Gale's Place of Travel

Amazing Thailand

2012-01-21T03:51:00.000-06:00

Koh phangan is amazing!

Cuba - November 2011

2011-12-02T23:29:00.001-06:00

Most tourists that have the privilege of visiting Cuba do not stray farfrom the all inclusive resorts of Varadero which offer amazing weather,transparent seas and miles of white sandy beaches. Many hotels werebuilt in the 1960’s and 1970’s with another building boom in the 1990’s. The accommodations are almost 100% "all inclusive". This in itself haslimited the number of small hotels, restaurants and shops as visitors tend tostay put on resorts.

Venturing in to downtown Varadero is definitely worthwhile. Parque Josone is a lush and peaceful park whereyou can enjoy nature. There is a small selection of restaurants that offer food that issuperior to the resort food. Calle 62 is an outdoor venue with live music and opportunity to danceto Cuban rhythms. You can also purchase local arts and crafts from the markets and galleries. There is some interesting architecture although much ofit is in a state of disrepair. Men playing dominoes on the sidewalks, loads of laundry hung up high, taxi drivers chatting while waiting bytheir vintage 1950’s cars, horse drawn carriages and lots of hustle and bustle in the streets adds to the charm of downtown Varadero.

A day trip to Havana never disappoints so we went back to explore thisjewel. Havana was founded in 1519 by the Spanish. Today it is a sprawlingmetropolis of 3 million inhabitants, while its old center retains an interestingmix of Baroque and neoclassical monuments and a homogeneous ensemble ofprivate houses with arcades, balconies, wrought-iron gates and internalcourtyards. Old Havana is truly a living architectural museum. The economicenvironment once prospered from sugar and tobacco exports. In the1940's and 50's tourism and gambling ruled. In 1959, following the revolution,Cuba had the support of the Soviet Union, but since 1991 the country's infrastructure has goneinto a state of disrepair.

In 1962, UNESCO designated 444 buildings in Havana as World heritagesites. Due to limited free enterprise and growth in the economy, olderbuildings have not been demolished to make room for the new and thereforemany remain in their original state. Old Havana is filled with beautiful buildingswith detailed facades including wrought-iron balconies, many of them either inruins or in complete disrepair. The grand private residences and hotels, withinterior court yards, fountains, stained glass windows, marble floors andstaircases are now occupied by mufti-family tenants. Only a small portion ofthe main floors are occupied by anyone including business. Open court yards,that were once grand are now strung with clothes lines and have numerouselectric meters and wires distributing power to each family.

Thereis some restoration taking place which has returned some of the finest colonialarchitecture in the Caribbean to its original splendour, while many magnificentbuildings are allowed to crumble. Truly, time stands still, or even goes backwards evidencedby the 1950s Chevrolets, Buicks and Oldsmobile that fill the streets.

Strolling around Old Havana gives a sense of what a grand place itmust have been 200 years ago. Who says walls can’t talk!

Water Tower

Typical Taxi

Graffiti

Calle 62 - Great Place for Live Music in Varadero

Varadero

Varadero Art

Art

Figurines

Varadero

Dominos

Varadero

Taxi Break

Rum Devil

Havana

Havana Graffiti

Living in Old Havana

Havana

Under repair

Capitol Building

Havana

To Havana

Havana

Mojitos

Inglaterra Hotel

Havana

Pharmacy - Havana

Havana

10 Night Ultimate Caribbean and Panama - January 2011

2011-02-04T17:46:00.009-06:00

Dual Cruise - For Carnival Destiny January 2011 click here.

Two cruises, ten ports and 17 days of fun and adventure describe our most recent vacation. Planning commenced in September with looking for an escape to the sun that would provide an opportunity to explore regions that we had not previously visited. It was a difficult task as we have explored many of the warm accessible destinations. A decision was made to cruise with Royal Caribbean on the Ultimate Caribbean and Panama itinerary aboard the Jewel of the Seas. A ten day cruise was not long enough for our vacation needs so we decided to add on a second cruise and selected the five day Eastern Caribbean from Miami Florida aboard the Carnival Destiny.

Planning included exploring the options at all 10 ports, signing up with the Cruise Critic Message Boards to share information with fellow cruisers and registering for a Meet and Mingle event aboard the ship. Also, hotels needed to be booked for a pre-cruise stay in Fort Lauderdale and a post-cruise stay at Miami Beach.

After months of anticipation, as our departure date arrived, Atlanta, Georgia which was an airport hub for our flight had a once in 10 year snow storm that closed the city down for four days. Wondering if we would be able to fly and grateful that we had travel insurance, we worried that the cruise may not happen. Luckily Delta Airlines were able to re-route us through another hub and we arrived in Fort Lauderdale only one hour later than had been scheduled.

Fort Lauderdale

We contacted Jorge, from the Bridge at Cordova Hotel for an airport pick-up. Within minutes we were at the hotel and settled into our room. Jorge provided perfect hospitality directing us to dining establishments that were still open and even offering us fresh fruit to satisfy our hunger. After a comfortable night’s sleep the hotel provided a buffet breakfast out by the pool which gave us the opportunity to meet with fellow travelers. The Bridge at Cordova is conveniently located – close to the airport and the port and within walking distance to the water taxi.

Fort Lauderdale Canals

Windy Beach at Fort Lauderdale

With a half day to explore before embarking on our cruise, we decided the best way to see Fort Lauderdale would be to ride the water taxi through the canals. We enjoyed a leisurely cruise along Fort Lauderdale’s world famous waterways which have earned the city the nickname, “The Venice of America.” We stopped at the beach, viewed the spectacular homes that line the canals, and saw the cruise ships at Port Everglades.

Jewel of the Seas

The Royal Caribbean Jewel of the Seas was built in 2004 and can accommodate 2,100 passengers.

Having already sailed on Royal Caribbean's Legend and Empress of the Seas, we knew what to expect on Jewel of the Seas.

