In a conversation with Ms. Gay McKee, the proud Cayman Airways employee in charge of tracking down lost luggage for close to three decades, the careful listener will hear stories of the Islands’ past, the thrill of hunting for sunken treasure and how the airline has become her life.
With her girlish laugh and sparkling eyes, it’s easy to forget that Ms. Gay McKee is a grandmother in her 70s and 28 years into her fourth career. I recently met up with Ms. Gay to see what life was like growing up in the Cayman Islands. She reveals that during the 1930s and 1940s, the sea was everything to islanders. It was survival and death, fortune and misfortune, and everything in between. Her intriguing stories cover everything from living in Grand Cayman before there was electricity to witnessing German submarines blowing up tankers and even being romanced by a famous American treasure hunter.
You were a young girl during World War II. Tell us a bit about the German submarines that appeared in the Cayman Islands.
The German submarines would come up all around the island to charge their batteries or whatever they did in those days. They torpedoed 20-odd ships, mostly tankers, in close proximity to the island. Once, a German submarine came in and the sailors came ashore. All the little kids came out, lining the streets and staring at them. They handed out Chiclets.
One time, I was on the waterfront with my friends and their mother, and way out on the horizon, we saw this explosion. They sent a ship out there and found all these men and they were badly burned. Guantanamo Bay sent a sea plane to pick up the seamen. After that, Washington, D.C., put a small naval base here.
You had three brothers, can you talk about them?
My brothers were all older than me. Haden, Rene and Bob. When I was 5 years old, my two oldest brothers were part of the crew on The Hustler, a sailing vessel on a commercial trip to Panama. When they were heading out, a sloop was coming into the harbour and yelled to the captain that he had better turn
around, that bad weather was coming. In those days, you didn’t have the technology to tell you if there was a hurricane. The captain said he could make it and that was the last anybody ever saw of it. The whole island was in mourning.
It was really hard on me, especially because of my second brother, Rene. He taught me how to swim.
What was life like in Grand Cayman in those days?
We didn’t have electricity. The mosquitoes were so bad that you were locked in by 7 o’clock at night. During World War II, radios were scarce on the island. A gentleman had one of these beautiful old radios. My mother would take me by the hand every evening to go over to this gentleman’s house to listen to the news. His family and others would sit all around the room. It was a battery-operated radio and you would pick up a lot of static. Everybody was quiet as mice. That was where we spent a good part of our evenings.
A lot of Caymanians left the island because things were not good here so they went to Tampa and Miami [Florida] and Mobile [Alabama] for work. But I feel like I lived an ideal life growing up because of the ocean. We paddled canoes, we sailed, and we swam. We were always in the ocean. Our mothers would be yelling at us to come in. I had so many friends. I always say I laughed my way through school.
Can you talk about how you met your treasure hunter husband, Art McKee?
My husband was on the cover of Life and National Geographic and in many other magazines. He was doing a commercial on the island for National Airlines and he needed a bunch of girls to film waterskiing and diving. The first time I went diving was right there by the Lobster Pot [on Seven Mile Beach]. We went down about 38 feet the first time. It was like being in a different world; it was so fascinating.
Learning to scuba dive today involves several hours of teaching and preparation. What was it like back in 1955?
He just gave us instructions right there on the boat and then he took us down where he wanted to take the pictures. We didn’t have any problems at all.
Since there were several young ladies in the commercial, how did the romance get going?
He kept asking me to go out to dinner and I went a few times. Then he wanted me to marry him and I said ‘no.’ I liked him, but he was 24 years older than me. But he would never let up, so I ended up marrying him.
The night before the wedding the photographer dropped dead and we had no one to take photos. I thought that might be an omen. All we had was my husband’s movie camera so a friend of ours ran that. My husband’s brother-in-law was a photographer in New Smyrna Beach, Florida. So after the wedding, we went up there to his studio, put on our clothes from the wedding and he took our photos.
What was it like diving with your husband? Did you find treasure, too?
