caribbean – Snapping The Globe

Adventures in Aruba Part 4

In addition to beaches, Aruba is filled with farms and sanctuaries…donkeys, ostriches, birds and butterflies!

During our stay we had already visited the donkeys and the ostriches so naturally, butterflies were next on our list .

First, however, there were a few places we wanted to see.

The capital of Aruba, Oranjestad is named after “Huis van Oranje’ (Orange House), the name of the Dutch Royal Family in 1824 during the Dutch colonization. This downtown area is filled with plenty of traditional Dutch multicolored buildings, museums, restaurants and shops scattered through Main Street, the Royal Plaza Mall and Renaissance Marketplace.

Finding a parking space in the downtown area is a challenge, but after a little back and forth, we finally secured a spot. Parking near the National Archaeological Museum of Aruba put us near many of these architectural gems as well as the Wharfside Flea Market, where we perused the stalls looking for Aruban souvenirs and treasures.

*National Archaeological Museum of Aruba*

A quick six minute walk brought us to the I Love Aruba Sign on Lloyd G. Smith Boulevard the perfect place for souvenir pics! While this particular sign is convenient for cruise ship passengers…Promenade Cruise Port is located adjacently…there are a few other signs located throughout the island (Parliament House, Senor Frog’s, Hadicurari Beach) if you don’t happen to visit downtown Oranjestad.

Jumping back in our car, we headed back toward Palm Beach and made a quick stop at The Old Mill. Known as De Oude Molen, it was built back in 1804 in the Netherlands, meticulously taken apart, shipped to and reconstructed in Aruba in 1960. Planned as a tourist attraction, a new base was constructed and a restaurant ensconced within. Today, The Old Mill is still a top tourist attraction as well as a museum, resort and a top dining option. While we found the museum and restaurant closed due to the early hour, we were able to peek inside at the dining facility which is decorated with furniture and paintings dating between 880 and 1800.

Finally, we headed (almost next door) to the Butterfly Farm. Opened in 1999, it was preceded by the first Butterfly Farm, located in Saint Martin and established in 1994. Located on the French side of the island, it was designed and built by two eccentric Englishmen, William Slayter and John Coward.

Discovering success on Saint Martin, five years later, Slayter decided to open another farm in Aruba. While the farm in Aruba has thrived, sadly, the farm in Saint Martin was destroyed by the category five hurricane, Irma in September 2017.

After purchasing our admission, we were able to join a tour that was about to begin. Here, we found ourselves in a net-enclosed miniature rain forest filled with beautiful flowers, plants and trees…the perfect home for butterflies!

From our guide, we learned about the evolutionary cycle from microscopic eggs, to to caterpillars, to pupae. We were also instructed on how to handle the butterflies and caterpillars and those with brightly colored clothing and citrus scented perfumes were lucky enough to attract these beautiful creatures!

Once our tour was complete, we were welcomed to stay as long as we wanted. While it was warm and humid inside (the perfect environment), we walked around for quite some time, enjoying the beauty of these beautiful winged creatures as they flitted around from leaf to leaf and branch to branch and dined on sugar water and fruit.

While I would have loved to continue our theme of “farms and sanctuaries” and checked out the Bubali Bird Sanctuary, this was our last full day in Aruba that was not going to be strictly a beach day. The next day was to be spent in the sun with our feet in the sand and toes in the water! While birds would be flying overhead, this would be as close as we would come to Aruba’s flying friends!

For more pictures, check out Facebook, Snapping the Globe and Instagram, @snappingtheglobe.

I Love Aruba Sign

Address: Lloyd G. Smith Boulevard 19, Oranjestad, Aruba
Hours: 24 hours, daily
Admission: free

The Old Mill

https://www.aruba.com/us/stay-at/the-mill-resort-and-suites-aruba
Address: J.E. Irausquin Boulevard 330, Palm Beach, Aruba, Aruba
Hours: 1700-2300, daily
Admission: varies

The Butterfly Farm Aruba

https://www.thebutterflyfarm.com/
Address: J. Irausquin Boulevard Z/N, Orangestad, Aruba
Hours: 0830-1630, daily
Admission: Adults, $16.00, Children ages 4-17, $8.50, Children under 4, free, Seniors, $13.00

Adventures in Aruba Part 1

Spring is a time of new beginnings.

Its a time for warm weather to replace the cold, flowers to replace dead grass, animals to emerge from hibernation, players to fill baseball diamonds…

Spring brings hope…and SPRING BREAK!

Yes, every year, thousands of families and students descend upon beaches everywhere hoping to escape winter’s icy fingers and return home, to the envy of friends and those not so fortunate, to show off their tan lines!

Over the years, I have been blessed to have had the opportunity to take my children on some pretty awesome vacations, some, during their Spring Breaks. Last year was no exception. This time, my youngest son and I decided to head to the far southern reaches of the Caribbean…

Aruba.

While we didn’t take advantage of staying on popular Palm or Eagle Beaches, we had rented a car, which in turn, offered us the opportunity to make our way all over the island. After a long day of travel, we were excited to have arrived, excited to make our way to hotel and excited to get our vacation started.

Our hotel, situated across from the Hadicurari Beach, where sailboarders glide across the shallow Caribbean waters, was clean and offered us what a traditional hotel room couldn’t…a kitchen. We were excited to stock our fridge with some snacks, ice down our beer, get settled in our hotel room and cross the road to put our feet in the sand. But…finding more rocks than sand, we attempted to manipulate a path to deeper waters. One step in…

Ouch!

A crab got me.

Okay…maybe this wasn’t the hotel for us.

Yet…that evening, as we sat on our patio and opened up a couple of Balashi Beers, we realized that despite the less than optimum beachfront real estate, the sunsets here were spectacular. This is what the hotels and homes in this area are known for!

With a car at our disposal, we could enjoy different beachfront properties each day and then retire to this little slice of paradise to enjoy our own personal happy hour!

On our first day, that first sip of Balashi, along with the spectacular views, gave us hope for the days to come.

Hello Havana!

