Our Magical WDW Adventure ~ 23 Days of Fun, Food, Cocktails... London Trip 2/8

[xoktenox]

That trip looks amazing! Your tent is like a small house Do you speak any other languages besides English?

 

[ariel2007]

That trip looks amazing! Your tent is like a small house Do you speak any other languages besides English?

Unfortunately no. I learn't French in school and can understand and read a bit, but I just feel like an idiot speaking it. Luckily my Grandma is pretty fluent and most times we go with her so she sees to anything important. I knew it quite a lot whilst I was younger, when I was about 8 my Mum's bells team did a twinning town exchange so we went to stay with a French host family and learn't quite a bit. My school wasn't great on teaching languages though so it never went much further. How about you?

And yes the tents are great. Its not like proper camping where you have to sleep on a rocky floor and cook beans in the tin

 

[xoktenox]

Unfortunately no. I learn't French in school and can understand and read a bit, but I just feel like an idiot speaking it. Luckily my Grandma is pretty fluent and most times we go with her so she sees to anything important. I knew it quite a lot whilst I was younger, when I was about 8 my Mum's bells team did a twinning town exchange so we went to stay with a French host family and learn't quite a bit. My school wasn't great on teaching languages though so it never went much further. How about you?

And yes the tents are great. Its not like proper camping where you have to sleep on a rocky floor and cook beans in the tin

I speak just a little bit of Spanish that I learned in junior and senior high school. (8th-12th grade) I wish I could speak it better because its getting to be pretty popular over here. The bank I work at has a lot of Hispanic people that come in and sometimes I can help them figure things out but sometimes I can't.

The tent was definitely cool looking. My BF and I went camping 2 summers ago. Well I wanted to go for my bday so we had a tent and everything and it turned out to be the HOTTEST week of the summer (temps above 90 degree F all week, idk what that would be in C). Luckily our campsite was at a camp ground thats literally 5-10 mins from our house. So everyday around 3pm we'd head home to get out of the sun for a bit and shower and then head back there around 5 or 6 for dinner and to spend the night. It was really so hot during the day that we had no choice because at the campsite there was just no escaping the sun.

 

[ariel2007]

I speak just a little bit of Spanish that I learned in junior and senior high school. (8th-12th grade) I wish I could speak it better because its getting to be pretty popular over here. The bank I work at has a lot of Hispanic people that come in and sometimes I can help them figure things out but sometimes I can't.

The tent was definitely cool looking. My BF and I went camping 2 summers ago. Well I wanted to go for my bday so we had a tent and everything and it turned out to be the HOTTEST week of the summer (temps above 90 degree F all week, idk what that would be in C). Luckily our campsite was at a camp ground thats literally 5-10 mins from our house. So everyday around 3pm we'd head home to get out of the sun for a bit and shower and then head back there around 5 or 6 for dinner and to spend the night. It was really so hot during the day that we had no choice because at the campsite there was just no escaping the sun.

That is so funny you would just go home, although I don't blame you at all with that weather. Luckily its always lovely and warm when we go but we are only usually in the tent for breakfast and in the evening when its cool enough. My sister and I and a group of friends usually go proper camping every May for a festival called 'Run to the Sun'. Its always so much fun however nearly every time we go it rains so badly. Its so funny watching all the girls, me including, trotting along the muddy fields in their high heels. By the time we get to the bars we look like drowned rats

 

[ariel2007]

Holiday Reminiscing...
... Where do you go when your not at Disney?​

Since I probably wont have time to do another holiday update this weekend I thought I would do one now to keep you going.

When: June 2005

Where: Cuba

Who: Nick and I​

Why: Well I had been to WDW in January with Mum, Dad and Sophie but Nick wanted us to go on another holiday as he didn't come. Cuba was top of my 'Must do' list, I was really interested in its mix of beautiful beaches and interesting culture, and as Nick is pretty laid back he let me choose . This fitted in well too with our plans to have a nice relaxing holiday, and we also wanted it to be All Inclusive so we could just enjoy ourselves fully. We got some brochures for Cuba and were both instantly drawn to one resort. It looked so beautiful in the pictures, it was on a beautiful beach, all food, premium brand drinks and recreation was included, it was ideal. So we booked it. Even though we wanted it to be a relaxing holiday we still wanted to visit some different places and experience some of the culture, so I started researching the area and what we could do. I found a great website that told us all about the resort so we knew what to expect, and knew in advance what tours and trips we wanted to do.

