“Travels to a Different Time” : 3September1989: Cancun, Mexico: Is the Beer Safe to Drink!

From Toronto off to Cancun. Unlike the obnoxiously early limo to the airport last year on the way to the Dominican Republic the limo was 10 minutes late but so early in the morning the traffic to Pearson airport was light. The flight was on Canadian Airways and the passengers were relatively quiet unlike ourContinue reading ““Travels to a Different Time” : 3September1989: Cancun, Mexico: Is the Beer Safe to Drink!”

“Travels to a Different Time” : September 1988: Sosua, Dominican Republic: The Restaurant Scene

Most of the restaurants are in the town of Sosua. If there is any “formal dining” it would be in a few of the hotels. Amigo’s was quite good with excellent seafood. Newosol also has excellent seafood. Marco Polo’s has superb Tiberon and a dynamite creole octopus stew. Then there is the iconic Woody’s withContinue reading ““Travels to a Different Time” : September 1988: Sosua, Dominican Republic: The Restaurant Scene”

“Travels to a Different Time” : September 1988: Sosua, Dominican Republic: Sosua’s Famous Beach

The beach is highly recommended by a few gringos I have encountered. It is home to too many vendors hawking trinkets of coral, amber and onyx not to mention all sorts of food, beer and cheap mass-produced junk. Express any sort of interest in anything and you are immediately besieged by corny lines such asContinue reading ““Travels to a Different Time” : September 1988: Sosua, Dominican Republic: Sosua’s Famous Beach”

“Travels to a Different Time” : September 1988: Sosua, Dominican Republic: Suspect Shrimp

It was either too much sun or last night’s shrimp but whatever it was a fever, headaches and the chills. To bed at 19:00 but the pounding rain made sleep difficult. The rooster started crowing at 05:00. Felt a bit better. The Trip to Puerto Plata: Lunch at Uncle Ricks Café A few of usContinue reading ““Travels to a Different Time” : September 1988: Sosua, Dominican Republic: Suspect Shrimp”

“Travels to a Different Time” : 4September1988: Sosua, Dominican Republic: The Way into Town

It is about a 20-minute walk into Sosua and a taxi trip is about $1.75. The road is in terrible shape with huge potholes. The taxi must swerve or stop and bypass these craters. There are what seems to be a few middle-class homes and also some villas on the road but almost all lowerContinue reading ““Travels to a Different Time” : 4September1988: Sosua, Dominican Republic: The Way into Town”

“Travels to a Different Time” : 3September1988:  Sosua, Dominican Republic: Sick with the Shakes! Armed Guards and Barred Windows

Bad start to a trip with a fever of 102 and the shakes compounded by waking up at 04:30 for a 06:50 flight from Toronto to Sosua. The limo arrived 10 minutes early upsetting my rhythm and was not appreciated. The airport was hopping at 05:30 and most of the passengers had checked in soContinue reading ““Travels to a Different Time” : 3September1988:  Sosua, Dominican Republic: Sick with the Shakes! Armed Guards and Barred Windows”

“Travels to a Different Time” : 8September1983: Puerto Vallarta, Mexico: Will That Texan be Found in a Back Alley with a Knife in His Back? The Corruptive Force of Tourism

More delicious eggs Mexicana for breakfast. Had a swim at the pool and watched the hawkers on the beach selling blankets, carvings, dresses and jewelry. Hotel security watches them like a hawk to give the gringos some unmolested time lest they be swarmed. They are not permitted on hotel property. Does the hotel own theContinue reading ““Travels to a Different Time” : 8September1983: Puerto Vallarta, Mexico: Will That Texan be Found in a Back Alley with a Knife in His Back? The Corruptive Force of Tourism”

“Travels to a Different Time” : 7September1983: Puerto Vallarta and Yelapa Beach, Mexico: Vomiting Californians and Texans!

After drifting off to the sounds of a pseudo-Santana band up at 07:30 for the trip to the exotic Yelapa Beach. Mango juice and some strange sugared pastry for breakfast. Took a taxi to Pier Maritima where in Mexican fashion the boat was an hour late. The taxi driver “claimed” he could not change aContinue reading ““Travels to a Different Time” : 7September1983: Puerto Vallarta and Yelapa Beach, Mexico: Vomiting Californians and Texans!”

“Travels to a Different Time” : 6September1983: Puerto Vallarta, Mexico: More Adventures with Hotel Night Clerk

Before going to bed that odd hotel night clerk phoned me at 23:30 to say today I would have to vacate the room for reasons which were not clearly stated. I asked the reception in the morning what the night clerk was babbling about. They had no idea. Is this typical Mexican confusion? Walked intoContinue reading ““Travels to a Different Time” : 6September1983: Puerto Vallarta, Mexico: More Adventures with Hotel Night Clerk”

“Travels to a Different Time” : 5September1983: Puerto Vallarta, Mexico: The Great Mexican Gringo Divide

Woke up to a spectacular view from the 16th floor. Tropical vegetation with an abundance of palm trees. The hotel is about 15 yards from the Pacific Ocean. In the Bay of Banderas with mountains on both sides of the bay. The water is rough and is fed by two muddy rivers. A very differentContinue reading ““Travels to a Different Time” : 5September1983: Puerto Vallarta, Mexico: The Great Mexican Gringo Divide”