Stepping onto Obrapia Street, I first looked left and then right.

First instincts were to gauge how safe I felt in this new city. Heading back one block, I decided to walk along Obispo Street, which is only open to foot traffic. Walking along this pedestrian friendly thoroughfare, I noticed that it was very well kept and there were many shops, banks, parks, restaurants and a few museums.

Ducking into an artisan market, I browsed the unique souvenirs available and then made my way across the street to inspect a statue of Don Quixote by Leo D’Lazaro (1989), in the Parque de Obispo. There were many locals relaxing in the shade of the large, old trees and the smell of Cuban cuisine filled the air.

Taking a seat on one of the benches, I observed the passersby. Everyone was going about their business and there appeared to be many tourists in the area, making me feel more comfortable. I felt good about venturing further.

After taking a look at my map, I decided to walk westward toward the famous El Floridita bar, located at the Parque Francisco de Albear y Lara. Floridita is a historic fish restaurant and cocktail bar located across from the National Museum of Fine Arts of Havana. It is a hot tourist spot, perfect for people watching and known for having been one of the favorite hangouts of Ernest Hemingway. Though I never made it inside, I was told that there is a life size bronze statue of the writer and excellent daiquiris!

Interesting little tuk-tuks were parked all along the square, waiting for someone to hire them, and along with horse-drawn carriages, there were countless classic beauties driving through and parked inside the square. It was evident that the owners were quite proud of their vehicles and most posed alongside waiting for someone to hire them or just engage them in conversation. I watched as many a gentleman popped the hood, eager to share the immaculate condition of their automobiles.

Continuing on, I walked through the Parque Central among the tall, elegant palm trees lining the square and admired the statue of Jose Marti, poet, essayist, patriot and martyr, who became the symbol of Cuba’s struggle for independence from Spain.

*Parque Central and Jose Marti Monument*

Next on my walking tour was the Boulevard de San Rafael where I spotted the London Bar, Hotel Inglaterra and many old but intriguing buildings. Back to the corner of the boulevard and the Paseo di Marti, I stood in awe of the National Theater. True elegance reigned here, both on the exterior and the interior, as it is the home of the Cuban National Ballet. The Baroque exterior boasts some amazing white marble sculptures which are part of a group of ninety-seven by Giuseppe Moretti and Geneva Mercer and represent charity, education, music and theater. There were posters advertising upcoming performances and I wondered if I could somehow procure tickets for a memorable evening!

What I had spied from my balcony now stood before me…the National Capitol Building or El Capitolio. One of the most visited sites in Havana, the building dates back to the initiation of its construction in 1926 and is located in the exact center of Havana. Prior to the Cuban Revolution of 1959, Congress was housed in the building until it was abolished and disbanded. The building fell into disrepair and since 2013, the government of Cuba has undertaken a restoration project hoping to use the building once again for Cuba’s National Assembly.

Although its design looks much like the United States Capitol, it is a meter higher, a meter wider, a meter longer and much richer in detail. Until the 1950’s, it was the tallest building in the city and houses the world’s third largest indoor statue, located in the apse. La Republica or the Statue of the Republic stands at almost 92 meters high. There are also statues at the main entrance, flanking the fifty-two steps, by Angelo Zanelli, twelve ionic granite columns measuring forty-six feet tall and three large bronze doors with bas-reliefs also by Zanelli which allow access to the main hall. Though I would have loved to have toured the building, it was later in the day and I wasn’t sure it was open. There were other things that I wanted to see, so I hoped that I could squeeze the Capitol into one of my other activity-packed days.

Leisurely strolling along the Paseo di Marti, I admired the unique lamp posts, colorful buildings and the occasional classic car that drove by. Crossing the street near the Capitol, I entered the Parque de la Fraternidad or Fraternity Park with its multitude of busts of Latin and North American leaders. Once known as the Square of Mars and the site of military exercises, the park is now a busy meeting place and centered with a massive ceilba tree.

After making my way around the park I casually glanced down the street and noticed something that I was not expecting to see. A Chinese gate!

Yes, Havana has a Chinatown!

Though not very ornate in nature, it was surprising and probably one of the only places in the world that you will spot antique Fords and Chevrolets driving though its arch. Making my way only a short distance past the gate, I learned from my tour guide the next day, that there are actually some pretty good Chinese restaurants in this area.

There were many buildings in various states of repair or disrepair. As I walked along Cienfuegos Street, one of the most photographed areas in the city and known for its unique architectural elements, I remember thinking that some might think it is not a beautiful part of the city because not everything was new and shiny. I, however, thought the opposite. I loved every bit of peeling paint, every cracked pane of glass, trees growing off of the roofs, every colorful, but dirt-covered tile and every rusty piece of ironwork. This was a city with character.

Realizing that it was the beginning of the end of the day (a very long one, I might add), I decided to make my way back towards my hotel with the hopes of finding a nice little outdoor restaurant where I could have a nice cold beer and watch the world go by!

But first, as I made my way through Parque Cristo, admiring the monument in the center, I noticed something that I could not resist…a church, Iglesia Del Santo Cristo Del Buen Viaje. Since this was my first visit to a church in Havana, I wasn’t sure of the protocol for visitors, especially since this seemed like more of a neighborhood church. The woman at the door, however, greeted me warmly and allowed me to walk through freely and take photos. There were many beautiful stained glass windows and interesting statues but the ceiling was what gave this church its singularity. I learned that this church is one of the oldest in Havana, dating back to 1755 and once acted as the Cathedral of Havana…I picked a good one for my first!

*Iglesia Del Santo Cristo Del Buen Viaje*

Winding my way back to Obispo Street, I walked along with the crowds, admiring the architecture and every little thing that I could take in. Finally, locating a restaurant with outdoor seating, I grabbed a seat, ordered some food and ordered the beer that I had been thirsting for during my wanderings under the blazing Cuban sun. All the while, I relaxed and enjoyed the Cuban musical stylings of local musicians.

As I wandered back to my Airbnb, it was growing dark.

