Mexico Anyone?

Hola!

I am back and ready to tell you all about my more recent visits (2017 and 2018) to Mexico, specifically an area called Playa Del Carmen in the Yucatan Peninsula of the Mayan Riviera.  I think many of us can agree that Mexico stands a part from the rest when it comes to its unconventional and/or archaic methods of government.  Nonetheless, it boasts much natural beauty and is bountiful in history which is what draws many tourists every year.  That, and the hot sun!

On both visits I loved my stay at The Royal Playa Del Carmen 5 star luxury resort (which has just been rebranded as Hilton Playa Del Carmen).  It is everything the name suggests and then some.  The grounds are meticulously manicured, polished travertine tiles and marble everywhere, roman pillars, wrought iron railings, and the list goes on.  The resort is stocked with all the amenities you can imagine.  But the one thing that really stands out is the people.  I have found that the Mexican people are a humble people and genuinely warm and friendly.  They are helpful and very hardworking.  They are what represents the Mexican culture in its truest form.

While many enjoy sitting around the pool or at the beach sunning and sipping on fruity drinks relaxing, there are many things to do in the Gulf of Mexico if one so chooses.  A favorite of mine was strolling down an area called Fifth Avenue lined with a variety of local shops and restaurants.  However, integrated within is an upscale open air shopping mall with a number of designer shops.  A marriage of two different worlds.  If you're looking for sterling silver jewelry, you can bet a local will have some for you.  There is such a variety of local wares, you will not have any trouble finding those perfect souvenirs to bring home.  And let's not mention Tequila ...  ;)

 

 

A trip to Mexico is not complete until you have had a chance to visit one of the Mayan ruins.  We opted to visit the ruins at Tulum with the Gulf of Mexico as its backdrop.  An absolute amazing experience!  And to top off the tour, we got to relax in one of Mexico's many cenotes (natural sinkholes exposing ground water).

While I have had my own reservations in the past about traveling to Mexico, my experiences have been nothing other than enjoyable.  Their infrastructure needs modernization so it is important to be cautious and avoid consuming their water.  Of course it goes without saying that no matter where we travel, it is important to use common sense and in doing so, we can pretty much guarantee ourselves a great vacation!

I actually did surprise myself and had a really great time.

Thanks for joining me again.  I hope to be back soon with some more travel stories to share.

Ciao for now ...

Let's get blogging!

 

 

As much as I love to travel and as much as I love to talk about it, life has a funny way of getting in the way of the very things we enjoy most.  The important thing is, I have finally gotten back to sharing this "love" of mine and hope that you will continue to follow me on my varied journeys and experiences.

 

Next stop, Hawaii.

 

I consider myself pretty lucky to have had the opportunity to visit the island of Maui in Hawaii three times with my most recent visit having been for my birthday in February of 2013.  We stayed at the Royal Lahaina Resort where we had a comfortable and relaxing stay.  Perfectly situated up on a hill in the popular area of Kanaapali and only minutes from the old town of Lahaina, we found ourselves also conveniently close to golf courses and Whalers Village, an upscale shopping mall. 

 

 

 

In the heart of the quaint village of Lahaina sits a "wonder" of the world itself, a banyan tree.  When the Banyan Tree was first planted, it was just eight feet tall. Today it reaches a height of close to sixty feet and spreads out to cover over a two hundred foot area. The Banyan Tree has grown so large by dropping roots from its branches and then these roots become additional trunks over the process of time. It is hard to get a decent picture of the Banyan Tree because it is so huge. The Banyan Tree shades two thirds of the two acre area that is Courthouse Square in downtown Lahaina.

A trip to Maui is not complete without a trip on the "Road to Hana."  A full day excursion takes you up and down many winding roads that lead you to Hana.  Several stops along the way feature some of the most breathtaking views of the island, ancient churches and amazing waterfalls formed naturally on the side of the mountains.  Once in Hana, you will visit black sand beaches which were formed from lava (a true sight to be seen) and the naturally made Seven Sacred Pools which is spectacular in its own right.

