Tagged With "Cruise to Cuba"
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Re: Casa Bacardi Rum Plant, San Juan, Puerto Rico
I've visited the Bacardi plant too, and remember being quite impressed by it. As I recall, the original was in Cuba and the family moved to P.R. to escape Castro. And I'm proud to see you standing after those free samples! Thanks for the post.
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Re: Boston in the fall - suggestions please!
Thank you Dr. F. - wise words we will keep 1-2 hotels booked ahead and be flexible beyond that. We are really looking forward to this new 'slice' of America, I never realised that the Pilgrim fathers just named every new town after their old home towns - I'm going to be quite confused!! Thanks too Garry that looks lovely! I envy you being there ahead of us!! PS we are now on the verge of booking Cuba too and are horrified at the cost that Virgin Atlantic is trying to screw us for an upgrade...
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Re: Boston in the fall - suggestions please!
Take a look here for some ideas. Most have All-Inclusive packages. But that doesn't stop me going off exploring on the bus and getting a B+B overnight ! You're not glued to the hotel. Plus you don't want to be on the go EVERY day. Relax and take in the countryside. https://www.thomascook.com/holidays/caribbean/cuba/
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Re: Boston in the fall - suggestions please!
Thank you all! Our plans are now well underway for both the Fall in New England... and Cuba! Gracias amigos!
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Re: Obama eliminates restrictions for travelers buying Cuban cigars & rum
You'll be pleased to hear that the price of Cuban Cigars ( in Cuba ) has rocketed in anticipation of American customers buying them. Is nowhere safe from Capitalism ?
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Re: Flights to Cuba: lots of planes, not so many passengers
Many returning tourists will be telling their American friends that life in a third world country - like Cuba - is worse than just having only one flavour of Ice Cream.
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Re: Space Shuttle Atlantis exhibit, Kennedy Space Center
Thanks for the comments, guys! The entire shuttle is actually much longer than I'd thought, maybe 180 ft. What was surprising is how small the living/pilot compartment is where the astronauts spent so much time. It's that space in front of the opened cargo door. The US space program is just a former shadow of itself with the retirement of the Shuttle program and nothing ready to take its place. But I was pleased to hear that NASA is working on the Orion project. It is a rocket based space...
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Re: Classic American Cars #5
I think if you take a close look at the plates on the car you'll see "CUBA" Traveland Nature !!
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Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day, Jan. 2, 2014
So when do we rendezvous in Cuba, GarryRF? You've convinced me to come.... I want a bedroom view like yours, though!
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Re: "Spotted on the Road". Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada
The black car is a 1970 Dodge Charger R/T. You can tell it's a '70 by the line across the middle of the grille and the shape of the front-fender running lights. R/Ts only came with two engine choices - the 375 HP 440 cubic inch or the 425 HP 426 Hemi. The second car is a 1969 Camaro. It appears to be an SS, but that's pretty easy to clone. Can't wait to see what you came up with in Cuba!
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Re: Venice's ban on huge cruise ships suspended
A big "Don't Like" for the lobbyists and court in Venice. What, I wonder, is the "practical alternative" for the city that's being irreparably damaged by the transit of these ships. I suppose the usual, take the bribe and leave it to their children to fix.
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Re: Venice's ban on huge cruise ships suspended
The only alternatives I can see are to build a new cruise port outside the lagoon. Chioggia might be too far, but perhaps just north of the main way into the lagoon, across the inlet from the Lido. That would provide land-based alternatives for other day trips from the boats, and could also be served by vaporetto-sized boats heading into Venice itself. Of course, I haven't consulted the folks who live there and run campgrounds there...
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Re: Venice's ban on huge cruise ships suspended
A perfectly logical solution if, indeed, logic applied in a system that officially condones adding insult to the injury Venice is already suffering. I predict, not in our lifetimes.
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Re: March 3, 2019: Palacio de Valle, Cienfuegos, Cuba
I'm in Cuba soon Jonathan - must remember to take some pix inside buildings too !
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Re: In Egypt: Up the Nile
Egypt is always going to be a conveyor belt for most visitors, outside of the resorts, and it's hard to get around this, given the country's geography. But PM is right to take the costs on the chin; how many times are you going to be there in this life ? Obviously didn't miss much, from her photos !
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Re: In Egypt: Up the Nile
Back in 1989, when TWA still existed, took their 14 day tour. I believe there were 35 of us. We started in Cairo - 4 days staying at Mena House opposite the pyramids A huge WOW! During our stay there we traveled to Sakkaha and Memphis. Boarded a bus that took us to Alexandria - 2 days staying at Montazah Sheraton. From there we took a train to Aswan (dirty dishes - everyone sick). In Aswan, we stayed on Elephantine Island's Loews Aswan Oberoi. Went to Temples of Philae and flew to Abu...
