Friday, November 16, 2007
legal services.
Owning a Timeshare in Grand Cayman
A relatively new concept to become popular in the Cayman Islands, timeshare ownership is now available at several existing resorts in the Cayman Islands. The timeshare concept of ownership has long been popular in the United States and the enthusiasm for this flexible, variable type of condominium ownership is becoming increasingly popular in a modern real estate market where buyers have a thirst for easy maintenance property ownership and the flexibility to exchange (for example) their timeshare at a ski resort property for a island condominium in the Cayman Islands, and vice versa. Timeshare offers many people the chance for an ownership interest in a beautiful five star resort that may have been cost-prohibitive to buy outright, particularly if the owner only intends to use the condominium a few weeks per year.
Major hotel chains worldwide, including Marriott and Wyndham worldwide are embracing the timeshare concept and putting their flag on many timeshare resorts, making the timeshare concept more attractive than ever to purchasers who are brand conscious. Even the Ritz-Carlton offers a type of ownership that is based on the timeshare concept, where owners have a right to use their condominium for only a certain fixed period of weeks and the rest of the time the condominium is managed by the hotel and generates income for the owner.
However easy it may be to use your timeshare once acquired, in reality the legalities and terminology of the timeshare industry can be confusing and I hope that this article will help readers wade through the flood of information that is available about timeshares and get to the essence of what timeshare is, as understanding timeshare will open a world of benefits to purchasers that traditional property purchases cannot offer.
I. Types of Timeshare
Timeshare, which is also commonly known and referred to as vacation ownership or interval ownership, essentially means ownership of the rights to use a particular property a certain amount of time per year together with other owners. Traditionally sold in units of one week, fifty-one owners will "buy" a condominium and share the time to use it depending on which weeks they purchase. One week of each year is usually held back by the developer for maintenance and is not sold. The weeks that are sold can be fixed or floating weeks (discussed below).
There are essentially four types of timeshare programs: deeded ownership, right-to-use/leasehold, points clubs and club/trust structures. Deeded ownership involves receiving an actual title deed for your timeshare interest and is primarily available in the United States. As deeded ownership is not available in the Cayman Islands, this article will cover the three types of timeshare programs that are possible in the Cayman Islands, as well as an overview of a few important timeshare concepts.
a. Right-to-Use/Leasehold/Fractionals
The most common form of timeshare program in the Cayman Islands is a right-to-use a week, or a block of weeks (called a fraction), of a resort club or membership company, backed by a long term lease of the resort property from the developer to the club or membership company of anywhere from 50 – 999 years. The lease is registered on the title of the resort and should contain protections for the club/membership company from the sale, transfer, assignment or foreclosure of the resort property by the developer for the duration of the lease.
The interest of the purchaser in a right-to-use program is essentially a contractual interest, a right to use the property, rather than an actual property interest but this holds several advantages for the purchaser. First, and most importantly, the purchaser does not have to pay stamp duty on their purchase as is the case with purchasing property and taking title, which would currently attract a stamp duty of 7.5% in the Seven Mile Beach area. Second, the purchaser receives significant savings in purchasing only the weeks that they want to use the property considering that in exchange for a fairly reasonable investment and no stamp duty costs, the purchaser receives the yearly use of a beautiful five star condominium, usually on the beach which if purchased outright would cost millions of dollars in the most prime locations. Third, with most resorts belonging to an exchange program (see below) the purchaser has the advantage of exchanging their weeks in other exotic locations.
Right-to-use timeshares are usually structured very carefully in order to ensure that the purchasers are given binding contracts that guarantee the right to use the timeshare. Right-to-use timeshares are comprised of several detailed binding contracts which will endure for a long period of time. Purchaser’s counsel will be able to ensure that all the protections available to the developer have been undertaken and put into place. Whereas when purchasing property freehold a purchaser actually takes title, with timeshare in the Cayman Islands there is no registry of timeshare interests or means of registering title to timeshares so the contractual documents underlying a timeshare purchase are of utmost importance.