The Holiday: By the time we arrived at our resort we were so excited. It was so much more beautiful than we expected, we were just stunned. The resort was pretty large and had a lovely, big open lobby with a bar, stage area and club. There were 2 buffet restaurants, a 24 hour grill, 5 specialty restaurants, 3 bars including a swim up bar and beach bar, all serving unlimited cocktails, beer and premuim spirits, wine and champagne. The pool area was absolutely huge, it was zero depth and had lots of islands in, you could swim around for ages and never meet anyone. The beach was gorgeous and the sea was so warm and crystal clear. The rooms were large and very nice, stocked with drinks and 24 hour room service at the touch of a button.
We spent a lot of time in the pool, it was so hot so we needed to cool off and it was just so nice. We loved snorkeling in the crystal clear water which teemed with tropical fish, and taking out pedalo's to snorkel further out. We caught the hotel tram in to the nearest town and visited the market for crafts and souvenirs which was interesting. We also did a few different tours, 2 of which we got to see and experience some of the culture and learn more about the beautiful country. It was a real insight seeing and learning about how the Cuban's live, and seeing Communism in action and the effects it has had on this country. We also got to visit the home where Castro was born, and see some traditional dancing. We did an amazing catamaran tour which took us to some amazing reefs to snorkel off, had a great lobster lunch, and just enjoyed being in Cuba. We did a speedboat tour, obviously Nick's choice. And the highlight was when we swum with the dolphins. Now this was not a patch on Discovery Cove, you literally do a swim and thats it, and it wasn't as professionally done, but we did have more freedom to interact with the dolphins and we were in the water with lots of them at once. It was amazing.
All in all the holiday was perfect. We both had an amazing time and loved being to experience a such an interesting and different culture along side such beauty and fun.

Here are some pictures, they may be a few as I took thousands but I tried to cut it down a little. Firstly our resort

The lobby bar

There were lots of waterfalls and ponds in the lobby area

It was great to enjoy a drink or two in

Our room block

And our room

The massive pool area, although this is just a small section of a very large pool

Some of the resort restaurants, firstly the Italian

The 24 hour grill and trattoria

Nick in the seafood beach restaurant

And enjoying a drink there during the day

The Romantico restaurant

The icecream place

And plaza where some of the restaurants were along with a few shops and a weekly market

Piggles and I ready for dinner

The beautiful beach

 

[ariel2007]

View down to the beach form near our room

Castro's childhood home

Classic cuban car. Nick took this, we ended up with so many car pictures.

Some photo's from the tours

A typical Cuban house, a whole family including grandparents, parents and children would live in this

In Santiago de Cuba, the second capital

A show of Cuban dancing put on for us

The speedboat tour

And catamaran snorkeling tour

The dolphin swim

 

[troobabiee7]

I'm loving all the pictures! First, your camping pictures. That looked like so much fun, especially with all the water slides! I don't know... I'd like to think that I'd be fine camping and it would be a fun adventure with friends. But then I think about the dirt and lack of showers and bathrooms and being out in the woods, and it's not something I can see myself doing anytime soon

LOVE the Cuba pictures, it looks so gorgeous! You don't think about Cuba being a must-visit destination for many people so you don't hear much about it. It must have been such an interesting trip!

 

[ariel2007]

I'm loving all the pictures! First, your camping pictures. That looked like so much fun, especially with all the water slides! I don't know... I'd like to think that I'd be fine camping and it would be a fun adventure with friends. But then I think about the dirt and lack of showers and bathrooms and being out in the woods, and it's not something I can see myself doing anytime soon

LOVE the Cuba pictures, it looks so gorgeous! You don't think about Cuba being a must-visit destination for many people so you don't hear much about it. It must have been such an interesting trip!

