Thứ Sáu, 21 tháng 11, 2008

Hotels on Isla Mujeres

I have received many emails with questions about where to stay when they visit Isla Mujeres.. There are many options, ranging from luxury resorts to cheap hostals, and it all depends on your taste and wallet size.. So to be fair, I`ll list all known hotels and hostals I could find information about, with links so you can check it out yourself, or even book your dream vacation on.. I hope I got all, if you know about any that are not on my list, please email me, and I`ll add it as soon as possible! Ok.. Starting Alphabetically with descriptions :

Hotels on Isla Mujeres


Avalon

The Avalon Reef Club Isla Mujeres is a luxury-class hotel located 41 kilometers from Cancun International Airport. This beautiful property is a great hotel that offers its guests plenty of reasons to stay there. The hotel is close to several sights worth checking out during their visit. In addition, an array of awesome amenities await guests when they check in, helping to make each stay more enjoyable and pleasurable. The number of facilities, features and services is seemingly endless. It is the ideal choice when staying in this vibrant city.
When it comes to the hotel's accommodations, guests will find everything they want and need. With tastefully appointed guest rooms that are well stocked with the modern amenities travelers expect today, the hotel goes a long way to make sure everyone enjoys their stay. Adding to the overall pleasure of a stay here is the attentive and personable staff. Always professional, the knowledgeable staff is on call for every guest's needs and requests. The hotel is close to area dining, entertainment and shopping venues.

Casa de los Sueños Spa & resort

Exclusivity is guaranteed with eight originally decorated rooms all with an ocean view terrace, plus a dream Villa with an atmosphere designed to heighten the senses and promote total well-being. Wake up to tranquility and discover the flavors of nature, comfortable luxury, Mexican hospitality, and Mayan culture. To ensure the peaceful environment televisions, telephones, alarm clocks and the visits of children under age of 21 are not part of our services. This will allow you to be as close as possible to the beauty and sounds of nature.
No children allowed.

Casa Ixchel Boutique Hotel
The Hotel Was Built in 1980 and Comprises a Total of 9 Guest Rooms. The Hotel Offers a Holistic Place in Which To Relax and Recharge Body, Mind and Soul. It is Situated Right On the Shores of the Caribbean Sea, and Provides Guests With Terraces With Both Sun and Shade, from Which They Can Enjoy the Beauty of the Natural Surroundings. Facilities On Offer Include Wlan Internet Access, a Children'S Playground and Parking For Those Arriving by Car.

Cristalmar Beach club & resort

Surrounded by turquoise waters, the Cristalmar Resort & Beach Club offers secluded tranquility, yet is close enough to explore the mainland, historic sites and Cancun nightlife. Located on the quiet south coast of Isla Mujeres 3 miles from downtown pier, the resort offers a diver shop, game room, pool, restuarant, mopeds, bicycles, golf carts, diving, fishing and land excursions. The 1 and 2 bedroom units has kitchenette, dining room, hot & cold water.

Ixchel Beach hotel
Positioned one-half kilometer from downtown Isla Mujeres in Mexico, the beachfront Ixchel Beach Hotel stands less than eight kilometers from the Ixchel Ruins.
Garaffon National Park is located six kilometers away.
The Sunset Grill is a beachfront palapa that features buffet and a la carte service for breakfast, snacks and Mexican seafood for lunch and gourmet and international specialties for dinner. The Kalak snack bar prepares buffet-style breakfasts and offers poolside service. Wireless Internet access is available in public areas of the hotel. Property conveniences include laundry facilities, concierge services and a 24-hour front desk. An outdoor pool and beach frontage offer seaside recreation, and massage services are available upon request.

This hotel features 48 air-conditioned guestrooms, and one- and two-bedroom suites. Accommodations reflect the colors of the beach and boast garden and/or ocean views. All rooms feature satellite television, CD and DVD players, safe-deposit boxes and marble bathrooms with showers, only. Suites include balconies or terraces, separate master bedrooms, dining and living areas. Kitchenettes contain refrigerators, coffeemakers, toasters, microwave ovens and bottled water. Select suites feature jetted tubs. Penthouse accommodations connect to bedroom suites via spiral stairways and include roof gardens.


