The Cayman Islands are one of the diving capitals of the world, say the diving enthusiasts. You will certainly agree when you know how much the islands have to offer in this sport.
There are 365 different diving locations around the islands that you can explore. The diving places are sunken wrecks, coral reefs, or caves. Millions of beautifully colored fish and other marine life await you. You can explore this wonderworld on your own or with a professional guide.
Even when you have never dived in your whole life, you can learn it here on the island. The education options start with snorkeling lessons and end with the professional diving certification. The usual open water diving certification takes three to four days and includes diving trips with instructors.
This is only a small insight into the cultural customs in the Cayman Islands. Much more to this topic you will find in my book
https://www.amazon.com/Secrets-Caribbean-Islands-Cayman/dp/0986252921
or contact me: andrea@florida-informations.com
Wednesday, November 18, 2015
Wednesday, October 14, 2015
Pedro Saint James Castle - Cayman Islands
The oldest existing structure in Cayman is the historic site of Pedro Saint James Castle. The building was constructed with heavy limestones in 1780 by William Eden. The building has eighteen-inch-thick walls with surrounding mahogany verandas.
The house has a quarterly shape with three stories like a tower. Instead of windows allowing sunlight into the house, there are doors on each home side of the house. These doorways can be closed with strong wooden doors. These doors are also an excellent protection against the tropical storms that can blow over the island during hurricane season.
The inside of the house is a little tight for a family, but the second and third floors expand and are surrounded by beautiful mahogany verandas. These verandas offered additional living space.
This is only a small insight into the cultural customs in the Cayman Islands. Much more to this topic you will find in my book
https://www.amazon.com/Secrets-Caribbean-Islands-Cayman/dp/0986252921
or contact me: andrea@florida-informations.com
Wednesday, September 16, 2015
How to respect the people in Cayman
When you are on the Cayman Islands, please keep in mind that you are a guest in a foreign country and that the Cayman population has a different cultural background and experience than you do. The best way to make friends and feel comfortable is to observe and adapt your personal behavior during your stay on the islands.
The people of Cayman are always polite and respectful to you. When you meet them on the street, they will greet you with “Good morning,” or “Good afternoon.” That is the best way to start a conversation. If you know the first name of your conversation partner, you can include a “Miss” or “Mister” before the name. That is a respectful way of addressing a person.
As mentioned earlier, the Cayman Islands do not have daylight saving time. That means that when you are, for example, from New York and are on the islands during the winter months, then you do not need to adjust your watch. When you are in the Caymans during the summer months, then you have to turn your watch back one hour, because in New York there is daylight saving time but not in the Caymans.
The usual business hours for shops and other service providers are 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on weekdays. Some businesses operate on Saturdays, too, but have different opening hours. On Sundays all businesses are closed. You cannot shop on Sundays, as you may be used to in your home country.
This is only a small insight into the cultural customs in the Cayman Islands. Much more to this topic you will find in my book
https://www.amazon.com/Secrets-Caribbean-Islands-Cayman/dp/0986252921
or contact me: andrea@florida-informations.com
The people of Cayman are always polite and respectful to you. When you meet them on the street, they will greet you with “Good morning,” or “Good afternoon.” That is the best way to start a conversation. If you know the first name of your conversation partner, you can include a “Miss” or “Mister” before the name. That is a respectful way of addressing a person.
As mentioned earlier, the Cayman Islands do not have daylight saving time. That means that when you are, for example, from New York and are on the islands during the winter months, then you do not need to adjust your watch. When you are in the Caymans during the summer months, then you have to turn your watch back one hour, because in New York there is daylight saving time but not in the Caymans.
The usual business hours for shops and other service providers are 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on weekdays. Some businesses operate on Saturdays, too, but have different opening hours. On Sundays all businesses are closed. You cannot shop on Sundays, as you may be used to in your home country.