 

 Finally, I would be remise if I didn't mention another natural wonder that's worthy of a visit, Haleakala National Park, a crater of the Haleakala volcano that remains a dormant volcano still today.  You will find yourself driving up 10,000 feet above sea level to reach its peak surpassing the clouds themselves along the way.  But be prepared at the significant drop in temperature as you reach the peak so bring warm clothes (which is hard to imagine when you're typically in 70 to 80 degree weather down below).

 

 Maui is a beautiful, lush island not overcome by the hardscape of hotels.  In fact, unlike Waikiki beach which is lined with high-rises, Maui's natural beauty and landscape is preserved by implementing height restrictions to the many hotels that dot the island.  A well-balanced approach between natural preservation and tourism.

There is really much to see and enjoy on this beautiful island so if you ever have a chance to visit, it is definitely a destination that won't disappoint.  Thank you for sharing in my story.  It is always fun to reminisce and share.  Please continue to follow me on some more of my adventures coming soon.



 



I Found A Little Gem!

Beauty in its infinite glory!  Turks and Caicos.   The bluest of blue skies and water; everywhere you look you are surrounded by such an inspiring color.  In November 2010, I visited Providenciales (known to many as "Provo"), one of the many islands making up the Turks and Caicos Islands.  How truly amazing!  I cannot find enough adjectives to define this island's beauty.  Still what appeared to me to be in its developing phase, there was definitely no shortage of wealth on the island.  This was evidenced by the many outstanding resorts that lined Grace Bay as well as high-end shops and designer boutiques that you can find along Grace Bay Road. 

I was extremely impressed with the accommodations and services provided at The Sands at Grace Bay Resort and found its location to be well within walking distance of most amenities.  The grounds are absolutely spectacular, colorful and very well-manicured.  The resort also contains a full-service spa, offering services from manicures and facials to body wraps and massages.  There was no better way for me to end my vacation than with a facial and massage.  How exhilerating.  I left there feeling like a new woman!  Sands at Grace Bay also has a full service restaurant named Hemmingways serving breakfast, lunch and dinner daily.  The food was excellent and the prices were well within reason.

Because the island is still developing, it is definitely a perfect destination for those looking for a more relaxed vacation as there is not much by way of entertainment.  However, each resort offers its own entertainment as well as a variety of motorized and non-motorized water sports.  And for those looking for a little more excitement in the evening, you can find yourself playing a hand of blackjack at the Casablanca Casino about a mile down the road.  Despite the fact that the government built covered bus shelters at designated bus stops, it never did implement a bus system.  So unfortunately, the island, at least at that time, did not have any public transportation in place.  However, despite that fact, the casino did offer a complimentary shuttle service to and from your hotel for your convenience.  Some of the resorts are also equipped with bicycles for those more adventurous.  They actually served as a really great way to get around locally and I had a lot of fun.

Turks and Caicos has some of the most beautiful beaches I have seen.  Powdery white sand slips through your toes as you walk for miles uninterrupted along the beach.  The colors are amazing and you can certainly come home with some great memorable photos.

As with most all destinations, you will always find shopping available.  So if you're looking to bring home some souvenirs, there was definitely an abundance to choose from.  There are also some local boutiques offering island fashions for reasonable prices. 

Providenciales is a very meticulously clean island with a relatively small population.  It was really a refreshing experience to vacation somewhere that felt like it was all at your disposal.  It was like you didn't have to share it with anyone.  Definitely a very relaxing holiday.

So if you can see yourself kicking off your sandals, hanging out on a lounge chair on the beach under a tiki hut staring at the ocean for miles just relaxing, then Turks and Caicos is definitely your place! 

 

I'll be back soon with more stories of travel ...

Hiatus is Over ~ I'm Back!

ARUBA

Welcome!  ("Bon bini" in Arubian). 

I am back, after a brief hiatus and I am anxious to share with you more adventures.  Having just returned from Aruba only a few months ago, the memories are fresh and vivid in my mind.  What a beautiful and exciting place! 

Aruba is one of the three sister islands that form the Dutch Antilles and what are referred to as the ABCs:  Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao.  The weather was perfect; the sky was blue, white sand beaches and crystal clear waters.  One of the most cleanest beaches I have seen to date - Palm Beach, Aruba.