But, you know what? I never once glanced over my shoulder. I never worried about anyone hiding in some dark corner. In fact, I was awed by the gentlemen who stepped off the sidewalk to allow me to pass. I was awed by the hospitality of everyone I met and the pleasant greetings extended to me when they found out I was an American.

Now, why was I nervous about coming?

Sitting on my balcony that night, I watched the children play in the street below and the neighbors sitting on their stoops listening to music and talking until late. Though I could still hear the goings-on through my closed balcony door, once I crawled into bed, it really didn’t bother me.

It was Havana!

Hello Havana!

For more pictures, check out Facebook, Snapping the Globe and Instagram, @snappingtheglobe.

El Floridita Bar and Restaurant

https://www.facebook.com/Bar-Floridita-639688816080211
Address: Obispo 557 Esquina a Monserrate esq. a Monserrate, Havana Vieja, Havana, 10100 Cuba
Hours: 1100-2400, daily

National Theater

Address: Plaza de la Revolucion Havana, Cuba
The theater has 4 ticket offices located on the south side (Avenida Paseo) of the facility. Their hours of operation are Monday through Friday from 1000-1200 and 1300-1400. When the shows take place on Saturdays, Sundays, Mondays or holidays, the ticket offices open from 1000 until just 30 minutes after the start of the presentation.

El Capitolio

Address: Paseo de Marti, Havana 10200
Hours: Monday to Saturday, 1030-2200 and Sunday 1030-1300

Iglesia Del Santo Cristo Del Buen Viaje

Address: Plaza del Cristo, La Habana Vieja, Havana, Cuba

So…You Want To Go To Cuba?

Yes please.

Maybe because Cuba was denied to U.S. citizens for so long, it is a place that has held a place of honor at the top of many bucket lists when it was finally opened up again.

There were many times when I thought I would work it into my travel schedule. Sometimes something else came up…or the flights were full…or I just plain chickened out. The fact that there was no cellphone service and no connection to the mainland honestly frightened me, especially if I was going to travel there by myself or with my children.

But, each time that I didn’t take that risk, I wanted to kick myself later.

Seeing some free time on my schedule, earlier this year, I decided that I was definitely going to make this trip to Cuba happen!

Maybe.

I hoped.

Since I was going to be traveling standby, I had to watch the flights carefully and my accommodations had to be booked only when I absolutely knew that I was going to make it there.

At two in the morning, I still wasn’t sure if I was going to leave for Havana in the morning. I lay in bed struggling with the decision, my stomach in knots, wondering if I was doing the right thing. On a whim, I messaged a few Airbnb owners and explained my situation. I was going to catch an early flight to Atlanta, arriving around 7:30 a.m. At that point, I would watch the flight to Havana for an hour and then reach out to make my reservation. My biggest question was whether or not I would have enough time to hear back from them to confirm the reservation and for them to forward me the address of the accommodation. If I landed with no cell service and no address…well, you can see why I was stressed.

Almost immediately, one of the owner’s responded. He understood my circumstances and right away, sent me the address. He told me that he would await my reservation at the appointed time and that he could also arrange for a car and driver to pick me up at the airport.

One hurdle down. I could get an hour’s sleep.

After arriving at the airport, I watched the flight which was departing in four hours and after deciding that I would probably make it, I set up the reservation and secured the car and driver.

Hurdle two, down.

Settling down at the gate, I filled out the visa paperwork that was required and paid the visa fee. The agents had a lot to do with the visa processing of the other passengers and the boarding process and I stood by nervously praying that I had not made the Airbnb reservation unnecessarily. Finally, the agent motioned me over to the counter, giving me a seat assignment and my proof of insurance.

Hurdle three, down.

Walking down the jetway, I thought, “This is my last chance to bail. Am I making the right decision?”

My seat was in first class and much to the dismay of the gentleman next to me, he suddenly learned that I was infringing upon the extra space that he thought he was going to have. Graciously, however, he greeted me and informed me that he had cleaned my seat with his supply of Lysol wipes!

As we began to speak, I told him how nervous I was and learned that this was his 120th trip to Cuba! You know how they say that sometimes things happen for a reason? Well, I must have been placed next to this man for the sole purpose of making me feel good about my decision to travel to Havana on my own.

At one time, he worked as a contractor for my airline when the need arose for a liaison between the airline and the government for the onset of the initial service. Prior to that and currently, he worked and is working as a tour operator. After learning where I was staying, he made me feel extremely confident about my decision as he had booked clients at this particular property. He was surprised to hear how hesitant I was, despite having traveled around the world, sometimes solo, and assured me that I would be completely safe. After giving me a list of restaurant recommendations and special items of interest, he reached up into his baggage and pulled out a Cuban tour book. Opening it to the Old Havana section, he suggested that I spend the flight looking through it and photographing the sections that interested me.

The book was outstanding and by the time I spotted the lush, green landscape sprawling below, I was only feeling excited anticipation!

Exiting customs and immigration, I exchanged currency and then spotted a driver holding a sign with my name. As he led me into the parking lot, my breath caught a little in my chest. I had heard about the antique cars that populate the city, but this was my first glimpse of the many positioned in the lot and my driver led me to a beautiful, old turquoise Ford. It was thrilling to ride in such a beautiful antique and though I don’t speak much Spanish and he didn’t speak much English, we managed a few pleasantries and we embarked on the journey towards my hotel in Old Havana.

After an enlightening forty-five minute drive (yes, the airport is that far!), we turned onto a narrow street and pulled in front of the building that houses Havana Dream, the Airbnb that was going to be my home for the next three nights. I thanked my lucky stars that we had arranged a driver to meet me as the building was nondescript and probably would have been difficult for a regular cab driver to find.

Greeted warmly by my host and his manager, I was shown to my room, a very modern and well-appointed space with a small balcony overlooking the street and down to the National Capitol building. What a sight!

I had made it!

Now what?

Last hurdle. I needed to go out. After quizzing the house manager about the time of sunset and safety measures, I decided to take a rousing shower and dress casually enough for going out, yet smartly enough to stay out for dinner and the return before dark.

