No comments about Caribbean Ports of Call: Western Region, 9th: A Guide for Today's Cruise Passengers (Caribbean Ports of Call: Western Region).

5 comments about The Rough Guide to the Dominican Republic 3 (Rough Guide Travel Guides).

1. I just got back from a 10 day trip to the DR. I found this guide amazing right up to the second to last day when I lost it on the beach. I had checked other guide books out from the library but when it came time to go this was the one I ordered.



2. This is a very thorough and helpful guide to the Dominican Republic. I used it in combination with the Lonely Planet guide and together they gave me everything I needed to know about the country, accommodations, eating, getting around the country, etc.



3. i read this book from cover to cover. the history of the country is outlined in an easy to follow format. thanks to this guide, i have a two month educational trip planned to DR.



4. I just returned from 16 days in the DR. I found this guide untrustworthy and wrong. I spent the first 3 days hiking Pico Duarte and then was based for 2 weeks in Santiago. To give you an idea of the level of error, the map of Santiago on p. 264 shows the Centro Leon in one place, the description on p. 269 gives another location: neither one is correct. Now, my travels were off the beaten tourist path--I only spent 4 hours at a beach. But that's why I chose the Rough Guide. In general the guide was written for travellers who rent cars, but everyone (including the guide) recommended against them. Guaguas are great!
   
   Here are the errors in the order I encountered them:
   p. 281 The Finca Altagracia does not accept overnight guests except on a long term stay. If you do manage to get a motoconcho to take you on the mountain road to get at their gates at night, they will not let you in and you will have to go to any farmhouse in a nearby village that's big and kind enough to take you in. The next morning they will tell you that they have been meaning to tell the guide that they got it wrong.
   p. 287 Duarte's face is not sculpted onto the rocks. Clearly the writer or editor has never been to the summit of Pico Duarte.
   p. 274 There *may* have been mines down the road leading to "La Cumbre de Juan Vegas", but the locals do not know of them, and my hour's hike to the end of the path did not find them. Currently there are mines off of a road about 3-4 kilometers further North. The turn is to the EAST right after the police station. Ask a motoconcho to take you to the mines. They are about 1 kilometer down the road, but hard to find on your own.
   p. 269 The Centro de Recreo and the Palacio Consistorial are NOT on the North side of the park--on the west side.
   p. 269-70 The Centro de Cultura is not where they say it is either.
   p. 277 The Charcos de Los Indios is criminally overrated. I moved heaven and earth to find it, asking many locals and spending a whole day. The locals did say it is better when the waterfalls have more water, but the prose in this section should be toned down. I can send pictures of the place.
   That's all I have time for now.



5. Excellent information on what we were hoping for. Great and I aould recommend it to anyone interested in getting aropound in the Dominican Rerpublic.

5 comments about The Handsomest Man in Cuba: An Escapade.

1. In "The Handsomest Man in Cuba: An Escapade" Lynette Chiang wrote about her adventure biking in Cuba. Originally from Sydney, Lynette travelled light with a bicycle that can be folded, a tent, and a few other necessity items for travelling. It was a great way for Lynette to learn about the culture, food, and people in the country. Even though she was a foreigner with U.S. dollars, Lynette was determined not to travel the way Castro expected tourists to; paying exhorbitant amount of money for hotel or food. Most of the time, she stayed with families or friends that she people she met recommended or just if the rooms were cheap. She was able to learn a lot about Cuban families and their way of life in Cuba.
   
   What I like most about the book is that the author was candid about her observation of Cuba, of the poverty and at the same time of the friendliness of the people. Unlike some foreigners, she did not romanticize Cuba. It was most fascinating to read about the characters she met along her journey, which I thought was definitely the highlight of her travelogue. However, I wish that the author shared more about her personal life, and what brought her to Central America in the first place. This would have made the book even more engaging than it already is. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to learn more about Cuba and the Cuban people. A fantastic summer read.



2. I recently rode my Bike Friday with Lynette and some 40 other "Friday" enthusiasts through the historic towns of Southern Arizona, so I was pleased to find that the personality that exudes from her every pore was clearly revealed in this entertaining, funny, bittersweet, educational account of her biking through Cuba. I can't think of a better way to spend a couple of hours (whether or not you like biking and travel) than to view Cuban everyday life through Lynette's perceptive and objective eyes. The only thing better would be to actually take a bike ride with Lynette.



3. I like bicycling books with a lot of bicycling in them, and there isn't all that much bicycling in this book. That notwithstanding, it's a really good book. This lady is observant and perceptive, not to mention brave and adventurous. She is also, at times, wickedly funny and doesn't spare herself when it comes to pointing out human foibles and follies. I thought I got a real flavor of Cuba from the book as well. I'd recommend this book to anyone who enjoys real life adventure stories.