Jewel of the Seas

The Jewel of the Seas is spacious and has ample space to accommodate its guests. Like other RCL ships there is a rock climbing wall. Other features include a gorgeous solarium pool, a sports court for basketball and volleyball and a well equipped fitness center. Among her spectacular features is the ten-story glass-constructed Centrum with glass elevators facing the sea. The Jewel is a beautiful ship, with lots of glass and light.

The Tides Dining Room had a high quality of food and the service was excellent. We enjoyed our table mates Gary & Chris, Dan & Mary, Dottie & Vicki & Kaye & Ernie.

Pool Art

Jewel Centrum and Lobby Bar

Pool Deck

On board entertainment could be found in the various lounges and in the main theatre. In the Coral Theatre we enjoyed several comedians, a magic show, large production events, and Kenny James who is best known as the Male Vocal Grand Champion of the TV show Star Search in 1985, where he won 13 times and garnered the grand champion prize. Watch Kenny James on You Tube . We enjoyed dancing in the tastefully decorated lounges to various dance bands and dance lessons at the Vortex disco. We also enjoyed listening to enrichment lectures regarding up and coming ports.

I loved the art work displayed throughout the ship – a very interesting and beautiful collection.

Labadee Haiti

Haiti Market

The first stop was at Labadee Haiti. What a privilege it was to be among the few tourists that ever get to visit Haiti! Labadee is a remote 260-acre forested peninsula along Haiti's lush mountainous and secluded north coast. We were not able to leave the walled area but did have the opportunity to interact with Haitians and to learn about the living situation in the town of Labadee. RCL has been going to Haiti for 26 years and is the only tourist industry in the country. They took over a beautiful stretch of land that had at one time been garden plots for the nearby town. It was reported that the townspeople were disgruntled by RCL at first but have developed a very positive relationship with the cruise line. The cruise company pays the Haitian government $6 per passenger and employs about 300 locals, including security guards, beach monitors, waiters, cleaners, as well as some managers. Approximately 200 more locals find work here selling their wares at the market stalls or by providing entertainment. Others make indirect income from the venture by providing supplies to the vendors and by exchanging the US dollars collected on site into Haitian currency.

RCL has built a school in town (L ‘Ecole Nouvelle Royal Caribbean) and residents do not have to pay for primary school which is unlike other regions of Haiti. With children coming from nearby towns and villages, the 6,500-square-foot campus consists of six buildings, 12 classrooms, administrative offices, and a computer lab. Vocational training is available for adults in the evening. This has raised the standard of living in the area. It was also reported that the cruise line provides loans to employees in August to assist with tuition and room and board in nearby Cap Haitian. This allows children to continue their education beyond primary school. Previously, residents had to walk seven miles to school each day and this could only occur if they had the money to pay for the school.

Beautiful Beach

Volcanic Rock at Labadee

Labadee

Labadee is a beautiful place, one of the most beautiful I saw during this cruise. I can only hope that someday the Haitian people will have stable government and the ability to generate income from tourism like their more wealthy Dominican Republic neighbours.

Cartagena, Columbia

Ah to return to Cartagena - what a treat it was! It has been more than twenty years since I last visited this 16^th century Spanish colonial walled city. There is an entire region of high rise buildings that the ship passed on the way into town that did not exist when I visited previously. The old town is as charming as ever with the addition of some whimsical public art and an enhanced building to house the Palacio de la Inquisition. The Palacio displays materials that were used to torture those thought to be involved in witchcraft. Definitely an historical account of a very bizarre time in history! The lovely Simon Bolivar Park which pays tribute to the South American liberator is directly in front of the museum and provides a relaxing place to sit and people watch. Strolling through the narrow streets and alleys of old town is a pleasure in itself. We also paid a visit to Castillo de San Felipe de Barajas, a fortress in which construction started in 1639 and was not finished until 150 years later. Here we were serenaded by a bugle player dressed as a 16^th century soldier with his rendition of “Oh Canada”. We walked through the fortress and enjoyed the views of old town and the modern new skyline off in the distance.

Working Cartegena

Interesting Public Art

Cartegena Street Scene

Cartegena Cathedral

Cartegena City Wall

Cartegena Wall

City Wall

Cartegena Old Town

Cartegena Balcony

Old Town

Cathedral

Street Scene

Old Town

Cartegena Fortress

Fortress

Fruit Lady

Horse Stables - Made from Scraps including old doors - Cartegena city center

Drying Meat for Sale

Horse Carriages in Cartegena

View From Fort

Cartegena View of Modern Buildings

Colon, Panama

Colon is the gateway to the Panama Canal from the Caribbean.

Having traversed the canal by ship a few years ago, it was now time to see it from land. We booked a tour with My Friend Mario Tours which proved to be an excellent choice. We were accompanied by two other cruise ship passengers – Terry and Mark from Jacksonville, Florida. They were a nice easy going couple which made for one of the most fun days on the cruise. With Elvis as our guide, we watched the Coral Princess followed by a freighter go through the locks.

Next we visited the charming town of Portobello to see the old fort and cathedral as well as the market place where the vendors were Kuna (indigenous people) women dressed in their traditional apparel. Time was spent strolling the town’s streets and visiting the church is the sanctuary for the statue of the Black Christ. Thousands of the faithful make an annual pilgrimage to Portobelo in extreme heat, most crawling on their knees to recount the sufferings of Christ, in search of a miracle.

There are several forts in the town and one was devastated by a recent mudslide as were several homes. This mudslide affected a Winnipeg Family in December 2010.

The next stop was to a beach for some relaxation and Margaritas. Elvis brought a blender to the beach added some tequila, lime juice and ice and we were set for the day.

Colon, Panama

Gatun Locks, Colon Panama

Kuna Woman

Kuna Women in Colon

Portobello

Portobelo Church

Portobelo Fort - Damaged in Mudslide

Portobelo Fort

Bus

Black Christ of Portobelo

Pet Monkey

Devastation Caused by Portobelo Mudslide

Portobelo Mudslide

Puerto Limon, Costa Rica

After careful research, we decided the most interesting excursion in Puerto Limon would be the Tortuguero National Park so we booked a tour with JJ Tours. JJ has a degree in ecotourism and was well equipped to familiarize the group with information on the flora and fauna of the region.

