Want to spend Halloween in Cuba?

There's still room but not much! The plane is filling up & so are the resort's cabañas.
If you want to hang out with me & the posse for Halloween, let me know right away!
Send me an email or call: jennicacuba@gmail.com or 647-216-1791.

I'll teach you how to say "Boo!" in Spanish.
~ Jenny

P.S. Costumes are optional...but fun! 

WANTED: 10 bodies for Oct. 29 trip

HOLA AMIGOS! 

I finally have prices for the Oct. 29 group trip to Club Amigo Marea del Portillo, Cuba. You now have one week to book and be part of posse with Jenny & Nicole. (For details, see the flyer & other notes below.)

Ready? Set. Let's go to Cuba!
Jenny

Thanks to my friends at P&G Travel, you can now sign up for the 2014 Posse - & the prices are less than what is currently showing on the Sunwing website! 

If you want to stay longer than the group (Oct. 29-Nov. 5) or would prefer Marea Hotel accommodation instead of the VIP Cabana package, please contact Jenny for prices or other information: jennicacuba@gmail.com. Those who want the "Elite Plus" airline upgrade (increased luggage capacity & leg room on plane) should also contact Jenny - the one-way price is $40 & these seats are very limited.

To book your Oct. 29 trip, you will need to pay a $150 deposit (non-refundable) & supply the following information:
FULL NAME (as it appears on your passport)
PASSPORT #, ISSUING COUNTRY & EXPIRY DATE
DATE OF BIRTH
MAILING ADDRESS
PHONE NUMBER
EMAIL

P& G Travel is based near Toronto (9421 Jane St., Unit 121, Maple, Ontario L6A 4H8, to be precise). You can stop by their office, if you want to pay by cash/cheque/debit but they will accept credit cards or e-transfers. Their toll-free phone # is on the flyer.

Please note that you MUST have health insurance when traveling to Cuba, according to their tourism laws. Since this trip is being offered through Sunwing, the first 10 people who request health/travel insurance packages will be able to sign up through their program. Alternatively, P&G Travel can arrange insurance coverage for you, or you can do it yourself. Prices will vary according to your age & health.

The prices on the flyer are valid until July 18 - but we need to have 10 people signed up by that date! So, who's ready to go to Cuba with me?!

~ Jenny

Why I’m a “repeater” at Club Amigo Marea del Portillo, Manzanillo de Cuba

This is a TripAdvisor review of Marea del Portillo that I wrote in March 2014; it's posted on their site along with a smattering of photos, different from those below. Here's a link, so you can have a look and give me a "helpful" vote, for what it's worth!

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My Feb. 26, 2014, trip to Club Amigo Marea del Portillo and Farallon del Caribe was not my first visit to this charming little Cuban resort.

Returnees have privileges!

I want to be up-front about that because it’s an important point – I am a “repeater.” I will not give a one-off critique of a place I happened to stay at once because it was cheap; I will provide an honest commentary about why I keep going to this resort and what has changed since I began visiting in 2009.

I am a repeat guest at this resort for several reasons. First, as many people note in other reviews, the scenery is phenomenal. Located on the southern sole of Cuba, in the historically significant province of Granma, this resort is on the rim of a peaceful bay, on the cusp of the Sierra Maestra Mountains. Do you prefer the mountains or the ocean? Here, you don’t have to choose – it’s the best of both worlds!

Cayo Blanco is an ever-popular excursion - sail,
kayak, snorkel or just hang out on the lovely beach.

You can go swimming, kayaking or sailing from the back porch of the hotel, so to speak. But, if you’d rather go for a hike, just head out a different door of the hotel and hit the trail. Or, if you want to simply sit and relax, you can watch the sun rise over the mountains and/or set over the ocean. If lazing about isn’t your cup of rum, however, you can take a bike trek, go for a horseback ride, participate in one of the many interesting excursions the resort offers, or just explore on your own.

Artist Ramon Cisnero
in front of one of his
many sculptures in
Manzanillo de Cuba.

I bought this print from Pedro Guillermo
Guerra Tamayo during the Manzanillo
Art Tour - then learned I had purchased
a painting of his at a Toronto exhibit!

There are options available for anyone of any fitness level. That is another reason to like this resort – it has something for everyone. There are the usual sorts of poolside activities, of course, but there are also opportunities to learn about the community and culture. You can take a tour of local villages, visit a farm, go on a “Jeep” excursion (in Suzuki 4X4s) or take the Manzanillo Art Tour – a new day-trip that was launched while I was there in February. And, if you like local art and crafts, be sure take a stroll to the rotary at the resort’s main entrance; you’ll find a nice selection of souvenir booths there almost every day. Crafts are also intermittently available by the pool at each hotel.

