work today so uneventful and now that my part of their holiday is over, Graham and Ais's day doesnt count for editorial!
Until next time....
Last Friday I had to go to work with two hours sleep after we stayed up drinking til near 5am. Our apologies to anyone we called whilst trying out the old Skype! Very embarassing but equally funny!
So anyway, picked up the keys to the new condo and we moved on Friday night, in two loads. First load we let Ais unpack while we went back for more only to realise we had lost the keys! So sure enough we broke into the old place (surprisingly easy to do, which is a litttle scary to say the least). We said goodbye to the cockroaches and lizards and mad our way to Seven Mile.
What a place the new condo is, the Ritz compared to the Holiday Inn!
We strolled up the road to Deckers and drank a few very very strong cockails before coming back to drink for a few more hours (sorry Graham!).
Saturday was hungover on Seven Mile Beach snorkelling and reading books before a brief but heavy shower forced us to the local beach bar. What do you know. it was Canada day so the bar was packed and the beer was flowing. After a race back to the condo to get changed we went off to Sunset Bar in South Sound to meet up with Gavin Linda and their mates, sipping Dacquiris in the heat whilst a beautiful electrical storm raged in the distance. Paradise!
More late night drinks ensued after absorbing some sobering stories of Hurrican Ivan two years ago, although in a typically Irish fashion the guys spoke more of great craic getting drunk every night because there wa no electricty or transport!
Drunk til 4am (really really sorry Graham) and eventually fell out of bed on Sunday to drag a grumpy Graham to Rum Point, which would cheer anyone up (see photos for authentic smiles).
Nice evening followed by a few drinks down in Aqua Beach which unfortunately shut at 12!
Sensible drinks til 2am allowed us to get up early enough on Bank Holiday Monday to book our boat trip, but not before sampling what had been called the "best breakfast on the island" down the road (best lattes ever according to Ais).
The boat left from the canal side of the island, which is a bit like I imagine the Hamptons are! (half price for locals!)
We stopped to snorkel with the fish, then onto the Sandbar where we swam with the Stingray in shallow water. Great expeience holding them until one mistook my wrist for food and tried to suck the life out of me! Check out the photo for real blood effects!
But not to be detered, Ais duly stood up to the plate and was holding and kissing the fish with pride (a mean feat for anyone who knows her)
Then on to the reef to swim with the 6ft visciuos eel who's name we cant spell (sorry Graham) who some mad Japanese tourist tried to wrestle!! Mad!
Great craic of a day ended with a few beers that we had brought along in the cooler, and Ais even made a friend, 10 year old Jordan from Wales. Aaaah! Bless!
We finished off the night in one of the nicest, poshest restaurants on the island, up in West Bay, in the most beautiful surroundings where you could buy a bottle of wine for 500 euros, if you wanted. We didnt!
But Graham still managed to have the best pasta he has ever tasted (TM), and the rest of the grub wasnt bad either!
Back in work today so uneventful and now that my part of their holiday is over, Graham and Ais's day doesnt count for editorial!
Until next time....
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