b. Points
Some timeshare resorts sell points instead of weeks where purchasers receive a certain number of points that represent a particular size of unit and week at a certain resort. Timeshares at older resorts get you less points than newer resorts. A week in high season will cost more and give you more points than a week in low season. Those points can then be used through the internal exchange of the company in which you purchased or through the company’s international exchange program, if it has one. The main advantage of a points system is flexibility, you can use your points for shorter vacations of two or three days rather than being confined to a week. Some systems also allow you to purchase airfare and cruises with your points. The main disadvantage is that your points are easily de-valued and susceptible to inflation in subsequent years and once new resorts within a company are built that require more points for usage. There is no guarantee in a points system that you will be able to use a particular week in particular unit every year as it works on a first-come, first-served basis.
c. Club/Trust/Company Membership
A few timeshare programs in Cayman are based on the most common form of timeshare ownership in the United Kingdom where members belong to a Club and their timeshare unit and the resort are held by Trustees or a Company who then grant right-to-use licences to members. This type of ownership is legally complicated and difficult to explain to United States timeshare purchasers who are not used to the concept. However, it is becoming popular world-wide as it does have several built-in mechanisms for protecting members. Trustees could be a bank, a trust company or a group of individuals who hold the timeshare resort ‘in trust’ on behalf of the owners. Trustees provide security for owners in the event that a developer fails financially. Some trustees may have added responsibilities such as ensuring the continuity of the Club.
II. Protecting Timeshare Owners
As discussed in Part I, although the timeshare purchaser in Cayman does not receive a registered property interest, a good timeshare developer has other means of offering protections for timeshare owners in the event that the developer goes bankrupt, the resort is sold, or the developer’s financier forecloses on the resort. For example, great protection for timeshare owners can be structured in a long term registered lease between the developer/owner of the resort and the resort manager whereby any subsequent purchaser of the underlying freehold timeshare property would have to purchase the resort subject to the long-term lease of the membership/management company. The lease should contain provisions that stipulate that the rights of members should not be disturbed if the developer/owner sells the resort or transfers the lease of the resort property, or where the lease is terminated. Clauses should also be included which stipulate that timeshare members receive their proportionate share of insurance proceeds and (in certain cases) their share of proceeds of the sale of the resort property should the resort be destroyed in a hurricane and a decision taken not to rebuild.
Where the developer/owner receives financing for the development of the resort and is required to give its financier a charge over the resort property, it is of utmost importance that the charge contains a "non-disturbance clause" whereby the financier expressly agrees to not disturb the rights of the timeshare owners in the event of foreclosure of the resort property.
These protections are crucial in ensuring that timeshare owners are protected from situations where developers sell the timeshare resort without the consent or knowledge of the timeshare owners, and without adequate compensation, as happened in Cayman with one resort following Hurricane Ivan.
III. Private Residence Clubs
The crème de la crème of timeshare, private residence clubs (PRCs) are becoming popular in Grand Cayman, with projects like the Waterford Private Residence Club and the Residences at Beach Bay leading the way. These exclusive clubs offer country-club type benefits including luxurious accommodation and facilities, as well as exclusive services designed to make your stay as effortless as possible for you, including the use of luxury vehicles during your stay, boat & captain service, stocking your fridge with your choice of groceries, and the list goes on. These clubs and the special privileges that come with ownership are extremely attractive to certain purchasers who are looking for the exclusivity of high end properties without the management and strata plan headaches that sometimes come with owning their own condominium.
Private Residence Clubs are usually sold as fractions, which is a type of right-to use a block of time per year, for example, six weeks, which can be taken all at one time, or spread out throughout the year. Membership is usually governed by Rules and Regulations, Reservation Policies & Procedures and a membership agreement. The terms of the documents are often similar to the by-laws of a strata corporation but also have elements of hotel rules incorporated to address reservation procedures for reserving your weeks, for allowing guests to use your weeks and for re-scheduling.
Club dues, similar to strata plan fees, are paid, as with most timeshares, and the dues cover your proportionate share of the overall expenses of maintaining the timeshare resort. Most timeshares also have provisions for special assessments that might become necessary, after a hurricane (to cover a policy deductible), or to cover a major expenditure such as roof replacement. As there are so many owners, the club dues and special assessment charges are usually less than what you would pay for a comparable quality strata plan condominium.
IV. Fixed and Floating Weeks
A fixed week is a week purchased at your timeshare resort that is for a specific unit and a specific week every year. A floating week is sold within a specific time period or season for a particular size or type of unit but is not for the same particular unit every year. While the floating weeks give you flexibility they are usually offered on a first come first served basis although some resorts do offer floating week members a rotation system to ensure that they all have the opportunity to reserve a high season week on a regular basis.
