Podcasts & October trip deadlines...

On the air and in the wind

This is just a quick note to let you know a few things….

First, I want to invite you to listen in to two podcasts of radio shows I had the privilege to be a guest on recently. Marilyn Ball is a wonderful host and we had such fun chatting, we've vowed to do so again soon – on the air or, perhaps, in Cuba!

In other news, the 2015 Posse Trip to Marea del Portillo, Cuba, is shaping up nicely but there are a few deadlines looming. The primary "Posse" group will be at the resort Oct. 28-Nov. 4 but some folks want to stay for two weeks. Most people will be going Oct. 21-Nov. 4, while others prefer Oct. 28-Nov. 11, although the price for the latter two-week period is slightly higher. Please inquire for prices and other details.

Here's a deadline summary:
JUNE 11 – booking deadline for Oct. 28-Nov. 11 (14 nights)
AUG. 7 – booking deadline for Oct. 21-Nov. 4 (14 nights) or Oct. 28-Nov. 4 (7 nights); full payment for all trips is due

It's also possible to go for the week prior to the group (Oct. 21-28) or to stay for three weeks (Oct. 21-Nov. 11). Don't hesitate to contact me if you're interested!

Hasta pronto,
Jenny ~ jennicacuba@gmail.com
647-216-1791 or 705-788-1791

"Speaking of Travel" host Marilyn Ball invited me to be a guest on her radio show in April and we had so much fun chatting, she asked to join her for a second interview in May! Her weekly show is based in Asheville, North Carolina, but is also available by podcast on the Internet. 

Here are the links:
APRIL 2015 - Travel to Cuba with Jenny Cressman
MAY 2015 - Cuban Kisses – Cuban Wishes
No passport required to listen in!

Where else can you have yoga for $5/class right beside the ocean?!

Please welcome my friend Louise Parkinson to the 2015 Posse! 

Louise will be our yoga instructor during the group week, Oct. 28-Nov. 4, and she has a lovely, gentle approach. Those familiar with yoga will find her classes very relaxing, and it will be easy for any "newbies" to feel comfortable and get in the flow! 

Louise plans to do two sessions each day, as much as possible, depending on our other activities – that works out to about $5/class, which is an incredible deal. (FYI, 100% of the $60 fee for a week of yoga will go to Louise to offset the cost of her trip and time away from her counselling practice.) You can read more about her on the poster below.

You'll find more information about the 2015 Posse Trip to Marea del Portillo, Cuba, in my other posts and posters. Please feel free to contact me, if you have any questions:

Jenny ~ jennicacuba@gmail.com

705-788-1791 or 647-216-1791 (cell)

The posse rides again! Oct. 21 or 28

Hey folks! 

Here's the updated information about the 2015 Posse Trip, heading for Club Amigo Marea del Portillo, Cuba, in late October. This time, we've made an exception to the usual "all-girl" rule and will allow nice men to travel with us. Americans are allowed to go too, but only nice ones!

Also, you can now go the week before the group ~ and the two-week rates are especially good, if I do say so myself! Please note that prices now include the 25 CUC "get-out-of-Cuba" tax, a welcome dinner and two excursions that I created exclusively for my group. And, as always, you will receive all the VIP perks this charming little resort has to offer.

Beyond the beautiful beaches...

Cuba is a fascinating island to explore!

Hola amigos,

I've been doing some scouting and making plans for future trips to Cuba. First, let me reassure my fellow fans of Club Amigo Marea del Portillo that I will continue to lead groups there on an annual basis. In fact, 24 of us will be heading to this special place just after Easter. I hope the snow here in Muskoka will be gone by the time I return…but I'm not going to bet on it!

Once I'm back in the office at the end of April, I will begin working on two back-to-back group trips, tentatively set for late October, both going to Marea del Portillo. Highly skilled Huntsville pro photographer Jim Bartlett has agreed to lead a photography course during the first week, which will be open to anyone with a camera! For the second week, we'll have our annual women's posse, with "Yoga Fusion" classes led by the marvelous Nicole Panteleo. More details to come soonish.

