This has been, hands down, the most complicated, confusing and frustrating group booking I've ever been part of. I've thrown my hands up more than twice and finally had to just cross my fingers and hope for the best. I'm still crossing my eyes as the remaining details are gradually being sorted out. All will be well in the end continues to be my mantra.
Meanwhile, the upshot is that it is still possible to join the April 4 Zumba group! And, that is good news because it is a slightly smaller posse than Amarilis and I had hoped for. So, if you're itching for a little fun in the sun before the usual Season of Mud sets in, you can sign up for this trip, with or without participating in Zumba.
To find out the price, go to the Sunwing website, put in the departure date of April 4, departing from Toronto and going to Manzanillo de Cuba. The search will show you the current prices for this package (most of our group signed up for VIP Cabana accommodation) but, please keep in mind, my group rate will be slightly less than the posted prices. Next, you should call Michelle at Sunwing (1-877-877-1755, ext. 3560) or send her an email (mlinares@sunwing.ca) and ask about the April 4 Marea del Portillo group. If you have any problems, I will do my best to assist.
Current flight details for this trip:
GOING to Cuba - Sunwing #WG642
DEPARTS from Toronto on Thursday, April 4, at 3:30 p.m.
ARRIVES in Manzanillo de Cuba (via Holguin) the same day, at 9 p.m.
RETURNING to Canada - Sunwing #WG643
DEPARTS from Manzanillo de Cuba on Thursday, April 11 (or 18), at 9:50 p.m.
ARRIVES in Toronto on the NEXT MORNING at 1:40 a.m.
A few things to keep in mind...
- Because this is an international flight, you should be at the airport three hours in advance of departure.
- Sunwing uses Terminal #1 at Pearson; watch for signs.
- Flight times can be changed on short notice but you can check using the "My Booking" client portal on the Sunwing website, once the e-tickets have been issued. Family or friends at home can check during your absence; sometimes flight times are altered while you are in Cuba!
- Meals will be served on these flights, both going and returning.
I'll be at the airport to greet you on April 4, and I'll have bikes and suitcases ready for those who have agreed to be "shepherds" on this trip. Gord (my hubby and bike guru) will be going for one week, so he'll be there on April 4 and will return with most of you on April 11. I will be returning on April 18, along with the remainder of the posse.
If you haven't signed up for Zumba but decide to join the fun after you're in Cuba, Amarilis won't mind - just make arrangements with her to pay the fee ($65 for the week). In addition to daily Zumba classes, there will be numerous optional activities and excursions offered by the resort, as well as a few special things that I arrange just for my groups. For a tentative agenda, please click on "Activities" in the header of this blog.
The three main activities I'd like to highlight for the April 4 group will be our private welcome dinner, an excursion to the Granma landing site (with lunch in a picturesque fishing village), and a pig roast party at the home of a couple I know in Marea del Portillo. There will be plenty of other fun options too, including kayaking, horse-back riding and dining on lobster at Cayo Blanco. I can't wait!!!
Hasta pronto,
Jennica
I'll never forget the first time I met Agustin and Yadira, in October 2009. As the sun began sliding lower on the Western horizon, Wendy Oke – one of my three travelling companions on that trip – and I decided to go for a stroll along the beach. As we were walking, we saw a couple silhoutted in the distance, slowly coming towards us, hand in hand. We introduced ourselves and chatted a little. Agustin was carrying a burlap sack because they were going to get some food for his chickens, he explained in his simple English. Shy Yadira, who speaks only Spanish, smiled a lot – as she still does!
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