The "Titanic" skit is  quite funny!

Not sufficiently entertained yet? Well, don’t miss the evening entertainment that’s offered at both hotels – the Marea and the Farallon (which is open in high season only). These shows are high-energy variety nights that generally include live music, comedy and dancing. As a repeat guest, I can tell you there are some consistent elements and schticks but there are also new skits, new dance routines and new costumes on display every year, as well as new bands that feature some incredibly talented local musicians. As well, for those who want to party into the night, there’s a disco on the beach, where the d.j. will take requests.

I prefer to stay the cabañas (shown here) because
they are level with the beach and generally quieter.

I can also tell you, as someone who has been paying attention over the years, that this little resort has been working hard to make annual physical improvements. This past year, for instance, they did a major overhaul of the Marea Hotel dining room, and it looks great! They’ve created a new a la carte restaurant at the Farallon Hotel, added more outdoor beach showers and patios at the Marea Hotel, upgraded the Marea cabañas and enhanced the grounds in general. It just keeps getting better, each and every year!

The Marea Hotel pool is adjacent
to the entertainment centre,
and there are plenty of seats.

Other improvements include more shaded seating at the Marea poolside snackbar, as well as more choices of snacks (although supplies do sometimes run low). The food at the resort, in general, has improved over the years, in my opinion. There’s more variety at the buffets and the new steamer tables at the renovated Marea dining room keep things hotter. My best repeat-guest dining tip is this: be sure to check what they’ve got on the grill before filling your plate at the buffet. The grills at both hotels always have the freshest, hottest meat, and sometimes vegetables too.

The Farallon Hotel pool is larger than Marea's and
has a swim-up bar. Both offer afternoon activities.

Here’s another repeater tip: book the VIP package. It is available with Superior Rooms at the Farallon or Cabañas at the Marea, which are the only two hotels in the main complex – the Punta Piedra Hotel is technically part of the resort but is actually located 5 km down the road. The VIP package includes two trips to an idyllic island called Cayo Blanco, a lobster meal, a Sunset Cruise, free use of the in-room wall safe, etc. You can pay for these options separately after you arrive but, if you do the math, you’re better off being a VIP, which must be booked in advance.

Some produce on the hotels'
buffets is grown locally.

The physical stuff aside, there’s another compelling reason to return to Marea del Portillo time and again: the people. I’m not just talking about the resort staff; I’m also referring to the community surrounding the facility. According to my own observation, reading and conversations with others, the people in this part of Cuba are some of the warmest, most welcoming folks in the entire island.

Excellent towel origami.

Maybe it’s just good, old-fashioned southern hospitality. Perhaps it’s because they aren’t as over-run with tourists as other parts of the country and, therefore, aren’t tainted by the inundation. I don’t know. Whatever it is, I like it. I appreciate the opportunity to chat with the locals and get to know their culture in a more up-close and personal way – not just observing life through a bus window!

A Marea del Portillo toast with
birthday-girl Wendy, one of
my repeat group members.

Why do I keep returning to this obscure resort in a rather remote, rural part of Cuba? I’ve fallen in love with the people, as well as the place itself. I feel at home here – peaceful, happy and safe. Guests are not warned to stay on the grounds; they are encouraged to explore the area and consider Marea del Portillo their second home. For many people who visit this resort regularly, it is a place of healing and rejuvenation, which is why they keep coming back. The rate of repeat clients here is among the highest in Cuba.

Club Amigo Marea del Portillo and Farallon del Caribe may be rated as a three-star resort but I consider that a mere technicality. People say ‘you get what you pay for’ but, here, I truly believe you get more than you pay for!

Gorgeous sunrises and sunsets are always included free of charge at Marea del Portillo, Cuba!

Excellent cuisine & service at Ferlin's

I wrote the following review for TripAdvisor after my Feb. 26, 2014, trip to Marea del Portillo. It's now posted there, along with a couple of photos. If you visit that site, be sure to give me a "helpful" vote!

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This is a view of Ferlin's looking from the main road that
runs through the Marea del Portillo village.

When visiting Cuba, it's nice to sample the local cuisine and, while staying at Club Amigo Marea del Portillo and Farallon del Caribe, it's easy to do so! Ferlin's restaurant is located in the village of Marea del Portillo, about 2 km from the resort. You can go by bike, taxi or, for an even more authentic cultural experience, take a horse and buggy ride.