There are two popular areas of Aruba that tourists enjoy; Eagle Beach (located minutes from the capital city of Oranjestad and commonly referred to as the "low-rise" area) and Palm Beach (located approximately 20 minutes from the airport and city center).  I enjoyed my stay at the Holiday Inn Sunspree Aruba which shared Palm Beach with other known resorts as the Mariott, Hyatt, Radisson and the Riu Palace, to name a few.  The "Palm Beach Strip", in my opinion, is a self-contained area for all those vacationing on Palm Beach, with access to many restaurants, local vendors, boutiques of all kinds, a movie theatre, convenience store and an indoor mall even featuring high-end designer shops.  The Strip had a very new and extremely clean appearance, well-maintained by the locals.  Everything was within walking distance and easily accessible.

No trip to Aruba would be complete without a trip to Oranjestad.  There is public transportation available so you can just hop on a bus and enjoy the ride into town, only 20 minutes away.  There you will see the island's true flare and what it offers by way of its traditional dutch architecture.  Since Oranjestad's harbor is where the cruise ships port, there is an abundance of shopping offered to all tourists from local souvenirs to high-end designer merchandise, much of which is duty-free.  I must have counted approximately 15 jewelry stores in just a 2 block radius alone!  Amazing!

When the sun goes down and after enjoying a lovely dinner, casino gambling is a popular entertainment for many.  Most all of the resorts have casinos but tourists are welcomed in any casino on the Strip.  I tried my luck at a few hands of blackjack; so the key word is "tried."

In stark contrast to the beauty and calm waters of Palm Beach, the opposite side of the island, much less inhabited, is worthy of a trip to see its natural rugged beauty.  Whatever you do, do not forget to bring your camera for some great shots.  As part of the tour, you will even have the opportunity to visit a gold mine ruin, and trust me when I say, there is no gold to be found - unfortunately!

The island as a whole is a friendly one and the Arubians are very nice people, easy to talk with.  Because the locals make you feel very welcomed, you can't help leaving with the desire to return.  Aruba is definitely a destination worth adding to your list.  A good time was had by all.

Talk to you soon.

Happy Holidays!

I'd like to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!  May this holiday season be a beautiful one, filled with much joy, love and peace and may the new year bring you good health and prosperity.

Thank you all for your support in 2011 and I look forward to sharing with you many more travel experiences.  In the meantime, be safe (especially should you be traveling during this season) and enjoy your holidays and we'll meet up again in 2012!

Peace,
Annie

Did Someone Say Party?



 In the summer of 1996 (August), I decided to venture out to the city that loves to party, New Orleans.  This is definitely an experience you would not want to miss.  The state of Louisiana is located in the southern region of the United States with a humid subtropical climate averaging in the mid 90s during the summer months.  It was definitely hot and it was definitely humid, and no rain.  I enjoyed my stay at the Sheraton Hotel and Resort on Canal Street located right in the heart of the famous French Quarter.  The location was perfect; everything was within walking distance and the hotel offered all the amenities you could need.  The ever popular Bourbon Street in the French Quarter was a mere couple of blocks away.  I found a great way to take in many of the local sites was by horse and carriage.  How fun!  The architecture is simply fascinating, the details absolutely spectacular.  As you travel along the city and depending on the time of day, you catch a scent of the various cuisines, from freshly made "beignets" for which New Orleans is known (they are a deep-fried dough much like doughnuts) and taste heavenly, to the very well known jambalaya.  Since there are a number of varieties of jambalaya, those of you who are seafood lovers will be happy to know that seafood jambalaya is a top seller.

New Orleans has a casino riverboat that remains docked in the Mississippi River for those interested in a little gambling.  You can also book a dinner cruise if you were so inclined.  In stark contrast, the city is relatively quiet during the day, but once evening falls upon the city, it comes to life.  The air is filled with jazz music - all different kinds, depending on the club you should wonder by.  Bourbon Street is filled with bars and clubs and the hospitality of the locals of New Orleans.

New Orleans is definitely a fun place to visit and a destination that should find its way onto your travel list.  So, go ahead and think outside the box, or in my case, outside of the Caribbean!  It's a big world out there and many very cool places to see!

I'll fill you in on my next travel destination ... soon.



