Suzanne Carillo

We are just back from a little winter getaway to Cayo Coco Cuba.

We stayed at the Melia Jardines del Rey resort. It was very busy, very new (parts still under construction) with excellent food, first class entertainment and fantastic beaches.

This is the only place in the world that I’ve been where we could walk for about a 800 meters out in the water and it would still only be up to our waist.  The water was crystal clear and warm. If it was calm enough you could just stand still and see the fish swimming all around you.

Mojito anyone?

The massive buffets, restaurants and overwhelming food choices were turning me into a second and third helping piggy. I especially loved the papaya. I think I had it every meal. That is the good/bad thing about all inclusive resorts. One tends to overindulge.

Yes Michael Jackson was also there. They had a Michael Jackson tribute show and it was BRILLIANT! Seriously blew me away. Robert too…and he had seen the real Michael Jackson live in concert.

There were loads of hawks everywhere. They weren’t afraid of anyone. We also saw Turkey vultures. I didn’t put up the photo because they have been repeatedly dipped in the ugly bucket.

I read 5 books… Big Little Lies (which I loved!) very well written, suspenseful with surprising twists and turns, Girl on a Train (…ho-hum) and the trilogy My Body His which is erotic fiction which was better than I thought it would be.

I was attacked by an alien on our last day. I was getting ready to pack up our water shoes which had been sitting out on the balcony drying. I placed them in a plastic bag and brought them in the room. When I went to tie the bag shut I peeked inside and there was an alien face calmly staring back at me with massive bulbous yellow eyes.

I. Freaked. Out. 

I jumped straight out of my skin and ran to the other side of the room, yelling and hyperventilating. I had no idea what it was.

Robert said I put on a good show.

I don’t know why I panicked like a 5 year old. I think it took me back to the time when my brother brought home a friend’s snake and then proceeded to chase me around the house with it. When I locked myself in the bathroom he then slid it under the door. The snake was slithering up towards the toilet.  I was petrified. I was standing on top of the toilet. No, not the toilet seat, I was perched precariously balancing on the top of the water tank, screaming blue murder. I think I was 17 at the time and my brother would have been 20.  Thanks for damaging me for life big brother.

Now looking at the frog he looks quite harmless doesn’t he?

It was a wonderful vacation and a welcome break from winter.

I’ve spent the few last days adjusting to the 60 degree difference in temperatures.

No that isn’t a typo.

It was 30 C there and now it is -30 C with the wind here today.

Getting back home is depressing enough but then our garage door broke, (perfect for the extra cold snap we’re having) my credit card was compromised and someone partied away $7500 on my credit card in Vegas with it apparently while we were away, and Zoë became very ill and had to have emergency surgery for stones blocking her urethra.  $5000 later…we have our baby back home and our cursing ourselves for not having pet medical insurance.

Argh! 

The last time we went to Cuba was 12 years ago and lots has changed, for the better. Cuban’s quality of life has increased dramatically. I saw no malnourished horses, I felt safe and they seemed better organized and more efficient. The Cuban people were always very welcoming and that has only increased.

Cayo Coco where we stayed isn’t authentic Cuba as it is only resorts. No Cubans actually live there. If you are looking for more culture and everyday Cuba head to Varadero and take some day trips to visit Havana and Matanzas like we did our first trip.

If you are interested in going I would suggest heading out before the US embargo is completely lifted which will probably happen in the next year or so. They are predicting over 2 million Americans will flood their resorts once that happens. It will be much busier and substantially more expensive.

Why did we choose to go to an all inclusive resort?  Simple. It is the most relaxing and we are always on budget.

Have you been to Cuba? When you travel do you like going to all inclusive resorts? Or do you prefer to organize on your own?

PS…if you liked this post you might want to check out my posts about France, Antigua and my recent trip to NYC.

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