Next winter, I'm planning to lead a two-week bus tour of the island – including a stay at Marea del Portillo, of course! With that project in mind, I spent some time exploring places around Havana and Trinidad de Cuba in February. 

I've created some new slideshows to show you some of the interesting sites I checked out: "2015 Around Havana" and "2015 Trinidad & Manaca Iznaga." These videos are set to music by some wonderful up-and-coming Cuban musicians who sometimes perform at venues in Varadero. I was introduced to their music when I was staying with mutual friends in the city of Matanzas.

I'll let you know when plans for this road trip through Cuba are firmer.

 

Hasta luego,

Jenny

"Speaking of Travel" podcast posted!

Marilyn Ball in the studio.

UPDATE: Marilyn Ball's show with yours truly as a guest is now available on podcast here! And, as she mentioned at the end, Marilyn is going to have me return as a guest, likely in late May or early June. I'll let you know, when the date is set. ~ Jenny

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I had a great little interview with Marilyn Ball today, for her radio show, "Speaking of Travel." I referred to it as a "little" show because it's only half an hour long and, believe me, that amount of time passes very quickly when you're chatting with a like-minded travel enthusiast!

We didn't get through all the questions and topics we had intended to touch on but we did cover a lot of ground nonetheless. I hope you will find it both entertaining and educational. Maybe it will fire up your enthusiasm for travel too – particularly to Cuba, and perhaps with me. 

Her website says this: "Travel with Marilyn each Thursday at 3:30 p.m. on Independent Asheville Radio WZGM, V-Radio WSVM and WRGC in Sylva." The site will also give you access to podcasts of her shows. She chats about a lot of interesting topics with a wide variety of people.

I'm sure you'll find the half-hour show slips past your ears very quickly! It passed so fast for us, in fact, that she's invited me to return and continue our conversation on another show in a month or so, which will be especially fun because I will have just returned from my April group trip to Club Amigo Marea del Portillo, where a piece of my heart will always reside.

Here's a link to a topic we touched on in the today's interview… "I chose to walk through an opened door," a post on my original blog, Cubana de Corazón, which has more personal thoughts about Cuba, short stories and poetry, among other things.

Review of a Cuban paladar: Don QKo is worth the drive to Cárdenas!

The following is a review I wrote that has been posted on TripAdvisor (here), along with eight of my photos and reviews by others who also loved this little gem of a restaurant, near Varadero. For your reading convenience, I've copied my review below and added a few different photos than you will find on TripAdvisor….

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While visiting in the Matanzas province of Cuba recently, I had the pleasure of exploring Cárdenas and dining at an excellent paladar called Don QKo. This privately owned restaurant is billed as “an Oasis in the City of Cárdenas” and the title is quite accurate.

The original Don QKo, Alexeis' grandfather. 

Owned and operated by Alexeis Padrón and his family, this culinary oasis was named for his grandfather, whose nickname was “QKo” or “cuco,” which translates to “cuckoo.” Although the inference to most English speakers is that a person with such a nickname would be a little crazy, the Spanish word is used to imply that someone is shrewd, canny or a “wily bird.” In Spanish, of course, “Don” is a title of respect.

All of the tasteful decorations and furnishings of the elegant and charming restaurant have been personally chosen or created by Alexeis and his father Jesus Padrón (also known as QKo, like his father before him). Indeed, this father-and-son team takes a very hands-on approach to all aspects of their business; I found Jesus painting the baño when I went to make a pitstop!

Their attention to detail is apparent everywhere and, according to TV reporter Patricia Karina (Alexeis’ wife), the Padrón men have done much of the work themselves – not just the painting. The main areas of the restaurant are primarily done in yellow and black, with floral arrangements, interesting artwork and touches of red and green accent colors throughout. Most of the tables and chairs are classic black wrought iron but some of the other furniture was custom made.

Approximately 100 people can be seated at one time, outside on the patio or inside in the bar/lounge area or one of the small dining rooms, if a more intimate setting is preferred. The patio encircles a little pool and is dotted with lush plants. It also has a decorative fishpond at one side and affords a view of the kitchen, Alexeis pointed out, so people can see their food being prepared.