This tour started with a visit to the Tortuguero National Park which is one of the most biologically diverse places in Costa Rica: in essence, a zoo in the wild. We enjoyed a one hour flat-form boat cruise as we made our way through the middle of the jungle observing sloths, monkeys, birds, iguanas, crocodiles, orchids and much more... all in their lush natural habitat.

We stopped at a fruit stand to sample delicious fresh fruits including pineapple, coconuts and Caribbean apples. Then we visited a banana plantation where we learned about the growing process and exportation of bananas. The processing facilities reminded us of the plant operated by the orange growers of Sonaguera, Honduras. Our next stop was the beautiful sandy beach of Playa Bonita where we had lunch and drinks.

Banana Plant

Boy with Sloth

Bird at Canal

Fruit Ladies

Danger Nerdy Tourist Crossing!

Cute Lizard

Hairy Sloth at Canals

Iguana

Lizzard

Puerto Limon Street

Sloth Sleeping in Tree in Puerto Limon

Birds at Canal

Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands

Grand Cayman is a modern and safe resort area with beautiful white sandy beaches and glimmering turquoise water. We walked around George Town and then proceeded to Seven Mile Beach (which is actually about 5 1/2 miles long) where we spent most of our day. We walked back all the way along the beach into town enjoying dips in the ocean along the way. It was a nice relaxing beach day for our final port on the Jewel of the Seas.

Grand Cayman

7 Mile Beach at Grand Cayman

7 Mile Beach at Grand Cayman (is actually 5 1/2 miles long)

For Carnival Destiny January 2011 click here.

For Russia October 2009 click here.
For Baltic Cruise June 2009 click here.

5-Day Caribbean Cruise - January 2011

2011-02-03T17:00:00.006-06:00

Carnival Destiny

The Destiny is a larger ship (3,360 passengers) and caters to a younger crowd. It was built in 1997 and is in need of re-modeling – which will happen at the end of the season when the ship will go into dry dock. The staterooms are large but plain in décor and the hallways and staircases are somewhat drab compared to the Jewel of the Seas. The public areas are quite splendid including the soaring seven-deck atrium called the Rotunda. The Promenade Deck contains most of the entertainment venues. The lounges and disco are attractive spaces with unique decors. The Sushi bar was a great place to go for a light snack and a choko of saké. We enjoyed live bands including a Latin band from Mexico and a Rock Band from the Philippines. The open air Lido deck was a wonderful place to listen to live music and watch the action on a jumbo screen as we enjoyed the warm tropical air.

Theatre

Big Screen for Movies and Videos Under the Stars

Carnival Destiny

Disco on Destiny

Lido Deck

Rotunda

Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos

Grand Turk is exceptionally quiet. It has a population: 3,700 and is 7 x 1.5 miles in size. A coral island that had an industry of salt ponds, Grand Turk is now the governmental and financial center of the Turks and Caicos. The ship ports at a lovely tourist village where you can find whatever you want to pass your day including shops, free wireless internet and a long wide stretch of white sandy beach overlooking the magnificent Atlantic Ocean.

Before hitting the beach we decided to venture into nearby Cockburn Town, passing the tiny island airport and John Glen’s space capsule on the way. (In 1962, The Friendship 7 spacecraft splashed down off the coast, making Grand Turk the spot where the first American to orbit the earth returned to the planet).

Cockburn Town is the center piece of the island, with a wonderful selection of historic buildings and inns. The streets are lined with 18th and 19th century landmarks that reflect the Bermudan architecture of the salt and colonial eras. The Turks and Caicos National Museum is located in Cockburn Town. The central exhibit tells the story of the Molasses Reef wreck, the oldest European shipwreck to be discovered in the Western hemisphere (circa 1510). Some historians believe this ship could be Christopher Columbus' Pinta.

Beach at Grand Turk Port

Grand Turk

Wild Horses at Grand Turk

Grand Turk

A Little of This and a Little of That Boutique

Lodge in Grand Turk

Pirate in Store

Grand Turk - Each building has a walled courtyard to keep the wild donkeys out

Historic Building - Grand Turk

Grand Turk

View to the Salt Ponds

Grand Turk

Grand Turk Port

Grand Turk

Turks and Caicos Beer

Half Moon Cay, Bahamas

No Cars on the Cay

Half Moon Cay is a 65-acre tract of the Bahamas’ Little San Salvador Island, a 2,400-acre swath of sand about 100 miles southeast of Nassau. The area is a beach resort that is set up for the exclusive use of cruise ship passengers. There are approximately twenty-five residents on Half Moon Cay who are there to service the cruisers. Here we enjoyed watching and learning about the stingrays, talking to the gardener about growing plants on the island, walking along the beach and relaxing in the warm sunshine.

Half Moon Cay

Half Moon Port Village

Half Moon Cay Port Village

Church for Wedding Vow Renewals

Chillin'

Jack Daniels Bar

Ship on the horizon

Pretty Beach at Half Moon Cay

Half Moon Cay Lookout

Sea Planter

Entrance to Swim with the Sting Rays

Half Moon Cay Beach

Swim with the Sting Rays

Nassau, Bahamas

In Nassau we took a taxi tour of the city including a visit to the famous Atlantis Resort where the Michael Jackson estate still owns a large suite. The large complex is quite luxurious and features an amazing aquarium in the lower level. This resort is on Paradise Island which is an area for very wealthy people including one of the many homes owned by Oprah Winfrey.

We toured Fort Fincastle which was built around 1793 on Bennett’s Hill. The fort overlooks the Queen’s Staircase and is shaped like a paddle-steamer. Next on to the Queen’s Staircase which is a set of 65 steps carved out of the natural limestone wall that was built by slaves between 1793 and 1794. The Queen's Staircase is 102 feet tall, and was so named in honour of Queen Victoria.

The taxi driver showed us a middle class neighbourhood and a poverty stricken neighbourhood. It was very sad to see the contrast between the very rich and the devastatingly poor. Then we were on to Nassau’s Old Town to see slightly crumbling colonial buildings and bright-colored Caribbean architecture. We also visited the Pink Parliament building before returning to the ship.