Descending the stairs, I cautiously opened the door and stepped out onto Obrapia Street.

Despite not having had decided to travel here a mere twelve hours earlier, I was finally here. My 76th country! I had mounted many hurdles to get here and it was time to see what lay in store for me.

Old Havana was out there waiting to be discovered!

For more pictures, check out Facebook, Snapping the Globe and Instagram, @snappingtheglobe.

Note: ATM machines and credit cards do not work for American credit cards in Cuba. American cash and other currencies can be exchanged at the airport. Bring more currency than you expect to use. Though my Airbnb arranged for the transportation, I was responsible for the fare, 30CUC. My Airbnb also provided currency exchange when needed at local, published bank rates. Additionally, wifi cards could be purchased from my Airbnb which could be used while at my accommodations, however, because I was using an Iphone, once the card’s service was initiated, it was prudent to use all of the minutes allotted or risk losing it.

Havana Dream

Address: 408 Obrapia Street, Old Havana, Cuba
Prices vary, but approximately $65-$75 per night.

So Swimmingly

Hotels with swim-up pools.

We have all seen the photos.

Wedding and travel magazine spreads showing beautiful couples wearing expensive jewelry, designer swimsuits and perfectly coiffed hair lounging around, looking at each other lovingly while hanging in their hotel room’s private pool.

Yeah, I was always sure that was for the rich and famous.

During spring break, my son and I were playing travel roulette. No set plans…we had a list of tropical destinations that we thought we might like to try to sit standby for (a perk of my airline job) and we were going to see where we ended up.

Punta Cana eventually won out and as I made my way down the jetway to my last-minute seat, I frantically scrolled on my phone through the list of resorts that had availability.

There were three that I was eyeing…

There was one we visited a few years ago; the cheapest, but one we had enjoyed for its lively staff, wide-spread beach and their rooms’ proximity to the beach.

There was another that I knew nothing about but my son had a friend staying there. It had excellent reviews and a decent price.

The third was the most expensive of the three (though most akin to number two). It was located two properties over from the first option and one property over from where we had stayed last August, so we were familiar with the area. Both my son and I had friends staying there, so while my son could spend time hanging with his friends, I would have others to have adult conversations and drinks with!

Checking the prices for the third option, I discovered that I could choose the cheapest of their rooms, however, since it was last minute, I could get a room with a swim-up pool for just a little more.

Being that it was my son’s senior year, I had just received a good bonus check and I just felt like pampering myself, I decided to go with option number three! I just hoped that it was worth it!

We arrived to dark skies, rain and no waiting transportation due to a mix-up with our booking. Finally, arranging a one-way transfer, we were exhausted as we made our way into the open air lobby of the Royalton Punta Cana Resort & Casino.

A short time later, we were being escorted to our room near the beach area of the resort. As we passed the rooms with swim-up pools facing the main pool area, I got my first look at what we had paid for. These people could watch the action of the main resort area, yet hang out in their own private space.

As I entered our room, I pulled open the curtains and glanced out at our own pool area, which faced the side of our resort and the resort next door. Well, we didn’t have a great view. No watching the action of the resort, but it was still exciting to have this amenity. With the miserable weather, however, I decided that I needed a nap more than a swim. Taking advantage of this perk would have to wait until the next day.

The next morning, I eagerly opened the curtain, ready for sunshine! What was this? Shadows? With the sun making its way across the sky, our pool was enshrouded in darkness. How on earth was I going to work on my tan?

As we walked to the main lobby for breakfast, I enviously spied on the guests lounging on their verandas, dipping themselves in their private pools. They had sun! I thought, “No wonder I got my room for such a steal…it’s on the shady side of the resort. ”

After stuffing ourselves with pastries and omelets, we decided to head to the beach, spending the remainder of the morning lounging under one of the resort’s thatched umbrellas and enjoying the azure waters that lapped it’s shores.

One of the perks of this resort is that although there were many restaurants that served lunch near the beach, we could utilize room service…for free! Using the ordering feature on our television, we could sit on our veranda and enjoy lunch in the privacy of our room.

This needing doing!

Heading back to our room and noticing that the shadows had changed with the movement of the sun, we ordered our meal and then opened the curtain. Can you believe it? Noon was the witching hour! The sun had crept slowly across the sky during the morning and now our private pool and veranda was filled with bright light!

After enjoying our lunch, we jumped into the pool, relishing in the coolness of the water. Though our pool was private, it was connecting to the others along the length of the building. Though we remained here for the remainder of the day, we were always alone. Not one of the rooms here had guests who swam outside or relaxed on their verandas!

Each day, we repeated the same pattern; hang at the beach during the mornings and enjoy the resort’s many amenities…mini-golf, lazy river, flowrider, restaurants, snack bars. Every afternoon, however, we retreated to our room to take advantage of our pool. What luxury!

And, no…we never saw anyone on the backside of the resort.

Sometimes my last minute plans don’t go so well. This one went swimmingly!

For more pictures, check out Facebook, Snapping the Globe and Instagram, @snappingtheglobe.

Royalton Punta Cana Resort & Casino

https://www.royaltonresorts.com/royalton-punta-cana?_ga=2.143406325.1717712777.1519133944-2036997616.1483655952
Address: Playa Arena Gorda, Carretera Macao, Punta Cana 23000, Dominican Republic

Pearls of Wisdom

Planning to take a cruise and wanting to make a change?

If you are moving on from your current cruise line and trying to decide on a new one…here is some (hopefully) helpful information on the Norwegian Pearl.

After our disastrous experience with Carnival during Christmastime last year, my kids had sworn off Carnival Cruise Lines for good. The only cruise line they had ever had experience with, our previous trip had given them no cause for a desire to travel with them again this year. Late into port and not docking in St. Kitts had soured their expectations.

After checking out different cruise lines for our Christmas vacation, and their many amenities and itineraries, we finally decided on the Norwegian Pearl.

Our first adventure with Norwegian, we were excited to see the differences between this cruise line and Carnival and Royal Caribbean.

