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Forum Admin: Lily
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Darrell Johnson
14/3/2001
15:18:56
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 Sujet - Subject: Return from our first trip to Paradise. . .
IP: 1121_0.clargo
What a letdown, running to work this morning in 5 cm of wet snow when just a few mornings ago I was running barefoot along the Playa Paraiso on sand as white, as cool and as sweet as sugar . . .
My wife Karen and I just returned from a week at Sol Club, our first trip to Cayo Largo. It was truly "un endroit paradisiaque" (paradisical?), and we have no complaints whatsoever as our needs were met and we came back tanned and rested. I am writing to share some of my specific impressions and suggestions for those of you who are about to make your first trip to Paradise, and more specifically, to the Sol Club Melia; look through this amazing forum for answers to your questions, and feel free to write me back if you need more specific answers.
Let me first off thank Lily for making this forum possible! Because of what we learned here, 1) we decided to stay at the Sol Club Melia -- an excellent choice, both for the classy surroundings, the clean and comfortable rooms, and the abundance of good food; 2) we didn't bring a blow dryer since we knew from the photos that there was one provided in every room of the Sol Club; 3) we made evening meal reservations immediately upon arrival - and a good thing we did, because the specialty restaurants quickly booked up; 4) we bought a $10 beach umbrella at Canadian Tire, which gave us the invaluable freedom to get up when we wanted to (and not race down to reserve a spot on the beach)and allowed us to "stake our claim" to pristine, deserted beaches at our pleasure; 5) I learned the phone number of Zenaida, public relations rep at the Sol Club, whom I called in order to plan a birthday surprise for my wife Karen (Thanks, Zenaida! The reservations at Las Trinas the night we arrived, the little gift, the cake, the "Happy Birthday" seranade in Spanish, the champagne. . . all of it made for a very special and memorable evening!); et j'en passe! Bref, this forum helped us anticipate our trip with even more eagerness and gave us a good idea of what to expect, the things to do and see when we arrived, and which beaches we should explore.
Our March 5 -12 stay included seven straight days of sun and not a drop of rain, and I wish you the same wonderful conditions. No mosquitoes or bugs at night around the Sol Club, although we were almost eaten alive one evening while waiting for the "trompo" (shuttle bus) at Cappricho. We thought we would go on the catamaran snorkeling excursion, but we ended up deciding just to keep on doing what we enjoyed doing. Here's an example of our 'strenuous' schedule : we get up and eat a leisurely breakfast at the buffet in Las Dunas, put on our beach gear and wander down to the beach (it's true! the fine, white sand - "cuban sugar" - never gets hot to the touch!). . . we set up our umbrella and immerse ourselves in our books. . . we dive into the turquoise sea from time to time to cool down. . . then, during the heat of the day (11:45 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.), we take a break from the sun to eat a light lunch of salad and fresh red snapper at the "Ranchon Playa" (Beach grill). . . we wander back down to the beach and walk for 20 minutes or so towards Playa Paraiso until we have the beach entirely to ourselves, we sun and read until 6:00 or so when the sun began to go down. . . and then we walk back hand in hand in water like sizzling champagne, picking up the occasional sand dollar or piece of coral, and when we get back in our rooms, we shower and dress for a relaxing dinner. We would often go back to our rooms after dinner, at 9:00 or so, and spend the evening there before retiring after pausing to look up at the stars in the black velvet sky before the moon rose. That was all we needed and wanted!
'Highlights' of our 'busy' week:
*We took the "trompo" to Villa Cappricho and walked east for 20 minutes until we saw a couple of iguanas who came up to us to eat bread right out of our hands. Karen stroked one iguana on top of its head and he closed his eyes in bliss, looking for all the world like a contented cat. (I could almost hear purring!)
*I took a daily jog along the beach - the first day we arrived at Cayo Largo, for over an hour east past Playa Blanca and back. (My calves ached for a couple of days!) It was my first experience on a naturist beach, and there's nothing like the freedom of losing the bathing suit when you get away from the populated part of the beach. . .
*We went snorkeling along the shore - nothing too spectacular where we were at, but I think we could have done better if we went a bit further out. The water is clear, and we did see a few cool fish and some sea fans.
*Food-wise, we especially enjoyed our two suppers at Las Trinas: calm, relaxing music, quiet ambiance, attentive and friendly service (we got that in every restaurant), and tasty and attractively-presented food. Las Dunas would be our second-best eating experience - especially our morning cappo-chocs (mmm!)and the freshly-made crepes and omlettes (especially those made by the guy who heated the onions on the side before adding them), the coconut ice cream and the abundant fresh fruit. We were a bit let down by the Italian restaurant at Sol Club, although the one we made reservations at at the Villa Coral was pretty good.
*The Cuban people were, as we had been led to expect, warm and friendly. It was fun to get to practice our Spanish, although I think next time I'll take advantage of the free Spanish classes offered every morning at 10:00 a.m. (if I can tear myself away from the beach!)I would have liked to get to know some of the Cubans better and to ask them some questions about their country and their lives, but that will have to wait for next time. . .
. . .and I hope that there will be a next time! Cayo Largo is well worth the return.
--Darrell
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Trudy
14/3/2001
15:57:31
| RE: Return from our first trip to Paradise. . .
IP: 1121_1.clargo
Hi Darrell, your vacation sounds like heaven. My husband and I leave april 2 and I am counting the days. I would like some info on how you arranged the birthday, who I should talk to...It is my husband's 40th birthday and I would like to plan something special. What you did for your wife sounds great. Any info would be appreciated. by the way, did you have lobster anywhere to eat or calmari
Thanks
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Trudy
14/3/2001
16:21:38
| RE: Return from our first trip to Paradise. . .
IP: 1121_2.clargo
Hi Darrell, I'll try again I don't think first message took. I would like info on how you arranged your wife's birthday(extra cost) it is my husband's 40th birthday and I would like to have something special for him as well. We leave on Apr 2, and I can't wait. your in makes it sound like heaven on earth. Did you have any lobster/calmari at all.
Thanks
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Lily
14/3/2001
19:18:21
| RE: Return from our first trip to Paradise. . .
IP: 1121_3.clargo
Hello Darrell,
What a SUPER GREAT trip report!!! While reading it I almost felt the warm breeze on my body and the soft sand between my toes! ;-) Very well written too! Pascal (El Traductor) now have a competitor hehe :-)
I'm very happy to find out that CL was everything you were looking for, it looks like you have a perfect and relaxing time. Thank you for sharing it with us! Maybe someday we will meet in Cayo Largo taking a spanish lesson together by the pool... you never know! ;-)
Thanks again!
Lily
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Darrell
15/3/2001
23:18:06
| RE: Return from our first trip to Paradise. . .
IP: 1121_4.clargo
Hi Trudy,
To arrange something for your husband's birthday, you can call the hotel directly and speak with Zenaida (public relations). The number is 011-53-5-48260 and it's pretty pricey - $2.20 US per minute!
Actually, there may be a better way; here's Zenaida's address including fax and email. Maybe try by email at first; mention that Darrell and Karen told you how well she took care of Karen's birthday! Good luck, and best wishes to your husband.
--Darrell
Dpto Relaciones Públicas
Hotel Sol Club Cayo Largo
Archipiélago de los Canarreos
Isla de la Juventud CUBA
Tel: 535-48260 Fax: 535-48266
E-Mail: de4rrp@clargo.solmelia.cma.net
P.S. I'm not really into lobster or calamari so I can't help you there!
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