Nassau

Port of Nassau

Atlantis Resort Nassau - Michael Jackson's Suite was on the bridge between the two buildings on the right.

Giant Fish Tank Aquarium - Atlantis Resort - There are about 12 windows this size to view the fish.

Atlantis Resort

Atlantis Aquarium

Atlantis Resort Nassau

Atlantis Resort on Paradise Island

Art in Atlantis Casino

More Art

Atlantis Resort

The "hood" - what a contrast between rich and poor in Nassau

Fort Fincastle - Nassau

The Queen's Staircase - built by slaves

Bottom of The Queen's Staircase

Nassau

Pink Parliament in Nassau

School children in uniform

Fort Fincastle - Nassau - Shaped Like a Ship to Trick Attackers

Miami Beach, Florida

I love Miami Beach with its beautiful wide beach, magnificent art deco buildings and kitschy restaurants and clubs along ocean drive. We enjoyed our day touring South Miami Beach (SoBe) followed by a beautiful warm evening ,strolling and people watching on Ocean Drive before retreating to our South Beach Hotel for a good night’s sleep.

Miami Beach

Miami Skyline

Miami Beach Skyline

Miami Beach

Lifeguards at Miami Beach

Miami Beach

Ocean Drive - Miami Beach

Ocean Drive

Miami Beach Art

Ocean Drive

Clay Hotel on Hispaniola Way - One time home to Al Capone

Outdoor Dinning at the Clay Hotel

Humphrey Bogart in his Car on Ocean Drive

Collins Street in South Beach

Art Deco and Neon

Ocean Drive at Night

Collins Street

Washington Street - Miami Beach

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Jamaica 2010

2010-02-21T22:34:00.025-06:00

For Russia October 2009 click here.

For my Baltic Cruise Blog click here.

And so we return to Jamaica for another season of fun in the sun. This time with a different focus! We are here to attend a family wedding in Ocho Rios and return to the amazing seven mile beach at Negril, followed by a pilgrimage back to Montego Bay.

I fell in love with Jamaica many years ago and can always count on change and surprises every time I return. In many ways, it is not the same Jamaica from the past. Life has changed for the people and in many ways for the better.

The wedding, which was held at the Riu resort in Ocho Rios was magnificent! The bride and the setting were equally matched in their beauty for certain. The ceremony was perfect as was the dinner and the beach party that ended in the wee hours of the day. Wedding photographs immortalized the day and all of it's resplendent charm.

Ocho Rios

The town of Ocho Rios is wrapped around a small bay which began as a fishing village and was ear marked for tourism in the early 1980's. Today, the streets are lined with duty-free shopping plazas and fast food restaurants. Cruise ships dock near the famous Turtle Beach at least four days a week, but cruisers do not tend to venture to the beach or town.

Turtle Beach

The main attraction at Ochee (as the locals call it) is Dunn's River Falls, which is located in a National Park. The 600 foot terraced cascades are one of the most photographed and visited waterfalls in the world. Thrill seekers enjoy a challenging climb over slippery rocks and rushing water, up a series of "staircase" waterfalls. If you hire a guide, they show you the safest way to climb. Hands are held in a long chain to keep everyone steady. Bring water shoes or rent them on-site to assist you with your climb. Lockers are available for a fee. The park is filled with tropical plants. There are many look-outs along side of the falls, where you may stop for a view should you choose not to make the climb.

Dunn's River Falls

Jamaica is a country infused with pride. Local music legend, Bob Marley is a cherished "native son". As Jamaica and Bob Marley are synonymous, no visit would be complete without some sort of "Bob" experience. This time, we choose a visit to the Bob Marley Museum and Mausoleum at Nine Mile, in the Parish of St. Ann, which is a perfect day trip from Ocho Rios. The journey through the countryside winds into lush tropical jungle, hilly terrain and quaint, unspoiled villages making this an experience to remember. At the museum, you will be guided by Rastafarian's who are sure to charm you with their devotion to Bob Marley and knowledge of the region. If you are lucky they will serenade you with Bob's most popular tunes. On the way back to Ochee, there is a most welcomed stop at Scotchie's Jerk Restaurant.

Bob Marley's Childhood Home

Bob's Home

Near Nine Mile

Bus at Nine Mile

Bob's Museum

Rasta Humor

Shack Near Nine Mile

At Scotchies

More pride can be felt when we hear about the accomplishments of the Jamaican Olympic athletes who were phenomenal in Beijing in 2008, when this small island placed 14th in the world. Jamaican sprinter, Usain "Lightening" Bolt is truly a national hero. Also, not forgotten is the Bobsled team, from the Calgary Winter Olympics in 1988. The team's adventures are immortalized in the movie Cool Runnings. You can now relive the experience at Mystic Mountain, near Ocho Rios, where you can ride more than 1000 meters of bobsled roller coaster track. Be prepared for the ride of your life!

Besides the wedding, a highlight of our stay in Ocho Rios, was meeting Peter and Lisa from Bosham, England. It was a true pleasure spending time philosophizing and sharing life's experiences with two such kindred spirits. We will plan to meet again some day for certain!

Montego Bay
If you are not up for the "ride of your life", you can still experience the spirit of the bobsled by dining at the Bobsled Cafe in Montego Bay. They have two locations, one on Gloucester Avenue (Hip Strip) and a second outdoor location at the airport. A replica of the sled can be viewed at the Hip Strip location (which is directly across the street from the world famous Doctor's Cave Beach). Drop in for one of the daily specials or try the Jamaican jerk chicken pizza. They will even deliver a pizza to Doctor's Cave Beach if that is your fancy. Personally, I prefer the authentic Jerk cooking at the Pork Pit which is a little further up the "strip". To satisfy your sense of adventure try ackee and salt fish with callaloo, festival and boiled bananas at the restaurant under the Reggae Bar, just across the street from the Casa Blanca Hotel. For 440 J or $4 we had the most amazing food ever with an added bonus of a "tour" in behind the restaurant to show us the ackee and apple trees.