I never thought of myself as the camping type as I'm a girly girl that needs a nice shower every day and to blow dry my hair. But I started going to a festival every year with my sister and some friends and its just so much fun that I didn't care. Everyone was in the same boat, but after a few years they even had a beauty room where girls could use the plugs to straighten there hair and stuff. We also camped at Longleat but it was lots of fun. The shower was literally a garden shed with a shower in but I got over it because we were having such a good time. I have never done proper camping in the woods though

I think part of the reason I wanted to go to Cuba was because it was different. Its not a major tourist destination (although it is getting more so), which means it is less spoiled and more real which I love. And because its communist its so different, which makes it really interesting. Although I love to sit on the beach or by the pool with a margarita and relax, I couldn't do that every day, especially since we went for 2 weeks, I need to explore and learn about the culture and things.

 

[troobabiee7]

I never thought of myself as the camping type as I'm a girly girl that needs a nice shower every day and to blow dry my hair. But I started going to a festival every year with my sister and some friends and its just so much fun that I didn't care. Everyone was in the same boat, but after a few years they even had a beauty room where girls could use the plugs to straighten there hair and stuff. We also camped at Longleat but it was lots of fun. The shower was literally a garden shed with a shower in but I got over it because we were having such a good time. I have never done proper camping in the woods though

I think part of the reason I wanted to go to Cuba was because it was different. Its not a major tourist destination (although it is getting more so), which means it is less spoiled and more real which I love. And because its communist its so different, which makes it really interesting. Although I love to sit on the beach or by the pool with a margarita and relax, I couldn't do that every day, especially since we went for 2 weeks, I need to explore and learn about the culture and things.

The camping does sound fun, especially if there's a beauty room And Cuba really does look amazing. I'm the same way - I love lounging around and relaxing on vacation, but there's no way I could do that every day. I could do that at home - I'd rather explore other cultures and get to know people from around the world!

 

[ariel2007]

The camping does sound fun, especially if there's a beauty room And Cuba really does look amazing. I'm the same way - I love lounging around and relaxing on vacation, but there's no way I could do that every day. I could do that at home - I'd rather explore other cultures and get to know people from around the world!

The Cuban culture and people are so interesting. They are still rationed over there, not just on food but for shampoo, toothpaste etc too. When we went on one of the tours we had people begging us for soap, and the same when we were on a beach. Its so strange, we are used to people begging for money but not for soap or toothpaste. On 2 of the tours we did we had one old male guide and one young female guide. The old male hated communism and what it had done to the country, whereas the young girl thought it was great as she didn't know any different. She was going on about how well communism worked as they got free schooling and health care, and we were thinking well we get that and we dont have to live in a tiny falling apart house with 15 other family member and have to go out begging for soap. Its crazy.

 

[troobabiee7]

The Cuban culture and people are so interesting. They are still rationed over there, not just on food but for shampoo, toothpaste etc too. When we went on one of the tours we had people begging us for soap, and the same when we were on a beach. Its so strange, we are used to people begging for money but not for soap or toothpaste. On 2 of the tours we did we had one old male guide and one young female guide. The old male hated communism and what it had done to the country, whereas the young girl thought it was great as she didn't know any different. She was going on about how well communism worked as they got free schooling and health care, and we were thinking well we get that and we dont have to live in a tiny falling apart house with 15 other family member and have to go out begging for soap. Its crazy.

Wow, that's pretty crazy. I've never left the US but I'd LOVE to get out there and see how other people live. People begging for soap is a far cry from the Disney bubble I'm used to when traveling!

 

[disneydusted]

Wow, Ariel... these 2 trips are something! Sophie has grown so much since your first trip. She's a cutie!
About France... did you find the locals friendly? Were they more personable than the French in Paris? I spent a summer down in a small town L'Esperou, a bit north of Nimes, and I thought the local townspeople were so nice. Going up to Paris they didn't want to speak French if we didn't speak it like a Frenchman!! They would put on a great show of not understanding, pretty funny, but in their defense we were probably killing the language!
Cuba.... so interesting about the communist restrictions. Did you feel welcomed there? The water is so amazing, like the BVI. You and Nick should go sailing in the Virgin Islands, same climate, beautiful! Snorkling there is super!
I was surprised at the condition of the houses in the photos. And begging for soap. We really are blessed in our countires where we live. I can't believe the dolphins!!!! That is so awesome! How long did you swim with them, would thedolphins let you hold onto them.... were they there for food or curiosity?

