The Wanderings of busman7

Just a few final thoughts on Mexico, after Puerto Vallarta I started travelling on the cheap after all not many here can swing 6 mo of resort living. I have also confirmed that in the limited time I have I can barely scratch the surface of the countries I am visiting, that’s why I will be dedicating a full 3 mo or so to Cuba.

I with the exception of the odd tour am spending my time within a few blocks of the bus station & staying in hostels or budget hotels (some even have hot water showers) & my perception of the country side is coloured by having been brought up in Quebec’s Eastern Township hills (don’t like the flat lands). From what I have seen Mexico is booming, there is new construction all over the country & a lot of Mexicans travelling with a cell phone attached to their head. Saw a billboard in Mexico City advertising the Apple 3G iphone for 649 pesos ($65 US), we Canadians are sure getting ripped off by Rogers.

Bottom line is Mexico is a large & very diverse country & doing well with the exception of the Chipasis (spelling) state around Palenque. Of course all the tourist areas are doing well but also is the manufacturing sector.

Loved the country with the exception og the Yuctan peninsula, too flat. Must be cooling off out side now so check out Caye Caulker a bit more, report on it next time.

Figured out how to access my blog to post updates, actually Chris at Boots figured it out, so we are off and running now.

Pina gave the basics yesterday, just a bit to fill in. Just want to mention any one flying from YYZ to the US refrain from doing so on a Monday morning as the line ups at US Customs are crazy and from what I gathered it is the same every Mon. at least on Air Canada, I know I swore never to use them but seeing as they are the only non stop YYZ-FLL I broke down and used them for the first time in 25 yrs, haven’t changed and still prefer AA  that I used FLL-DFW and DFW-PVR. Also noted that all 3 flights were full with standby passengers.

Only change I noticed in Ft Lauderdale in the past 20 years is it’s bigger, busier and not to my liking, will do a review on The Ramada Plaza Resort when have more time and cheaper Internet but the short version is it is an OK 3 star with friendly staff and great Russian bar tenders at the Tiki bar, the bad reviews are from people that don’t realize you get what you pay for IMHO.

Also the time share folk sure get peed when they realize you never had any intention of buying and were just using then for the free room and breakfast, same was true in Mexico. Guess the scammers hate being scammed themselves LOL.

Bottom line is Florida is off my go list along with Cancun which is Florida just farther away, again just a personal opinion.

Now Puerto Vallarta is really nice, safe, clean and interesting only downfall is after having been to Cuba the beaches can’t compare, otherwise it’s great. The Hacienda Hotel a 4 star is a 5 imho but wouldn’t be so for a beach person as the beach is a couple blocks away, free on demand shuttle service provided, so don’t believe the bad reviews because of the horrid walk, it’s not necessary.

Did a city and country tour which included an interesting visit to a farm with a tequila distillery where we were shown the proper way to recognize good tequila and how drink it, which knowledge I will impart to any one buying me a drink of it.

Time to explore a bit more of Cancun seeing as the heat should be going down now, more on Mexico next time.

About 1/2 hr & I'm heading for the sun, just wanted to update laser therapy for smoking cessation, 40 days without smoking YEAAAAAAAAAA it worked!! Shall try & keep updating with any thing of interest.

Might as well get up, went to bed too early last night so between anticipation of the trip & Senor Gato being a pain walking over me & sticking his nose in my face there is no point trying to sleep. As ... [Continue reading this entry]

Getting close now can almost smell the salty sea breeze & when I close my eyes see palms swaying in the breeze. For those following this blog & wonder why the changes in the "home place" entry, when uploading the picture ... [Continue reading this entry]

On my trip to visit old friends I went by the old home place, now the friends had advised me not to go there as it had been badly ... [Continue reading this entry]

This is a test post from , a fancy photo sharing thing.

Time has a way of passing, the years silently slipping by unnoticed until retirement comes knocking at the door. Best friends you figured to keep in touch with drifted off to different places, jobs & started families. In the hustle & bustle of daily ... [Continue reading this entry]

Time is passing , my departure date is only 30 days away & the necessary arrangements made. First on the list was a visit to the local travel clinic for a consultation & the necessary shots, turns out that my Central ... [Continue reading this entry]

After numerous hours spent perusing the Bootsnall forums, bearing in mind that I will be travelling in tropical countries & doing a lot of bus trips,here is the list I have come up with: MEC Fast track carryon roller  34 litre ... [Continue reading this entry]