Before Christopher Columbus discovered Jamaica as the first European in May 1494, the island was already inhabited by West Indies natives. The native tribe is called Tainos, also known as Arawak. It is believed that they came about AD 600 from South America and named the island Xaymaca. The meaning of Xaymaca is the land of wood and water, and that is the exact description for Jamaica even today. You will find lots of wooden areas and many waterfalls and rivers.
The Tainos were farmers who grew sweet potatoes, maize, fruits, and vegetables as well as cotton and tobacco. They lived in villages throughout the island along the rivers and coastline where they also could catch fish for their food. The native island population lived a simple life on their island.
On his second voyage to the West Indies, Christopher Columbus arrived on May 5, 1494, at St. Ann Bay on the northern coast. Based on information he had heard in Cuba, he hoped to find gold deposits and wanted to annex this island for Spain. The Arawak at St. Ann Bay fought his ships, and Columbus sailed eastward to Discovery Bay, where he successfully took possession of the island.
This is only a small insight into the cultural customs in Jamaica. Much more to this topic you will find in my book
https://www.amazon.com/Secrets-Caribbean-Islands-Jamaica-Business/dp/0986252948/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1452453659&sr=8-1&keywords=Andrea+Hoff-Domin
or contact me: andrea@florida-informations.com
Tuesday, February 16, 2016
Wednesday, January 20, 2016
Financial business in Cayman Islands - what you need to know
The Cayman Islands are the sixth largest financial service center in the world, and the financial services are the second most important industry for the country. The islands have an excellent reputation in the special business sector for offshore transactions because of their political and economic stability. There are no monetary exchange controls, and the earned capital gains are tax-free in the Cayman Islands.
Even when there exist no monetary exchange controls, there are strict regulations in place against financial crime and money laundering. The financial and banking sectors cooperate with other countries in this matter.
The financial service industry has grown over the last four decades, and today many worldwide financial institutions and fund managing companies have branches here in Cayman. These companies generate and manage all kinds of international financial transactions for hedge funds, captive insurance, and trusts. Another service offered is the management of partnerships and incorporations or registrations of vessels and aircrafts.
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
Even when there exist no monetary exchange controls, there are strict regulations in place against financial crime and money laundering. The financial and banking sectors cooperate with other countries in this matter.
The financial service industry has grown over the last four decades, and today many worldwide financial institutions and fund managing companies have branches here in Cayman. These companies generate and manage all kinds of international financial transactions for hedge funds, captive insurance, and trusts. Another service offered is the management of partnerships and incorporations or registrations of vessels and aircrafts.
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
Thursday, December 17, 2015
Challenge your taste buds in Cayman Islands
After you have tried the local food, you should also give the local beverages a try. For this tour you definitely should make arrangements for your way home, because this tasting tour will make you drunk.
You have different tours to choose from, the brewery tour or the distillery tour.
On Cayman they brew their own beer, and the beer brewery tour gives you the chance to taste these special island beers. The brewery produces five different sorts of beer—a premium lager, a premium light beer, a bock beer, a Pilsen lager, and a stout. On the tour you will taste them all.
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
Have you ever thought about diving? Cayman Islands is a good spot to start
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
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, 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 .
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