Caribbean.kmz And Caribbean Island
Diving is the number one activity on the ABCs, with the azure waters and pristine reefs of Bonaire being a destination of dreams for many p799 . It is also popular on Cura ao p805 and Aruba p785 . Snorkeling is also ideal, and the waters around the islands never get below a comfy 70 F 21 C . Swimming is popular. Although the best beaches are on Aruba p791 , you can find good ones on Bonaire p799 and some very nice hidden ones on Cura ao p809 . Bonaire is big with windsurfers, who find near...
CHURCHES Kmz
The picturesque, 19th-century churches of downtown St George's were once highlights of the skyline. In 2004 Hurricane Ivan changed all that. While these three magnifi cent structures still remain, all suffered heavy damage and lost their roofs. At the time of writing these churches were lagging behind in the rebuilding efforts they're all in the early stages of being repaired and rebuilt. Erected in 1825, St George's Anglican Church Church St features a four-sided clock tower that serves as the...
Sleeping Qan
John's Unique Resort 443-8345 johnresort grena dines.net Main St r from US 25 a Situated just on the outskirts of town heading towards Bogles, you'd be hard-pressed to name what is truly unique about John's - but it is, nonetheless, a winner. Turtles in the front yard greet you as you arrive. The rooms are large and clean and have sunny balconies. A restaurant onsite can put together a great plate of local food for a good price and the staff are friendly and helpful. Grand View Hotel 443-8659...
Plaza Vieja
The Plaza Vieja Map pp142-3 , dating from the 16th century, is the much-loved heart of Habana Vieja and is now almost complete after the restoration of nearly all its buildings. There's a slight feel that many of the 'sights' here have been purpose-built to keep the tourist groups occupied. A case in point is the C mara Oscura 866-4461 admission CUC 2 h 9am-5 20pm , providing live, 360-degree city views from atop a 35m-tall tower. Frankly you'd be better off having a cocktail on a Parque...
Columbus the Pirates
On Christopher Columbus' second trip to the Caribbean in 1493, Caribs led him to an archipelago of pristine islands that he dubbed Santa Ursula y Las Once Mil V rgenes St Ursula and the 11,000 Virgins , in honor of a 4th-century princess raped and murdered, along with 11,000 maidens, in Cologne by marauding Huns. By 1595, the famous English privateers Sir Francis Drake and Jack Hawkins were using the Virgin Islands as a staging ground for attacks on Spanish shipping. In the wake of Drake and...
Casas Particulares
Ram n y Maritza Map pp142-3 862-3303 maritza mirabal yahoo.es Calle Luz No 115 btwn San Ignacio amp Inquisidor r CUC 25 a Two rooms in a gorgeous colonial house, highly recommended for atmosphere. Olga L pez Hern ndez Map pp142-3 867-4561 olgarene hotmail.com Cuba No 611, Apt 1 btwn Luz amp Santa Clara s d incl breakfast CUC 25 30 a A very pleasant, well furnished and quiet colonial apartment. Both rooms share a bathroom, living room and balcony. La Puerta Blanca Map pp142-3 867-2736 mer...
ROAD RULES Eho
In Guadeloupe, drive on the right. Traffic regulations and road signs are of European standards. Exits and intersections are clearly marked, and speed limits are posted. Hitchhiking is fairly common on Guadeloupe, particularly when the bus drivers decide to go on strike. The proper stance is to hold out an open palm at a slightly downward angle. All the usual safety precautions apply. Taxis are plentiful but expensive. There are taxi stands at the airport in Pointe-a-Pitre. Fares are 40 higher...
Growing Up Barbudan 1
Asha Frank, 19, spent most of her life growing up on Barbuda. Like many people her age on small and thinly populated islands, she left - at age 15 - so she could have the kind of formal education impossible at home. Being a kid on a desert island would seem like a dream for many especially those growing up someplace where a familiar parental refrain is 'Have you shoveled the walk yet ' . Asha talks about growing up on tropical Barbuda. What's the best thing about growing up on Barbuda The...
BUDGET Hfh
Bettye's Exclusive Guest House 809-688-7649 bettyemarshall hotmail.com Isabel la Cat lica 163 dm r US 22 44 Look for the nondescript iron doorway opening onto Plaza de Mar a de Toledo around the corner from Isabel la Cat lica. Don't be discouraged by the messy gallery space there's some method to the madness. The owner, originally from Tennessee, hopes to attract travelers who appreciate the eclectic, laid-back vibe. There are several dorm rooms only one has a fan with five to six beds, a mash...
