< PreviousLove Local 2023 20 FRIDAY, 25 AUGUST Get reacquainted with Cayman’s sites and attractions. You don’t have to wait for friends or family to visit – go local and be a tourist for a day (or two) and get reacquainted with the islands’ attractions. You might be surprised to discover what’s right in your own backyard. Here are several attractions – some well-known, others a bit off-the-beaten-path – to put on your itinerary. COMMUNE WITH NATURE Connect with nature at the Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park, a 65-acre garden and woodland preserve in North Side that offers a unique blend of natural beauty, culture and history. There are four themed gardens to explore along with a walking trail and children’s garden. STROLL A SCULPTURE PARK While at the Botanic Park, visit Davinoff’s Concrete Sculpture Garden at the Children’s Garden. It features larger-than-life sculptures of sea and land creatures. Take some fun photos posing with such creatures as Ivana the Blue Iguana, Finley the Mahi-Mahi and Clawdette the land crab. The sculptures are the creation of David Quasius, a Wisconsin native who is a regular visitor to Grand Cayman. BASK ON BARKERS Barkers National Park in West Bay is an ideal spot to go for a peaceful stroll. This undeveloped stretch of paradise is not a swimming spot, but it offers a decidedly different experience from Seven Mile Beach. There are no amenities, just a long rustic beach bordered by mangroves and greenery. Popular activities here include horseback riding and kitesurfing. MEET THE BLUES You can’t get much more local than blue iguanas – an endangered species that is endemic to Grand Cayman, found nowhere else in the world. Get acquainted with these prehistoric-looking creatures at the captive breeding facility in Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park. Guided and self-guided tours of the facility are available, with admission fees going to Blue Iguana Conservation, a non-profit that works to preserve these rare local lizards. TAKE A HIKE The Mastic Trail is one of several natural heritage sites managed by the National Trust for the Cayman Islands. Nature fans can hike along a two- mile path through old-growth forest that passes through a variety of habitats featuring plants, wildlife and trees unique to the island. Explore on your own or book a guided tour through the Trust. Love a day out Love Local 2023 21 FRIDAY, 25 AUGUST PEEK AT A PARROT The Cayman Parrot Sanctuary in East End is a great interactive family outing. The facility rehabilitates parrots for release into the wild and is home to an array of colourful birds and animals. Kids can cuddle rabbits and guinea pigs, visit a reptile house, go on a zipline and meet one of its star attractions – Lil Bit, a friendly rescue agouti. VISIT MISS LASSIE’S HOME This historic home in South Sound is an icon of Caymanian tradition, culture and art. It was the home of Caymanian visionary artist Gladwyn “Miss Lassie” Bush. Her work was inspired by Christian visions and Caymanian seafaring culture – images she saw in her “mind’s eye”. Her visionary paintings adorn the walls, windows and ceilings of the 19th-century wattle-and- daub home. TICKLE A TURTLE Another fun family outing is the Cayman Turtle Centre, where visitors can observe sea turtles up close in open-air tanks. The venue serves as a conservation and education facility and features such attractions as a predator tank, bird aviary, swimming lagoon and Turtle Twister waterslide. BOOK A BIO BAY TOUR It’s a rare and spectacular light show in the water. Bioluminescence is created by millions of tiny, single-celled critters called dinoflagellates – which glitter and glow like fireflies in the water. It can be experienced at Bioluminescent Bay in North Side, where you can kayak or swim in the shallow bay. Various tour operators offer this breathtaking night-time excursion, including Cayman Kayaks and Sea Elements. GO CAVE HUNTING Hop over to Cayman Brac and spend the day cave hunting along the Bluff, which is honeycombed with hundreds of limestone caves and chambers. Several caves have been modified with steps and handrails to provide ease of access, such as Bat Cave, Half-Way Ground Cave and Rebecca’s Cave. On Grand Cayman, Cayman Crystal Caves offers 90-minute tours through North Side’s old-growth forest and underground caves on the hour, every hour, between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. PLAY WITH THE RAYS A great way to spend the day is visiting Stingray City and the nearby Sandbar – Cayman’s top attraction. You can play with the sociable southern stingrays in their natural habitat while enjoying a day out on the water. For a memorable experience, gather a group and charter a private boat.Love Local 2023 21 FRIDAY, 25 AUGUST PEEK AT A PARROT The Cayman Parrot Sanctuary in East End is a great interactive family outing. The facility rehabilitates parrots for release into the wild and is home to an array of colourful birds and animals. Kids can cuddle rabbits and guinea pigs, visit a reptile house, go on a zipline and meet one of its