Operated by Ehrlin and Fernando, this little restaurant consistently serves up great food and provides top-notch service at affordable prices. Dining options include lobster, shrimp, fish and other regional entrees – not just seafood, although that's preference! They also have wonderful freshly prepared plantain chips, which I would recommend as a snack or starter for any meal.



Their new fountain was
almost ready for use.

When dining at Ferlin's, you are seated on an open-air patio, covered by a thatched roof, with a good view of the village thoroughfare. It's a great way to absorb some of the local culture without absorbing too much sun! 



Chichi points out the
new fountain at Ferlin's.

They usually have beer and wine available but you are also welcome to bring your own. They also serve other beverages, including water which, in my experience, is perfectly safe to drink here. Both of the owners have worked at the nearby resort for years and understand how to handle food properly, as well as how to serve food appropriately. 



Ferlin's is an increasingly popular eatery, so you may sometimes have to wait for a table. However, there will likely be music to keep you entertained and a craft table to peruse while you wait. 



Every time I visit, they seem to have something new. This time, they were in the process of adding a decorative fountain near the entrance gate. I'll be looking forward to seeing it in action on my next visit!

My pal Alina and I love dining at Ferlin's whenever possible and,
since she's a professional chef, you can be assured that their
food is awesome - especially the shrimp, lobster and stuffed fish.

My review of Casa de Noelia in Pilón

REVIEW: Casa de Noelia, Pilón, Granma, Cuba

Casa de Noelia entrance
gate, from the highway.

In March of 2014, I stayed for two weeks in a casa particular in a small town called Pilón, deep within the province of Granma, a rather rural region in southern Cuba.

This was the first time I had the opportunity to stay in a private home that is the Cuban equivalent of a “bed and breakfast” type of accommodation, so I was very curious to see what it would be like. It was lovely! The house itself was very nice and so were the hosts – Noelia, her husband Noel and her ex-husband David, who lived in a room at the back of the home.

Noelia and Noel, charming casa particular proprietors.

That’s the way it is sometimes, in Cuba; housing is at a premium and households are complicated. Even though Noelia and David had split up years ago, he still needed a place to live, and he continued to contribute to the workings of their shared home. When, for instance, on my first night there, I got locked in the bathroom because the doorknob was not working properly, he was the one who showed up in the morning with a screwdriver and attempted to fix it. He couldn’t, but it was not a big deal. Since I was not sharing the baño with anyone, I simply didn’t latch the door after that – no problem.

My part of the house was to the
left of the main entrance.

The home's main entrance and welcoming front porch.

The part of the house that I occupied, for 25 CUC (CUban Convertible pesos, which are very close to the rate of the US$) per night, included a private bathroom with a large shower, a big bedroom with an air conditioner and a fan, a living room with a television and multiple sofas, and a kitchen with a fridge, sink and table (but no other appliances or dishes). I also had my own patio at the front and an open invitation to join the proprietors on their larger veranda, or to make myself at home anywhere on the grounds. I often had lunch at a shaded table in the front courtyard and, in the cool and breezy evenings, sometimes climbed the steel stairs to the roof to admire the moon.

This private living room was included
in the section of the house I rented.

My bedroom - other rooms can be
rented in the main part of the casa.

Casa de Noelia is located on the main highway running through Pilón, about an hour and a half from Manzanillo de Cuba. It’s very near the town’s only gas station, the Cupet, which also has a small convenience store. The house itself is a charming yellow stucco and stone with decorative white pillars, marked only with a small sign at the gate that states: Room for Rent/Casa de Renta. 

It is set back from the road, partially hidden by trees and shrubbery, so quite peaceful and private.  The property is surrounded by chain-link fencing and protected by a friendly dog that knows his job and signals “Intruder alert!” at appropriate moments.

The adorable guard dog!

Noelia La O Machado is a good hostess and cook. Even though I did not eat many meals there, due to friends in the neighborhood who insisted on feeding me, I did sample some of her cuisine and can give it two thumbs up. She would have been delighted to provide food for me more often, at a reasonable rate.

I had been a bit concerned, at first, that we would have difficulty communicating because my Spanish is limited and my hosts’ English was non-existent but, ultimately, it was not an insurmountable obstacle. We did not have sparkling conversations about the world affairs, of course, but we got along just fine. And, on the day before I was due to leave, Noelia presented me with a beautiful floral arrangement she had purchased. Wow!