This is only a small insight into the cultural customs in the Cayman Islands. Much more to this topic you will find in my book
https://www.amazon.com/Secrets-Caribbean-Islands-Cayman/dp/0986252921
or contact me: andrea@florida-informations.com
Monday, August 17, 2015
Do it yourself project that pay back at the home sale
When you are thinking
about selling your home and you may ask yourself how to add value and maximize
the sale gain. On many websites you will find advice what is best and what
promises the highest payback as well as how you can do it yourself and save money.
On these websites the following ideas are often listed as a do-it-yourself project, however, these project can come with some strings attached.
For example the replacement of the old front door with a new and modern one is certainly a good idea, but when you are living in states like Florida you have to obey by the current building code and the city regulations that may require a permit and inspections by the city. It is the same with project like garage door and windows replacements.
Especially these three upgrade ideas have to meet the building code and the hurricane safety requirements and usually requires documentations that these requirements are met. When you want to replace windows you may have to obey city regulations. The city regulations can force you to replace all windows in the house with new hurricane impact window when you start such a project.
Often it is also necessary to pull a building permit for such projects, even when you do it yourself. And do yourself a favor – do not listen to people and contractors that tell you do these projects on Sundays when the city inspector will not see it. The inspector may not see it when you do it, but your neighbor will and some neighbors like to inform the city about this matter. In this case you will not only have to pay the permit fee but an additional punishment charge.
For your own good – check first with the city what you can do without a permit and without professional help before you start your project.
You want to know more? Contact us at info@florida-informations.com .
On these websites the following ideas are often listed as a do-it-yourself project, however, these project can come with some strings attached.
For example the replacement of the old front door with a new and modern one is certainly a good idea, but when you are living in states like Florida you have to obey by the current building code and the city regulations that may require a permit and inspections by the city. It is the same with project like garage door and windows replacements.
Especially these three upgrade ideas have to meet the building code and the hurricane safety requirements and usually requires documentations that these requirements are met. When you want to replace windows you may have to obey city regulations. The city regulations can force you to replace all windows in the house with new hurricane impact window when you start such a project.
Often it is also necessary to pull a building permit for such projects, even when you do it yourself. And do yourself a favor – do not listen to people and contractors that tell you do these projects on Sundays when the city inspector will not see it. The inspector may not see it when you do it, but your neighbor will and some neighbors like to inform the city about this matter. In this case you will not only have to pay the permit fee but an additional punishment charge.
For your own good – check first with the city what you can do without a permit and without professional help before you start your project.
You want to know more? Contact us at info@florida-informations.com .
Wednesday, July 22, 2015
Compact communities are the newest trend
Most of the city and
urban communities are planned in that way that shopping malls and restaurants
are centrally located at the main roads. That has work very well in the
beginning, when the cities and town are smaller. However the more the cities
grow, the more residential area with houses and condos spread and the road to
shopping malls and entertainment grew. That is the situation today.
In the today’s world you need to have a car or at least a bicycle to get around and buy your food, visit a cinema or restaurant or visit a doctor. The public transportation is not always convenient when you have to do your weekly or monthly grocery shopping because the bus routes are only on the main roadway and you have to walk with all your full and heavy bags home.
For the today’s home buyers this is often no longer the way of life they want. They are looking for homes and condos in communities where you can shop for everyday’ s items like food close by or in short walking distance. They do not want to use their car, they want to save that money. They like to walk and have a little chit-chat with their neighbors that they meet at these places. They want to have a little break in the close by coffee shop or ice cream parlor. Slowly the community planners realize the benefits of such a new planning view. It will bring back life into the down town areas which are in the evening often an empty ghost town when the shops and businesses have closed.
It is exciting to observe how this new trend will be realized and that will impact our way of life.
You want to know were these new trendy place are? Contact us at info@florida-informations.com.
In the today’s world you need to have a car or at least a bicycle to get around and buy your food, visit a cinema or restaurant or visit a doctor. The public transportation is not always convenient when you have to do your weekly or monthly grocery shopping because the bus routes are only on the main roadway and you have to walk with all your full and heavy bags home.