From the very beginning, there were some marked contrasts.

Check In Our first personal interaction with Norwegian was at the cruise terminal. We found the check-in lines to be quite lengthy (stretching out of the building and around the corner) and had to sit in the terminal for quite a bit of time before being allowed to board. This had never happened with our past experiences, but to be fair, we were first-time cruisers…so we had no status. Back of the line anyone?

Accommodations With our past cruises, we had always booked the more affordable rooms…interior cabins and occasionally, a room with a porthole or picture window. This time, we decided that a bit of splurging was in order. Though we still booked the interior room for our children, my husband and I opted to spoil ourselves with a Mini-Suite and balcony. Our room was spacious with a sitting area that afforded us the capacity to enjoy time together as a family away from the crowds. As we sailed away from Tampa, instead of enjoying the festivities on the main deck with people we did not know, we played our own music and enjoyed drinks in our stateroom, hanging on the balcony and watching the Tampa scenery go by in the waning daylight. Without the feeling of claustrophobia that I sometimes felt in the interior rooms, I have to admit, I don’t know if I can ever go back to not having a balcony!

Food There were a few restaurants that were available for dining by reservation and an additional charge; Le Bistro (French, $20 per person), Cagney’s Steakhouse (Seafood, Steakhouse, $30 per person), La Cucina (Italian, $15 per person), Teppanyaki (Japanese Hibachi, $25 per person), Sushi Bar (Asian, a la carte pricing), however, we opted to take our dinners at the main restaurants, Summer Palace, Indigo and Lotus Garden. All were very good and the service impeccable. Our breakfasts and lunches were usually taken at the Garden Cafe and the Great Outdoors in the rear of the ship. Occasional lunches, snacks and late nights were enjoyed at O’Sheehan’s Irish Pub…the fish and chips were amazing!

Drink When we booked our cruise, Norwegian was offering a few perks that we could take advantage of with our booking. The Ultimate Beverage Package was included for both my husband and oldest son which included wine, beer, liquor and cocktails. We also had a $100 on-board credit for one of our rooms which we were able to utilize for a Soda Package for my youngest son. There were many bars throughout the ship and we found that with the Ultimate Beverage Package, we were not cut off at fifteen drinks like on Carnival. Our wonderful ship steward also graciously gifted us with a few bottles of champagne in our stateroom.

Entertainment Award winning entertainment was offered nightly in the Stardust Theater and shows featuring passengers as contestants were offered in the Spinnaker Lounge. The Not So Newlywed Game and Dance Clash were two of the game shows where passengers both competed with each other giving the audience comical diversions. Bliss Ultra Lounge, a trendy nightclub-like hotspot offered live performances, karaoke and even bowling lanes while H2Glow and White Hot parties on the pool deck gave passengers the ability to dance the night away under the stars. One of our favorite places to hang out, however, was the Piano Bar on Deck 6. Requests were taken by the performer and it was quite the experience when the entire bar joined in on the sing-alongs.

Other forms of entertainment along the upper decks consisted of the rock climbing wall, basketball and soccer court, jogging track, shuffleboard, chess, golf, swimming pools and hot tubs.

First-run, barely released movies could be found in the cabins on one of the TV’s movie channels or on the giant LED screen in the atrium and a game room and library were available.

My favorite thing on this ship, however, was something I had never seen on another…and maybe it was just because I didn’t know to search for it. My son was wandering around and came upon a bridge viewing room. A large picture window allowed passengers to look onto the bridge and observe the crew performing the operations necessary to sail the giant vessel. The room also contained some memorabilia and a model of the Pearl.

Fitness Center/Spa Though I didn’t use the gym, I did take a peek inside. Offering the standard weight machines, treadmills, stationary bicycles and ellipticals, it was lot smaller than I anticipated and my son confirmed that it was often crowded. While exploring one day, we ventured into the Mandara Spa and was offered a tour of the facilities. Though not my kind of thing, the most intriguing aspect was the Thermal Suite based on the concept of Turkish Baths and included heated ceramic lounge chairs, a Thalasso Therapy Pool, hot tubs, steam room, sauna, and tropical rain showers.

Sun Decks Last year, our biggest complaint with Carnival was that passengers were allowed to reserve and hold lounge chairs. There were never enough chairs available for passengers although many were chained up and pushed to the side. Finding two seats together was hard, finding five for the entire family…impossible. We found Norwegian to be the complete opposite…there was plenty of deck space and plenty of chairs at all times. I have to admit though, my favorite place to take in the sunshine was on my balcony.

Communication Like Carnival, Norwegian provides an app which guests can download from App Store or Google Play. This app allows passengers to pre-book onboard activities, dining reservations, shore excursions, entertainment as well as view vacation itineraries. The communications feature allows passengers to chat and message each other while onboard, view their account and see what is happening on the ship at all times. A charge of $9.95 per person is charged for use of the communications feature, however, it is well worth the price in order to stay in touch with each other…quite handy since our two rooms were not near each other.

Ports of Call The itinerary for this cruise was Tampa (departure), At Sea, Harvest Caye, Belize, Costa Maya, Mexico, Roatan, Honduras, Grand Cayman, At Sea, Tampa (arrival). We enjoyed our Christmas Day in Harvest Caye relaxing in the sun on our beach chairs. The next day, the biggest surprise was in store for us. Having never checked the map for the location of Costa Maya, I was pleasantly enlightened that it was closer to Belize’s border than to Playa del Carmen, reminding me of my time in Ambergris Caye. So much like the old Mexico that I remembered, we enjoyed both relaxing at the beach in the town of Mahahual and checking out the beautiful, modern port, filled with many activities, shopping and restaurants. Our third port was the most anticipated since we had been wanting to go to Roatan for some time. Sadly, since we were unable to disembark as early as anticipated due to the tendering process, our time in Roatan was limited. West Bay Beach, however, was unbelievable and definitely awakened our curiosity for more of the small island. Our last port, Grand Cayman, was fabulous. A place that we are extremely familiar with, we were excited to not have to worry about trying to figure out what we would do. But, for anyone else, Cayman is full of amazing adventures!

