Doc Holiday

Where to in 2016

2015-07-28T18:09:00.001-06:00

January 22nd. our Doc Holiday will be off to the beautiful RIU Vallarta in Nuevo, Mexico.

Check our Facebook GROUP

2015-01-11T18:22:00.001-06:00

We will be posting comments and photos on our Facebook Group

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Azul Ixtapa Grand Resort, Mexico

2014-05-28T06:41:00.001-06:00

Azul Ixtapa Grand Resort Ixtapa, Mexico

2014-05-28T06:35:00.001-06:00

Not Long NOW!

2014-03-26T06:13:00.000-06:00

We have been waiting a long time for a direct flight from Saskatoon to Ixtapa... and it has finally happened. Our destination resort is The AZUL IXTAPA GRAND in Ixtapa, Mexico! We leave on January 22nd!

Call CAA Travel in the South Hill Mall to Escape from Winter next year

all done

2014-02-04T10:48:00.002-06:00

Mixed emotions today, as we write this in the lobby, ready to cheek out, after two weeks in Paradise. We were truly pampered and treated very well by the staff here at the Grand Palladium. We have had the good fortune to stay at numerous great locations, but this one is going to be difficult to beat...

So, we say so long, and look forward to the flight ... as Dorothy said... "theres no place like home"

Superbowl Sunday

2014-02-02T08:03:00.002-06:00

Today is Superbowl Sunday, but so far, there is little evidence... Being that a lot of people here are from England, Germany and France ... Canada of course, but very few Americans (yeh!) So, it remains to be seen whether it will be a big deal tonite....

P.S. Its also Groundhog day... the Gecko by the pool didn't see his shadow, so we predict and early spring.

A good shot of the cliff divers by Bill Thompson

FOOD

2014-02-02T07:59:00.002-06:00

In a word..fantastic... we'll let the pictures tell the story.

Road Trip

2014-02-01T07:17:00.004-06:00

Another batch of folks made an afternoon trip to Negril... and had good fun watching the cliff divers, shopping and stopping off at Margaritaville for refreshments.

Not sure what to expect, but there is a Huge Superbowl Party Planned for tomorrow evening.

another great day

2014-01-31T07:29:00.002-06:00

Another fabulous day in Jamaica...

Where the resort is, is fairly isolated... and although there is plenty to occupy your time ... it is still nice to leave the resort... and a bunch of folks are going to Negril, which is a little more "touristy".. shopping, Rics Cafe, Margaritaville, shopping, etc... should be fun

By the way ... they loungers in the pool look fabulous, but not easy to lay in... (did i just hear myself complaining) shame on me

Later

Adventurous

2014-01-29T20:08:00.005-06:00

Some were a little more adventurous than others, and took advantage of the free water sports here at the resort... they did quite well.

The guy in the boat is not a water sports guy... and not a fisherman either... apparently he trolls the beaches selling local herbs... OK he's a weed grower... selling his crop... no Wheatboard here... he can sell on his own.

Interesting talk with our waiter at the Steak House tonite... we compared countries and we whined about the cold weather at home... to which he said... " you can dress for cold... you can't dress for poverty".... wow...

Happy People

2014-01-28T15:35:00.001-06:00

There may very well be some unhappy Jamaicans, but we have yet to see them... We are told that Jamaica is one of the happiest countries in the world. Hard to imagine, with record high unemployment, and no such thing as unemployment insurance. So high, in fact that they are allowed to have only one job. The wages, as in all of the Caribbean countries are very low as well. (low by our standards at least)

But, given all of that, nothing but smiles everywhere we go...

The have so little, but have so much.

Video

2014-01-28T05:59:00.001-06:00

day off today

2014-01-27T07:10:00.001-06:00

Not a great deal to report today... a day for being laze.. we are getting good at that. We did dine at the asian restaurant last night... it was called The Lotus... I asked for shoestring fries...