V. Exchange Programs
Most timeshare resorts belong to one of two international exchange programs, either RCI (Resort Condominiums International) or Interval International. Exchange programs are part of what makes timeshare so attractive. These are the programs that enable owners to exchange their week for a week in another resort in another state, province or country. In order for timeshare resorts to be accepted as members into one of these premier exchange programs the resort must meet certain criteria for acceptance. Membership in either RCI or Interval International is one of the criteria purchasers should look for in deciding whether to purchase a timeshare at a particular resort.
VI. Timeshare and Tourism
Timeshares are not only great investments for purchasers, they are great for tourism, they bring high volume of tourists from all over the world on a consistent basis year after year. Timeshare resorts enjoy some of the highest and most consistent occupancy rates in the Cayman Islands. As few resorts here are truly all-inclusive in the sense that timeshare owners never leave the resort, most of those tourists spend money in the local economy by seeing local attractions, trying new restaurants and purchasing goods. Many families pass their weeks onto their children and the children keep up the tradition. Even owners who regularly trade in their weeks every year still help tourism, as new tourists who own timeshares elsewhere will come to the Cayman Islands and hopefully, fall in love with it and buy their own week. Understanding timeshare will bring benefits not only to purchasers personal investments, but also to the Cayman Islands as a tourism destination.
Magda Embury is the Head of the Property & Finance Department at law firm Solomon Harris and has developed a specialty in timeshare law, and advises local as well as international timeshare resort developers.
Buying Property in the Cayman Islands
The Cayman Islands has always had an active real estate market. This article provides a brief overview of the legal and practical aspects of buying and selling real estate in the Cayman Islands. However, it is not intended to deal exhaustively with all aspects of the subject and proper legal advice should always be obtained before entering in to any real estate transaction.
The Land Registry System
As an overseas territory of the United Kingdom, the Cayman Islands enjoys a political stability which may not be present in other locations in the Caribbean. To protect ownership interests in land, there is a Land Registry System maintained by the Government of the Cayman Islands and governed by the provisions of the Registered Land Law (1995 Revision) (the "Law").
The Law creates a Land Register which contains a record for each parcel of land in the Cayman Islands, indicating ownership interests, mortgages and charges against the land, easements and restrictions, and other legal and equitable interests in land. Thus, a search of the Land Registry pertaining to a particular parcel will reveal the necessary information to allow a buyer or mortgagee to enter into a transaction with respect to that parcel. When a purchaser enters into a contract to buy property the risk of an intervening interest being registered can be eliminated by filing what is commonly known as a "Search and Stay". This essentially "freezes" the title and prevents any other interests from being registered against the parcel during the priority period until it is transferred to the purchaser. In this way, the purchaser can be certain he or she will obtain the property encumbered only by interests they were aware of at the time of entering into the transaction.
Once a person is registered as the proprietor of a parcel of land, that ownership is absolute and protected by the Law. In the event an error is made by the Registrar in registration of a transfer or any other interest, any person who suffers a loss as a result of such an error is entitled to be indemnified by the Government of the Cayman Islands. The result is a Land Registry System that provides owners, lenders and others with full and complete protection of their proper interests and rights in land.
Another feature of the Land Registry System is the ability to obtain a registered and secure leasehold interest in land. Any parcel of land or portion thereof can be dealt with by way of a lease, and leases can be registered on the system as other interests are, protecting both landlord and tenant.
Strata Titles Registration Law (1996 Revision) ("STRL")
Many properties in the Cayman Islands are multiple unit complexes divided into individually owned condominium or "strata" units. The STRL is the statute that governs the registration of "strata plans" and creates strata, or condominium, corporations similar to those in existence in many other jurisdictions. A strata plan consists of two elements being the individual units with separate titles, and the grounds, common areas, amenities (pools, tennis courts, etc.), collectively known as the "common property". The strata corporation holds the title to and manages the common property. Maintenance fees are collected from the individual unit owners and applied to maintaining all of the common property. The individual unit owners hold title to their units in the same way as the owner of any other parcel of land, and the Land Register maintains the same type of records for these strata units.