Tourist Police - Friendly and Helpful!

Montego Bay is the second largest city in Jamaica and it is the gateway to tourist activity on the north coast. The beach regions in both directions are rapidly expanding with all inclusive resorts in both the east and west. The city sits in a large bay, with mountains rising in the background. It is a hub for shopping and dining.

There are several beaches in Montego Bay, including Carlyle Beach and Fletcher Beach but the best known is Doctor's Cave. This world famous beach has undergone a face lift in recent years, with new washroom and shower facilities and several terraced restaurants offering a range of food options. Blue, yellow and red beach umbrellas are available for rent and create an attractive scene, but I opted for a coconut palm to curl up under. What a fine way to enjoy the warm ocean breeze and the crystal clear turquoise hue of the Caribbean Sea in all it's glorious splendor. As my eyes rest on this idyllic backdrop, it is easy to feel serene. An occasional Red Stripe beer for refreshment combined with a relaxing swim in the warm and welcoming sea completes the experience.

When the busy nature of the "hip strip" becomes over stimulating, it is wonderful to retreat to our hotel at the Toby Resort for some peace and tranquility. I love this hotel for it's gardens which are really an oasis from the hustle and bustle of Montego Bay. It has great proximity to the "action" and to the newly re-opened Cornwall Beach and world famous Doctor's Cave Beach. There are two pools at the hotel - one of them with a waterfall. Also, there is wireless internet and I could pick up a signal from my room. The on-site restaurant Toby's Good Eats – serves Jamaican and European cuisine. For a budget hotel, the rooms are well appointed. Less than a mile from the airport, there is no worry about missing your airplane when you stay at the Toby. This hotel has served me well in previous sojourns to Montego Bay.

Gardens and Pool at Toby's Resort

Amazing Ackee Lunch!

Cornwall Beach

Doctor's Cave Beach - Recently Renovated

Going to work in MoBay

View from the Montego Bay Club Condos

Negril

My hands down favorite location on the island has always been Negril and it did not fail to disappoint me this time. The 1960s and 1970s saw the sleepy little town invaded by hippies from North America. Today, people are being drawn in even greater numbers to its famed seven-mile-long sandy beach and its spectacular sunsets.

Negril Beach

Negril, 81 kilometers west of Montego bay, is really the essence of a fun-in-the sun vacation. I fell in love with Negril's casual nature and it's dazzling seven mile beach back in the 1980's, while gazing at the calm waters and it's hues of blue and turquoise. The "end of the day show", consistently features magnificent peach coloured sunsets which are guaranteed not to disappoint. In the evening, take in a live reggae concert on the beach featuring superstars including Yellowman and Julian Marley (Bob's son).

Beach Scene

Negril

Fruit Lady

Negril is divided into two distinct areas with different personalities. The seven mile beach, with all of it's charm and beauty is worth the visit alone. Do not miss the West End area with it's rugged cliffs, spectacular views, the best sunsets in the world and the finest dinning Negril has to offer. There are many restaurant options, but my two favourites are Ixtabi and Rockhouse, which offer good service, great food and a perfect atmosphere for a romantic dinner. Go early to enjoy the facilities, see the caves and cliff dive if you dare!

It was amazing to return to Negril and to the White Sands Hotel. Seeing all of the staff and returning patrons made me feel like I was returning home. Thanks to the manager Francis and to all of the staff for welcoming us back.

Ah yes, Jamaica, I will return!

White Sands Entrance

Negril Jamaica

2009-11-19T13:00:00.007-06:00

For Russia October 2009 click here.

For my Baltic Cruise Blog click here.

We spent two glorious weeks in Negril, Jamaica in January of 2009. Negril is a beach resort town about ninety minutes west of Montego Bay. I have loved Jamaica since my first visit in 1982. Over the years many things have changed in Jamaica including a higher volume of traffic (which luckily has also brought better highways). In Jamaica (particularly in Montego Bay and Ocho Rios) as in many of the Caribbean and Mexican sun destinations, there has been an ever increasing move towards the large all inclusive resorts.

My first Jamaican adventure included a visit to Negril. I also returned to Negril for a visit in 1984 and then for a day trip in 1999. Negril has grown so much since those early days; almost the entire beach is lined with hotels. Despite the growth, there is a real charm to the resort town. Most of the hotels are still small and not part of larger chains. Resorts have names that fit the laid back atmosphere of Negril, including Firefly, For Real, and Roots Bamboo.

Negril River

Negril is often referred to as the “Capital of Casual”, which really is great for those who are looking to get away from the stresses of life back in the cold climates. The temperature is lovely with daily highs around 27 C and night time lows of 24 C.

Of course, the main attraction is the beautiful seven mile stretch of white sand beach and the warm, emerald/turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea. You can walk a long way out into the generally calm water before it begins to get deep, thus creating the perfect place to cool off for both swimmers and non-swimmers alike.

Negril Beach

Another attraction is the magnificent sunsets that you see from the beach daily as well as during a trip to Rick’s Café in the “cliffs”. You will need to be at Rick’s early to claim a front row seat to watch the cliff divers jump into the sea followed by nature’s daily light show.

Also, in the cliffs of the West End are the exotic dining establishments of Xtabi and Rockhouse. Go just before sunset soak up the chic decor and the relaxed atmosphere, followed by great food and excellent service.

Rick's Cafe

Negril Sunset

People watching is another favourite past time. Watching tourists of all ages and from all over the world walk by gives one a feel for the international nature of Negril. And, of course there is also the never ending parade of vendors walking up and down the beach selling every thing including CD’s,Lobster, Jamaican meat patties from a man with a bike, tropical fruits from a lady carrying the fruit on her head, jewelery featuring Jamaican colors, a Rasta man carrying a large selection of hand painted water colors, trips in a glass bottom boat with Captain Kirk, snorkeling excursions, para-sailing, horseback riding and many other products and services. These amazingly hard working sales people are very interesting to talk to. Once you take the time to get to know them you will realize that they often have very interesting life stories. Some vendors we talked to have worked the beach for more than 20 years. One older gentleman, who was selling fruit in Negril Town told us that when he was younger he had caddied for celebrities, including Billy Graham at a golf course in Montego Bay.

