Island Life Diaries: Jessica Turnbull

SO, WHERE ARE YOU ORIGINALLY FROM?

I’m originally from Winnipeg, Manitoba.

WHAT MADE YOU DECIDE TO MOVE TO CAYMAN?

Have you been to Winnipeg in the winter?! It is bitter cold and I love the sunshine!

WHAT ARE YOUR FAVOURITE HOBBIES ON ISLAND?

Working out is something that is very important to me and by far the hobby I am most passionate about. It is a form of meditation where I am only focused on the workout, whether it be a run, lifting weights, or beach walks!
Baking is also a fun hobby that I have enjoyed for as long as I can remember! I am an accountant by trade and work as a compliance manager in Hedge Funds, so my daily life is ensuring everyone is following laws and regulations and that leaves very little room for creativity and experimenting. Baking allows me to use my imagination and make something beautiful and that people will enjoy! Being able to give someone something sweet treat provides me with great joy!!

SO WHERE DO YOU LIKE TO WORK OUT?

I love a mixture of the gym and the beach. I used to spend hours on the treadmill back in Winnipeg but when you have one of the world’s greatest beaches at your front door, that is where I want to run or take a long beach walk!  I have been a member at World Gym since my first day on island, 12 years ago, and it is my second home. I have met a lot of great people there and enjoy nothing more than a good lifting session at World Gym!

AND WHAT ABOUT A SWEET TREAT?

Chocolate chip cookies, who doesn’t love these!

WHERE IS YOUR FAVOURITE PLACE ON ISLAND TO GO ON A DINNER DATE?

We are so lucky in Cayman to have so many options of amazing restaurants! I would have to say Morgan’s for the food, the wine, the view and the atmosphere!

BEST BEACH IN CAYMAN?

Hard to choose, but I would have to say Governors Beach.

BEST PLACE TO GO FOR BREAKFAST?

Brussels Sprouts! The Coconut Milk Chia Seed Pudding is unreal and the breakfast hot buffet is delicious! Cutest little spot where you can dine in or grab and go if you’re in a hurry!

TELL US ONE PIECE OF ADVICE YOU WOULD GIVE TO SOMEONE LOOKING TO MOVE HERE.

Don’t think about, just do it! But honestly, the one piece of advice I would give is to appreciate the beauty of this island; both the people and the place. Talk to locals who grew up here and they will tell you where the hidden gems are! I am 12 years in, and still have so much to discover!

Island Life Diaries: Adam Slobodian

HI ADAM, TELL THE READERS WHERE YOU ARE FROM?

Born in Toronto, but moved around a bunch. Since I graduated college in Barrie, Whistler was home until I moved to Cayman.

YOU MOVED HERE A LONG TIME AGO, DIDN'T YOU? AND YOU HAD LEFT AND CAME BACK! WHAT BROUGHT YOU BACK?

The reason I left was burnout. Too much drinking, partying, fomo of the new place. But everytime I left, I kept in contact because people here are like really close family. When opportunities arose, I was excited to come back and see my friends, and wake up wearing board shorts everyday!  Also, everytime I came back I took a new job and moved up the hospitality ladder. Kind of like a promotion each time I returned.

WHAT WAS THE MOST CHALLENGING THING ABOUT MOVING HERE?

Getting used to the slow moving process.  Bank cards can take months to arrive, the hoops you have to jump through to get bills in your name.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE THING ABOUT CAYMAN?

Palm trees! Also, walking down the beach is just as busy as the bar. You can see all your friends at 3 in the afternoon being active and enjoying the sun and sand.

FAVOURITE PLACE TO MEET FRIENDS FOR DRINKS?

Calicos, hands down. If you don't know why, you've never visited calicos.

WHAT'S YOUR FAVOURITE COCKTAIL AND WHERE CAN I GET ONE OF THOSE?

These days, my favourite cocktail would be an Aperol Spritz.  Westin beach bar has the best view for a spritz, but Bácaro makes a mean one too!

BEST BEACH TO RELAX ON?

Finding that quiet spot on Seven Mile Beach.

HOW ABOUT THE BEST TOUR ON ISLAND?

Self guided walk up Seven Mile Beach stopping at as many bars as you can. Or taking the water taxi from Camana Bay to Kaibo. You get a nice boat ride, plus you get to see a different side of the island.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE DISH ON ISLAND AND WHERE DO YOU GET IT?

Trini doubles from Singh’s Roti in George Town.

WHAT'S THE ONE THING YOU WISH YOU KNEW BEFORE YOU MOVED TO CAYMAN?

Not to waste money on a car or the best accommodation at the start. Live with some roommates, take the local bus, learn the way of the island. Also, come for vacation first and check out where you will be working. Meet your bosses and coworkers. Maybe it's not the right spot for you. With visas it's not as easy to switch jobs if you get stuck at one you don’t like.

Insider Guides: Capturing the island's beauty with Aldington Scott

TELL US YOUR STORY GIVE US SOME HISTORY ABOUT YOU AND WHERE YOU CAME FROM!

I was born in Jamaica, but moved to Cayman back in 1991. Literally the words “Beautiful Cayman Islands” back then was the game changer for me.

WHAT DO YOU LOVE MOST ABOUT CAYMAN?

I just love how everyone knows one another. Well, that and the fact that I can wake up and step right onto the beach!

WE'VE BEEN FOLLOWING YOU. YOUR DRONE SHOTS AND PHOTOGRAPHY ARE INCREDIBLE! WHAT MADE YOU GET INTO IT IN THE FIRST PLACE?

Well, I see people all over the world that just don’t know about the Cayman Islands. So when I started photographing I just wanted tourists to see what I see and come visit this beautiful place.

TELL US 3 OF YOUR FAVOURITE PLACES TO GRAB THAT PERFECT SHOT?

I have a lot of favourites but Spotts Beach is one where I can swim with turtles and sharks. Pedro St. James has a massive hole by the edge of the bluff. Sometimes it’s dry, and sometimes it’s filled with water and creates this gorgeous pool. Stingray City never gets old as I can photograph the most beautiful stingrays.

WHAT IS YOUR INSPIRATION TO PHOTOGRAPHY?

My inspiration is Cayman. Not to be fancy, but just to capture something that people don’t get to see often or usually found on the internet.

BETWEEN WORK AND PHOTOGRAPHY, YOU MUST GIVE YOURSELF A LITTLE YOU TIME... TELL US WHERE YOU LIKE TO SPEND YOUR DAYS OFF?

I would say just being home with my family. Or to be with my friends on the beach.

IT'S ALL ABOUT THE FOOD WITH US, GIVE US YOUR TOP 3 SPOTS TO GRAB SOME DELICIOUS LOCAL FOOD.

This one is tough… Mango Tree, Cracked Conch, and Fish Shack. It’s all about the seafood!