Stamp Duty
Although there are no income or property taxes levied in the Cayman Islands, the government needs to take in revenue to pay for its programs and services. One of the ways that revenue is generated is by the imposition of stamp duty on the transfer of land. For property on Grand Cayman, which is where almost all the population of the Cayman Islands lives, there are generally two different rates of stamp duty. In the popular Seven Mile Beach area, the stamp duty payable on transferring land is 9% whilst on the rest of the island, the stamp duty is 7.5% of the fair value of the property, subject in each case to the concession noted below.
Whilst the Cayman Islands enjoyed a brisk and expanding real estate market for many years, in recent times that market has been adversely affected by world economic conditions, by concerns over air travel and, most recently, by the effects of Hurricane Ivan in 2004. In an effort to stimulate activity the Cayman Islands government in 2001 announced a reduction in the stamp duty payable on real estate transfers to 5% throughout Grand Cayman. Given some of the very high property values in Grand Cayman, this can amount to a significant saving on some properties, and can make even the lower value transactions more attractive to purchasers. Although the reduction was originally to be a one year programme, expiring in November of 2002, the government extended the concession on several occasions and as of this date there is no expiry date on the concession and most consider that the 5% rate is the status quo at this time, although there is no guarantee the government will not look to increasing this duty as a revenue generating measure in the future.
Real Estate Marketing
There are a number of real estate agents operating in the Cayman Islands. Most of them are members of an association called the Cayman Islands Real Estate Board Association ("CIREBA"). While there is no legislation governing the activities of real estate agents, CIREBA has rules and regulations governing its members' activities. The rules contain a complaints and discipline process which is available to members of the public aggrieved by the actions of a realtor. Many of the agents are affiliated with the familiar international real estate firms.
Legal Services
Legal advice should always be obtained prior to entering into any property transaction. A lawyer will ensure that all necessary searches are conducted, all documents are prepared and executed properly according to the Law, and that at the time of completion the interests of the client will be fully protected. In the case of purchases of condominiums it is vital that a purchaser is fully aware of all liabilities they will be assuming in relation to the strata corporation, including commitments to major capital expenditure or repairs. Without proper attention to such details, a buyer or seller could be faced with unexpected and potentially disastrous results. An intervening and unexpected interest may appear on a buyer's title, seriously affecting the value of the real estate, or worse, a buyer may hand over the purchase price and receive a transfer that is improperly drafted or executed. Similarly, purchasers of condominiums may be exposed to liabilities to the strata corporation of which they were unaware.
Completion generally occurs on an agreed possession date, and involves exchanging the Transfer of Land, and discharge of the seller's mortgage, if any, for the balance of the purchase price. For the purchaser, retaining a lawyer will help ensure that they will obtain a Transfer that will properly convey ownership of the property. For the seller, the lawyer can assist in verifiying that the purchaser has satisfied any contractual conditions and that any necessary mortgage discharge has been obtained and held in escrow for the bank pending completion. The lawyer will also prepare all the necessary transfer documents and ensure that the funds are properly paid to the vendor on completion.
Charles Adams Ritchie & Duckworth has an experienced conveyancing department and aims to provide a responsive service at competitive fee rates.
Thursday, November 15, 2007
Jamaican Life in Little Cayman
Review: By "Beach Lvr"
I read somewhere that there were more Jamaicans working in Cayman Islands resorts than any other nationality. I began to believe this when our Little Caymans resort van driver pulled up and screeched to a halt (sending sandy dust clouds into the air). The minute he arrived, we could hear the rhythmic reggae music he was playing on the van’s stereo. I mused to myself “Oh yeah, he’s from Jamaica.”
I went on something of a quest to find out more about why Jamaicans choose to work in the Caymans, and what their lives are like being away from the home they know in Jamaica. Where might a Jamaican resort employee live on this expensive, very minimally populated island? How do they manage to feed themselves, and family members, on this extravagant little island on a resort employees pay? Has the Jamaican culture begun to blend with that of Caymanian culture?
I sat one night at the resort dinner buffet, pondering who I wanted to talk to about Jamaican culture. Suddenly, I was snapped out of my daze by our Jamaican waiter (“Louie“ - a.k.a. Errol) asking politely “Is there anything else I can get you?” After a short discussion, my travel buddy and I decided to ask Louie to meet us in the resort game room after he was off from work at 9pm. We explained to him that I was writing an article on Jamaicans working in the Caymans, and wanted to interview him. Shortly after 9pm, Louie strolled in with a Jamaican-born friend of his named Denvil (apparently his name is pronounced “Danville“). They both had pleasant smiles on their faces, but both seemed slightly guarded.