A Change of Scenery

Hello and thank you for joining me once again on my varied 'adventures'. Since my last visit to Barbados in 1990, I had returned to my island paradise in 1991 where I stayed at the Rainbow Reef Beach Hotel situated in the St. Lawrence Gap on the south coast; 1992 for a 3 week stay at the Palm Beach Hotel now known as the Golden Palms along the west coast of the island; 1993 where I stayed at the St. Lawrence Beach Apartments, affordable apartments in the St. Lawrence Gap; and 1994 at the Southern Palms Beach Club known as the "Pink Palace" or the "Pink Pearl."  You guessed it - the resort is painted entirely pink.  A really pretty sight, especially when out on the water.  Makes for a perfect photograph with the beautiful blue skies and towering palms as a back drop. 

Each year it would get harder and harder to leave at the end of each vacation.  Especially since I became very good friends with Barbara and Nicholas, with whom I remain in regular contact to this day.  They are very gracious hosts every time I visit Barbados, making time in their schedules for me, taking me out to dinner, an evening of entertainment or visiting local sites.  They are a beautiful couple and I truly cherish their friendship. 

There is something to be said about the comfort level you gain over the years of visiting the same place knowing that you have an overall guaranteed vacation.  Of course, like most people, I also had the desire to visit new places no matter how much I love Barbados.

So there came a time when I was fortunate enough to become friends with Joy, with whom I had worked at a law firm in St. Catharines, Ontario.  Joy had since moved back to Santa Ana, California in 1993 and welcomed me for a visit.  So I took the opportunity to visit my friend in 1994 and had my first taste of California!  Loved it!  If there is one place I would love to live in the U.S., it is California.  Santa Ana (which is right in Orange County) is approximately 1 and 1/2 hours south of Los Angeles and approximately 2 hours north of San Diego.  Given it's close proximity, the weather in Orange County is pretty consistent with that of San Diego which is 72 degrees and sunny everyday.  Of course, their summer months are definitely hot, perfect for sunning or sporting at one of their many beautiful beaches.

Having your own personal tour guide is a definite plus.  Who wouldn't want to check out Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills and "window shop"; walk along the sidewalk of the stars and see the famous Grauman's Chinese Theatre; have lunch in Pasadena; dinner in Malibu at a really cool little out of the way restaurant right on the beach where you might catch a glimpse of a celebrity?  Unfortunately, that wasn't the night for the "stars" to come out and play but I did get to hear some really cool stories from the wait staff at the restaurant.  I heard that Al Pacino is a very generous person and a great tipper having left the waitress a $100 tip for a cup of coffee!  Pretty nice!

For all those fashion aficionados like me, you'll never get your fill of all the shopping that is at your disposal; from the mega malls to quaint little boutiques.  I still can't believe that I shopped at the likes of Bloomingdale's, Nieman Marcus and Nordstroms!  Every girl's dream!



A really cool day trip I enjoyed was that into Tijuana, Mexico.  Given it's close proximity to San Diego, you can actually leave your car in California and walk across the border into Mexico.  That was definitely a trip worth taking, experiencing the authentic Mexican way of life and local fare.  I cannot forget the tasty lobster thermidor I had at a quaint 'lil restaurant.  It's always fun walking along the narrow streets and stopping along to take a peak at some of the local handmade crafts and jewelry.

I must not forget to mention a day at the famous Disneyland.  It was so much fun being a kid for a day.  Another road trip that I took was to Las Vegas for a weekend where I stayed at the Imperial Palace.  It was only approximately a 4 hour drive from Santa Ana and definitely worth the drive.

During my visit to California in 2000, I took a drive along the coast into Riverside and Laguna Beach.  Just breathtaking!  I loved browsing through some of the cute little shops they had.  Joy and I enjoyed a weekend stay at the prestigious Rancho Bernardo Inn Resort and Spa, San Diego's legendary inn.  What a way to get pampered! Absolutely exquisite.

California is a great place to visit.  There is so much to see and do; I just barely saw the "tip of the iceberg."  Places I've yet to see include a number of national parks, (I did get to wonder through Joshua Tree National Park.  I never saw anything like it!) San Francisco and its famous Lombardo Street with those hairpin turns and Napa Valley, to name a few.  I definitely hope to get back to California some day again ... soon.

I hope you enjoyed my story.  I'll be back with more!