Los Arcos Suites
Placed in the heart of Isla Mujeres and offering comfortable accommodation, this property is a new jewel that combines the taste of Mexico with all modern conveniences for a memorable stay. Located on the famous Ave Hidalgo, the Suites Los Arcos is in center of the shopping and dinning district of the beautiful island of Isla Mujeres. The hotel offers completely equipped suites that come with a well equipped kitchenette as well. There is no restaurant available on-site. During leisure, you can visit the various attractions of the city.

Na Balam Hotel
Na Balam is a refuge for the soul in the Mexican Caribbean on Isla Mujeres, a small island only 20 minutes from Cancun. It is a site chosen by nature to enjoy every sunrise in México. The Na Balam Hotel is located on the most magnificent beach in the Mexican Caribbean with tropical gardens and hammocks under beautiful palm trees.

The hotels 28 rooms are all surrounded by tropical gardens and come with a king size or two queen beds, a private terrace or balcony, air conditioning and ceiling fans and in-room safety deposit boxes and 24 hours security protection. The 3 magnificent suites feature a king sized bed, Mayan-Modern decoration, air-conditioning, ceiling fans, a private patio and a small pool with hydro-massage with a stunning view of the inlet; ideal for honeymooners or anyone wishing a romantic and/or peaceful stay in a beautiful place.

Nautibeach suites & town resort
An earthly wonder of sand and sea meet at Nautibeach Condos nestled on the north end beach of Isla Mujeres, Mexico.
Your own balcony compliments your beautiful two bedroom condo and together offer a space for recharging your spirit, watching masterpiece sunsets, planning your next day, or doing nothing.

Nautibeach Condos offers the perfect island retreat, with an emphasis on superior and friendly personal service.

Experience the barefoot elegance of Nautibeach Condos.

Palace Hotel

Small and luxurious, located on the beautiful and charming island of Isla Mujeres, on a powdery-white sand beach, this resort is sure to guarantee a private and relaxed stay. Guests can lounge around the free form pool or on the tranquil beach or for a bit of the local custom, they can enjoy the nice breeze lying on one of hammocks strung amongst the palm frees.

This all-inclusive resort features 62 Superior Deluxe accommodations all with a double Jacuzzi, balcony and 24-hour room service. A variety of international favorites offer a la carte breakfast and dinner. And don't miss the ample lunch buffet in the open-air restaurant by the sand where you can enjoy the Caribbean breeze.


Perla del Caribe Marazul Hotel

(No Photo at the moment)

The Hotel Perla Del Caribe is situated on the beach in the heart of Isla Mujeres, approximately 30 minutes by boat to Cancun.
Hotel amenities include babysitting, restaurant, bar, outdoor pool, and two sundecks.
Guest rooms feature fully tiled bathrooms, hot and cold running water, A/C (most rooms), telephones, and balconies.


Pocna

The Pocna Hostel is located on Isla Mujeres. It is only 6 blocks from the pier and even closer to the beach. The hotel offers beds in mixed dormitories and private rooms. There is also camping available for guests with tents. There is a game room, meeting area, restaurant/bar, beach bar, pool, beach volleyball, internet, cable television, table tennis and wireless internet access. Very popular with backpackers, and the beach bar at night is worth a look if you like to party!

Posada del Mar beach club & hotel

Posada del Mar is a small Caribbean Style hotel set among lush tropical grounds, consisting of 30 rooms in the Main Building with three floors and 21 large rooms in the New Section. Isla Mujeres and Posada del Mar are an excellent combination for children. Two children, 11 years and under, can stay FREE in the same room with two full-paying adults. When you stay at Posada del Mar you are considered to be a member of our family. Just ask and we will do our best to accommodate you. Guest rooms are equipped with tile floors, individual air conditioning, a ceiling fan, shower and balcony. A colonial style aqueduct provides a waterfall into our swimming pool. When our guests are not out exploring the island, they are lounging around our swimming pool

Privilege Aluxes Hotel

Featuring 124 luxury units, brand new modern facilities for those travelers looking for an excellence privileged surrounding. The five scaled floor Privilege Aluxes Isla Mujeres hotel buildings are in front of Playa Norte, considered one of the best beaches in the area which is suntan perfect under the breeze of the coconut trees, to savor typical, fresh and gourmet dishes. Spectacular sunsets to admire are an everyday experience to guests, visitors and locals. The north end of the 4.6 miles long island is ideal to swim and relax just a few steps from the hotel. Due to the excellent conditions it is one of the perfect places for aquatic activities.