Punctuality Overall, Norwegian stayed on schedule. Our only glitch during the cruise was the tendering process in Roatan. Our arrival in Tampa was another story. Last year, we thought our arrival into Port Canaveral was extremely belated (four hours)…that was until this time around. A heavy fog descended upon the port of Tampa on Saturday, preventing ships from setting sail…a bummer for those departing that day. Our ship was instructed to speed up and attempt to sail into port on Saturday night instead of Sunday morning. Hoping to make it in during an anticipated clear window, we were halted when the fog did not lift as expected. The Norwegian Pearl and three other ships remained off of the coast until the heavy fog dissipated, allowing us all to sail the remaining distance back to Tampa…twelve hours late. Though phone lines were opened for guests to make changes to their travel arrangements and to contact family, it was nearly impossible to get an outside line. Since our travel arrangements could only be done through a secured computer terminal, standing in line for hours to use one of only seven computers available was not an option. After explaining our circumstances to Guest Services, we were told that wifi access would be complimentary using my personal device. Upon our departure, however, we found that we had been charged $80 for an hour’s usage. After our return, I contacted Norwegian and the charge was reversed.

Upon our return and a some time had passed, I looked back on our first experience with Norwegian.

Although there were some negative experiences, I do have to say that we enjoyed our foray with a different cruise line. It was nice to discover a new ship layout and a new overall product.

Was it worth the change? Absolutely.

For more pictures, check out Facebook, Snapping the Globe and Instagram, @snappingtheglobe.

Norwegian Cruise Lines

https://www.ncl.com
Ship Name: Norwegian Pearl
Itinerary: 7 days, departing Tampa. Ports of call, Harvest Caye, Belize, Costa Maya, Mexico, Roatan, Honduras, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands

Home Sweet Cayman

When you’ve been somewhere so many times, it starts to feel like home.

This is how we feel about Grand Cayman. So many visits over the years (sometimes 2-3 per year) had us feeling like we had set down roots on the island.

As our boys grew older, however, they wanted to see other parts of the world and sadly, we had not been to Grand Cayman in a few years.

We were truly missing it.

When we booked our cruise, we were excited to spot Cayman on our itinerary. There was nothing to plan. No excursions to book. We knew to rent a car and go to one of our favorite spots on the island.

Seven Mile Beach.

Not the public beach, mind you…where all the cruise ship passengers are taken, but the beach in front of two of the condominium units that we consistently rented over the years. A little further down the beach from the public area, there is not much foot traffic and the sand and water are beautiful.

There is beach access, from the road, every few hundred yards in this area and parking along West Bay Road is acceptable. Though we knew we would not be able to utilize any of the condos’ chairs or facilities, we planned to make camp under one of the mangrove trees and spend our time hanging in the water.

Walking out of the cruise port (where, unlike Roatan, they have amazing tender service provided by the island, I might add), past cruise hotspot Margaritaville and Fort George, we headed west and found Avis Car Rental. Grabbing a car for the day, our next order of business was to find a spot to buy patties. Jamaican patties are our favorite food and one we had to take with us on our beach excursion.

Driving down the newly built roadways linking Georgetown and the West End. It was interesting to see the development that had occurred over the years. Not the Cayman we remember from 25 years ago and certainly not the Cayman we remember from even 6 years ago. For goodness sake’s, an underpass now stretches across West Bay Road, part of a hotel development site.

Finally, parking our car along the roadway, we gathered up our towels, snorkeling gear and lunch and headed up the path to the beach.

Winter’s waters are a little rougher than what you find in the summer, so just standing in the water proved to be a bit challenging with the larger than normal waves rolling in. We managed, but I found hanging on the beach and reading a book to be a bit more relaxing.

Before long, it was just as it was in Harvest Caye, Costa Maya and Roatan…our time on the beach seemed to fly by making us nervous about getting back to our ship.

If you are a cruise ship passenger looking to enjoy your time on your own in Grand Cayman, do as we did and book a rental car. There are so many things to do on the island, including visiting the town of HELL (with it’s own post office that will postmark your postcards with the name), the Grand Cayman Turtle Farm, Rum Point and countless other beaches in between Seven Mile Beach, Georgetown, the East End and Rum Point.

If driving on the left is not your thing, there are countless tours that can be booked with cruise companies and on your own. A most popular one is Stingray City, an area in the North Sound of Grand Cayman, where southern stingrays are found in abundance. Paying passengers are taken here and urged to don masks and snorkels, though the water is rarely above shoulder level on one of the sandbars. Another sandbar is deeper and more suited for those wishing to dive the site. At both of these locations, visitors can pet and interact with the stingrays which come to feed in the chummed waters.

Whatever you go to Cayman for…wildlife interaction, adventure, or beach relaxation or even Jamaican Patties…you will not be disappointed. There is a reason it’s one of our favorite places in the world!

And yes, it was good to feel like we were home…even just for a few hours!

For more pictures, check out Facebook, Snapping the Globe and Instagram, @snappingtheglobe.

Grand Cayman

https://www.visitcaymanislands.com/en-us/about-cayman/our-islands/grand-cayman

I Belize in Santa Claus!

Christmas mornings are spent around the Christmas tree, sipping hot cocoa and watching the snow fall outside.

Right?

Not always.

How about Christmas morning lounging under a beach umbrella, drinking cold beer and watching zipliners flying overhead?

This is more my style!

For the second year in a row, we decided that we would spend our Christmas holidays on a cruise ship. While our itinerary had us cruising through the waters of the Gulf of Mexico on Christmas Eve, we would be awakened on Christmas morning by sunshine and views of the Belizean coastline from our balcony.

Norwegian Cruise Lines opened the port of Harvest Caye in November of 2016 which took four years and $50 million dollars to create. With such a huge investment, Norwegian has to be thrilled that it was voted the Best New Cruise Port in the Caribbean in 2017.