star attractions – Lil Bit, a friendly rescue agouti. VISIT MISS LASSIE’S HOME This historic home in South Sound is an icon of Caymanian tradition, culture and art. It was the home of Caymanian visionary artist Gladwyn “Miss Lassie” Bush. Her work was inspired by Christian visions and Caymanian seafaring culture – images she saw in her “mind’s eye”. Her visionary paintings adorn the walls, windows and ceilings of the 19th-century wattle-and- daub home. TICKLE A TURTLE Another fun family outing is the Cayman Turtle Centre, where visitors can observe sea turtles up close in open-air tanks. The venue serves as a conservation and education facility and features such attractions as a predator tank, bird aviary, swimming lagoon and Turtle Twister waterslide. BOOK A BIO BAY TOUR It’s a rare and spectacular light show in the water. Bioluminescence is created by millions of tiny, single-celled critters called dinoflagellates – which glitter and glow like fireflies in the water. It can be experienced at Bioluminescent Bay in North Side, where you can kayak or swim in the shallow bay. Various tour operators offer this breathtaking night-time excursion, including Cayman Kayaks and Sea Elements. GO CAVE HUNTING Hop over to Cayman Brac and spend the day cave hunting along the Bluff, which is honeycombed with hundreds of limestone caves and chambers. Several caves have been modified with steps and handrails to provide ease of access, such as Bat Cave, Half-Way Ground Cave and Rebecca’s Cave. On Grand Cayman, Cayman Crystal Caves offers 90-minute tours through North Side’s old-growth forest and underground caves on the hour, every hour, between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. PLAY WITH THE RAYS A great way to spend the day is visiting Stingray City and the nearby Sandbar – Cayman’s top attraction. You can play with the sociable southern stingrays in their natural habitat while enjoying a day out on the water. For a memorable experience, gather a group and charter a private boat.Love Local 2023 22 FRIDAY, 25 AUGUST BUTTERFIELD GROUP Butterfi eld is a relationship-led, full-service bank and trust company offering a personalised approach. Rooted in local communities with an international network, the company focuses on the fi nancial and fi duciary needs of its clients and has done so for more than 160 years. Butterfi eld is a publicly-traded company on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: NTB) and on the Bermuda Stock Exchange (BSX: NTB BH). › Various locations t: 949-7055 e: info.cayman@butterfi eldgroup.com w: butterfi eldgroup.com PURE ART GALLERY & GIFTS Pure Art Gallery and Gifts offers Cayman’s widest selection of artwork by local artists and artisans. Explore its little Cayman cottage to fi nd exceptional paintings, majestic Caymanite sculptures, handcrafted decorative pieces, lots of souvenirs and even year-round Christmas decorations. Experience the essence of the islands in the shop’s curated collection. › 5 Denham Thompson Way & South Church Street › Open Monday to Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Closed most Sundays and public holidays t: 949-9133 e: info@pureart.ky w: pureart.ky TOMLINSON FURNITURE Tomlinson Furniture has been furnishing homes of the Cayman Islands for more than 48 years. In the store you will fi nd a unique furniture shopping experience with friendly, competent staff, as well as a large selection of affordable, dependable,and quality furniture, mattresses, home décor and window treatments. › Tomlinson Building, 9 Walkers Road › Open Monday to Thursday, 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. t: 949-5383 Business WhatsApp: 526-2337 e: info@tomlinsonfurniture.ky w: tomlinsonfurniture.ky WAFFLE MONKEY Waffl e Monkey serves up delicious handmade Belgian-style waffl es, excellent Costa Rican coffee, milkshakes and breakfast sandwiches. Sweet and savoury waffl es available, including its No. 1 seller – Chicken and Waffl es, and its namesake, The Waffl e Monkey, with powdered sugar, banana, local honey and coconut. The Big Breakfast is a waffl e loaded with ham and cheese and topped with herb butter, parmesan cheese and a fried egg. › 72 North Church Street, George Town › Open Monday to Sunday 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. t: 945-7772 e: waffl es@waffl emonkey.net w: waffl emonkey.net LIVING.KY With three showrooms in Pasadena Place on Smith Road – numbers 24, 38 and 42, LIVING.KY offers classic and contemporary home décor pieces from brands such as Four Hands, Surya, and EQ3. Interior design services are also available, as well as outdoor and commercial ranges. › Pasadora Place, Smith Road › Open Tuesday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Appointments available at any other time. t: 233-8700 e: info@living.ky POLISHED NAIL SALON AND GIFT BOUTIQUE Established in 2010, Polished in Galleria Plaza offers a full menu of nail services, threading, waxing, facials and massages. Professionally certifi ed international staff cater to your every need. Polished has been voted No. 1 by Tripadvisor in the Best George Town