What's hot in the Cayman Islands?

You're in for a treat today, we have a special guest post.  Kim's sister is our resident luxury-for-less travel blogger, and for anyone that has seen her Instagram - Jaxinthesun - you're well aware that she is a travel gypsy that LOVES to eat.   Coming to you live with her take on the food scene in the Cayman Islands, read it here first...

...well, by process of elimination, the weather has not been hot! The cold front that brought snow as far south as Texas, Louisiana and Georgia this past week, did bring some very cool breezes down to the island paradise of Grand Cayman as well.

But have no fear residents and tourists - the food scene is red hot in Cayman, no matter the weather! Where to find the heat?

Start with fire, the Kimpton Seafire that is. The beautiful new property boasts amazing vistas, a relaxing spa, and a plethora of food options.

We stopped in for lunch at Coccaloba Bar + Grill before taking advantage of the locals' discount in the spa. Check out the menu here: http://www.coccolobacaymanislands.com/menus/ 

Given the cool breezes, I found it apt to have the Shivering Burro cocktail, which is a refreshing vodka and fresh ginger creation, served frozen. I didn't shiver too much while drinking this, thanks to the array of hot sauces they have on offer to pair with the food. I reckon if my girlfriends were visiting, they'd go for the Sea Smoke or the Beachcomber. They've been keen for the smoky and the bourbon drinks ever since they visited the Kentucky bourbon trail.

We decided to try some small plates, better to snack on an array of tasty treats. The daily ceviche was wahoo, not to be missed, and we added on the spicy crab dip and the chilaquiles. I wouldn't say the dip is super spicy, but we availed of the homemade charred pineapple and scotch bonnet hot sauce to put some more heat in it. Nothing says Cayman Islands heat like the mighty scotch bonnet. Unfortunately the very same ingredient which made my Cayman Cookout Bon Vivant entry a scorcher in 2012, and cost me the semi-final! What can you do, if you can't take the heat, get out of the kitchen.

The chilaquiles were a great dish - think Mexican nachos - and the waitress was spot on when she noted that they really aren't a "small plate." A great value if you're snacking with friends, a perfect dish to share with some cold drinks on the beach.

I would be remiss to mention the scotch bonnets, and the hot food scene, without letting you in on a locals' favorite. Dr. Joe's Gourmet Hot Pepper Sauce, available exclusively at Da Fish Shack and Grand Old House. It truly is the flavor of the Caymans in a bottle. Just be sure you can handle the heat before you put on too much!

It kept us warm from the inside over the weekend, given the crazy Northern breeze and the waves down by Da Fish Shack. Many of the Georgetown options would have been awash with the waves, but Da Fish Shack was bumping with folks enjoying the views and tasty eats. Being conch and lobster season, I couldn't resist a cheeky request to the chef for lobster tacos. Generally I go for the fish tacos, but lobster is the reason for the season ya'll! 

If you are keen for fish, I highly recommend the fish bites - which are big chunks of lightly fried fresh fish - you can request Mahi or Grouper. And other patrons were raving over the breadfruit fries, a specialty of our island paradise. All pair nicely with the hot sauce!

That's all from the Caymans for now, but stay tuned for other adventures in food from around the globe.

Ciao!

Jaxinthesun

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I wish I traveled more before kids...

Jamaica 

Don’t get me wrong I love traveling with our kiddos as a family but it’s exhausting and hard and I wouldn’t always call it a vacation. 

Keith and I took a few trips before having kids but they came pretty quick after getting married so the trips were few. We made it to Jamaica, Disney, NYC, Key West, Punta Cana (honeymoon) and Grand Caymens (prego with Macie). I really wish we had done more trips out of the country.  Those are the ones that feel more impossible now. The length of the travel to and from with kids is one of our biggest deterrents for not going. I don’t have a problem packing and handling everything once we are there but the distance part makes things tough.

Punta Cana

Disney 50s Diner 

We just got home from Florida and the flights were tough especially with a 1 year old, and its less than a 3 hour flight. She cried for the first hour on the way down and was a crazy wiggle worm who wouldn't sleep on the way home.

The main two things I stress about traveling with kids is the travel part and the sleeping, arrangements and making it actually happen! 

Can you remember a time when you read a book on a plane, listened to your own music or god forbid took a nap?? My husband can because he still does that now on the plane with kids! But honestly can you remember falling asleep on the beach or sleeping in past 630? How about going shopping at any gift shop and not being begged for something, anything until the point of a tantrum?  

These are all things I miss about traveling and vacations. The actual relaxing part. Now when we get home from a vacation with kids we almost need an actual vacation to unwind, unpack, grocery shop, do laundry and relax. 

Another thing I miss about adult vacations are the excursions. There are some you can do with kids and they are fun but let’s face it the best ones are adults only. We actually tried doing a snorkeling boat trip with the kids in Aruba and even though they were old enough the captain refused to take our money or let us go. He said the wind off the coast is just too much the kids would be miserable and would want to come back.

Margaritaville 

Cancun

Of course you can still try and sneak away for an adults only vacation but let’s face it those are hard to come by once you make the arrangements the kids. And if you’re anything like me you’ll be worried sick the entire time about something happening to them or you.

I wish that we had been more willing to take the time off from work and spend the money to do those big trips before having kiddos....

Now we just have to learn how to plan, survive and pay for those trips as a family of five. Because what’s the alternative you either make it work or stay home!