ALL INCLUSIVE Gourmet, by PRIVILEGE HOTELS, two outdoor swimming pools, room service 24 hrs Three Gourmet Restaurants, Pool Bar: Lunch ? Snack, Bartender & waiter service at Solarium, Pools & Beach, Minibar in every room (refilled daily, water, juices, soft drinks, beers and snacks), Coffee service in the rooms: daily replacement, Safety deposit boxes, Fitness & hotel facilities & beach.

Raintree`s Villa Vera Hotel

Spread over five floors, this professionally managed luxury resort offers tasteful amenities to discriminating travelers. The Sandcastle at Birch Bay has condominium units, guest amenity areas, retail space and the attention to detail of a first class hotel. Our two-bedroom condominiums average 1050 square feet, and the three bedroom residences averaging 1280 square feet. Each unit is professionally decorated and furnished and includes washer/dryers, balconies and dual line phones. Every unit has a view. The on-site restaurant, provides room service and convenient food service. Guests have access to a ground floor health club with male and female locker rooms and a fully equipped workout room. The on site day spa is available for massage or facials as well as a number of other relaxing treatments.


Secreto Hotel

Secreto Is An Oasis Of Casual Luxury Within The Small Fisherman S Village Of Isla Mujeres. Situated On A Secluded Cove And Surrounded By Palm Trees, This Small Hotel Feels Like Your Own Private Beach House. Discreet And Secretive - Just As The Name Implies. Not Even An Entrance Sign Notifies You Of Its Existence Underscoring Secreto S Very Essence. Your Room Exudes Warmth And Intimacy, Whether You Re Relaxing Under The Veils Of Secreto S Four-post Beds Or Enjoying A Cocktail On Your Terrace. At Night, Open Your Terrace Doors, And Let The Tropical Breeze Whisk You To Sleep. Every Room Offers Superb Ocean Views, And Features The Very Best In Amenities, Including Your Own Cd Sound System. During The Day, Cool Tropical Winds Refresh Those Passing The Day Away From The Comfort Of A Deep, Outside Living Room Sofa. Panoramic Ocean Views Create The Perfect Back-drop For Enjoying Breakfast Or Getting A Massage. With Its Handsome Architecture And Mediterranean Sensuality. Secreto Is The Perfect Setting For A Blissful Vacation At The Beach.


Unika Unique Hideaway resort

The hotel stands 14 kilometers north of Cancun and transports guests via yacht from its Cancun VIP Lounge to Isla Mujeres.
Guests are greeted with chilled champagne and cool towels. Rejuvenation continues at The Spa, presenting a menu of Mayan-inspired services such as indigenous steam bath sessions. The Spa's fitness area features an assortment of cardiovascular and weight-training equipment and stocks chilled towels. The Spa's Garden Studio sets the scene for yoga, Pilates and tai chi sessions. Outdoor activities include island tours on golf carts and kayaking adventures in Caribbean waters.
Unik offers several dining options. Pearl restaurant pairs fresh seafood and pasta with wine selections by the hotel's resident sommelier. Jade restaurant fuses Asian and Mexican flavors to create a unique gourmet menu. The poolside Breeze restaurant utilizes fresh seasonal produce and seafood from local farmers and fishermen. Additionally, La Isla diner provides poolside lunch service while Aqua pool bar mixes specialty tropical cocktails.

Guestrooms at Unik feature flat-screen televisions with DVD/CD players. Cable television is provided. A bedding menu offers a selection of pillows and linens. Feather duvets top the beds. Room services include butler service and nightly aromatherapy turn-down service. Select suites open to ocean-view terraces with spa tubs and outdoor living areas. Bathrooms supply bathrobes, slippers, designer toiletries and woven cotton towels. Select bathrooms feature spa tubs and marble-top vanities with double sinks.
Near the resort, the vestiges of an ancient temple preserve the story of Ixchel, Mayan goddess of the moon and fertility.

Villa Rolandi Thalasso spa gourmet & beach club
This luxury resort lies between the white-sand beach and the Makax Lagoon. The ferry terminal is located a short distance away. Dolphin Discovery, where these extraordinary mammals greet visitors with a handshake and a kiss on the cheek, is located one kilometer from this property.