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Re: "Cruise Night", Thunder Bay, Ontario: The 1940's and 1950's
Thanks! They're all sweet, but my heart really beats for the MG T series...and that's a beauty!
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Re: "Cruise Night", Thunder Bay, Ontario: The 1940's and 1950's
Great! Love the 1950 Mercury!
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Re: "Cruise Night", Thunder Bay, Ontario: The 1940's and 1950's
And I'm partial to the 55 Bel Air. Probably the subdued black and white, not the peacockish "Jamaican Bay" color.
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Re: "Cruise Night", Thunder Bay, Ontario: The 1940's and 1950's
The stuff that dreams are made of ! The '57 Bel Air has to be the one above the crowd. Loved the MGs and memories of the time when you could fix your own Midget and Sprite without a College degree ! Happy Days !
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Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day, Aug 21st, 2014:The Cigar Man
Certainly is Rob. Think of Cuba ? Think back to basics ! US based cards are not welcome !
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Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day, Aug. 4, 2014: MURAL DE LA PREHISTORIA - Viñales, Cuba
I like the mural! There are those who get upset whenever anything "Natural" is defaced by art, but we often forget that our ancestors having been painting rocks and caves for thousands of years. I'd never heard of this mural and, besides the classic cars, gives me another reason to want to visit Cuba sometime soon.
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Re: Cruising through the holidays
Looks beautiful, Marilyn. I think I may consider this option for next Christmas (or any time of the year for that matter!)
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Re: Cruising down the Nile (part 4)
I've really enjoyed this journey...thanks! For anyone who hasn't, I'd suggest checking out the first 3 parts as well. It's amazing to realize how varied the architecture and the wildlife and even the river itself seem at different points along the way. Some of the variation serves to remind us, as well, how many many years went into all this; all of our civilizations are young by comparison, no matter how old they seem to us!
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Re: Cruising down the Nile (part 4)
What a fabulous conclusion to a delightful series, Mac. Thanks so much for sharing this journey with all of us. I've wanted to visit Egypt for some time, but have always been a little reluctant to go somewhere I might get targeted for extermination simply because I'm a visitor from the west. But your series has made me want to see this sooner, rather than later.
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Re: Cruising down the Nile (part 4)
Although I've wanted to go to Egypt most of my life, to Egypt and Japan, for some reason I haven't made it to either place (except through the Suez canal, which hardly counts). Your pictures of the colonial-era hotels, though, may be the encouragement I need to finally get there. It's probably less crowded now than it will ever be, also an encouragement.
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Re: Cruising down the Nile (part 4)
An incredible series on Egypt! I too want to go now sooner rather than later!
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Re: Cruising down the Nile (part 4)
Thank you kindly fellow Gumbo-ists. You have rightly detected that we greatly enjoyed our trip and it is so photogenic and endlessly fascinating. I always feel a total dullard when going to the tombs and temples and hear all the lists of Pharaohs, dynasties, goddesses and gods - all doing fantastic things at the same time as us Brits were living in mud huts.... I do encourage you all to go and visit now. You will never get better deals than now (but go in the cooler period). You will be well...
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Re: Cruising down the Nile (part 4)
Mac, can you tell us which company's boat you sailed on? You may have said it but indulge me please with the name (again)?
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Re: Cruising down the Nile (part 4)
A truly wonderful journey you've taken us on, such a well written piece! Bravo!
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Re: Cruising down the Nile (part 4)
..an amazing journey, Mac, thanks for sharing it with us...and for anyone who hasn't been to Egypt, forget all the bad publicity you've heard and make this a priority on your adventure list; as someone who has been there, I can highly recommend it
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Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day, March 25, 2014: Waterton National Park, Alberta
DrY is vacationing this week in Cuba, GarryRF, which we know to be one of your favorite hangouts. He'll get to you when he has reliable internet connections. I posted some photos of the great Prince of Wales hotel on my blog last summer which addresses some of your questions. Here's that link if you're interested
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Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day, March 25, 2014: Waterton National Park, Alberta
Hope DrY brings back loads of photos to share. I do miss the simple life in Cuba - but I soon miss some decent food ! Those little labels they put next to the serve yourself Ice-Cream. Chocolate - Strawberry - Lard .
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Re: Get Gumbo's Daily E-mail Update!
Just a sample for folks to see what the daily newsletter looks like: TravelGumbo Today: April 26, 2014 Quaint English customs: a scarecrow exhibition In a Cotswold village, Mac spent a pleasant day finding the 30+ scarecrows of all types hidden up and down the town's steep slopes.. Gumbo's Picture of the Day: Burma: Into the Storm A small boat in an approaching storm, trying to reach home, from PortMoresby's round-the-world trip.. New Hint! Where in the World is TravelGumbo (#34) We've added...