Food, extremely good here, by the way. Whether alacarte or buffet.

Anyway... kind of a "day off" today...

Tomorrow we are off to Negril to Go to Margaritaville, Rics Cafe etc

Discoveries

2014-01-26T08:34:00.004-06:00

An example of how large the resort property is, we were here for a full three days before discovering another pool and small cove with a beautiful beach... AND a bar... so, we have moved to the area for the day... and after a full day yesterday, it will be a day off....

Nice front yard

What a day

2014-01-25T20:04:00.005-06:00

This morning began early, with 17 of our group as well as our guide Sheree and driver Andrew on a day long excursion that took us from the pristine deluxe confines of the resort, into the REAL Jamaica.

The drive was one of a kind... winding roads about the size of the cart paths at Cooke... road conditions like we had never seen, and two hours of this before our first destination. The drive was made to seem more perilous, as Jamaicans drive on the left side of the road, and the winding, undulating roads were combined with speeds that would make Jeff Gordon pee his pants...

Anyway, the first stop alone was worth the trip... we stopped at Black River, and boarded a boat that took us up river... narrower and darker as we went, with a canopy of mangroves, thousands of birds and ... crocodiles! About an hour on the boat then back to the dock for a nice lunch, then on to stop number two.

A series of waterfalls with pools of warm clear water on each one, suitable for some of us to cool off.

Then the final stop, the famous Appleton Rum Factory... employs 1200 people, and has been making some of the worlds best rum since 1749. The tour took us through the process from sugar cane to a type of molasses, the distilling process, then to the oak barrels... hundreds of thousands in each of 17 warehouses... where they sit for years... the oldest is 50 years old... we did not sample that stuff, as it is worth $5000 per bottle!

The REAL Jamaica does feature some delicious fish, that stared at you... not for me

Anyway, the day ended as it began, with a death defying trip through the mountains and winding roads past brightly coloured tin roof shacks, selling jerk chicken and Red Stripe... back to home... back to the resort, which only resembles Jamaica because of the staff... who are wonderful...

A good day

Get my goat

2014-01-24T07:52:00.002-06:00

Some folks went on al all day exploration of Jamaica, with a tour, others just hung around and explored the resort... it is THAT big... numerous pools and beaches... dozens of bars and, as well at two buffets, there are 6 alacarte restaurants... Last night it was the Creole Restaurant... I passed on the first item on the menu... went for the second one....

just another day

2014-01-23T07:53:00.002-06:00

Well, another day of doing as little as possible... some are far more adventurous, and are on various tours to Bob Marleys home... the Apelton Rum factory, etc... others just hanging out at the beach. Had a great meal at the Indian Restaurant last night.. very different and delicious experience.

anyway... time is wasting.... will send blogs daily now, as we have wifi in the room now... works quite well

Todays drink of the day is something called "popsicle" .... looks tasty.

2014-01-23T07:41:00.005-06:00

Day one went extremely well.. Bus on time Plane, not only on time, but, because of some serious winds, we arrived in Montego Bay, a full hour early! One little blip though… one of our ladies luggage did not arrive. How do you lose luggage on a direct flight? Although it was a baggage handling issue in Saskatoon, the Air Transat people are tracking it down and say it will be here today… somehow… meanwhile she’s the lady walking around in a borrowed tshirt.

Resort is beautiful… very large and we have not had a chance to explore it all.. we did find food and drink, then an early night last night… and today we will get the lay of the land and frolic in the ocean, as we make plans for the days to come…

Anyway, all is well here in paradise… will keep you posted.