One of the inside dining areas, elegantly decorated.

The menu options range from traditional roasted pork (a specialty of the house) to a selection of seafood, all prepared and presented with great care. As I was speaking with Alexeis, in fact, I could watch one of his chiefs at work, carefully slicing meat to be roasted on the open-air grill. In addition to their delicious food – I had a sumptuous serving of roast pork with an excellent, savory sauce – the bar offers a nice selection of drinks, including another house specialty: a mojito with a twist. It’s quite tasty but I won’t give their secret away by telling you what the extra ingredient is; you’ll have to visit Don QKo to find out!

Founded in 1828, Cárdenas is not far from Varadero and could be considered a bedroom community for that bustling beach burg. It is one of Cuba’s most affluent cities and, with a population of close to 81,000, is the 15^th largest in the country but, perhaps ironically, it has very little tourist accommodation. The city of Varadero, on the other hand, has less than 30,000 year-round residents, but tourists perpetually populate its many hotels and eateries.

Dining on the patio by the pool is a great evening option.

Those who want to escape the crowds, explore new terrain and give their tastebuds a true treat should plan a visit to Don QKo in Cárdenas, which is about 30 km from Varadero. Located at Ave. Céspedes #1001, esq. Calle 21 (at the corner of 21^st Street), you can take a private taxi or, if you are feeling more adventurous, a public bus. If you wish to get more specific directions, call the restaurant: (045) 52 4572.

Meals are typically served from noon until 11 p.m., and they’re closed on Tuesdays. I was there for a late-afternoon lunch and it was quite quiet but, in the evening, when the lights go on and the live music begins, the place is much busier. Therefore, if you want to be assured of a seat, especially if you have a group, I would encourage making a reservation.

I’m sure you won’t be disappointed with the service, cuisine or ambience at Don QKo. It’s a delightful dining oasis that is definitely worth the drive to Cárdenas!

A copy of this famous painting adorns a wall in the lounge.

– Jenny Cressman

Here's our updated agenda for the April 8 trip to Marea del Portillo!

AGENDA for “Jennica 2015” April 8-15 group

All departures are from the Marea Hotel lobby, unless otherwise specified, & all activities are free (included in your trip package) unless a price is noted.

Wednesday

Express check-in for group upon arrival

Robertico

Thursday 

11:30 a.m. - Private group orientation session (meet in Marea lobby) – select an entrée for our Welcome Dinner, confirm participation in Las Coloradas Tour, etc.

6 p.m. - Welcome Dinner with music by Robertico & pals; part of your package.

Friday

8:30 a.m. to noon - Three Village Tour – one of the most popular optional excursions offered by the resort; sign up & pay on your own at resort, 20 CUC.

5 p.m. - Sunset Cruise - mainly for our group but not exclusively; part of pkg.

Las Coloradas Playa & Campismo

Saturday

8:30 a.m. to approx. 4:30 p.m. - Las Coloradas Tour – features Cuban history, nature hike & beach party picnic; boxed lunch & drinks provided as part of pkg.

PLUS, a brief stop in Niquero on the return trip for a photography exhibit!

Sunday &/or Monday

9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. - Cayo Blanco – your package includes 2 trips to this lovely island & 1 lobster lunch; there will be other food for lunch too, freshly prepared.

Sunday – NOW CONFIRMED!

5 p.m. – Art Show & Dinner at Ferlin’s – going to a home & restaurant in the Marea village by horse carriage; sign up with & pay Jenny; 20 CUC should cover carriage ride & dinner for us & artists (as our guests) …buying art is up to you!

Kayaking with Gord

Tuesday

8:30-11:30 a.m. - Guided Kayak Tour (meet at Dive Shop) – going in the mangrove to look for manatee; 6 people only & weather permitting - must be a calm day.

Wednesday

Say good-bye & try not to cry!

NOTE: Horse riding & other fun activities will be available throughout the week.

Those staying a second week will be on their own to sign up for excursions, etc.