Just back from a fun three day trip to Grand Cayman. The Ships and Dips boat stopped there on one of the Cruises, but I was far too done in from the night before to even consider leaving the room for a day trip. Now, I wish I had got my arse out of bed and onto the shore. It could very well be the best Island destination in the Caribbean.

My travels have led me to think that any place where Tourism is the largest industry is bound to be not that interesting to me. This is especially true of warmer destinations that get so much commerce in accommodating beach dwellers and sun seekers, that all the cool local activity that comes with a fishery or a cotton field or a sugar cane, or mining area, gets left behind and lost. I am much more interested in visiting places and witnessing people doing exactly what they would be doing even if I was not there to watch. You know, places where people cultivate or make things for a living, rather than exclusively play host to the masses.

I have found too many of the warmer destinations in the Caribbean and Pacific Coasts fall into the group of places that have, by choice or necessity, lost some or all of the local customs, occupations, language, and music in favour of the Tourist Trade. (Holy shite. Do I sound like a Rock Star travel snob, sticking his nose up at a beach vacation? What a dickhead. Sorry.)

I am very happy to report that Grand Cayman seems to be a great beach destination where you can witness people living in their own environment and not just waiting on the shore for the next ship-load of suckers looking for plastic maracas made in Indonesia. (Holy Shite, do I sound as jaded as I think? What the f*&# is wrong with me?) I met lots of fishermen and many folks who work in the Banking Industry along with a whole bunch of home-builders, a few medical students and teachers. Very interesting group of people. The beaches are beautiful and they claim to have the cleanest coastline in all the Caribbean.

Grand spot.

Now I temper my delight by confessing that I was there on an all expense paid working trip and was housed and pampered at the Ritz Carlton. In case you are wondering, I cannot afford the Ritz Carlton. It is really beyond even the most successful folksinger's budget. And the kind folks from the company who shall remain unnamed here (as I have not asked their permission) treated us like gold as they employed us to play for the opening of their Conference.

All that full disclosure stuff aside, I recommend Grand Cayman. Not that it’s the most exotic place in the world, but for the fact that the walks on the beach, the swimming, the snorkeling or diving, kayaking and all the active holidaying are available and quite enjoyable. Likewise the food is varied and very good and the chats in the pubs are grand.

Being resourceful, as we tend to be, GBS decided to take advantage of the days in the sun to film a new video for the new CD. Nothing but a Song will be the first single off the new GBS recording and the video should feature us frolicking in the sun around Grand Cayman. Some performances and some other stuff should make it in there, all things being well.

A couple of pics to give you the idea… 

My favourite part of the whole experience was swimming with the stingrays. I realize it appears to be the very Tourist Trap kind of thing I snubbed above, but this was really cool. They are amazing creatures that seem prehistoric. Very cool.

The band performance part of the video was shot at a pub on the beach and I am very grateful to the owners and Staff for looking after us so well.  I am especially grateful to all hands who volunteered to participate in the fun. T’was grand.

Keep your eyes open for the video release.  Should be in a few weeks. 

Next up in GBS land is a gig in Nanaimo in a few weeks. If it looks funny on the schedule for there to be a one-off gig on Vancouver Island, don’t worry.  We have not lost our Canada Maps. As with Grand Cayman, we have a corporate event to play elsewhere on the Island and we just thought it a perfect time to play the cool little theatre in Nanaimo. It should be a great night to try some new songs off the new CD.

Flew home on Thursday of last week and did something I have not done I over a year. I unpacked my suitcase and put it away. I usually just hide it, still packed, in the closet as my wife, child, and dog are all bothered by its presence. But this time, I really could unpack it and put it away as I am to be home for almost a month straight. 

I might even get to mow the grass. Living the dream.

Cheers,
Alan