This resort delivers complimentary continental breakfasts to its guests, daily. An extensive bar accompanies the Restaurant Casa Rolandi Isla Mujeres which is known for its signature Swiss-Northern Italian cuisine. Complimentary Internet access and fax and photocopy services are available 24 hours a day. Constructed in modern Mexican-Mediterranean style, the hotel features Tikul stone floors and tiled vault ceilings that are built to absorb sound. An outdoor pool features a cascading waterfall, where the atmosphere is ideal for sunbathing and sipping cocktails. The front desk staff can arrange tours, fishing excursions, scuba-diving expeditions and boat rentals. Resort amenities include on-site laundry facilities, massage by appointment, and room service. The hotel also offers discounted passes to a nearby fitness center.

Villa Rolandi offers 35 air-conditioned, ocean-front Junior Suites with fully stocked refreshment cabinets, digital-lock safes, and cable television. Private bathrooms are tiled in marble and feature showers, separate vanity areas, terry bathrobes and slippers. Private balconies feature uniquely designed spa tubs. Inviting detail lends warmth to the suites' individualized layouts that feature rich, custom-crafted wood furnishings. Artworks and design accents, such as wrought-iron railings, vibrant fabrics and marble-topped counters, reflect this region's colorful Mexican heritage.


These are some of the most popular hotels, I found a couple more, but little information about them, if you need any help please mail us, and we`ll do our best to get your hotel here..


Thứ Tư, 22 tháng 10, 2008

Updating other blogs..

I am currently working hard on promoting Isla Mujeres with it`s own blog on http://islalife.blogspot.com , and it`s turning out great! This is why there has been few posts lately! Keep checking back, as updates will come..
If you are interested in writing for IslaLife, please contact us!

Chủ Nhật, 15 tháng 6, 2008

Help a fellow traveller!

A friend of mine from Kristiansand, Norway wants to move down to Mexico and join us on Isla Mujeres!

She has heard so much about this incredible island, and wants to experience all it has to offer.


Thereza is her name, and as she describes herself on her profile page on www.nettby.no : "I think mahogany, fur and McDonald's are uncool, I have a thing for post it notes and elephant babies, my favorite color is red, and I never wear to of the same socks!"

Who can deny such a person the experience of a lifetime?

She is working hard now in Norway to get the funds for travelling and living the first couple of months before she finds some work. All money she earns will be added in the equation so you can keep posted on how far she has come!

I think it would be a great idea if all of us here on the internetz got together and helped her out, so I have made a donation page on paypal for her!
If you can, please help!

As soon as enough funds are in, she will be leaving the cold summers of Norway to live on our beautiful island, Isla Mujeres, in Mexico.

The necessary amount is 25000 NOK (3,108.735 EUR or 4,769.72 USD) and I will keep you posted on how fast we can reach the amount needed!
Please help with as little or as much as possible! If everybody shares just a little, it would help SO much!

I have started the donation with 50NOK (6.21747 EUR or 9.53944 USD) as I am not a rich guy myself, but anything goes, and this means we only need 24950 NOK (3,102.518 EUR or 4,760.18 USD) to get her to Mexico!




Click here to help Thereza get to Isla Mujeres!
Help us change someones life, wouldn't you have liked it if someone had done this for you?

Chủ Nhật, 17 tháng 2, 2008

Birthday in Cancùn!

Believe it or not, February 16. was my birthday!
And I am now 28 years young.. Not getting any older in any way! :D

But the thing I wanted to write to you about today is how it was celebrated! :D
Merethe surprised me with an idea of going to Cancùn and celebrate there instead of on Isla Mujeres, so we booked a hotel room at Imperial Hotel Laguna, and brought no clothes for the evening with us, just a buttload of money! :D Cancùn is pretty expensive, so we had to come prepared!

We left Isla Mujeres early, took the ferry over and then a taxi directly to the hotel.. After delivering our stuff at the hotel we went to Plaza las Americas and got some breakfast, then we found a hairstylist (a cute gay couple) got our hair nice, I even got a shave too!
Merethe cut her hair for the first time since coming to Mexico, and I think she was relieved!
After fixing the hair, I went a quick trip to the dentist and fixed a tooth, then we went shopping!
We saw lots of nice stuff, but as it normally is when you go shopping and have money to spend, it was hard finding stuff we really wanted!