We did a lot of diving on sunken galleons. There were a lot of wrecks near the Florida Keys, strewn from Key Largo to Key West. The first time I went in with a Miller-Dunn [enclosed] helmet I got hugely claustrophobic. It was about 30 feet of water, so it wasn’t deep. I found out the Miller-Dunn helmet is fantastic. The water comes up around the chin area and you can stay down there for many hours without decompressing because the water was shallow. We would find all kinds of things: a large religious pendant, Spanish pieces of eight (Spanish dollars), pocket watches, ivory tusks, copper pots and buttons from uniforms. I dove with him for a long time on the wrecks until the kids came along.
Have your children followed in the family’s business of treasure hunting?
Due to their dad’s line of work, both of our children learned how to remove the coral from the silver coins and artefacts without damaging them. My son Kevin and daughter Karen are both divers who worked with Mel Fisher when he found the Spanish galleonAtocha off Key West. My son is also a goldsmith and frames pieces of eight and gold doubloons, and my daughter is an expert on Spanish colonial coins.
How did you start working for Cayman Airways?
My husband died in 1980 and I came back a few years later to care for my sick mother. I needed a job so I applied at Cayman Airways and the only opening they had was in baggage tracing. Back then we did it by teletype. It was like investigative work. And you were only as good as the person you were dealing with at the other airlines. In 1993, I became the claims manager and I have had that job ever since.
I had never thought about working for an airline before I started here, but once you get it into your blood, it’s something you want to keep doing. I wouldn’t change my 28 years here for anything.
Source: caymanairwaysmagazine.com
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The rare Ghost Orchid, which can only be found in Grand Cayman, has been listed among the 100 most threatened species in the world, according to a new report. The report, titled “Priceless or Worthless? The world’s most threatened species”, focuses on 100 species from 48 different countries that the authors say would be next species to become extinct if no conservation action is taken. In the report, compiled from input from a network of 8,000 scientists and researchers in the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Species Survival Commission, authors Jonathan Baillie and Ellen Butcher from the Zoological Society of London, identified 100 animals, plants and fungi facing extinction on the planet. “The declines of most of these species have been caused by humans and in almost all cases their extinction can be avoided and the decline reversed. Thus, their future existence lies squarely in our hands,” Mr. Baillie said in an introduction to the report. “Whether they disappear forever or remain on the planet simply depends on whether we as a society believe they are worth protecting,” he said. The Ghost Orchid, which is found only in Grand Cayman, flowers for about two weeks between April and June. The flower, known by its scientific name of Dendrophylax fawcettii, grows mainly in the remaining six acres of the Ironwood Forest in the George Town district. A small number of the flowers have been transplanted to the Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park and the Turtle Farm, but its main concentration can be found in the Ironwood Forest. The presence of the orchid helped prevent a bypass being built through the forest in 2008 after a public outcry over the probability of the orchid and other native species disappearing if the work went ahead. According to the authors of the report: “This temporary reprieve will be insufficient to ensure the long-term survival of the enchanting ghost orchid as the Ironwood Forest continues to remain without any formal protection.” Also growing in the forest are other flora that are culturally significant to Cayman, including the Ironwood tree, Thatch Palm, the Banana orchid, which is Cayman’s national flower; and the “Old George” tree. The report points out that the Cayman Islands does not have comprehensive conservation legislation necessary to establish national protected areas, and only 5 per cent is under the protection of the National Trust for the Cayman Islands. “With appropriate legislation, protection of the Ironwood Forest would be possible, either by purchase or through establishing management agreements with the private landowners. This would benefit the landowners by enabling them to maintain their land in its natural state, as they have done for generations. All that is required to enable this is the political will,” the report stated. The long awaited National Conservation Bill, which has gone through several iterations since it was first drafted in 2002, has still not been presented to the Legislative Assembly. That law, if passed, would offer protection to terrestrial flora and fauna in the Cayman Islands. At the moment, some animals and birds are protected under the 1976 Animals Law, but the plants of the Cayman Islands have no legal conservation protection. Cayman’s Environmental Protection Fund has more than $43 million in it and was originally set up in 1997 to acquire land for conservation purposes and other environmental projects. However, the fund is counted among the government’s reserve cash and has rarely been used for the purposes for which it was established. Money in the fund is collected