For the today’s home buyers this is often no longer the way of life they want. They are looking for homes and condos in communities where you can shop for everyday’ s items like food close by or in short walking distance. They do not want to use their car, they want to save that money. They like to walk and have a little chit-chat with their neighbors that they meet at these places. They want to have a little break in the close by coffee shop or ice cream parlor. Slowly the community planners realize the benefits of such a new planning view. It will bring back life into the down town areas which are in the evening often an empty ghost town when the shops and businesses have closed.
It is exciting to observe how this new trend will be realized and that will impact our way of life.
You want to know were these new trendy place are? Contact us at info@florida-informations.com.
Monday, June 22, 2015
It is a Shame how some Condo Associations treat Elderly People
For many people condo
associations boards especially in 55+ communities are a pain in the neck. These
association boards often behave as if they are the sole owner of the whole complex. They
execute their rights like little kings and queens and oppress their members. Many of the elderly members are so afraid of them, that they do not defend themselves
even, when they are discriminated by the association board.
I made numerous experiences with these association boards and I tried to motivate my customers to take action and report the abuse to the authorities, but sadly they did not.
When Hispanic cash buyers try to get an approval for a unit purchase from the association board, my buyer was treated like a criminal and financial problems that happened ten years ago were used as an excuse for the approval denial. Even when this buyer brought his daughter as in additional sponsors into the picture, my buyer was denied by the association board.
After these two difficult attempts, my cash buyer gave up and the association board won.
The newest court decision in connection with the discrimination law may help in the future. Now even an unintentional discrimination is a violation of the Fair Housing Act and can be reported to the responsible authorities.
Want to know more? Contact us at info@florida-informations.com
I made numerous experiences with these association boards and I tried to motivate my customers to take action and report the abuse to the authorities, but sadly they did not.
When Hispanic cash buyers try to get an approval for a unit purchase from the association board, my buyer was treated like a criminal and financial problems that happened ten years ago were used as an excuse for the approval denial. Even when this buyer brought his daughter as in additional sponsors into the picture, my buyer was denied by the association board.
After these two difficult attempts, my cash buyer gave up and the association board won.
The newest court decision in connection with the discrimination law may help in the future. Now even an unintentional discrimination is a violation of the Fair Housing Act and can be reported to the responsible authorities.
Want to know more? Contact us at info@florida-informations.com
Friday, June 19, 2015
Should You sell Your Home, When You age?
Many homeowners asked
themselves this question, because they fear that their today’s home might not
fit for their later life. How can you find a better way to enjoy your home even
when you age? Is the better question and you might like the answer to this
question even more.
Many adjustment can be made in your home, that will simplify your life. Think about what challenges you might have in the future. For example when you might need a walker or a wheelchair, the widening of doorways will be a good idea. You also should look into options to make your kitchen and bathrooms better usable and easy to access for your later needs.
When your bedroom is on the second floor, evaluate your options either to move your bedroom to the ground floor or install an elevator. Option one is easier and cheaper than option two. However, when you are an anxious person, you will be more comfortable with option two. For option two – elevator – you have to spend more money in the installation process and you might need a loan for the successful realization.
These are only a few ideas for your home alteration for your retirement and you should always think about what you need and what it may cost you. Before you start with such a project you should always seek the advice of a professional, so that you get best available option for your needs.
You need help and some ideas how to start? You can reach us at andrea@florida-informations.com
Many adjustment can be made in your home, that will simplify your life. Think about what challenges you might have in the future. For example when you might need a walker or a wheelchair, the widening of doorways will be a good idea. You also should look into options to make your kitchen and bathrooms better usable and easy to access for your later needs.
When your bedroom is on the second floor, evaluate your options either to move your bedroom to the ground floor or install an elevator. Option one is easier and cheaper than option two. However, when you are an anxious person, you will be more comfortable with option two. For option two – elevator – you have to spend more money in the installation process and you might need a loan for the successful realization.
These are only a few ideas for your home alteration for your retirement and you should always think about what you need and what it may cost you. Before you start with such a project you should always seek the advice of a professional, so that you get best available option for your needs.
You need help and some ideas how to start? You can reach us at andrea@florida-informations.com
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