 

[CoP Luv]

HI! I am finally catching up to everything. Life has just been so busy lately that I haven't found time to do much DISing...and THAT's a priority!

Anyway, love all of the pictures so far of your trips. I am glad that you are finding great ways to keep your PTR going since it sounds like you have most of your upcoming trip planned!!!

I used to go camping a bit more when I was younger and didn't realize how awesome a real bed and shower were. Now, I am not really an "outdoor" girl, but DH is trying to get me to go on a fishing trip in May. We'll see how that one works out.

I was really quite surprised that you picked Cuba of all places to spend your trip. For us here, since we can't really go there, it doesn't even cross my mind to think of spending 2 weeks there. I would have a hard time seeing people beg for soap and other things that we can just so easily buy. Glad you had such a great time though!!! The dolphins look amazing!

DH and I are looking to maybe go to the Bahamas sometime this year. That's about as close to Cuba I think I will ever get.

 

[Villainess]

I had taken a course in college where the professor married a Cuban woman (he is American) and he went there for a summer; your pictures reminded me of those he had shown us and I had forgotten how he told us about them begging for soap. It is a beautiful country and I love the 50's cars on the streets! My godfather (a car collector) would be in his glory!

 

[lmillercrew]

I never thought of Cuba as a vacation destination. It's so pretty so it's hard to think of people not wanting to live there because of the leaders in that country.
Sophie's hair was SO blonde. You could tell that she'd been out in the sun a lot that summer.

 

[ariel2007]

Wow, that's pretty crazy. I've never left the US but I'd LOVE to get out there and see how other people live. People begging for soap is a far cry from the Disney bubble I'm used to when traveling!

It was pretty crazy seeing how they live over there, and it makes you think how lucky you are. Thailand was the same, a lot of people living in really bad conditions, but in Cuba it was kind of a general thing, everyone was in the same boat. In Thailand you see these big beautiful houses and Grand Palaces just around the corner from run-down shacks with no roof and whole big families in them.
I do like to experience these cultures but I am glad I go back to a nice house in a nice safe place.

Wow, Ariel... these 2 trips are something! Sophie has grown so much since your first trip. She's a cutie!
About France... did you find the locals friendly? Were they more personable than the French in Paris? I spent a summer down in a small town L'Esperou, a bit north of Nimes, and I thought the local townspeople were so nice. Going up to Paris they didn't want to speak French if we didn't speak it like a Frenchman!! They would put on a great show of not understanding, pretty funny, but in their defense we were probably killing the language!
Cuba.... so interesting about the communist restrictions. Did you feel welcomed there? The water is so amazing, like the BVI. You and Nick should go sailing in the Virgin Islands, same climate, beautiful! Snorkling there is super!
I was surprised at the condition of the houses in the photos. And begging for soap. We really are blessed in our countires where we live. I can't believe the dolphins!!!! That is so awesome! How long did you swim with them, would thedolphins let you hold onto them.... were they there for food or curiosity?

I can't believe how baby faced Sophie looks, she looks so young. Its strange though as her personality hasn't changed at all, and she still has the same face, she just looks much older now.

We find the French to be different all over really, I suppose like anywhere. In Disneyland we always seem to come across a lot of very rude people, including locals, just very selfish and arrogant. Most of the time we are in Brittany we always come across really nice, friendly people. We have rented both a gite and a villa before and both sets of owners were really nice, my Grandma would speak to them for hours. However sometime you find in the smaller towns they tend to be less open and friendly.