from departure taxes charged to travellers leaving Cayman via the airport or the cruise ship terminal. Mat Cottam of the Cayman Islands Department of Environment said he hoped the orchid’s inclusion in the report would help raise the profile of this and other unique local flora and fauna. “As far as natural populations go, the majority of known Cayman Ghost orchids are found in the Ironwood Forest. A few are also to be found in a small area of similar habitat in the National Trust’s Mastic reserve. It is the complicated habitat requirements of the orchids which contribute to their limited distribution. “Some orchids were transplanted to the Botanic Park in the past; however, this is not a natural habitat for them. The Old George bromeliads found at the park are similarly transplanted. While attractions such as the park serve a valuable function in introducing the public to our natural history, and educating them about it, artificial populations such as these are not a replacement for natural populations. It is only within natural populations that animals and plants interact naturally, and contribute completely to the ecology of their environment,” Mr. Cottam said. He added: “The protective power of local people and local legislation is the most essential element in the preservation of endemic species. Wise stewardship of our unique natural heritage is our personal responsibility to global biodiversity – no one else can do it for us.” Mr. Cottam said the draft National Conservation Bill, which would protect the Ironwood Forest, had “languished in the drafting and redrafting process for over 10 years”. In addition to the threat of critical habitat loss, another reason why Grand Cayman’s Ghost Orchid is so vulnerable is that it so rarely reproduces from seed, said Ms Rose-Smyth, a member of the Cayman Islands Orchid Society Native Species working group. “Research is ongoing with plants that were relocated to the Queen Elizabeth Botanic Park a few years ago following land clearance for a housing sub-division in George Town. Although we have successfully hand pollinated flowers and I have germinated seeds in sterile, in-vitro, conditions, transferring the young plants to the exterior natural environment is a challenge,” she said. Phil Seaton of the Orchid Seed Stores for Sustainable Use, based at the Millennium Seed Bank at Royal Botanical Gardens in Kew in England, said the inclusion of the Ghost Orchid in the report would help highlight the plight of the flower. “I can’t tell you how pleased I am to see the profile of endangered orchids being raised at last. The emphasis always seems to be on what is commonly called ‘charismatic megafauna’ and endangered plants rarely appear in the press: somehow they don’t seem to generate the same excitement in the general public,” Mr. Seaton said. “Orchids, however, are different inasmuch as they have a certain romance attached to them with their air of mystery and exoticism. They have been referred to as the ‘pandas of the plant world’,” he added. The National Trust for the Cayman Islands also expressed concern about the future of the Ghost Orchid and other species found in the Ironwood Forest. Source: http://www.compasscayman.com |
Best known for creating large-scale murals covering walls, ceilings and entire rooms, Tansy Maki adds joy and colour to the Cayman Islands and far beyond.
The children at Jean-Michel Cousteau’s Ambassadors of the Environment at The Ritz-Carlton, a programme that teaches children about marine conservation, gaze at a brown-and-white striped Nassau grouper painted on the floor-to-ceiling mural in their classroom. They are amazed at how much bigger the grouper is than the four-eyed butterfly fish. They reach out and touch the grouper; one child takes a red marker and draws over it.
The naturalist/teacher notices the child drawing but doesn’t mind. The mural is covered in plexiglass, which allows it to be used as an interactive teaching tool to engage the children. Instead, she points to red and green parrotfish, explaining that this species is important to the Caymanian marine environment.
The massive mural makes one feel as if one is standing on the floor of the ocean. It depicts mangroves, corals, sponges, barracuda, upside-down jellyfish, angelfish, stingrays and a range of other marine life in vivid detail and colouring.
At another location, the artist, Tansy Maki, is evaluating a wall for an upcoming proposed mural. When approved, this mural will feature Caymanian geography and wildlife. The sketch she is creating features caves, tidal pools, turtle nests, boobies and a pelican diving into the sea. A blue iguana, an endangered species only found in the Cayman Islands, also makes a notable appearance in this sketch.
Susan Olde, a local philanthropist, commissioned Tansy for paintings on the outside of her home, in her children’s rooms and in other personal areas. Olde really appreciated Tansy’s approach with her children, where she encouraged them to describe their ideas and then translating those ideas onto the walls. “If you could paint, what would you want it to look like?” asks Olde. “That dream that so many of us have, but cannot create, Tansy makes that happen.”
A Creative Start
Born and raised in Vancouver, Canada, Tansy’s father was an architect and her mother was a librarian. When she was a child, her father would draw large-scale sketches and have Tansy and her sister colour them in. This ignited her imagination and fuelled the creative drive she pursued throughout her childhood.