Not having done much research on what was available on the island, we decided that relaxation was in order for Christmas Day.

As our ship, the Norwegian Pearl, backed into position against the dock, we got our first glimpses from the back deck of the beautiful island dotted with beach umbrellas on the far side of the island and a lighthouse.

Disembarking from our ship, we made the long walk on the covered walkway to the island. Greeted by many locals at the Harvest Caye sign, wishing us a Feliz Navidad, we marveled at the beautiful, brightly colored buildings, home to many restaurants and shops. What is quite interesting is that all of these restaurants, amenities and shops are locally owned and all of the 400 staff members working on the island are locals.

Passing the excursions pavilion, which joins the marina, we took note of all of the guests lining up to travel to the mainland for the start of the many excursions offered…parasailing, exploring Mayan ruins, cave tubing.

Making our way to the beach, hundreds of bright blue beach chairs spread out before us beckoning for us to enjoy our Christmas Day…the perfect present! Finding seats, we spread out, eager to enjoy the Caribbean sunshine. Positioned in front of the lighthouse or Flight House, we watched countless zipliners fly over us and the bay 13,000 feet to the termination point at the other end of the beach.

The waters were a calm, emerald green and the 7-acre white, sandy beach made of man-made sand (made from crushed seashell), stretched out in an arc. We relaxed, enjoying the sunshine and a few buckets. So, after a few cold ones, it was time to venture out and find the restrooms.

Once I was out of the restroom, a path on the right caught my eye with its beautiful flowers growing on an arched trellis and I noticed what appeared to be a cage just beyond. Passing through the arch, I discovered a wildlife exhibit which houses many birds and animals indigenous to Belize. This area also includes a Blue Morpho butterfly house and the entire exhibit is free for all guests.

My curiosity peaked, I decided to continue my walk, admiring the many wooden carvings nestled in the foliage and along the pathways, while following the signs guiding me to the pool area. First, I encountered the kid’s splash pad, but the 15,000 square foot swimming pool was the happening place! The Caribbean music was pumping and the pool bar was packed with hundreds of guests enjoying themselves.

The pool area contained plenty of seating, some shady areas and tall palm trees. Bridges criss-crossed the water and on the far end, there was a zero entry area. There were several pool-facing cabanas available containing lounge chairs, couches, mini fridges, a personal concierge and private showers. There are also beachfront villas furnished much the same with the addition of air-conditioning, beach loungers, hammocks, and a golf cart for the day.

Continuing my exploration, I ventured into the commercial area which features shops selling chocolates, rum, jewelry, t-shirts, perfumes, handwoven items and paintings. Stopping at one of the small wagon kiosks, I made a deal with one of the vendors and walked away with a beautiful basket for my collection at home.

Returning to the beach area, I took a small detour near the lagoon which is the starting point for those wishing to kayak and paddleboard.

Finally, returning to my family, I found them wondering where I had disappeared to. Describing what I had found, they decided that it was time to check out the amazing pool, grab a bite to eat at one of the island’s eating establishments and check out one of the island’s four bars before heading back to the ship.

Having visited Belize a few years back, this was a much different experience from our time spent on Ambergris Caye. Though there were many similarities, both being islands along the Belizean coasts, this was a much different encounter. Of course, we were on a privately owned island on a cruise, however, we were also treated with a beautiful, sandy beach, something Ambergris Caye did not offer.

Honestly, I would return to either place, on a cruise to Harvest Caye or just on my own to Ambergris Caye. My true desire is to explore more of Belize’s islands and its mainland. As I always say…so much travel to do, so little time!

With a tropical climate all through the year, excellent facilities and excellent service. Harvest Caye is indeed one of Norwegian’s premier destinations! If cruising with Norwegian, check your itinerary to see if you will be putting into port at this beautiful location.

So, do we still believe in Santa Claus? You better Belize we do! I actually saw him walking around in board shorts on the beach!

Yes, I actually did…

For more pictures, check out Facebook, Snapping the Globe and Instagram, @snappingtheglobe.

Norwegian Cruise Lines

https://www.ncl.com
https://www.ncl.com/harvest-caye
Ship Name: Norwegian Pearl
Itinerary: 7 days, departing Tampa. Ports of call, Harvest Caye, Belize, Costa Maya, Mexico, Roatan, Honduras, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands

The Amber Coast

In the northwestern part of the Dominican Republic, between Cofresi and Cabarate lies the “Amber Coast”.

The Amber Coast was discovered by Christopher Columbus, and is the site of one of the first forts in the Americas, Ferte de San Felipe. The popular beach town, Puerto Plata, offers many resorts and a look into its Spanish colonial past with beautiful architecture, museums and a host of landmarks.

Amber Cove Cruise Center, a short distance northwest of Puerto Plata, was opened in October of 2015, to much fanfare, as cruise ships had not visited the area in almost thirty years.

Sailing into the Bay of Maimon, early in the rainy morning, we had our first glimpse of the port with its overwater cabanas, pristine shopping area and resort-style pool complete with waterslides and lazy river. The port also offers a great transportation hub in which visitors can access rental cars and taxi services.

Our original plan had been to enjoy the facilities offered at Amber Cove, but since we had missed out on our day in St. Kitts, we decided to book an excursion to explore another part of the island.

Meeting our guide, Daniel, we were soon on our way to the province of Montecristi, to the small seaside community of Estero Hondo, home to the country’s Marine Mammal Sanctuary. The sanctuary, a natural refuge for the endangered manatee, is about a two hour drive from Amber Cove along narrow, winding roads, through vibrant and colorful communities.

After our arrival, we were divided into two groups, one to kayak through the marine preserve and the other to head to the observation area. Part of the first kayaking group, we paddled through the estuary, admiring the large numbers of aquatic birds crossing the tranquil waters. We all hoped to have a close encounter with the manatees that live in the area since there are very few places in the Caribbean where one can see the manatee in its natural habitat.

