Riviera Maya & Playa Del Carmen

The Riviera Maya has been a very popular vacation spot, due in part to the many activities that are available, the numerous and varied resort choices and the quick flights from the Midwest.

It's a good idea to venture off your resort, and get a taste of the local culture.
One easy way to do that is taking a cab ride from your resort to 5th Ave in Playa Del Carmen. Your driver will drop you off, and pick you back up at the designated time and place.

Wear comfortable walking shoes, as there are many blocks of shops, restaurants and cafes. Cold bottles of beer can be purchased for $1 a bottle, and there are benches available to sit and people watch.

The ferry that runs from Playa Del Carmen to Cozumel is located downtown. Senor Frogs is right there, and serves great margaritas. The staff is usually very animated and make your visit enjoyable. About a block away is a new mall, that has some really nice stores.

Playa Del Carmen is the place to buy a hand made hammock or pick up your supply of vanilla. Of course T-shirts are plentiful as well.

Winter Weather

It's that time of year. We have our warm weather vacation planned and are dreaming of white sand beaches, 80 degree tempatures and sunshine.
Hopefully, all will go well and we'll get to our destination quickly and easily.
In the event of bad weather, check out http://flightaware.com/
You can track flights, and check on the airport activity.
Just remember, you are on vacation, sit back, relax and know that you will get to your destination.


SNOW in Maui???
In my last post you saw photos of Mount Haleakala, very typical. Check out these photos a friend of mine sent. I wonder how long the snow lasted?


















This is a great shot, looking toward the West Maui Mountains. What a contrast!

Up Country Maui

Most visitors to Maui drive up to see Mount Haleakala crater. It's a fun drive, with amazing views. It seems like you are on the moon.

You'll have a chance to see a Silversword plant, only found there.

Don't sell yourself short and head back to the beaches right away, ride around and explore the area.


Kula Lodge Restaurant has wonderful food and fabulous views. They have an amazing banana pancake breakfast, that is more desert than breakfast.



Take a stroll across the parking lot to Kula Marketplace, and shop for local art and home grown food. http://www.kulalodge.com/index.htm


If you enjoy lavender and protea, a stop at Ali'i Kula Lavender Farm.Lavender is known for its relaxing qualities. The farm is like walking through a botanical garden.



You can purchase anything lavender at the gift shop. Be sure to try the lavender scones, they were delicious.

Great places to eat on Oahu

A big part of a great vacation is the food.

There are many great restaurants on Oahu. If you're a true foodie check out

Matthew Gray's food tours at http://www.hawaiifoodtours.com/

For the sweet tooth

As you are heading away from Waikiki Beach to H1 on Kapahula Ave. you must stop at Leonard's Bakery. They make fresh Malasadas ( Portuguese fried dough) My favorite is the plain sugared, but they have great filled ones as well.

http://www.roadfood.com/Reviews/Overview.aspx?RefID=1022

Fresh Shrimp on the North Shore

As you are driving along Hwy 83 on the North Shore you will come across many shrimp trucks, parked in parking lots our alongside the road.

The one that started this all was Giovanni's.

For $12 you can get a plate of fresh shrimp and rice. Grab a seat at the picnic table and enjoy!

Shave Ice
When you are driving through Hale'iwa town, you must stop at Aoki's or Matsumoto's for shave ice. You get to choose your flavor combination and wheather you want a scoop a vanilla ice cream at the bottom of your "Hawaiian snow cone"

Pearl Harbor

One of the most visited sites in Hawaii is Pearl Harbor. It is a very interesting and moving experience.

Pearl Harbor is in Honolulu on the island of Oahu. If you are visiting on a stop over at the Honolulu airport, it's easy to rent a car and drive there. You need to get on the freeway and take the USS Arizona/Stadium exit #15A, just a short distance from the airport.

If you are staying in Waikiki, you can sign up for a tour, where they pick you up and take you there in a bus. You are paying for the ride and your guide. Other alternatives are to take your rental car or the"Bus".

No purses or camera bags are allowed in, so leave it at your hotel or check it at the Bowfin for a few dollars. You never want to leave any valuables in your car or trunk while visiting Hawaii. Unfortunately there are a few people who prey on visitors.

They start passing out numbered tickets at 7am to those standing in line and open the park at 7:30am. The first group goes in to the theatre for a documentary and exits on to a boat that takes you to the memorial. While waiting for your group to be called you can go through the museum and see all of the artifacts about that fateful day.

On my recent visit, we were in line at 6:30am, were in group 2 and left the park at 9am.

The website has all of the information that you need http://www.nps.gov/usar/index.htm

Hawaii

What draws people to Hawaii?

Is it the gorgeous sandy beaches, the numerous activities or fabulous food?
I'd say all of the above, and then some.

It's easy to get there - 8.5 hour flight from Chicago to Honolulu

It's easy to get around - Inter Island flights are readily available and inexpensive - All of the islands have car rentals - Oahu has the "BUS" that you can take anywhere if you don't rent a car

There are a million things to do - Active and inactive
Water sports - snorkel or scuba, whale watch, kayak, sunset cruise or try surfing!
Land adventures - hike in a rain forest, bike down a mountain or watch the sunset.
Take to the sky - para sail or see the sights from a helicopter

Everytime that I travel to Hawaii I most enjoy the people I meet who share the Aloha spirit with visitors. Hawaiian's have a naturally laid back, relaxed hospitality that envelopes you while you are there. The beauty of the poeple mixed with the natural beauty of the islands make Hawaii one remarkable place to visit.

Couples Swept Away - Negril Jamaica

Couples Swept Away is a wonderful All-Inclusive

resort on Negril's famous 7 mile beach.It is in a very jungle garden setting. The buildings are 2 and 3 stories tall, spread throughout lush, tropical gardens.

You have a very private, secluded feeling as you walk around the resort even though it is quite large with 312 rooms. All rooms have these huge balconies, most room categories have this big wonderful hammock.

Swept Away is on a long, wide strech of white sand beach and offers many watersports. The sports complex across the street has everything for the fitness traveler, or for someone wishing to stay in shape and try a new sport while on vacation.

The resort has a nice choice of 6 restaurants, and of course the ever popular swim up pool bar.

This would be a great choice for a couple wanting to get away to relax and enjoy each others company. Lush, tropcial and romantic are the way I'd describe it. Enjoying the water and land sports would be an added bonus.