She entered several art competitions and often won. In school, she was so devoted to her artwork that oftentimes a teacher would have to kick her out of the art room. For her birthday she only wanted art supplies. She remembers her first wooden easel with its cups of paint. She made papier-mâché sculptures in the basement and sketched costume designs. Outside of school she took art classes, including charcoal, pottery, papier mâché, sculpture, abstract and live model sketching.
At 17, she started working in the film industry, which involved creating set designs and décor. She sculpted 15-foot totem poles, built trees, created giant floral arrangements, decorated movie sets and painted backdrops for television commercials. “There is so much pressure in the film industry to get things done quickly,” says Tansy. “It is not uncommon to work 15 hours a day. This is where I learned how to get things done in a limited time frame.”
Today, there are times when a client will need an entire room painted while they’re out on a two-week vacation, so Tansy will work 15 hours or more a day until it is done. If she’s working in a restaurant that’s in operation, she has no problem starting at 10 o’clock at night and working through the night so the room is available during the day.
“When I am on a project it is all-consuming. I dream about the designs. When I close my eyes I see it. I will sing while I paint. I am not aware of anything around me.”
Bringing Colour to the Islands
When she was 19, Tansy met an airbrush artist who taught her how to airbrush. Since she already had years of artistic training in a range of mediums, she embraced airbrushing because it was such a versatile tool. She would join him on a mural project in the Cayman Islands that included Greek and pirate themes for connecting restaurants. When the three-month project was finished, the Cayman Islands had become home.
Seven years ago, she started MindsEye Art Ltd., a specialty art company, with a Caymanian partner and branched out on her own. One of her early commissions as a solo muralist was the underwater scene at the Jean-Michel Cousteau program. She couldn’t be more delighted to see the children huddled beneath it. But this project was just the start of a fresh wave of creativity as more clients commissioned her for their homes and vacation getaways, not only in the Cayman Islands, but also in Costa Rica, St. Maarten/St. Martin, Jamaica, Canada and the U.S.
An interior decorator with IDG Cayman, Katie Adams, hired Tansy to create special faux finishes for her clients’ private homes. Tansy transformed sterile walls into something with warmth and depth. She created brick with torn away plaster and marble finishes so convincingly realistic that the observer has no idea it is an illusion created by the artist’s hand.
She adds a sense of whimsy to a room with a trompe l’oeil, which is a painting made to look like a 3-D window. The mural of a catboat floating on the crystal-blue waters of the sea features a conch shell on the window ledge that looks so realistic you would think you could pick it up. “All my clients love the quality and the realistic detail of her work,” says Adams, whose many clients have vacation homes all over the world.
Even a skyscape of clouds on the ceiling is done with a thoughtful approach. By using a range of metallic paint that reflects shades of light on the edge of the clouds, there is a subtle change in colour as the day turns into evening that is compelling to the eye.
Artistic Versatility
There seems to be no end to Tansy’s talents. She is able to capture an old-world French landscape, the exotic beauty of a Japanese geisha, the playfulness of a 1940s pinup girl, and the vivid colours of parrots and wildlife with equal creativity, which demonstrate the years spent mastering her art. Even the delicate brushwork she uses on furniture can transform an everyday piece into a vintage French country-style accent piece.
MTM owner, Vicki Wheaton, has hired Tansy to create sculptures for corporate events and provide artistic entertainment at large functions and parties, which are always a big hit. At these events, Tansy airbrushes tattoos on the guests or body paints them.
“She has such a unique style,” says Wheaton. “You can recognise her work from a mile off. She works best when she is given carte blanche… and always seems to incorporate the shades and moods of the Caribbean.”
Another area where Tansy’s talent really shines is in nurseries and children’s rooms. She uses her realistic style of painting rather than the cartoonish approach other artists use. Andrea Williams recently commissioned Tansy to paint an underwater scene for her toddler’s playroom. The mother is amazed at how her son and his friends have become so engaged with the murals. “They will reach out to the marine life, name them and have animated discussions as to whether [the animals] are happy or sad,” says Andrea.