Rasta Man

A good selection of restaurants is available with a wide a range in prices. During our stay, I always found the food quality to be exceptional.

There are many other entertainment choices available with most activities occurring right on the beach. Different hotels and beach bars have live reggae bands and fire shows in the evenings (and sometimes live bands during the day). There are nightly music events featuring old time recording artists and DJ’s like The Mighty Diamonds and King Yellowman. We also enjoyed the performances of a less famous group, Phase 2, which performed at several hotels along the beach and at Rick's Cafe at sunset time. The group played Bob Marley material and sounded amazingly similar to the Reggae Legend.

Phase 2/Lead Singer at Rick's Cafe-Wearing an Ottawa T-shirt

We stayed at the White Sands Hotel which is close to the center of the 7 mile beach. It was a perfect location for daily walks in each direction and a good healthy walk into the town site. The White Sands is a family run hotel and after a short time there, you begin to feel like family. We had many conversations with owners, family members and staff. With such personalized service, it is no wonder that many guests return year after year for short and long stays.

White Sands Hotel - Beach Entrance

Thanks to Francis the White Sands Hotel Manager who was always there when we needed him for assistance, suggestions or conversation;
Henry - the owner who spent time talking to us and wanted feedback on how he could make our stay more enjoyable. (Now there is service you won't see at a larger hotel!);
Ida - sister - I had a few great conversations with her;
Ethel - another sister of Henry - always pleasant;
Both Valarie and Tassana (the front office manager) - were very helpful. They booked our dinner reservations and taxi rides and put up with our bad jokes;
Janet and Claudette - housekeeping staff - not only cleaned our room but told jokes, sang and danced and as Francis phrased it: "gave us the full entertainment package";
Tony and Paul (bartenders),
Henry - helped us with our bags, always had a kind word and pleasant smile and helped us to cross the street in the beginning (which can be confusing due to the right hand drive);
Powers - Who helped us navigate around the Hi-Lo grocery store and took us on an adventure through Negril town and cliffs area including Hammock Park and Rick's Cafe. Powers has an amazing knowledge of history and is very interesting to talk to;
Linden - Security at the beach for being diligent at doing his job ensuring we felt safe and secure. He was always pleasant and very proud of his work.

The atmosphere at the White Sands is so warm and friendly we managed to meet many guests. People we talked to the most included Arthur and Julia (New York/Russia), Brian and Dianne (Cobourg), Keith (Minnesota), Carol (Connecticut), George and Rhoda (New York), Earl and Angie (Nanaimo, British Columbia), Jeff Baltimore).

We also, took great pleasure in getting acquainted with Larisa and her two lovely daughters Victoria and Ksenia who were staying at a resort down the beach from us. Lots of interesting conversations were shared between us and these three fascinating women. Touring with them through the country side and on to Mayfield Falls proved to be a most interesting and enjoyable day.

A return trip to Negril is definitely in order.

Mayfield Falls

Russia October 2009

2009-11-18T17:39:00.012-06:00

Photos of my recent visit to Russia are included in this blog. I was in Russia in October to complete some volunteer work in Chelyabinsk. Chelyabinsk is on the east side of the Ural Mountains which form the dividing line between Russia and Asia. Chelyabinsk was closed to foreigners until 1992. This post has photos of both Moscow and Chelyabinsk.

St. Basil's Moscow built in 1555

(for more info click here)

Inside St. Basil's

St. Basil's

Near Red Square, Moscow

Red Square

Moscow Cemetery - Stalin, Yeltsin, Khrushchev and others

Kremlin Church

Asian tourists take photos at the Kremlin

Kremlin

Guard at Kremlin

Red Square

Independence Day Celebrations at Red Square in front of GUM Department Store
(GUM was built in 1890 and the letters stand for Main Department Store in Russian)

Soldiers and woman on cell phone (by Lenin's Mausoleum)

Red Square

Kremlin - A cold dreary day until the sun came out!

Young Love in Moscow!

Chelyabinsk (click on link for more info)

Old Houses from Years Gone By!

So Many Weddings in Chelyabinsk!

Selling Meat on the Hood of a Car

View of the Organ Hall
(This building was a church before the revolution and then became a planetarium. It is now an organ hall)

Winds of Change by the Scorpions.
I follow the Moskva down to Gorky Park
Listening to the wind of change
An August summer night, soldiers passing by
Listening to the wind of change
The world is closing in, did you ever think
That we could be so close, like brothers
The future's in the air, I can feel it everywhere
Blowing with the wind of change
Come on
Take me to the magic of the moment on a glory night
Where the children of tomorrow dream away in the wind of change
Walking down the street, distant memories
Are buried in the past forever
I follow the Moskva down to Gorky Park
Listening to the wind of change
Come on
Take me to the magic of the moment on a glory night
Where the children of tomorrow share their dreams with you and me
Take me to the magic of the moment on a glory night
Where the children of tomorrow dream away in the wind of change
The wind of change blows straight into the face of time
Like a stormwind that will ring the freedom bell for peace of mind
Let your balalaika sing what my guitar wants to say
Take me to the magic of the moment on a glory night
Where the children of tomorrow share their dreams with you and me
Take me to the magic of the moment on a glory night
Where the children of tomorrow dream away in the wind of change
Take me to the magic of the moment...
Come on

Scandinavia and Russia

2009-08-16T20:50:00.011-05:00

Just a short comment to describe this most recent adventure. "What a wonderful world". Just when you think you have absorbed much of the world's beauty you will find there is always somewhere else that takes your breath away. The history, the architecture, the art, the lifestyle and the landscape in the Baltic Region is unbelievably fabulous.

A brief synopsis:

Amsterdam, Netherlands
Amsterdam is so interesting – just walking around the canals and enjoying the old buildings. Our hotel room was in a canal house overlooking the Singel Canal. We enjoyed a night time canal cruise complete with wine and cheese. Just wandering the street is an experience in itself.