I ended up buying a pair of nice shoes, pants, 2 long armed shirts, 1 short armed shirt, and some nice comfy beachpants to wear in the evenings..

Merethe bought some pretty shoes, 2 nice top's and some sexy pants and a purse matching everything! :)

When we were finally done, and after we bought a bottle of nice wine, and some snacks we went back to the hotel and started getting ready to paint the town red!


Around Nine thirty we took a taxi to Coco Bongo, and bought our Open Bar passes, stood in line and waited 20 minutes, we got in!

Coco Bongo was huuuge!
The shows started almost immediately and was very varied..


There were showgirls dancing on stage, performance artists falling from the roof, we saw Batman and Neo from "The Matrix" jump down, balloons flying everywhere, lightsticks, paper pieces, crazy lights, Marilyn Monroe, Britney Spears, all just copies ofcourse, but what a show!




Time passed so quickly, we were there around 22.00 and all of a sudden it was 03.00! Crazy times!




Mambo Number fiiiiiiive!



As you can see, lots of cool stuff happening, and LOTS of people!

This one I want for my next birthday! Pleeeeaaase? Pretty please? With a cherry on top?
*winkwink*

Thứ Hai, 11 tháng 2, 2008

Wonderful Jamaica!



Yah, MAN! Jamaica Maaan!

(photos coming soon!)

We got up really early, checked out from our hotel, and took off in a nice Lada taxi.. I thought the Cubans were good drivers until our ride to the airport! They drive as maniacs!

Anyway, we got to the airport, remembered to pay our airport tax (25 CUC) and took off!

Jamaica here we come!

When we got to Jamaica, we actually had a little problem getting past the immigration checkpoint!

We had to try three times (the third one was the lucky one!) first we had not filled in our hotel, as we did not know which hotel we wanted to live in, they said we had to have a confirmed booking so they knew where we were going to stay, I thought that was kind of weird, as we are backpackers, and I myself prefer to see the hotel before I choose to live there.. Anyway, we had to go back to a tourist”office” where they helped us find a room at a cheap hotel in Montego Bay, Gloriana Hotel & Spa, then we tried the immigration again, and this time they found out we had been living in Mexico for a while. Then we were sent to the health department or something like that, just so they could ask us if we were infected with Malaria, we told them we had not been to any area in Mexico where there was a Malaria threat, and they stamped our visa and told us to try the immigration again.. This time it worked! Wee! We were in Jamaica!

We went to the atm, and were pretty confused! How much was a Jamaican dollar worth? Same as the US? Doh! I thought 600 dollars probably was enough for the first days, but how wrong was i?

600 J$ is about 13 NOK, or 2,3 USD! Hehe.. doh!

We took a veeeery short cabride (got suckered, paid 10 USD for the trip) and it was over in about 3 minutes! We should have known!


After arriving at the hotel, we found our room and the biggest double bed I have seen in my life! HUGE!

We went looking around, thinking that Montego Bay was a huge city, as it is known as Jamaica's 2. biggest city after Kingston, but Montego Bay was not so huge, the part closest to our hotel was the “Hip Strip” where all the bars, hotels, and beaches were, and we saw very few people, and it looked like the businesses had little to do other than to try to hassle the few tourists walking around into their shops.

In Jamaica, you have to say a lot of “No thank you`s”, as you get asked if you want to buy just about anything! If they don't have it, you don't need it! :p

Montego Bay is really just a laid back place! The beaches are incredible, with water as clear as crystal! Tons of fish swim around by the corals, we even saw some squid, and a huuuge Barracuda!

The shopping is ok, a little expensive compared to Mexico, and a lot of little Indian shops trying to sucker you with unreasonably bad prices! And they talk shit about the local shops, just to get you to buy something from them.. Bad way to run a business if you ask me! :)

The weather in Jamaica was fantastic! 32°C everyday! We even got a little more colour!

We took a trip to the local tourist office, and they helped us with some trips, the 3. day there we went on a Crocodile Safari up Black River, we saw a couple of crocs, and then a HUGE one! I don't think swimming in this river is a good idea! Our guide told us a lot about the river and about the huge “dreadlock” trees there, and the special birds living in the area.

A nice trip, a little bit short if you ask me, I would have loved to been on the river a little longer..

When the crocodile safari was over, we went to YS falls, plenty of really nice waterfalls, and the water was actually warm! :)


The next day was 6. february and you all know what day that is, right?