Then there are the buildings that she has yet to paint. Every building she walks by seems like a blank canvas of possibilities. She envisions pillars covered in creeping vines and a top floor painted in feathery clouds. A seawall in the harbour is another chance to paint a mural of sea life found here in the Cayman Islands. And she dreams of the chance of painting them all. Because even in her dreams, Tansy is painting on the walls.
See Tansy’s creations at these public locations:
Café Del Sol at Camana Bay
Five paintings featuring ladies and angels against the tranquil surroundings of the water.
LUCA Restaurant
Men’s restroom features 1940s pin up girls and the ladies’ restroom features faux texture of palm fronds.
Ritz-Carlton Resort
Ambassadors of the Environment underwater scene.
Casanova Restaurant
Main dining room ceiling features an Italian renaissance theme.
FINDING INSPIRATION
After three decades of painting and creating art in a variety of mediums, Tansy is constantly pushing herself to grow as an artist, trying new techniques and methods. As many of her works can attest, Tansy draws much of her inspiration from nature: The sea, the wildlife and even a simple water droplet on a leaf can spark a wealth of creative ideas. For more information, visit tansymaki.com or e-mail Tansy at tansymaki@gmail.com.
Source: caymanairwaysmagazine.com
Travelling with kids can certainly be a challenge. Fortunately, at the very heart of the Cayman Islands are attractions and activities designed to enrich the family-fun experience. Here, your family will be charmed by our history, engage in our rich local culture and take a walk — or swim — on the adventurous side of the Islands.
Up Close with Nature
The Cayman Turtle Farm is one of the longest-running attractions in the Cayman Islands and is definitely worth a full day’s visit. Here, the history of turtle farming in the Cayman Islands can be learned while the family feeds mature green sea turtles or you can take a photo with a youngling (1-year-old turtle). But the fun does not stop there. You can also stroll through the free-flight bird aviary, tickle a starfish in the shallow-water touch tank, snorkel the salt-water lagoon or take a walk down “Cayman Street” and witness local elders make toys and braid thatch ropes.
For more fun with nature, explore the caves at Pirates Caves or visit the Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park for an informative tour through the colourful flora and the Blue Iguana Recovery Program, dedicated to the protection and reproduction of Grand Cayman’s endangered blue iguanas.
For a taste of nature’s bounty, a number of farmers’ markets occur at varying locations and days of the week. Visit the Farmers’ Market at Camana Bay on Wednesdays, the Fresh Market at Reflections Food-for-Less on Fridays, the Market at the Grounds in Lower Valley on Saturdays, and the Green Market at Plantation House Organic Gardens in Bodden Town on Sundays. Each offers a unique experience, an opportunity to explore the flavours of locally grown produce, interact with residents of the islands and sometimes purchase handmade art and crafts. Pick up a few mangoes, naseberries and other exotic fruits and head to the beach like the locals do.
Watersports Activities
The sun, sea and sand combination is always a favourite activity for children of all ages. With beaches practically spread along the shores of all three islands, this is an activity you could do just about every day without complaint. Do not miss Seven Mile Beach (West Bay Road), Rum Point (North Side), Spotts Public Beach (Spotts), Barcadere Marina (George Town) or Owen Island (Little Cayman).
Talk to anyone who has ever snorkelled or dived in the Cayman Islands and they will tell you that bliss exists where the alluring blue and green hues of the water meet the rich underwater wildlife beneath the surface. So don’t hesitate — go ahead and grab snorkel gear from your resort or condominium and hit the beach.
For a new spin on the entire snorkel and dive experience, try Snuba at Sea Trek. The guided underwater tours of the Wreck of the Cali and Stingray City use the Sea Trek helmet diving system, which allows you to breathe normally through an air line and does not require dive certification. Younger kids can also enjoy the underwater adventures when you book a submarine tour with Atlantis Adventures or Nautilus Undersea Tours.
Above the surface, discover the intricate wildlife habitats between the mangroves and along the shoreline with a guided tour with Cayman Kayaks and Cayman Sea Elements. Venture out to Stingray City and The Sandbar for an up-close-and-personal encounter with the gentle southern stingray or swim with dolphins at Dolphin Cove or Dolphin Discovery Grand Cayman. The Red Sail Sports banana boat ride is also a good laugh for all.