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Re: Americans Free to Travel to Cuba Tomorrow
According to the White House Press Office ,these are the twelve categories. (below)Without licenses ,like before, most everyone can fit into one of these categories legally if they really want to. (1) family visits; (2) official business of the U.S. government, foreign governments, and certain intergovernmental organizations; (3) journalistic activity; (4) professional research and professional meetings; (5) educational activities; (6) religious activities; (7) public performances, clinics,...
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Re: Thinking Cuba? Tickets not so easy yet!
I've also heard that there are concerns not enough hotel rooms exist in Cuba for the expected flood of American tourists. Besides flights, it's important to have a room reservation at hand. I truly hope the flood of tourist money will be of benefit to the Cuban people whose plight I have great empathy for.
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Re: Thinking Cuba? Tickets not so easy yet!
Many Americans travel to the Capital - Havana. Its a big - overgrown and mostly poor city. Not really a flavour of the real Cuba and its people. Wherever you go on the Island they do 2-3 day trips to Havana. The stores are mostly empty and food is strictly rationed to the locals. So you'll be better going to one of the hundreds of All Inclusive Hotels that line the coast. Inclusive vacations fly from Toronto to Resorts all around the Island. Very much like Dominican Republic - without the...
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Re: Thinking Cuba? Tickets not so easy yet!
Most interesting Garry. I still have Cuba on my list as 'yet to be visited'. I'm not a great beach lover - a few days are fine - is there really a lot to be seen in the country as a whole if you take away the Ché-related hyped locations? Is it really worth making the effort right now before things change as they surely will? Unfortunately I still have a load of other places that are tugging at my sleeve for early visits...
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Re: Thinking Cuba? Tickets not so easy yet!
Mac. Cuba has already changed since my first visit 15 years ago. Buses and cars are everywhere now thanks to those intrepid Chinese salesmen. Living standards are rising rapidly thanks to the tourist dollar. Fields of Sugar Cane are now rare. Castro has decided that Cuba's future lies in tourism. Bicycles prevail in most Towns and a horse and buggy are common. When I first went to Cuba it was painfully poor. It's like going back in time to a 3rd world country. But with safety and very civil,...
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Re: Thinking Cuba? Tickets not so easy yet!
Maybe the answer to the number of Hotels needed to accommodate the new visitors from the US is all in the timing. Brits - Canadians - Germans love Cuba in the winter. It's the dry season with no hurricane threat. Warm in the daytime, 75-85f or 24 -29c. Cool enough for a sweater at night. Americans can have the summer !!!
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Re: Thinking Cuba? Tickets not so easy yet!
Well, that's it then, Cuba is right back on the list!! Thanks Garry.
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Re: How a super-ship manages 12-hour turnaround
Sometimes when I'm in Vancouver I head to Canada Place to watch the cruise ships coming and going. You actually get to see the belly of the ship being loaded. The dozens of palates of food that go on is amazing. Would you have thought a cruise ship would consume 3 massive containers of potatoes in a week? 2 of onions? Might even have been more, that's all I saw. It is truly a model of efficiency.
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Re: Airbnb now open for business in Cuba
The internet is accessible for most people in Cuba. Phone lines are still a rare item for private houses. Many share a local service with business and families using the same web address. Just like we used to - when we shared a public phone. Yes - years ago - I know !
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Re: Airbnb now open for business in Cuba
Apparently Airbnb in Cuba, so far, is only for Americans who have permission to go there.
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Re: Airbnb now open for business in Cuba
Many of my Canadian friends travel independently to Cuba. They all stay with these guys -Pinot and Agnia. Too far from Havana to travel but it will give you a taste of what to expect from Casa Particulars. http://www.hostalpinoyagnia.com/
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Re: As scheduled Cuba service nears, charter operators face unknown future
On leaving Cuba last year our flight home to the UK was delayed. We had to wait on the plane for 4 hours. The airport had run out of Jet Fuel A1. So a fuel tanker was dispatched to fetch some. I do hope the US embargo stops before I go again. I'm not fighting American Airlines for the last drop of Jet Fuel !!
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Re: Cruising solo just got more affordable
That is nice news! And its such a rare thing for a company to do.
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Re: Ferry Service to Cuba Approved by US
$300 for a ferry trip sounds extortionate Rob. As Cuba slowly becomes an acceptable destination, it appears that too many groups want to line their pockets with the proceeds of repatriation of broken families.
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Re: Ferry Service to Cuba Approved by US
I guess I'm so focused on passenger issues that I completely missed the importance of a route like that for shippers. I'll bet that's what could ultimately keep the Florida-Cuba service humming.
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Re: Visiting Cuba.
The enthusiasts I've met in the US are looking for genuine cars ! The Cuban guys call these blasts from the past " Frankencars " Like the original Frankenstein's monster these beauties are made of parts from maybe a dozen other cars. Moskvich and Lada engines from Russia. Brakes from China and everything else off the scrap heap! Panel beaters ( now there's a dying trade ) will beat a new wing from the hood of a dead Russian truck in a few hours. You'd be surprised how much these trade for in...