Joelle and Dave Visit - Rum Point and Starfish Point

Note: This was written about a week ago, but I just now have internet to publish.  Sorry for the delay!

I have to say, I just got a pang of sadness uploading the pictures for this post.  Because the truth is, we are now back in Cincinnati, living the "grand" midwest life.  Brent and I moved back to the States on Tuesday, July 3rd.  We surprised his family in SC for the 4th of July, so I didn't want to write anything about our approaching return on the blog.  But now we are back in Ohio, busy unpacking, doing landscaping, and just getting acclimated with our city again (we are watching a Reds game as I type this).  Thank you Cincinnati for the 100+ degree heat.  I feel right at home.

I still have a few pictures left from Grand Cayman so there will be a couple more island posts.  Enjoy shots like these while they last!

We stopped at Seven Mile Beach one night before dinner for some beach portraits.  Love this beautiful couple! 

My favorite place on island (tied with Camana Bay)...Welcome to Rum Point!

Drinks, round 1 - you know your guests are in serious "vacation mode" when they open a tab at the bar :)

Ordering lunch

Blackened mahi sandwich and veggie panini ( I should add that Brent and I went back one last time before the move and ordered the fish and chips - A-MAZ-ING.  I asked Brent how he would describe them and he said "perfect.")

After Rum Point, we drove a little further out to Starfish Point.  We've only been to this remote spot once before...on a boat trip our first month in Grand Cayman.  The starfish were just as plentiful as I remembered.

Front and back

Joelle and Dave, thanks for being our last Cayman guests!  It was fun getting to do all our favorite things one last time with you.  

After J&D left, we had a little over a week to pack, ship our boxes, sell our car, and squeeze in a little bit of extra sun and fun as well.  It was a hectic time, but we survived.  A special thanks to Jenn and Nate for making our last couple days so memorable!  I probably still have a couple more Cayman pictures on my camera, so I'll do a few more posts to wrap up :)

Joelle and Dave Visit: Brunch, Tiki Beach, Moonlit Movies

We had a great time with Brent's sister and brother-in-law a few weeks ago.  It's so fun to spend some two-on-two time with our siblings as they come and visit.  Joelle and Dave's trip was full of fun activities.  Starting with...Sunday Brunch!  We picked them up from the airport at noon and drove straight to Agua.  It was the perfect way to kick off their vacation.

I didn't take many pictures this time (too busy eating and enjoying the company!), but to see more food shots, check out our other Agua brunch post.

The iguanas were sunbathing at Lime Tree Bay when we got home.  We counted at least ten out there!  

Monday we did lunch at Tim Buc Tuu and then walked around George Town a bit.

That night we dined at Tiki Beach.  This place has a fun beach-y vibe, even if the food isn't necessarily our favorite on island.  I love the large gauze strips hanging from the ceiling!

On Tuesday we went to Camana Bay, stopping at Black Trumpet for a chocolate croissant. 

During the summer, Camana Bay does "Moonlight and Movies" where they set up a screen and chairs in one of the courtyards for an evening showing.  This week it was Mamma Mia!, one of Joelle's favorites.  It was the perfect movie for the outdoor setting, so fun and happy.  This was our first time going to Moonlight and Movies, and it was so fun!  We brought towels, beach chairs and a cooler full of picnic items.  Jenn met us there after work, and we both said we wish we would have done this more last summer.  I highly recommend for locals and visitors alike. 

Part 2 from Joelle and Dave's visit will come next.  Still a few days worth of pictures to edit!

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!