Cruising the Caribbean-Cozumel

I always get asked the same questions before we sail on Caribbean cruises. Should I book excursions on line? What should I see? If I don’t sign up early will all the tours be filled? Here are my suggestions. If it is your first time, book a ship excursion-one that interests you. The Mayan Ruins are interesting and fun to see-ONCE. If you like to snorkel, the crystal clear water along with the many reefs makes an ideal trip. You might want to buy an underwater disposable camera and be sure to “swipe” a few dinner rolls from the ship. Crumble them underwater and be prepared to be surrounded by dozens of beautiful fish. (You will only see lots of fish on the reef)
I find it best to book my own excursions-on shore. You can negotiate a much better price then on the ship, plus you are not locked into a prepaid tour in case of in climate weather.
However, once you have seen the ruins, swam with the fish, plus other “touristy” things- it might be time to do what we like to do-relax and have some fun in the sun. Find a place where you feel comfortable. In Cozumel, we like the Bar, Mosicoz- off the square and adjacent to the clock tower. It is owned and run by Bianca-she has good food and courteous waiters. Get a table on the street-order some munchies-sing with the mariachis- and best of all, order buckets of iced Coronas, six for 5 US Dollars.

Montego Bay, Jamaica

In Montego Bay, Jamaica, we like to hire a local driver and have him stay with us for the day. This year we were so fortunate to have hired Jack (Lincoln)- a local tour guide with a ten passenger van. He was courteous, honest and had a wonderful sense of humor-His fee of 80 dollars for the day was a steal. He took us to Doctor’s Cave-a great private beach. It is well worth the fee of 5 dollars as the amenities are excellent. Jack then drove our group to Scotchies- an out of the way bar that caters to locals and serves some of the best jerk chicken in Jamaica. The beer of choice is called Red Stripe-at 1.50 a bottle, our group, including Jack, was becoming very “mellow”.
So- find a beach-find a bar-and after a few Red Stripes, you’ll be singing, “This is my Island in the sun…………..

Guatemala-Touring Eastern Coast

It is a small central American Country-squeezed between the Pacific ocean to the west and the Gulf of Mexico on the east. To me, it is one of the best Caribbean destinations to visit-especially the river, Rio Dulce. Along the river it is like finding a lost civilization-a place where time has stood still.

Looking for nightlife-glitz-upscale shopping-forget it, in Santo Tomas de Castilla! Stay in Cancun. In Santo Tomas, you won't hear much of, "Senior, come in- I show you my shop".

Guatemala, especially along the Rio Dulce River is the unspoiled "Jewel of the Caribbean". Tourism and cruise ships are new to the area-starting in the year 2004. The people are very friendly-non pushy-having not yet succumbed to the crass commercialism seen in most ports. When your ship departs, all people involved in tourism-cab and bus drivers,tour guides, police and many others stand on the dock and wave, dance and warmly wish you bon voyage and thanks for visiting their country. (I know what some of you are thinking-they were cheering as they were glad to see me leave).

Rio Dulce-Guatemala-River Life

If you visit the port of Santo Thomas in Guatemala, I strongly urge you to take a river tour on the Rio Dulce. I also recommend that you go with a tour company called, "Go With Gus"-you won't be disappointed.

The river trip was truly wonderful. We traveled upstream in a small boat -through a river gorge in the jungle-seeing Howler Monkeys, birds of many colors -unfortunately, no toucans.

We stopped at a local family's house-a thatched roof house on the river- and went inside for an unbelievable visit. The house was built on poles-had open walls and a rickety board walk to the outhouse-which consisted of a toilet with no plumbing-just a john.

The clothes and dishes were washed along the river in a "scrub box" using river water. Food was cooked on a steel plate over a wood fire. The woman made homemade tortillas and I couldn't resist eating one-really good-however I am very hesitant as to what I eat in certain countries. I lucked out on this one!

I was fascinated by the little children. The river is their playground and they are totally at ease and "home" in their aquatic environment. They paddle their own small dugouts canoes around like a kid from the "burbs" rides a big wheel. Some of them looked to be about three or four years old. They didn't beg or try to sell anything-just gave us a big smile and seemed anxious to see us.

Guatemala-School on River Dulce

The owner and guide of the tour company was Gustavo Turcios (Gus). He was born in Guatemala, educated in the states, lives in New York, and runs the "Go With Gus" Tours in the winter. Gus also promotes a humanitarian cause-the acquisition of school supplies for the local children living along the river. Here a pencil and paper are scarce- a hand calculator is rare and a computer practically non existent.

One of the tour's highlights was a visit to a boarding school for kids ages 12 to 20. It consisted of thatched roof huts and buildings-looking much like a Tarzan.n movie The "kitchen" hadn't changed for ages with pots cooking on open wood fires. Beans and rice were served for three meals a day. I couldn't believe it was February, 2009. Peggy and I are planning to collect writing supplies and take then to the school on our return cruise next year. It would be great if American Students could see the adverse conditions that these students have-yet they are happy to attend and eager to learn.