I noted that there seemed to be an age difference between Denvil and Louie. Denvil looked a few years younger, probably only because Louie was sporting a tiny patch of salt and pepper beard on his chin. Louie seemed very self conscious about his well-earned tiny bit of gray. Louie was of average height, and was dressed more like an islander, whereas Denvil reminded me more of a prep from the east coast. Denvil was very tall, youthful, and energetic. As it turned out, Denvil was single, and in his mid-twenties, Louie was in his mid-thirties, with a wife and child back in Jamaica. They were both extremely polite and professional throughout the time we spent with them.
Once we were all comfortable and seated at the poker table inside the quiet resort game room, I began to ask some milder questions first…”So, why did you two decide to leave your lives in Jamaica and come to the tiny Island of Little Cayman to work?” Louie replied “The money I make here is worth much more back home in Jamaica. I have a wife and child to take care of. The job opportunities in Jamaica just are not there. I cannot make good money in Jamaica. I am working here for my family, so that they are taken care of.” Denvil interjected with “I’m here for the job opportunity, and the ability to learn, move up in my career, and the chance to travel.” “What are your job titles here?” I asked. Louie replied with “I do a little bit of everything, I act as waiter, host, clear tables, help the kitchen staff, and whatever else is needed of me.” Denvil said “I am a chef here.”
We took a short break while my travel companion fetched us a few drinks from the bar at the resort. After a sip of my somewhat watered down rum punch, I said “I understand that it’s quite dangerous in Jamaica, where could we go in Jamaica where it would be safer?” At this, both men seemed somewhat offended, and took great efforts to make it clear that Jamaica is not entirely the unsafe place many think it is. Louie stuck his chest out and said “You come to Jamaica and have me with you as a guide, nobody would bother you, because you are with a Jamaican.” At any rate, Louie continued with ”The safest places to go are Negril, Ochos Rios, Montego Bay, as well as a few other spots. However, DO NOT go to Kingston, even the Jamaicans avoid Kingston because it is a very violent, dangerous place. We Jamaicans hate that our country has been labeled as such a dangerous place... Don’t be mislead by the negative rumors about Jamaica. “Denvil piped up and said “I was born in Jamaica, but grew up in Canada and am a Canadian citizen.” I could see that Denvil had a Canadian “air” about him. Denvil did not have the Jamaican lilt that Louie possessed. I knew there was something different about Denvil. Conversely, Louie then told us a story about a shooting incident and how gunshots are all too common in Jamaica. He explained that the bad things happen in only certain places, usually the bigger towns/cities. Violence is not at all common in the more rural areas.
At this point, I decided to start asking the harder questions. “So how are you all able to afford to live on this expensive little island when surely rent on this island is so unaffordable?” Louie replied “The resort has apartments for us, and they charge us a reduced rental rate. Most of us live on property here, with some of us living in the apartments across the street, and some living in the apartments behind the gift shop at the resort. Some of us pay only $100 a month in rent, while others have to pay $300 a month.” “That doesn’t seem quite fair to me“, I said. “It isn’t, he said.” Denvil threw in “I pay $200 a month for a tiny space with a small bed.” Denvil described his accommodations as not much larger than what a lower level cruise ship employee might have. I got the impression that those on staff who were Canadian, or were from any other country besides Jamaica, were receiving better housing at cheaper rental rates from the resort management/owners.
Louie explained that the Cayman government is beginning to refuse work visas from Jamaican applicants because the Cayman government seems to believe that crime has increased as a result of the influx of Jamaican resort workers. However, the Canadian woman running the gift shop at Little Cayman Beach Resort said “The Cayman government is also refusing work visas from Canadians now as well. I think they are getting tired of seeing primarily applicants from Jamaica and Canada only, and want some new blood in the Caymans. I tried to get my Jamaican boyfriend into the Caymans for work; his visa was refused.” No matter which way you slice it, it appears the Cayman government is getting quite picky about who it will allow into the country to work.