Yeah! You guessed it! Bob Marley's birthday! And we were lucky enough to get on with a tour bus going to Nine Mile where Bob Marley lived, and was buried! This was a trip I had been looking forward to, as I have seen a great video on youtube, I hoped to meet the incredibly funny tourguide working there!

And we did! He was just as funny as on the video!

Seeing where Bob lived and the places he sung about, and seeing the burial place was almost a religious experience! The pictures in his room shows he was a real guy, singing about real stuff. And at Bob's pillow, the rock where he used to rest with a joint in hos mouth was also pretty cool! :)

Bob Live!


After the tour, we hung around by a restaurant/scene, where they did some practice sessions for the memorial concert that was going on there at night. Cool music! Cool atmosphere, and just perfect weather! :)

On our way back we saw Rose Hall, where it is said to be a ghost of a former inhabitant, Miss Rosa Parks, she killed 3 housbands and a lover to gain their fortunes, and she was known for being quite evil.

Other than this, we have mostly just relaxed on the beach, gone shopping, and have been eating well!

We found a cool place where they had great pizza, at Jamaican Bob sled restaurant, they show the movie Cool Runnings on repeat, they have sponsor clothes for the Jamaican Bob sled team! Funny place!

Oh! We also had our first KFC (Kentucky Fried Chicken) in Jamaica! I wish this place was in Norway, I think it would have done well there!

We met a crazy gang from Canada, and went out on a wild night, first going to The Brewery, where the Karaoke was crazy, and one of the Canadians sung his shirt off, and shocked the people working there so much that they gave him a free bottle of champagne! :D After eating, we took off to see Jamaicas casino, which was a little disappointing, as they only had slotmachines, and no real games! I want to play poker and blackjack if I am to waste my money, not boring slotmachines!

After having a quick look in the casino, we were supposed to go to Margaritaville, Montego Bay's party place, but there were hardly any people here.. So we decided to check out another place, called Pier 1.

Pier 1 was crowded, loud, and full of people in all ages! The old creepy guys watching the young girls was not a plus.. We were there for a couple of drinks, then headed back home in one of the local “taxis”

A tough night out, we fell asleep as soon as our heads hit the pillow! :D

The last day was spent on Doctors Cove Bathing Club where the beach is just amazing! We had a great breakfast and got some snorkelling and sunbathing done!

After a relaxing day we fell quickly asleep and took off from Sangster International Airport the next morning! :D

A week was not enough time in Jamaica, I would have loved being there another week!



Different Cuba!


Cuba, the country of differences.


We got up and ready to have enough time to pack our last stuff, and then head off to the harbour on Isla Mujeres where we took the ferry to Gran Puerto Juarez, where we got to the airport by taxi (250,- Pesos)

We had little problems getting on the air plane, but they have some weird planes!

Instead of using a air condition unit on the plane, I think they are using some kind of freezing gas. When we got on the plane, they turned it on, and it looked like it was smoke everywhere!

If I were afraid to fly, this would probably have scared me half to death! :p Funny to see the looks on peoples faces, though.

1 hour and 15 minutes later we were in Havana, Cuba!

What a difference, I must say!

The first thing we noticed were of course the cars, I am guessing at least 2/3 of the cars here are from before Castro took over, 50`s models most of them.

But what surprised me more was that there were actually quite a lot of nicer, newer cars there as well!

Anyway, I had a student friend that was living in Havana at the time, and she helped us find a hotel nearby where she lived. So Hotel Lido was our first night there, and we weren't impressed!

We got a room with no working television, the curtains where wet, just as if someone had just cleaned them, but they weren't clean, they were dirty and mouldy!

Other than that, the room was all right, the beds were actually kind of comfy.

We went out to eat, and asked the hotel for directions, as we just arrived, and had no clue what to find, they showed us to a little «Casa Particulare» right on the corner of the block where we`re living. The food was not so great, the prices were high (10 Cuc) and they really did not seem so happy to help us. We hoped this was just a one time thing, and that not everywhere in Cuba was like this.. But how wrong were we? :p

We met up with my friend, Marte and she showed me and Merethe around the centre, which was both beautiful and sad at the same time..

How all these fantastic buildings can just fall apart, all because of the government, was not a pretty sight!