Spas & Wellness category, and is a 2023 Traveller’s Choice winner. › Unit 24, Galleria Plaza, 638 West Bay Road › Open Tuesday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Will temporarily be closed on Tuesdays through September. t: 949-6245 e: polished@candw.ky w: polished.ky CAYMAN HEARING CENTER Cayman Hearing Center is renowned for its expertise in providing personalised solutions that cater to clients’ distinctive hearing needs. Its focus is on delivering top-notch service by leveraging the latest advancements in audiology technology. Clients benefi t from fi nely-tuned technology, minimal wait times, and a comprehensive range of cutting-edge hearing aids that will elevate listening experiences to a whole new level. › 3rd Floor Alissta Towers, 85 North Sound Road › Open Monday to Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Friday 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. t: 946-9174 or 925-5836 (WhatsApp) e: info@caymanhearingcenter.com w: caymanhearingcenter.com CAYMAN NATIONAL BANK Established in 1974, Cayman National Corporation Ltd. is the largest fi nancial services company based in the Cayman Islands, providing banking, fund administration and wealth management services to clients locally and around the world. Cayman National is publicly traded on the Cayman Islands Stock Exchange. › Various locations on all three islands t: 949-4655 (Personal and business banking) w: caymannational.com ISLAND TASTE Island Taste has been catering to the Cayman Islands for more than 40 years, offering a variety of Caribbean and international tastes. Product options range from patties to pastries to full catering. Find its products at its stores, or at retailers such as Foster’s, Hurley’s and McRuss. › 5 - 7 Caymanian Village, North Sound Way › Open Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Saturday 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. t: 949-1480 e: info@islandtaste.ky w: islandtaste.ky Client DirectoryLove Local 2023 23 FRIDAY, 25 AUGUST COX LUMBER LTD. Founded in 1949 by Linton Tibbetts, Cox Lumber Co. began as a small hardware store and now has two locations in the Cayman Islands and six locations in Florida. Both Cayman stores carry building materials, construction supplies, lumber, rebar, plumbing supplies, electrical, insulation and job site tools. The Bodden Town location also has a complete design centre and top brand appliances. › Sparky Drive, George Town and 48 Lake Destiny Drive, Bodden Town › GT open 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Friday, and 7 a.m. to 12 p.m. Saturdays. › BT open 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday, and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays. t: 943-5055 e: info@coxlumberltd.com w: coxlumberltd.com ITC TILES Established more than 20 years ago, ITC offers a mesmerising array of high-quality tiles, from natural stones to porcelain and ceramic, to adorn your indoor and outdoor spaces. With a specialisation in countertops, its vast in-stock variety includes porcelain, quartz, and granite, ready to elevate your spaces. Experience your excellence with ITC’s professional installation team and cutting-edge technology for custom designs. › Kozaily Center, Ashgo Street (off Godfrey Nixon Way) › Open Monday to Friday 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. t: 945-3798 w: caymantile.com PRICED RIGHT Prices are always good at Priced Right. Whether it’s brand-name electronics, household items, fresh produce, meat, and bulk grocery, there’s something for everyone. Located in George Town and West Bay, shoppers can enjoy friendly staff assistance, easy exchanges and returns or shop online for convenient curb-side pickup. › The Airport Center, 63B Dorcy Drive and Republix Plaza, 2373 Willie Farrington Drive › Open Monday to Saturday 7a.m. to 9 p.m. t: 815-1070 (Airport Center) and 949-3214 (Republic Plaza) w: fosters.ky/about/our-brands/priced-right NO. 1 SHOE SHOP Founded in 1976, The No.1 Shoe Shop is a family- owned and operated company that specialises in athletic, casual and dress shoe retailing and repair. Available brands include Nine West, Enzo, Naturalizer, Kenneth Cole, Timberland, Puma, Adidas, K-Swiss and New Balance. Customers will also fi nd a designated shop-in-shop called Sport-N-Zone specialising in Nike products. › 62 Hospital Road, George Town › Open Monday to Saturday 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. t: 949-5595 e: Karen.Goddard@Shoeshop.Ky w: shoes.ky ROCKY’S DIAMOND GALLERY Rocky’s is a family-owned jewellery store, selling everything from tanzanite to diamonds, rubies and emeralds. Founder Rakesh Baxani used his extensive retail experience to build the store, which has a very customer-centric focus, offering quality merchandise with top- notch customer service. › 28 North Church Street › Open Monday to Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Open from 8 a.m. on cruise ship days. t: 946-7851 e: sales@rockysdiamonds.com w: rockysdiamonds.comPRESENTED BY IN A WORLD WHERE YOU CAN SHOP ANYWHERE Shop Local COMPASSMEDIA.KY/LOVELOCALNext >