To lighten the mood a bit, I asked “So what are the favorite traditional foods of Jamaicans?” Louie smiled and answered wistfully “Mmmmm, curried lamb, hominy (grits), roasted breadfruit, Jamaican oxtail, fried plantains, boiled plantains, peas and rice, sweet potatoes and many other tings.” I love the way Jamaicans pronounce “things” as “tings.” Louie went on to describe the manner in which some of these foods are prepared. He also told us that “In Jamaica, no one minds if you pick fruit from their tree or vine. Everyone does it, and no one minds at all, it’s the Jamaican way.”
The distance to Jamaica from the Caymans is only 300 miles, so Louie is able to fly home to see his family about twice a year. Though Louie did complain that airfares to Jamaica were very difficult for him to manage.
One ting is for sure, the Jamaican food is working its way readily into the Caymans, as we saw several of the Jamaican dishes Louie described on the buffet at Little Cayman Beach Resort, especially in the mornings. It kept breakfast interesting. Surely, our chef Denvil had a hand in preparing these dishes. I think sprinkling some Jamaican food and reggae into the Cayman islands is actually quite a wonderful thing.
Louie has been working on the island for this resort for many years and plans to stay for a few more, while Denvil has only been there for 2 years. Denvil seems content, but somewhat bored.
On our final day, Louie and Denvil prepared some special plantains for our last morning at the resort. They both saw us off the morning of our departure. Talk about personalized service! They were so polite, so kind, it would be hard to think of Jamaicans or Canadians as anything but wonderful people.
In sum, while things for the Jamaicans and other foreign workers here may be somewhat difficult (tiny rooms in which to sleep, long work weeks, and being homesick), overall, they seem to be happy. It’s too bad that the Cayman government does not see what a wonderful addition to their country Jamaicans have become.
I read somewhere that there were more Jamaicans working in Cayman Islands resorts than any other nationality. I began to believe this when our Little Caymans resort van driver pulled up and screeched to a halt (sending sandy dust clouds into the air). The minute he arrived, we could hear the rhythmic reggae music he was playing on the van’s stereo. I mused to myself “Oh yeah, he’s from Jamaica.”
I went on something of a quest to find out more about why Jamaicans choose to work in the Caymans, and what their lives are like being away from the home they know in Jamaica. Where might a Jamaican resort employee live on this expensive, very minimally populated island? How do they manage to feed themselves, and family members, on this extravagant little island on a resort employees pay? Has the Jamaican culture begun to blend with that of Caymanian culture?
I sat one night at the resort dinner buffet, pondering who I wanted to talk to about Jamaican culture. Suddenly, I was snapped out of my daze by our Jamaican waiter (“Louie“ - a.k.a. Errol) asking politely “Is there anything else I can get you?” After a short discussion, my travel buddy and I decided to ask Louie to meet us in the resort game room after he was off from work at 9pm. We explained to him that I was writing an article on Jamaicans working in the Caymans, and wanted to interview him. Shortly after 9pm, Louie strolled in with a Jamaican-born friend of his named Denvil (apparently his name is pronounced “Danville“). They both had pleasant smiles on their faces, but both seemed slightly guarded.
I noted that there seemed to be an age difference between Denvil and Louie. Denvil looked a few years younger, probably only because Louie was sporting a tiny patch of salt and pepper beard on his chin. Louie seemed very self conscious about his well-earned tiny bit of gray. Louie was of average height, and was dressed more like an islander, whereas Denvil reminded me more of a prep from the east coast. Denvil was very tall, youthful, and energetic. As it turned out, Denvil was single, and in his mid-twenties, Louie was in his mid-thirties, with a wife and child back in Jamaica. They were both extremely polite and professional throughout the time we spent with them.
Once we were all comfortable and seated at the poker table inside the quiet resort game room, I began to ask some milder questions first…”So, why did you two decide to leave your lives in Jamaica and come to the tiny Island of Little Cayman to work?” Louie replied “The money I make here is worth much more back home in Jamaica. I have a wife and child to take care of. The job opportunities in Jamaica just are not there. I cannot make good money in Jamaica. I am working here for my family, so that they are taken care of.” Denvil interjected with “I’m here for the job opportunity, and the ability to learn, move up in my career, and the chance to travel.” “What are your job titles here?” I asked. Louie replied with “I do a little bit of everything, I act as waiter, host, clear tables, help the kitchen staff, and whatever else is needed of me.” Denvil said “I am a chef here.”
