Photography Practice

Our friends Rob and Bianca are leaving Grand Cayman in July, so they asked Jenn to take some fun island pictures before they move on to their next adventure (in London!).  Jenn asked me to be the "second shooter" so to speak, and I was happy to tag along.  Here are a few of my favorites from the day!

Food fight on the beach.  The definition of fun.

Beach Pajama Party

I've said many times on this blog what a blessing our Cayman friends have been these last two years.  Grand Cayman has an interesting relationship dynamic.  Almost no one is living by family, so people "need" each other more.  We spend weekends, work nights, and holidays together, and eventually become a little pseudo-family.  The island social scene is never stagnant - there are always people arriving and leaving.  Somehow in these waves of comings and goings, the six of us found each other.

Jeremy and Sheena left on Sunday to spend their summer back in Oregon.  Since Brent and I will be moving home mid-July, this was the last weekend we could all six be together (for at least a while).  The Smiths and Stricklands planned an awesome day which included an afternoon at the Ritz, a PJ party on the beach and making breakfast for dinner together one last time.

These pictures on the beach were so fun.  Everyone got really into it, throwing out ideas for pictures.  Thank you trusty tripod!

Go crazy!

Coming up with another plan...you can tell Jenn isn't on board.  The boys decide we should go for a six person pileup.

Jenn's obviously still skeptical...

...and I guess we should have listened.

This is the pose that almost killed Sheena.  The first try had her second to the bottom.  Her blue face clearly indicated that wasn't our best idea.  After she recovered we gave it another go with a new arrangement.  Much better!

Love these people

 

We will miss the sunsets, the beaches, the food and so many other "island" things, but for sure these faces will be the thing we miss the most.

This is How a Professional Does It

A few months ago, I wrote a post about my friend Holly coming to lead a photography workshop on island.  In additional to teaching me and my friends some invaluable tips, she did an awesome photo shoot for me and Brent!

You can go to her blog to see more of our shoot.  I am so glad we have these pictures to really capture this unique phase of our lives.  I know I will treasure them forever.  Holly, you are incredible!

(On a related note, Jenn just posted about our workshop on her blog.  Check it out!)

Tukka Brunch

A few weekends ago, Cayman got a holiday for the Queen's Diamond Jubliee (a celebration marking 60 years of The Queen's reign).  We decided to make the most of the long weekend and journey out to East End for Tukka's Sunday brunch.  Tukka features Australian cuisine with an island twist - needless to say it's been on our bucket list for a while.  When a couple from our small group won a gift card there, we all decided to join them!

Plate #1 (I think of four, but two were dessert plates!)

I really liked the casual outdoor eating.  The porch had a great breeze and a beautiful view of the sea.

Buffet style brunch, including kangaroo sushi (which, for the record, makes me a little sad.  I didn't partake.)

My favorite part?  The rum soaked bread pudding.  So AMAZING!  (Not pictured, sorry.  It tasted better than it looked).  

After brunch we drove to Morritt's, which is a resort in East End.  We spent several hours there, enjoying their infinity pool and pool-side bar.  The perfect relaxing afternoon!

Sar and Gar Visit - Ritz, Brasserie, Hospital, Rum Point

This starts out as such an innocent post: Ritz, Brasserie, Hospital, Rum Point...wait, did I say hospital???  Oh yes, I did.  Wait for it, I'll explain.

Thursday

Sarah and Garret spent Thursday night at the Ritz (yay for a ten year anniversary!), so that afternoon we got to use their facilities.  Including the ladies' jacuzzi and spa.  Luxury times ten (don't worry, the boys got some quality male bonding time in the men's spa room).

 Friday

Friday we did lunch at The Brasserie and then saw "What to Expect When Expecting" at the Camana Bay theater (two thumbs up for the restaurant and movie).

The food at The Brasserie was delicious and super fresh.  Apparently they have a garden out back where they grown their own vegetables. I loved the mini pineapple on the table - it's in water, so I'm assuming it's a real thing?

Saturday

Saturday was Sarah and Garret's last day.  I was so happy when I woke up and it wasn't raining.  It wasn't exactly blue skies, but the sun was out!  Since Rum Point is an hour drive, we did our best to get an early start.  We made it to the parking lot and then poor Sarah shut her finger in the car door.  I rushed her to first aid, where the guy was super calm and helpful, cleaning and bandaging the cut.  He suggested going to the hospital to get it checked out, so back in the car...45 minutes to George Town.

After about three hours, Sarah was checked out and had her prescription.  They did an x-ray and couldn't tell if it was broken, but put it in a nice splint.  It was about 3:00 pm, and after the luck they'd had, I said we should do whatever they want for the last bit of their vacation.  Amazingly enough, Sarah wanted to go back to Rum Point.  Even more amazingly, Brent agreed to the drive!

So four hours in the car for two hours at Rum Point.  But Sarah got to lay in the hammocks by the beach, which is the one thing she really wanted, so it was worth it.

We love these two so much!  Thanks for coming to spend a week with us.  Let's all go back for your twenty year anniversary!

Sar and Gar Visit - Ristorante Pappagallo, Hell, Camana Bay, Calypso

As I mentioned in my last post, we had crazy bad weather the week Sarah and Garret were here.  Technically May is the start of rainy season, but usually that just means it will rain for a little bit a few days a week, and then be super sunny and hot the rest of the time.  But poor Sarah and Garret.  Rain.  Every.  Single.  Day.  The first two days they were here, we got 13 inches of rainfall.  It was a monsoon!  I was incredibly bummed, but Sarah and Garret kept a good attitude.  We did our best to think of rainy day activities, including going to the movies and doing a week-long Modern Family marathon.  And lots and lots of good eating :)

Tuesday

There was a brief break in the rain so we headed to George Town.  Did a little shopping there, including a stop at It's Sugar.

As the rain picked up, we went to Margaritaville for drinks.

That night we dined at Ristorante Pappagallo.  Brent and I have been here one other time - our first week on island!  I'm glad we got a chance to go back with Sarah and Garret.

Wednesday

Another gray afternoon meant a chance to do some sight-seeing.  First up, a stop at Hell.

Next we headed to Camana Bay, where we walked around a bit and got treats from Black Trumpet.

Sarah and I both got this amazing little dessert.  Chocolate mousse with a cheesecake center surrounded by chocolate ganache.  Wowzer.

Up to the observation tower

That night, we joined Jenn and Nate for dinner at Calypso Grill.  Another restaurant we went to early on and were just waiting for a good excuse to go back :) 

Crispy mango shrimp, duck with oranges and cranberry, sea bass with chipotle sauce. I tried a little of everyone's and it was all delicious!

Whew, that's enough for now.  I'll save the last pictures for a third and final post!