Current Rock of Residence:
Grand Cayman
Island Girl Since:
2016
Originally Hails From:
North Carolina
“I love to travel, but it sure does feel good to be home,” said Mary – Never! That is, until she moved to Grand Cayman 1 ½ yrs ago. Although not her first landing as a resident on a rock, it was the first in nearly 30 years. During those long years, anyone in earshot tired of hearing her moan that she belonged on an island. So, when the opportunity landed in her inbox, the decision was nearly immediate. Nevermind that she had to search the map to even locate the Cayman Islands (expand screen bigger, bigger…), a chance to merge her current career as a yoga instructor with her passion for the water as a swim instructor sounded too good to be true!
Fortunately, it wasn’t, and surrounded by water never gets old for Mary. Only the draw of aging parents calls her off the rock for visits. Not understanding when people ask, “Don’t you get bored on such a small island?”, Mary could never tire of island life. When not teaching, she explores the beauty under water with an O2 tank or just floats around in the cove with the fishes. However, since everybody needs to rest (and to dry out), Mary finds her quiet time in reading, writing, and taking photographs. All of which lends itself beautifully to simple living on a rock.
Explore posts by this writer:
Experiencing Culture Shock When Traveling Off Your Island
There is a certain excitement one gets when going on a road trip that you don't get when flying. Yes, you dread sitting in the car all day, but you can listen to music all day and eat snacks that you don’t normally eat and your journey often has several destinations....
Sunkissed Christmas
This year I’ll be celebrating my 11th Christmas on this beautiful island and my main goal for this holiday season is to make the perfect sand-snowman. I can assure you that this is a task far more difficult than Pinterest or Instagram would have you believe. Last...
Christmas on Saba
It’s quiet out. And dark. The colourful street lights are up in each of the four villages of Saba, Chris Rea’s Driving Home for Christmas is playing, the tree is up, half hiding the presents underneath and the house smells of home-made cooking. It’s Christmas time...
My Love Letter to The Sea – How we are harming it and how we can protect it
I like the sea. That might be an under-statement: I really really love the sea. I love to see the different shades of blue, azure, turquoise and green. I love to take a stroll along the shoreline, barefoot, feeling the waves lapping over my toes, with various grades...
In Praise of Real Food
Island food culture is a wonderful riot, to be savoured and enjoyed. When we first came on island I was surprised by the food fusion between American, British and Caribbean fare. You would easily find an overblown pot of peanut butter alongside a similar-sized jar of...
How To Be An Annoying Tourist
The cruise ship horns are blasting. The streets are bustling with wide-eyed people donned in Hawaiian print. The smell of aerosol sunscreen spray fills the hot tropical air and stings your eyes. This can only mean one thing...peak tourist season is upon us. The...