We took a short break while my travel companion fetched us a few drinks from the bar at the resort. After a sip of my somewhat watered down rum punch, I said “I understand that it’s quite dangerous in Jamaica, where could we go in Jamaica where it would be safer?” At this, both men seemed somewhat offended, and took great efforts to make it clear that Jamaica is not entirely the unsafe place many think it is. Louie stuck his chest out and said “You come to Jamaica and have me with you as a guide, nobody would bother you, because you are with a Jamaican.” At any rate, Louie continued with ”The safest places to go are Negril, Ochos Rios, Montego Bay, as well as a few other spots. However, DO NOT go to Kingston, even the Jamaicans avoid Kingston because it is a very violent, dangerous place. We Jamaicans hate that our country has been labeled as such a dangerous place... Don’t be mislead by the negative rumors about Jamaica. “Denvil piped up and said “I was born in Jamaica, but grew up in Canada and am a Canadian citizen.” I could see that Denvil had a Canadian “air” about him. Denvil did not have the Jamaican lilt that Louie possessed. I knew there was something different about Denvil. Conversely, Louie then told us a story about a shooting incident and how gunshots are all too common in Jamaica. He explained that the bad things happen in only certain places, usually the bigger towns/cities. Violence is not at all common in the more rural areas.
At this point, I decided to start asking the harder questions. “So how are you all able to afford to live on this expensive little island when surely rent on this island is so unaffordable?” Louie replied “The resort has apartments for us, and they charge us a reduced rental rate. Most of us live on property here, with some of us living in the apartments across the street, and some living in the apartments behind the gift shop at the resort. Some of us pay only $100 a month in rent, while others have to pay $300 a month.” “That doesn’t seem quite fair to me“, I said. “It isn’t, he said.” Denvil threw in “I pay $200 a month for a tiny space with a small bed.” Denvil described his accommodations as not much larger than what a lower level cruise ship employee might have. I got the impression that those on staff who were Canadian, or were from any other country besides Jamaica, were receiving better housing at cheaper rental rates from the resort management/owners.
Louie explained that the Cayman government is beginning to refuse work visas from Jamaican applicants because the Cayman government seems to believe that crime has increased as a result of the influx of Jamaican resort workers. However, the Canadian woman running the gift shop at Little Cayman Beach Resort said “The Cayman government is also refusing work visas from Canadians now as well. I think they are getting tired of seeing primarily applicants from Jamaica and Canada only, and want some new blood in the Caymans. I tried to get my Jamaican boyfriend into the Caymans for work; his visa was refused.” No matter which way you slice it, it appears the Cayman government is getting quite picky about who it will allow into the country to work.
To lighten the mood a bit, I asked “So what are the favorite traditional foods of Jamaicans?” Louie smiled and answered wistfully “Mmmmm, curried lamb, hominy (grits), roasted breadfruit, Jamaican oxtail, fried plantains, boiled plantains, peas and rice, sweet potatoes and many other tings.” I love the way Jamaicans pronounce “things” as “tings.” Louie went on to describe the manner in which some of these foods are prepared. He also told us that “In Jamaica, no one minds if you pick fruit from their tree or vine. Everyone does it, and no one minds at all, it’s the Jamaican way.”
The distance to Jamaica from the Caymans is only 300 miles, so Louie is able to fly home to see his family about twice a year. Though Louie did complain that airfares to Jamaica were very difficult for him to manage.
One ting is for sure, the Jamaican food is working its way readily into the Caymans, as we saw several of the Jamaican dishes Louie described on the buffet at Little Cayman Beach Resort, especially in the mornings. It kept breakfast interesting. Surely, our chef Denvil had a hand in preparing these dishes. I think sprinkling some Jamaican food and reggae into the Cayman islands is actually quite a wonderful thing.
Louie has been working on the island for this resort for many years and plans to stay for a few more, while Denvil has only been there for 2 years. Denvil seems content, but somewhat bored.
On our final day, Louie and Denvil prepared some special plantains for our last morning at the resort. They both saw us off the morning of our departure. Talk about personalized service! They were so polite, so kind, it would be hard to think of Jamaicans or Canadians as anything but wonderful people.