Canals at Night

Canal Houses

I fell in love with these curtains (in Amsterdam back in the 1970's on a trip to Europe and bought them where they still hang in my dining room.)

Everyone rides a bike here. Can you imagine trying to remember "Where did I leave my bike?"

Public Urinals in Amsterdam

Stockholm, Sweden
Stockholm has a large historic section and is a fascinating city. The ship docked overnight in Stockholm so stayed out until midnight on the first night. Stockholm is so far north (60 degrees) and we were there just four days before the longest day of the year – so when we walked home at midnight, the sun had set but it was not yet dark. The sun started to rise again around 3:00 a.m. Quite magical!

Beautiful city on canals.

Tallinn, Estonia
Tallinn, Estonia was a nice surprise! The day we ported in Tallinn was warm and sunny, which always helps. Tallinn is a medieval city and very walkable – so we spent our day exploring the cobblestone streets and sitting in sidewalk cafes.

Tallinn

Tallinn - Russian Military Uniform?

Tallinn

Tallinn

Tallinn

Tallinn

Tallinn

Tallinn

Tallinn

Tallinn

Tallinn

Tallinn

Tallinn

Tallinn - Great Rain Gutter

Tallinn

Tallinn

Tallinn

Tallinn

Tallinn

St. Petersburg,Russia
We were in St. Petersburg, Russia for two days. As you need a visa to travel in Russia , the only logical option was an organized tour. We were transported throughout the city to amazing castles and museums and into historic churches and even took a ride on the amazing subway (where the subway interiors are like art forms in themselves). St. Petersburg is a jewel. I believe the city was more amazing sights than Paris! The fact that many of the museums were occupied during the war and stripped of treasures during the war, and now fully restored makes it truly amazing.

St. Petersburg Street

Elegant Dolls

Peterhoff - Palace of Peter the Great

The Hermitage

The Church of Spilled Blood

The inside of the church of Spilled Blood is as marvelous as the outside!

Church of Spilled Blood - Magnificent!

Cathedral

A View of the Canals from Hermitage Window

Lots of Military on the Streets of St. Petersburg. This one does not look very happy.

Helsinki, Finland
Helsinki was celebrating Mid Summer Night's Eve and everything was closed and it was pouring rain. We explored in the rain in the morning and then arranged to go to a small town in the countryside in the afternoon. Porvoo and the drive turned out to be perfect – the sun shone and we were happy.

Finnish Dolls at Porvoo

Change Houses on Pihlajasaari Beach, Finland

Helsinki

Mid Summer Pole for Celebration - Helsinki

Helsinksi

Porvoo

Porvoo

Porvoo

Porvoo

Copenhagen, Denmark
Copenhagen is lovely, the canals, all of the greenery and the historic buildings and clean streets. Definitely a place to return!

The Little Mermaid is the most famous landmark of Copenhagen

Copenhagen

Copenhagen

Copenhagen

Copenhagen

Copenhagen

Copenhagen

Copenhagen

Copenhagen

Copenhagen

I came across this gallery of signs on a visit to Copenhagen in June 2009. I am sure you will enjoy it as much as I did. Follow this link to see more photos of these signs.

To see more of my Baltic photos click this link.

Croatia – September 2008

2008-11-08T21:52:00.039-06:00

In September we ventured to Croatia to visit our friends Richard and Dijana who are living in Split, Croatia on the Dalmatian Coast. Dijana, who spent a long cold winter here in Winnipeg in 2008, shared lots of details on the wonderful country of Croatia. From ancient history, beautiful beaches, warm climate, European fashion, the blue green waters of the Adriatic, islands that rival the Cyclades of Greece, majestic mountains, UNESCO Heritage sites and much more, we knew we must go.

We flew to Zagreb and then traveled by bus to Split. Split is in a central location allowing exploration of the Islands and the Dalmatian Coast including the famous Dubrovnik, a Jewel of the Adriatic. Dubrovnik is a UNESCO world heritage site.

Split
Split has many attractions, but the most important is the Diocletian’s Palace which was built in the third century. The palace stretches for several blocks and is filled with buildings dating from the third century through the middle ages. It contains historic sites as well as shops, restaurants, churches, caffe bars, museums, a night club, several hotels and apartments. You could spend weeks exploring the palace and continue to find new and interesting sites.

Below is an artist's rendition of what Diocletian's Palace of Split, Croatia would have looked like in the third century.

Trogir
Close to Split is the medieval town of Trogir which was once protected by walls. Narrow cobblestone streets twist and turn amongst medieval houses and the truly remarkable Romanesque cathedral built in 1630 is worth the trip. The view from the top of the cathedral is stunning. There is also a lovely beach where we spent time swimming in the waves on a very hot day.

Island of Hvar
My sister Pam and brother in law Bill joined us in Split after they had explored Rome and we ventured off to the island of Hvar together. The island is approximately a hour and a half ferry ride from Split. We proceeded directly to Hvar Town which is a very fashionable resort. Old stone houses, a 16th century cathedral, the stone beaches with crystal clear water and the modern restaurants along the Riva are attractions that make it worth the trip. We climbed to the top of the tallest of three hills surrounding the bay to explore a Venetian fortress (also a UNESCO site) and take in the magnificent panoramic view of the town.

Dubrovnik
Then off to Dubrovnik for a few days. Dubrovnik is one of the world’s finest and best preserved fortified cities. Massive walls enclose the historic centre and walking the walls is a must. From the walls one looks down on the terra cotta roof tops that many of us visualize when we think of Dubrovnik. From the walls we viewed the old town below. There are many amazing Baroque churches with copper domes, two monasteries and many boutiques and open air cafés. A tour of the old town provided us with a wonderful orientation to the city which became a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1979. After a day in the hot sun we walked through the imposing walls of the Old Town fortress through what is virtually a hole in the wall to the Buza Café (Hole in the Wall). It is a magical place just outside the fortress walls and over looking the sea where one can sit and enjoy a refreshing beverage or even take a dip in the sea if you are so inclined.