Before I left, we shared more than one big hug – abrazo grande – and I promised to visit the next time I was in the area. I also promised myself to learn more Spanish before then!

I enjoyed sitting at this shaded table for lunch or dinner.

If you want a pleasant, quiet place to stay in Pilón, I can recommend Casa de Noelia, at Carretera Granma #12. The phone number is (011 – 53) 23594959. Or, you can just show up at the front gate and call out, “Noelia! Noelia!” She will greet you, at almost any time of day, and do whatever she can to provide warm, friendly accommodation.

Momentum is building for art/baseball trip to Marea del Portillo on Feb. 26!

Jan. 15 update: There is still some room available! Rates fluctuate daily, however, and you never know when everything will be sold out. Don't hesitate to contact me, if you want to be part of the fun!

Also, for a story about a true trip (and fall), please read Sam Ion's 2014 review of Club Amigo Marea del Portillo and Farallon del Caribe in Travel Industry Today. Here's a link: "Sam gets plastered." 

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I am very excited about the Feb. 26-March 5 group trip to Club Amigo Marea del Portillo, Cuba!!!

This group will be a lovely mixture of ages and interests, including numerous artists, entrepreneurs and kids. Some people are nature enthusiasts who enjoy outdoor activities and sports. Some like culinary pursuits, reading and/or writing. Others are passionate about artistic endeavours. Many enjoy all of the aforementioned activities, and myriad other things as well.

Whenever I put together a trip that I am leading, I try to come up with a special theme or optional activities I think will be of particular interest to the group members. This time, art and baseball have both come forward.

About a year and a half ago, a boy named Gil began talking with me about baseball and Cuba. His parents were interested in going to Cuba with me; Gil was interested in baseball. Somewhere in the course of the conversation, he suggested having a baseball game with Cuban children. The adults chuckled at first but he was quite serious. Well, here we are in 2014 – Gil and his family are going to Cuba and we're going to have a ball game!

This little Cuban boy loves to play baseball....
when he's not picking flowers for his mom!
He will be participating in "Gil's game,"
during my Feb. 26-March 5 group trip.

In addition to this sports component, however, an even stronger artistic theme has emerged. Numerous professional artists signed up for this group early on and, coincidentally, while I was in the initial planning stages for the trip, a Cuban friend offered to set up an art tour for me. Perfecto! So, we will be having our own guided excursion in Manzanillo, a city about an hour and a half away from the resort where we'll be staying. We will be visit a few galleries, see some sculptures and meet artists like Ramon Cisnero, who recently hosted an exhibit of his work in Toronto.

I think it's important to get out in the community and partake of local culture whenever possible while travelling abroad. As organizer of these group excursions, I always try to provide a well-rounded experience and give people a comprehensive bang for their buck, so to speak. Therefore, as part of the art tour, we will also be having lunch at a restaurant in Manzanillo and stopping at the childhood home (now a museum) of Celia Sanchez, Cuban revolutionary hero. And, following the baseball game in the village of Pilón, we'll enjoy local cuisine at the Mirador restaurant, renowned for its seafood and beautiful ocean view.

I'm really looking forward to both of these special activities, as well as hanging out in Cuba with a great bunch of people! If you would like to be part of this group or a future one, send me an email (JennicaCuba@gmail.com) or give me a call (647-216-1791).

Chau,
Jenny

Christmas in Cuba - any time of year!

Here's a pair of posters I created about tandem projects I began a few years ago - sponsoring and shepherding bikes and suitcases full of clothing or other small gifts. I'm posting them here as a visual explanation of what these projects are all about, as well as a way to say "THANK YOU!" to everyone who has supported these endeavors.

The Cuban people are doing well in many respects but it is often difficult, if not impossible, for them to get basic necessities and other supplies that we take for granted here in Canada. There are no "big box" stores in Cuba! Low incomes make purchases challenging too, even in areas where there are more stores.

Marea del Portillo is located in a remote, rural region, which makes it particularly hard for people there to find and buy things they need, from socks and underwear to backpacks and bikes. I started the "JennicaCuba" bike and suitcase projects to help make life a little easier for them - so they wouldn't have to scramble quite as much to improve their lives. 

When I take these gifts, it feels like Christmas, no matter what time of year it is, and I love it! I thoroughly enjoy taking bikes, clothes and other simple items, even though I try to stay in the background and, often, don't actually meet or see the recipients. I have wonderful Cuban friends who help with delivery; I trust them completely to distribute everything to people they know who have the greatest need.

Happy holidays, everyone!

Shalom,

Jenny