Underway

2014-01-21T08:02:00.003-06:00

Well, phase 1 (Bus Ride to Stoon) and phase 2 (check in) has gone very smoothly... AND the plane is departing ON TIME... then off to Jamaica

The Winter will end soon for some

2013-04-12T16:58:00.001-06:00

Well, we can taste the Red Stripe and the Jerk Chicken.... As we get ready for another vacation. This year, the Fabulous Grand Palladium Lady Hamilton Resort in Jamaica... Watch here to see what the P.A. Group is up to

Below, photos and stories from our previous trips

Buenos Diaz

2013-02-03T20:24:00.001-06:00

Well, we say solong to another Fabulous Vacation.... Huge Thanks to Tom, Angel and everyone at CAA Travel for giving us memories to last a lifetime...

as much as we hate to leave Paradise, As Dorothy said in the Wizard of Oz..."there's no place like home"

What Superbowl?

2013-02-03T17:11:00.001-06:00

Well, although the Superbowl will be on tonite.... today was all about the IronMan Panama... we were very fortunate, as the bike portion had a turn around right in front of our Resort... And a Canadian ... name Trevor Wurtele, came in 7th... quite good...

In other news, full marks for the hotel, for checking in ONE THOUSAND people in ONE group! Some farm friends may know the seed company ... BECK'S... it sent one thousand dealers to the resort for a little perk... chartered seven aircraft to do it... a remarkable feat, to process that many people ... luckily, they will be fed and watered in other facilities and we will not be compromised... after all we DO need more food and drink...

Anyway... we are going to enjoy today and we wind down another great vacation

Ironman or Superbowl

2013-02-01T16:43:00.000-06:00

While most of North America will focus on the Superbowl on Sunday... folks around here regard it as second to the IronMan... a huge event for Panama City. Part of the 56 mile bike portion will pass by our resort, so I will send photos.

Check it out...
http://ironmanpanama.com/welcome/

Also, another big Convention here at the resort this weekend, and someone over booked the hotel, so word went out to all, that if you wanted to, you could go to a Super Deluxe sister hotel downtown for Sat and Sun night... a free tour ( $250 per couple) and $100 cash... needless to say, some of our group said "sure" and off they go for a little adventure tomorrow. Sheila and I, will be staying back with the remainder of our crew. They will definitely get a birds eye view of the IronMan.

By the way, our resort has big plans for the Superbowl as well

Gotta go.... an early supper tonite...

For The BIrds

2013-01-31T16:20:00.000-06:00

A note from Moe Mareschal

Neil mentioned a 'Birder' that was along on the trip and asked for a few comments. First comment: of the over 900 bird species seen in Panama, I can claim to have seen 63 on this trip. HOWEVER, all but a very few were seen right on Playa Bonita, the little bay where our resort was located. Many of them were viewed on the mudflats at low tide. Those included White ibises, Whimbrels, various sandpipers, Caspian terns, Tropical cormorants, Ospreys, Laughing gulls, American Oystercatchers, Ruddy turnstones and, of course, those crazy divers, the Brown Pelicans. As for land-birds, the three species grackles were seen or heard by everyone but there were also many that were not as obvious. For example the colony of Oropendolas only 50 meters from the main entry and where, in the same vicinity, Olive-throated parakeets had their own, but hidden, nest. It was also there that a Fulvous-vented euphonia made an appearance. And then there was the small Bat Falcon and his mate that frequented the tall trees in front of the condo building to the east of our resort. There were quite a few more species that graced the grounds but I'll mention one more, a rather rare one that I was lucky to see and whose photo wasn't good enough to be shown: the Magenta-backed tanager which is endemic to Panama.

I must make a confession, though: I got a good look at only one hummingbird but Neil and Sheila and several others from our tour saw a lot more species of those little guys. My mistake was in not sitting back to let the birds come to me rather than the other way around. So, next trip back to Panama, I'll make sure to sit where I can smell the flowers and watch the hummingbirds. Look at one of Neil's earlier entries to see the Violet Saberwing... as well as another Uncommon bird in Panama, the Southern Lapwing that Neil posted. Birds are there but so are the animals and other wildlife, especially the chiggers (no-see-ums) that were particularly hungry on the last morning that we were in Panama.