Hole in the Wall Cafe - Dubrovnik

Lokrum
We also explored the Island of Lokrum, just a short boat ride from Dubrovnik. Lokrum has no residents but does have a monastery, a botanical garden, lovely beaches and a small salt water lake. It is a quiet refuge away from the hustle and bustle of Dubrovnik.

Bosnia
If you travel to Dubrovnik by road, you must pass through Neum, Bosnia as Croatia is separated by about 24 miles of Bosnian land. Neum is a resort town and Bosnia’s only land on the sea. It was very interesting to have spent this short time in the country of Bosnia.

Croatia is a remarkable country with miles and miles of coastline and remarkable seaside towns. We had the opportunity to travel to two other such towns. One being, Omiš and the other Primošten which I will describe later.

Omiš
En route to Omiš where we travelled through the mountains and observed majestic vistas of the valleys below. We then explored to the old grist mill on the Cetina River. People enjoy rafting on the river here but the day was chilly and so it was not our choice of activities. Omiš is a small town and harbour located south of Split, situated in the mouth of the Cetina River and surrounded with massive gorges. Above the town stands the Fortress Mirabella, a Romanesque fortress, built in thirteenth century. The fortress offered a reliable hideout for the Omiš pirates who used to retreat into the safety of the Cetina gorge. A magnificent view waits at the top of the fortress, well worth the 15 minute climb. (At the peak of their power, in the 12 and 13 century, Omiš Pirates were one of the most powerful and fearsome pirates on the whole Mediterranean Sea and towns like Dubrovnik were forced to make treaties with them on non-attacking)

Primošten
Another amazing seaside town is Primošten which is North of Split. It is a small island that was linked to the mainland by a small causeway five centuries ago. The stone houses, quaint churches, narrow lanes create a setting of incredible beauty. Shops and restaurants help to make Primošten an ideal tourist destination.

Bol on the island of Brac
The town of Bol on the island of Brac with its renowned beach Zlatni Rat (golden horn) was truly one of the highlights of our time in Croatia. The beach is a “V” shaped strip of sand that extends out nearly half a kilometer perpendicular to the sea. The town is very walkable and contains Renaissance-baroque architecture. Churches, a Dominican monastery, a magnificent cemetery, beautiful port all set against the backdrop of the Adriatic Sea and the Bol Vidova Mountain makes Bol an idyllic location. The island of Brac is a pleasant ferry ride from Split. It has an airport and is a popular tourist destination. It would be a lovely place to return to for a two week vacation. The best time to go would be between June 1 and September 30.

We really enjoyed our time on the Dalmatian Coast and Richard and Dijana were wonderful hosts. They helped us to experience the best Croatia has to offer. We had a wonderful time and had a difficult time to say farewell.

Zagreb
Our last stop was Zagreb. I did not have a great deal of expectations for Zagreb but was pleasantly surprised. Zagreb’s historic areas are quite magnificent. Some same the architecture of the city is reminiscent of Prague in the Czech Republic. Both upper and lower town contain amazing architecture. The main square, Ban Jelačić Square is a hub of activity and a common meeting place for the citizens of Zagreb with the meat and vegetable markets as well as concerts and events occurring in the square. We were lucky enough to secure an apartment just a few steps away from the square. There is also an amazing variety of Museums including the Mimara which we had the opportunity to explore. The Mimara Museum contains over 3,750 works of art of great value from ancient times, including Egyptian items, to paintings by great masters such as Raffael, Degas, Goya, Rubens, Michelangelo and Rembrandt.

Croatia truly has a great deal to offer.

January 2008 - Southern Carribean Cruise

2008-02-04T16:07:00.015-06:00

January 2008 - We traveled to San Juan, Puerto Rico where we embarked on a Southern Caribbean Cruise. The experience was wonderful! The scenery out of this world. We had so much fun and really met wonderful people.

St. Lucia
My favourite island for lush vegetation and scenery is St. Lucia with it's famous Twin Pitons on the island's verdant west coast.

Curacao
Next, I would have to pick Curacao. The capital is Willemstad, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and has a "topical Dutch" style of architecture with it's buildings painted in Crayola shades and with lots of gables and arches. (Note on Curacao. The locals pronounce it cor-sow. Non locals say cure a sow - like “fix a pig”.)

Antigua
Antigua was interesting and seemed to have a well organized infrastructure. Here we enjoyed Historic Nelson's Dockyard. The Historic Georgian dockyard and officer's housing sits next to large sailboats and yachts from around the world. Then we headed up the hill to Shirley Heights, to see most spectacular vista in Antigua - a panoramic view of English and Falmouth Harbors.

St. Kitts
In St. Kitts we docked the capital, Basseterre. It was established by French explorers in the early 17th century and features white colonial houses and a few surviving 18th-century buildings. We toured the island and then spent the remainder of our day at Reggae Beach which is directly across from St. Kitt's sister island - Nevis. The scenery at the narrows leading to this furthest point on the island is spectacular. We also, had the opportunity to see will green monkeys.

Barbados
Barbados was also a beach day and I had the opportunity to swim with the sea turtles.

Aruba
As far as the most fun day, Aruba wins out again for the second time (I had a great time there a few years ago). This time we rented a jeep and drove all around the coastline - in rugged off country roads all the way to the former site of the Natural Bridge (which met it's demise a few years ago) and then on to Baby Beach at the east coast of the island.

San Juan
And last but not least was Puerto Rico where we stayed before and after the cruise. Old San Juan, which is also a UNESCO Heritage site was enchanting by night and interesting by day. Many of the buildings have been lovingly restored to their former glory. Old San Juan which is a walled city with two fortresses is like a tropical Quebec City. On our return to San Juan, we stayed in the Condado region and rented a car to explore other areas of Puerto Rico. El Yunque is a tropical rain forest and is lovely and lush. Also, we spent a day at Monserrate Beach at Liquido. It is one of four beaches in Puerto Rico that has attained "Blue Flag" status which means that high standards have been met in terms of the upkeep of the facilities and the water quality.