In sum, while things for the Jamaicans and other foreign workers here may be somewhat difficult (tiny rooms in which to sleep, long work weeks, and being homesick), overall, they seem to be happy. It’s too bad that the Cayman government does not see what a wonderful addition to their country Jamaicans have become.
Monday, November 12, 2007
Air Canada Flies Direct to Grand Cayman
Beginning Friday December 14th, Air Canada will be flying four times weekly to Grand Cayman.
The new take off days are Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and Wednesdays. High season begins in Grand Cayman on December 14th, and lasts until April 2008.
As long as you are flexible with your flight dates you can fly non-stop and round-trip for under $800 CDN on average.
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
Ritz "DeckHouses" offer privacy and luxury
The first new product at The Ritz–Carlton, Grand Cayman available for purchase by the public went on sale recently.
The DeckHouses at The Ritz–Carlton, Grand Cayman will offer a
combination of luxury and privacy unprecedented in the Cayman Islands. Vice President Sales and Marketing David Camp said the design of The DeckHouses represents the best features of resort living.
“We went on a tour to see what the best Caribbean resorts had to
offer,” he said. “We noted what the common characteristics each had and why we liked them the best.”
After returning from the trip, the group members talked about what they liked best about each of the resorts. Mr. Camp said the group members’ favourite resorts all had some kind of water element; they all had lush tropical vegetation; they all offered a feeling of exclusivity and privacy; and they were built with
natural, timeless materials like natural woods and stone. The combination of the group’s favourite parts from their favourite resorts spawned the concept for The DeckHouses.
“We believe there is nothing like this in the world,” Mr. Camp said. “I have seen what the Caribbean offers in terms of luxury and there’s nothing that compares to this.”
The DeckHouses will sit on the peninsula that holds the current
driving range for the Blue Tip golf course. The peninsula will be
carved out to create a series of private lagoons and private beaches. The materials excavated in creating the lagoons will be used to create a rolling topography on the peninsula. The entire peninsula will then be densely landscaped to create a sense of privacy between the 19 homes. Underground utilities and gas–flame lampposts will enhance the natural beauty of the area.
The three–storey DeckHouses themselves will offer a well thought out combination of spaciousness, luxury, views and amenities. All together the main house and guesthouse cottage combined will offer nearly 6,400 square feet under roof, with five bedrooms and 4 and a half bathrooms. A boathouse – complete with an Italian–made Riva boat as part of the package – will be connected to the main house.
“The boat is literally part of the home, almost like a piece of art,” said Mr. Camp. Other parts of the purchase package include golf cart and an automobile – something like a BMW or a Land Rover Defender – Mr. Camp said. The homes also come fully furnished.
The foundations of the DeckHouses will be built at 6.5 feet above
sea level – giving the homes protection from storm surge – and the second floor level will be at 18.5 feet, while the third floor will be at 32.5 feet, Mr. Camp said. The second floor will be ringed with windows and glass doors and 270 degrees of decking suitable for entertainment.
“There will be phenomenal views,” said Mr. Camp. The DeckHouses will function as more than just a home. “[The DeckHouses] will be Ritz–Carlton branded and offer Ritz–Carlton service,” Mr. Camp said, adding that owners and guest will
be able to sign up for full butler service, including private chefs,
and their own personal concierge.
The prices for the Deckhouse homes range between US$3.5 million and US$5. Purchasers who don’t want the fully loaded package can get a lower price point. Mr. Camp said he expects The Deckhouse project to sell quickly. “There are 19 lucky people out there who are going to say ‘yes’ to the DeckHouses,” he said, adding that it is hoped that Cayman Islands residents will also want to take advantage of the opportunity to own and live at one of the DeckHouses.
“The DeckHouses may not be for everyone, but one thing I can confirm is that they represent the most unique and genuine ownership opportunity in the Caribbean, exploiting the best of all the experiential elements a family could want while doing it in style.”
Saturday, November 3, 2007
HOT MAZDA MIATA FOR SALE
BY March 2008
No Ivan or Dean damage. Available now, selling a 1991 silver Miata with an intact black convertible rooftop, power windows, and flip up head lights. ONLY 79,000 MILES! Runs like a dream, and properly maintained. Extras include chrome rims, low profile tires, and 300watt cd/mp3 sound system. 5 speed manual transmission (on right side).
$900 USD as is (negotiable).
Serious inquires only, email the owner miata.4gw@gishpuppy.com
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