Cuba the easy way

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We have just returned from 2 weeks at an all-inclusive resort in Cayo Coco, Cuba, a great way to escape the miserable November weather at Sauble Beach.

After the hardships of the last crossing to Cuba in Gust O'Wind last March, this was a piece of cake! A 3 hour champagne flight from Toronto took us from -5c weather to the 30+ temperatures we would enjoy for the next 2 weeks.

The weather was great, the resort very comfortable, well maintained and low rise and the staff were attentive and friendly (since they make more in tips in a couple of days than a doctor makes in a month, they should be happy!)

I tried to show our location on a map but found that you may need to zoom out to see where the resort is. Use the - button on the top left.

As usual, we think photos tell the story better than words - just click on the first to set up a slide show.

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Photos

view from our room
we upgraded to get an ocean view as we were to be there 2 weeks and felt it was worth it...the balcony was a quiet retreat from the sometimes frantic activities around the pool

Our beach
We assume that the oldest hotels in the area had the pick of the beaches...so this being one of the newest, got what was left. Hotels they are building now have no beachfront.

Day trippers
We took a day trip that included this runabout excursion to a snorkelling spot

Near Moron
People from this town do NOT like to be called "Morons." The countryside was much nicer than the town

typico
a typical Cuban toilet away from the resort...no light, no seat, no paper and no flush handle.'' The resort had all of the above!

croc farm
supposedly these farms are to protect the endangered Cuban croc but we did see plenty of authentic souvenirs

little nipper
note his jaws taped shut to protect the unsuspecting tourist

Cuban spread
although not spectacular, the food is good, varied and well prepared

Hand wash Cuban style
Everywhere outside the resorts the real Cuba presents as poor, but resourceful

Pilar beach
we took a local bus to this beach; Hemingway named his fishing boat after it. Much nicer than the one at the hotel

beach stroll
although the beach is not too long, the sand and water were very inviting

I'm over there
Beach bar on Pilar

maid's handiwork
each day the room maid came up with new creations

birding excursion
we arranged for a 5 hour private excursion with this local man, Paulino, to identify local birds. He was truly amazing! He attracted the birds with recordings on his ipod with a speaker. We saw 51 different birds..some migratory, some indigenous to Cuba

Birding scope
Paulino provided a scope for distant sightings. His son, Rai, was along to learn the trade from his dad, a qualified teacher who can't make a living teaching

crab eater
the Cuban black hawk dines mostly on crabs...good taste!

55 Chevy Bel Air
this is in original condition and was our ride for the 5 hour tour

with Paulino & Rai
now that Cubans are starting to dabble in private enterprise, guys like Paulino can make more $ in a 1/2 day than he could as a teacher in 2 months!

Lola!
Lola gets a ride on the back of Pepe the goat. Yes, Lola is a tarantula belonging to one of the gardeners...she earns more for him in tips than his wages provide

pose for a peso
and where is Lola? Under his hat of course! He delighted in taking his hat off in front of an unsuspecting lady guest and watching her run, screaming, away!

swim-up bar
a very civilized way to have a refreshing afternoon drink

main pool
lots of shady places to sit, read, relax and enjoy. Ah, Cuba!

the end!
enough said

Comments

[Garry Rasmussen]

Cuba
Looks like you had another lovely Cuba experience. Hope you checked your luggage before departure - Lola (or a cousin) may have had stowaway plans :)

[David Christie]

Cuba the easy way
Can't wait to hear about your adventures last Spring!

[Lorraine Runstedler]

WOW!!
Hey, Cheers!! - Just finished decorating the most beautiful Christmas Tree(unreal) - and here you are in Cuba.....It is so cold here - I am so jealous - You are living life to the fullest my friends - Good on you!! - keep sending - love y'all and this is THE END!!!!!!!!!!(haha) !!!!!!!!!!!!

[Lin Mutiger]

get your Supply of Cuban Cigars
Great pictures as usual, tho I think you could have had a better ending LOL.. I believe that was the resort Rick and I went to. We had a good time, but there were lots of bugs. They sprayed twice a day. We went to a place where they showed you how they made cigars. We were offered cigars on a daily basis. Look forward to seeing you at Christmas.

[Lin Mutiger]

get your Supply of Cuban Cigars
Great pictures as usual, tho I think you could have had a better ending LOL.. I believe that was the resort Rick and I went to. We had a good time, but there were lots of bugs. They sprayed twice a day. We went to a place where they showed you how they made cigars. We were offered cigars on a daily basis. Look forward to seeing you at Christmas.

[John Logan]

unhappy news
Hi Ian and Marlene. Thanks for you current offering re Cuba. The trip sounded great. I'm not so great at the moment. I've been diagnosed with mesothelioma which is a rare form of lung cancer caused by exposure to asbestos (insulating at the cottage in the '70s). I'm not in any distress at the moment and will receive my first bout of chemo tomorrow (Monday). Stay well, hope your Christmas is great! All the best, John L. ps Joan's opened a Facebook account to update folks. We're using a Gmail account, [e-mail] for it.

[Vic and Marilyn]

Cuba
Now that's the way to see Cuba. What are your boat plans for this year?

[Peg Travis]

Wow!
What wonderful vacation photos! Welcome home to snow!

[Nancy Gansser]

Cuba
Hi Ian and Marlene - So nice to read about your travels - you have had some wonderful trips! It is so nice to be able to get away often and visit other parts of the world - we are always thankful to come home to Canada but also have the travel bug and have been fortunate to have seen see a lot of the world since retiring. We will think of you on our trip to Cuba - we leave at the end of next week for two weeks in Santa Maria. Safe journey wherever the wind takes you! Nancy and Dietrich