If you would prefer to stay dry and do not want to miss out on the fun, enjoy the view aboard a private yacht charter with Cayman Luxury Charters or a pirate cruise with The Jolly Roger. Kids and adults alike can walk on water — quite literally — when climbing into an inflatable Wowball and the “Green Monster” waterslide at Jimmy Buffet’s Margaritaville is sure to keep the kids amused while you grab a bite to eat.
Sports and Recreation
The Black Pearl Skate and Surf Park is the second largest purpose-built skate park in the world. One half of this attraction features concrete slopes for skaters of all levels; the other half is an artificial freshwater wave surf park. Instructors are on-hand to provide lessons, and equipment for both facilities is available for rent.
Hop in a go-kart for a ride in the fast lane with Cayman Karting or take a step back in time at King’s Sports Centre with tenpin glow bowling and in-line roller skating. Then slow things down a bit with an entertaining round of miniature golf or fly a model aeroplane or helicopter with the Cayman Islands Model Flying Association.
A cool stop for car lovers, Cayman Motor Museum in West Bay has a stunning display of Ferraris, Jaguars, Bentleys, the original Batmobile and a replica of the first vehicle driven in the Cayman Islands, a 1905 Cadillac.
Recreational parks abound on Grand Cayman and are open to the general public free of charge. Kids young and old explore their boisterous side while climbing jungle gyms and swinging to new heights. Popular parks include the Dart Park (South Sound), Scholars Park (West Bay) and the Airport Park (George Town). Pick up lunch at a nearby restaurant and make a day of it.
For a break from the sun, enjoy an indoor-playground facility such as Kidz Zone or Smyles; the combination of jungle gym equipment and arcade games makes both facilities suitable for children up to 13 years old. Play Away! caters to families with children aged 12 months to 5 years and offers a space where kids can get creative and be inspired.
Local Heritage
The history of the Cayman Islands entails legends of pirate invasions; royal ship wrecks; an industry built on seafaring, turtling and thatch-rope making; and strong ties with neighbouring Jamaica. Delve into these tales of times gone by and visit the many historical sites dotted around Cayman.
At the centre of Hog Sty Bay, George Town, stands the Cayman Islands National Museum. This dwelling of artefacts and historical specimens is housed in one of the few remaining 19th-century structures in the Cayman Islands. It has served as a jail, a courthouse and even a place of worship. The National Trust for the Cayman Islands also serves as a beacon for local history and heritage, offering daily and weekly visits to many of Grand Cayman’s historic sites, including a walking tour through central George Town. They also offer bird-watching tours, island information and helpful advice for must-visit family attractions.
The birthplace of democracy in the Cayman Islands, Pedro St. James, is another great attraction to learn about the early history of the Cayman Islands. The historic home is perched on the edge of a limestone cliff where a dramatic view of the ocean can be enjoyed.
If you are visiting Cayman Brac, the Cayman Brac District Administration Office offers a free guided tour of the Islands’ major attractions. Little Cayman visitors can tour the island at little cost with The Little Cayman National Trust.
Art and Culture
Paintings, sculptures and other art can be found in the National Gallery of the Cayman Islands, but the real treat for families are the art classes held on Saturday mornings. All supplies and equipment are provided, all you have to bring is your imagination.
Pick up a framed photograph, painting or a piece of Caymanite jewellery made from a local artist at the Cayman Craft Market in George Town. Jams, jellies, pastries and a wide assortment of other surprise bargains can also be found at this daily market.
Camana Bay
This charming town is a crowd-pleaser. Attend one of the free nightly events, let the kids play in their water features, bring a packed lunch and picnic along the water’s edge or in one of their cosy pavilions, climb the Observation Tower for a panoramic view of Seven Mile Beach, or drop in on a storytelling or craft-making session ideal for younger kids.
You can also catch a flick at one of the six screens at the Hollywood Theaters at Camana Bay, where the latest in new movie releases are featured and matinees start around noon.
Halloween Spooktacular at Camana Bay
An evening of fun and fright awaits your little monsters at Camana Bay’s annual Halloween Spooktacular, Saturday, October 27. Pumpkin patches, creepy crafts, ghoulish goodies and a monster lab can all be expected at this haunted affair. Wear your scariest costume and come prepared to trick or treat. Call 345-640-4000 for more information or visit camanabay.com.
Source: caymanairwaysmagazine.com