After a bit of paddling, we entered a larger part of the estuary where and we noticed the other members of our group on the observation deck on the shore. Scanning the mirror-like surface constantly, we were disappointed to only see a manatee minimally break the surface twice. Extremely difficult it was from our vantage point at the waters surface, it was a bit of a letdown to not have seen more of the amazing, docile creatures from a closer distance.

While paddling back, we admired the clams attached to the mangrove trees and as we neared the seashore, we dragged our kayaks onto a beach across the channel. Walking along with our guides, we marveled at the large number of seashells resting on the rough sands.

Our guides motioned for us to follow as they waded into the shallow waters to cross over to a small island. As we neared the island, the waters were only ankle deep and we proceeded to enter a grove of trees teeming with squawking birds overhead. The waters were littered with the remnants of hatched eggshells, feathers and even a small bird that had obviously fallen from his perch and drowned. It was perilous walking through the area with so many birds overhead and much to his dismay, one of the members of our group was bombed! Yes…poop!

Quickly making our way out of the grove to the other side, we found ourselves in a protected area; waves crashing on the other side of the reef and calm waters surrounding us in clear, swimming pools. Languishing in the beautiful, clear waters, we rested a moment and admired the view.

Checking our watches, we realized that as much as we would have loved to hang out in this stunning oasis, it was time to head back and make the switch with the other group.

Shedding our lifejackets, we followed Daniel to the Visitor’s Center. An orientation with a ranger from the sanctuary informed us of the lives of manatees and how this particular group of about forty, is one of the largest populations of this species that exists on the island and possibly throughout the Caribbean.

We then boarded an open-air safari truck and headed down the overgrown road to the observation platform. From the high vantage point, we soon saw the water’s surface breaking. Though the manatees did not stay at the surface for very long and we mostly saw only their backs or noses as they came up for air, we did see many during our time observing the water’s surface.

Soon it was time to head back to the Visitor’s Center for a quick bite to eat and time to make the lengthy drive back to the cruise ship port.

A little later than we had anticipated our arrival, there was no time to check out the shops and we had to make a mad dash back to the boat for our departure.

As we sailed away, we watched the port and the Bay of Maimon disappear. Thinking of my love of architecture, I was a little wistful that I had not seen more of the area and nearby Puerto Plata. Though we have been to Dominican Republic before, it seems that the northern coast may offer a bit more charm than the packed resorts of Punta Cana. And, after speaking with our tour guide, it seems that there are many other outdoor activities (Damajuaga Fall, ATV tours, cave snorkeling) we would have enjoyed.

Oh, well, there only so much you can squeeze in to a seven hour day in port. Sigh.

Amber Coast…I’ll be back.

For more pictures, check out Facebook, Snapping the Globe and Instagram, @snappingtheglobe.

Estero Hondo Marine Mammel Sanctuary

Runner’s Adventures https://www.runnersadventures.com/
To visit Estero Hondo, visitors may book an organized tour (see above link) or drive on their own. From Amber Cove, take the road to Montecristi, pass the village of Villa Elisa, until you reach Punta Rucia. The protected area is in this vicinity.

A Place To Give Thanks

Long ago, dignitaries walked up the cobblestone street to the San Juan Cathedral to give thanks for their safe journey.

After two days at sea and weary of being confined to the boat, it felt as if I, too, should head over to San Juan Cathedral to give thanks for finally making it into port!

Catedral San Juan Bautista, or San Juan Cathedral as it is more commonly known, is Puerto Rico’s grandest religious building and certainly one of its most important, being the seat of the Archdiocese of Puerto Rico. The second oldest church in the Western Hemisphere, it is also the oldest church on U.S. soil and one of the oldest buildings in Puerto Rico.

The original cathedral, built in 1521, while the island was under Spanish rule, was a more simple structure constructed from wood with a thatched roof. Unable to withstand strong winds, it was demolished by a hurricane and reconstructed in 1540, though what you see today, has evolved over time, especially its Gothic facade, added in the 1800s.

As I entered the cathedral, what I first noticed was that even though it is still quite palatial in appearance, with its ornately detailed ceiling, the cathedral lacked opulence. Numerous robberies and pillaging over the years of its existence have stripped the church of most of its valuable assets, but some of the original statues and stained glass windows remain.

As you make your way around the church, however, there are two famous reliquaries to take note of. The tomb of Juan Ponce de León, the first governor of Puerto Rico, most well known for his search for the Fountain of Youth, has been laid to rest in the cathedral. Though, the conquistador’s remains were originally interred at the Iglesia de San José, his family’s place of worship, he was moved here in 1912, to commemorate the 400 year anniversary of evangelization. The white marble tomb, created by Spanish sculptor Miguel Blay, near the church’s transept, is not to be missed.

At the rear of the church, just right of the entrance, look for the glass box containing a most distinguished and long-deceased figure…St. Pius. St. Pius was was one of the first martyrs killed for his faith during the Roman persecution. In 1848, Pope Pius VII granted Puerto Rican Bishop Mariano Rodríguez de Olmedo y Valle permission to select a relic from the catacombs in Rome. Though the relic made a detour to Barcelona to be restored, it finally made its way back to San Juan Bautista in 1868. Displayed in a glass case, a wax sculpture of the saint’s body encases his skull. The back of the skull is exposed to show its authenticity. If you look into the mouth, you can see his real teeth.

Another interesting shrine within the cathedral is dedicated to Blessed Carlos Manuel Rodriguez Santiago, the first Puerto Rican and the first Caribbean-born layperson to be beatified.

While visiting Old San Juan, make sure to make your way down to the Plazuela de Las Monjas and stop into this historic church. Take a pew and give thanks for your safe voyage to the island in memory of those who have come before you.

Check our Facebook, Snapping the Globe and Instagram, @snappingtheglobe for more pictures.

Catedral San Juan Bautista

http://catedral-san-juan-bautista.business.site/
Address: 151 Calle del Cristo, San Juan, 00902, Puerto Rico
Hours: Open daily, 0800-1600 (Sunday, until 1400). Mass schedule, Saturday, 1900, Sunday, 0900 and 1100, Weekdays, 0725 and 1215.
Admission: free