Sleeping Bad
CASAS PARTICULARES Villa Nelson 01-52-23-90-68 Cienfuegos No 4 r CUC 15-20 a Look out for the unnervingly well reproduced Lonely Planet sign at this good casa run by a friendly young couple, a block from the main road. It offers two basic rooms one has air-con, the other a fan and a small private kitchen. Excellent meals can be organized for nonguests as well as guests. Villa El Mojito 01-52-23-90-24 Adela Azcuy Norte No 43 r CUCS15-20 a The owner of this friendly casa, a short walk from the...
THE CULTURE Dyz
In Cuba, money is a consuming topic because hard currency rules there are places you can go and things you can buy with CUCs Cuban convertible pesos but not with CUP. This double economy has reinvigorated the class system that the revolution has worked to neutralize, and the re-emergence of haves and have-nots is among the most ticklish issues confronting Cuba today. Though housing is free, acute shortages mean even four generations may live under one roof. This cramps love-lives and Cubans...
Sleeping Fop
Most people will opt for something near the beaches but there's a certain energy to staying in town. Seaview Guest House 466-5298 www.seaview innsk.com Bay Rd s d from US 62 75 a Conveniently located opposite the harborfront and the ferry terminal, the Seaview has 10 rooms that are simple and clean, with private bathrooms. While away your trip on the flower-covered veranda. Trinity Inn Apartments 465-3226 www.trinity innapartments.com apt US 80 S Four miles west of Basseterre, at Palmetto...
George Town 1
Singh's Roti Shop amp Bar 946-7684 cnr Doctor Roy's Dr amp Shedden Rd mains US 7-10 S lunch amp dinner, closed Sun This is one of George Town's best bargains. In a city where dinner often means a three-figure check, this cheerful hole-in-the-wall is a great place for some tongue-searing roti curry filling, often potatoes and chicken, rolled inside flat bread . Hammerheads 949-3080 North Church St mains US 10-20 S lunch amp dinner This is a great spot to meet locals who come in droves for...
East Coast 1
Trinidad's east coast is wild and rural. The mix of lonely beaches with rough Atlantic waters, mangrove swamps and coconut plantations creates dramatic scenery. It's deserted most of the year, except for holidays, espe-S cially post-Carnival when people flood in for beachside relaxation. Few hotels operate on the east coast. Sometimes people will come down for a weekend beach lime, but places are mainly patron- ized the week after Carnival. Rates listed here I are for the high season January to...
Coastal Mangrove And Wetland Preserves Montane Cloud Forests And Other Wild
No less a world traveler than Columbus described Jamaica as 'the fairest isle that eyes beheld mountainous .all full of valleys and fields and plains.' Much of the coast is still fringed by coral reefs harboring an astonishing array of marine life. Visitors can forsake sandals for hiking boots and follow mountain trails, shower in remote waterfalls, and shoot birds through the lens of a camera. Several areas have been developed as ecotour destinations, most notably the Black River Great Morass,...
Rock Climbing
Vi ales has finally arrived as one of the Caribbean's top climbing draws. After years of being tolerated by default, it was finally made fully legal with a permit system as of early 2008. Amateur local climbers and a smattering of professionals from around the world have collectively mapped over 300 routes. Climbers should check www.cubaclimbing .com for exhaustive information and background essential for planning. As the government was just getting the permit process ready at the time of...
CARNIVAL TUESDAY Playing Mas
Pretty Mas. This is the moment the entire country has prepared for. People put aside their identity for the day and enter into a world of fantasy and revelry as they flaunt the artistic genius and sumptuous displays of Trinidad's mas camp designers to the beat of booming soca. Last Lap At midnight, Carnival culminates in a last lap around the Savannah - one last chance to go insane, dance and enjoy festival spirit before resigning to Lent or just getting back to the daily grind.
Andres y Ramona Gamez Corona No
Altos btwn General Portuondo amp M ximo G mez r CUC 15-20 a This friendly couple offer one very independent room with a double and single bed, complete with kitchen, dining area, bathroom and patio. There's an extra room in the host's sister's house downstairs. La Terraza Azul 65-29-88 Aguilera No 615 btwn Barnada amp General Seraf n S nchez r CUC 20 a There are three different rooms on offer at this sprawling colonial pile just off the Plaza de Marte. The best of the lot are upstairs on the...
INFORMATION Ssp
Barbados National Bank 1 A4 Barbados National Bank .2 E3 Barbados Tourism Cloister Bookstore 5 C3 Collins Pharmacy 6 A4 Going Places Travel 8 D3 National Library 9 D2 Post Office 10 C3 Scotiabank 12 A4 Scotiabank see 32 Carlisle Wharf 15 A4 Barbados Public Market 19 C3 Cave Shepherd Balcony Restaurant see 4 A4 Lobster Alive 23 E4 Paris Bakery 25 C2