The BVI sound lovely, I will have to add that to my list of places to visit . When we were in Cuba we were in a resort that was quite out the way of everything and all the staff were so friendly and nice. The local people we did come across always seemed nice enough, but most of them did beg for something. Once we had someone beg when we were on the beach, asking us for shampoo. We found it most strange, why would we carry shampoo to the beach . But it was nice to experience the country and culture, it made it so interesting.
The dolphins were so friendly and seemed to love the attention. When we were in the water we were allowed to touch them and interact and then towards the end we were given the option to do a dolphin swim or jump. I did both and they were great. The swim we got pulled along by 2 dolphins, it was different to DC as there you only have one and you go to the shallows whereas it was all deep here. The jump was quite scary as they come up underneath and push you into the end like you see in SW and things. It was so much fun and such a great experience

HI! I am finally catching up to everything. Life has just been so busy lately that I haven't found time to do much DISing...and THAT's a priority!

Anyway, love all of the pictures so far of your trips. I am glad that you are finding great ways to keep your PTR going since it sounds like you have most of your upcoming trip planned!!!

I used to go camping a bit more when I was younger and didn't realize how awesome a real bed and shower were. Now, I am not really an "outdoor" girl, but DH is trying to get me to go on a fishing trip in May. We'll see how that one works out.

I was really quite surprised that you picked Cuba of all places to spend your trip. For us here, since we can't really go there, it doesn't even cross my mind to think of spending 2 weeks there. I would have a hard time seeing people beg for soap and other things that we can just so easily buy. Glad you had such a great time though!!! The dolphins look amazing!

DH and I are looking to maybe go to the Bahamas sometime this year. That's about as close to Cuba I think I will ever get.

Ah sorry you haven't had much time to Dis but then I know what its like to be crazy busy and just not have the time. I am glad you eventually got a break though and time to catch up, I'm glad to have you back

As for the camping I am not really that kind of person either but just find it so much fun. Its so great getting back to nature and sitting outside under the stars, its always so peaceful and beautiful. But I do really miss a good shower, camping ones just don't compare, especially when they are in the middle of a field full of people and you are not sure if the lock works properly

Cuba was beautiful and we would easily go back again and recommend it to anyone. We were kind of used to seeing poverty and people begging as we had been to Thailand and we experienced a lot there, but experiencing communism and seeing how it effected the country and people was quite different. I have always been very interested in culture and travel and I just accept that its all part of that, and it was interesting and an experience to see it. But I have to admit I was glad to get back to my nice clean, comfy hotel at the end of the day.

Oh I hope you get to go to the Bahama's that would be cool. Before we chose to go back to Disney Nick and I actually thought about the Bahama's as I really want to stay at Atlantis. But its just so expensive, not just to stay there but everything once were there, I think Disney is a much better bet

 

[ariel2007]

I had taken a course in college where the professor married a Cuban woman (he is American) and he went there for a summer; your pictures reminded me of those he had shown us and I had forgotten how he told us about them begging for soap. It is a beautiful country and I love the 50's cars on the streets! My godfather (a car collector) would be in his glory!

Yes it was really beautiful, and Nick just loved seeing all the cars, he would just stand and stare at them for ages. But it is strange the begging, luckily we had read about it beforehand so were prepared, but it was still an experience. I bet your teacher had some amazing pictures and some tales to tell.

I never thought of Cuba as a vacation destination. It's so pretty so it's hard to think of people not wanting to live there because of the leaders in that country.
Sophie's hair was SO blonde. You could tell that she'd been out in the sun a lot that summer.

Yes it is so beautiful, it is just such a shame it has such poverty and sadness.

Sophie was a bit blonder then, but yes I think the sun had had quite an effect.

 

[xoktenox]

Hey! How'd Nick's birthday weekend go?

 

[ariel2007]

Hey! How'd Nick's birthday weekend go?

Great thanks, I took him away for a few days and we had lots of fun. I was going to update tonight but am so tired but will definitely do it tomorrow . How was your weekend?

 

[xoktenox]

Great thanks, I took him away for a few days and we had lots of fun. I was going to update tonight but am so tired but will definitely do it tomorrow . How was your weekend?

Good to hear! Where did you guys go? Can't wait to see lots of pics as I'm sure you took many My weekend was pretty boring. BF was sick all week with a fever and stomach bug and then Friday night he started getting sick with a sinus infection and was dealing with that all weekend. So basically I took care of him all weekend, I know, I'm a great GF lol Somehow I managed to stay healthy myself...so far!