The next day, we walked around town to look at the sights, and so many important historical places are in Havana, you have the great wall that once surrounded Havana, and kept it safe from pirates and other bad guys, then the bars where Ernest Hemingway frequented, and not to mention the forts, the cannons, the big squares, book markets full of Che Guevara books, and the old cigar ladies sitting in the streets waiting to be taken picture of together with you (we fell for it! ) The lady we are with is said to be the same one that is in the Lonely Planet guidebook for Cuba.. She was very colourful and popular!


We also changed hotels, this time to a Casa Particulare that was on the other side of the street from Hotel Lido.. This place was not so nice..


After a night there, we found out the beds were hard as rocks, the bathroom smelled like septic and the air condition was noisy as hell! We decided quickly that this was not the place for us, and changed to Hotel Lincoln the next nights.. Lincoln was not so bad compared to the other places we lived in, we got a suite for a nice price (75 CUC) per night, and then we had an extra room where my mother could sleep! Oh! We also had a television with lots of channels! (Most of them were in Spanish, but actually a few that were in English too!)

Nice place with a nice view from the roof! The food is still nothing to brag about, not even at the Hotel. We decided to try out some of the more “fancy” places and went to Gran Parque Hotel, and this place is a place I normally would not eat, mostly because prices in such a fancy place normally go through the roof! But the only thing expensive about the hotel were it`s rooms.. The food was great! The menu had a huge variety of good food, and I was not disappointed a single time!

We even had our own personal pianist playing for us, and we could ask for just about any song!

So if you want to eat well, and not too expensive, go for one of the two restaurants there!

If you crave a nice lunch, they serve good food in the hotel lobby as well!


We went on a guided day trip to Viñales, and there we visited the cigar factory, the cigar plantation, went to have a nice lunch on the countryside, and then we went through some beautiful caves in the area, where they even had boats to drive us through the underground rivers that came from the limestone mountains in the area.

Later we took a look at the famous Viñales valley, and the gigantic mural on the mountainside (Castro`s idea)

Not a bad trip!


Other than this, Havana was kind of grey, and we soon got bored with just walking around looking at buildings falling apart, people begging on the streets, and just seeing all these creative people being suppressed by an old man that probably has not seen the outside of his house in quite a while, if he has, he must have quite some conscience, if this was his vision in 1959, he has failed completely! How could anyone not care about how the people of Cuba live? Ok, they may have great health and school systems, but these things are not important if they have no nice place to live!

We talked to a couple of Cubans and they said the only way to get extra money (they get 30 CUC per month, doctors get a whole 40 CUC per month) is to get extra money from the tourists, either by doing them favours, or trying to hassle them.. So sad!

They are hoping for change, but know it will take a loooong time for anything to happen, they are hoping maybe the government will learn something from China, as China has more to offer its people in the “New Communism”

The last days we spent walking around Havana looking at the markets, the people, and for a nice place to eat (not so lucky with that one)

I can recommend Cuba to people that are not afraid of leaving their hotels, going outside the big city, to really see how the people are living!

Oh, and it probably helps if you speak Spanish! You gotta learn to listen to the Cuban Spanish as it is really really fast! Compared to Mexico, it is almost like another language!


Thứ Sáu, 8 tháng 2, 2008

Mexico, Cuba, Jamaica!

Just a short post to keep you updated on what is going on in my travelling life! :)

We had a nice trip to Havana, Cuba, and were amazed over how such a large city is just falling apart! The houses there are really not in good shape, and it`s such a shame as they are (were) beautiful! Lots of poor people on the streets and very huge differences!

We had a daytrip with a guide to Viñales, and that was great too! Other than that, food was terrible, we really missed having more options on the menu..
After 10 days in Cuba, we were off to Montego Bay, Jamaica, where everything is just fantastic! HUUUGE difference in these two countries.. Huge freedom in Jamaica compared to Cuba!
We are staying at Gloriana Hotel & Spa, which has a special story behind how it was started.
We have already gone on crocodile safari up Black River, then to Y.S falls, where there were some beautiful waterfalls.. On Bob Marleys birthday, we went to Nine Mile where Bob lived, and is buried, and that was close to a religious experience! And we even met the hilariously funny tourguide from the following Youtube video! :)
Incredibly funny!



But I will not go into too many details yet, will have huge update with pictures when I come back to Mexico! :)