4. When I picked up this book I thought I'd get a quirky and fun read about a solo woman bike rider traveling and learning about Cuba. Well, it IS that, but it's so much more. It's about a unique woman riding a unique bicycle (Bike Friday), getting deep into the country through living with locals. At the same time, she lets the reader into her life journey, shattering expectations about what a successful Asian woman growing up in Australia should be doing with her life.
   
   If you're adventurous, or if you've ever fantasized about getting on a bike to ride into the sunrise/sunset, or if you're simply looking for a book that you can't put down, this is the one. And guys, check it out. Her grueling bike rides--not to mention boat rides during severe storms--will impress even the toughest bikers.



5. This travel tale about a diminutive gal on a small wheeled folding bike in Cuba hits a home run. Lynette's brutally honest account of her feelings and course of action taken during this trek is wonderful reading. This story is something which I believe many people dream of yet few actually do. Myself included.

1 comments about Havana: Autobiography of a City.

1. I first met the writer during the book fair at the Miami Dade Community College on November 11, 2007. During the conference he spoke about his book and also made some anti embargo comments. Mr. Estrada spends more time accusing past Cuban dictators such as Batista, Grau and Machado of criminal acts and at the same time idolizes a criminal such as Ernesto " Che" Guevara. At no time does Mr. Estrada refers to Fidel Castro as a corrupt dictator that has committed more crimes on the Cuban people than all of Cuba's past "Presidents" put together. Nevertheless the book is well written if he had balance fairly the political history of Cuba.

5 comments about Bicycling Cuba: Fifty Days of Detailed Rides from Havana to Pinar Del Rio and the Oriente.

1. Bicycling Cuba turned out to be invaluable during our three-week trip to the western part of Cuba. The authors really know what they are writing about. Some of the most interesting and rewarding routes suggested in the book were not on the best maps available. The authors way of describing the routes kilometer by kilometer was of great help because very often roads were unmarked. At the intersections we had no problems in choosing the right road. The book also contains a lot of useful information, for example, on accomodation.
   
   We warmly recommend Bicycling Cuba for independent cyclists planning a trip to Cuba.



2. Bicycling Cuba turned out to be invaluable during our three-week trip to the western part of Cuba. The authors really know what they are writing about. Some of the most interesting and rewarding routes suggested in the book were not on the best maps available. The authors' way of describing the routes kilometer by kilometer was of great help because very often roads were unmarked. At the intersections we had no problems in choosing the right road. The book also contains a lot of other useful information, for example, on accomodation.
   We warmly recommend Bicycling Cuba for independent cyclists planning a trip to Cuba.



3. Having never done any cycle touring, speaking very little Spanish and being a middle aged women travelling alone, I thought a few tips and hints and route advice would make my trip a little easier. I found it all and more in "Bicycling Cuba" by Wally and Barbara Smith. Their advice on what to take, where to go, where to stay, and gems to see was unsurpassed.

   I had spent three weeks in Cuba previously and had used two guide books. The Smiths' advice, while not replacing a guide book, was the best: succinct, accurate and introduced me to friendly and helpful people. Their three main cycle tours, west, central and eastern Cuba cover the most scenic areas as well as the historic gems of this wonderful country. The route descriptions were accurate, easy to follow and contained good advice about difficulty, water availability, traffic problems and special sites.

   The Smiths obviously love Cuba and this comes out in their writing. They include inserts about various social issues, economics and politics -- each fascinating.

   I thoroughly recommend "Bicycling Cuba" with no reservations. My only wish is that the Smiths would produce some more books for other countries.




4. If you are visiting Cuba in the near future, BUY THIS BOOK. If you think you might tour Cuba,BUY THIS BOOK. If you don't plan to visit Cuba but enjoy reading travel narratives by those who have traveled to exotic places, BUY THIS BOOK. I have just returned from a two week bicycle trip with two friends and can report from experience that Bicycling Cuba is spot-on about everything. The Smiths have many years experience leading bike tours for a large bicycle touring company, so their guide book and route directions are presented as cyclists need and use them. Their routes cover the entire country, and the routes we follwed along the South Coast out of Santiago were accurate to a fault. Everything the Smiths wrote about the terrain, historical sites, social mores, laws,lodgings, and Cuban culture and society proved enormously helpful because everything is written clearly and, most importantly for cyclists, accurately. Anyone planning to tour Cuba by car, train, or bus will also find the book useful. I can't think of anything the Smiths left out, except maybe Fidel's personal telephone number! Europeans and other nationals should not pass up this book because it's in English. Even though written in English they will find the book invaluable. Now that I have been home for a couple of weeks I find myself picking the book up and reading about the places I have been and enjoying them all over again. Bicycling Cuba is about as close to Plato's Ideal Travel Guide as we are likely to see. Congratulations to the Smiths, and if you are thinking about a trip to Cuba, buy Bicycling Cuba. I'll bet you go.



5. As I said, this book is a good help for plan our trip to Cuba next August.
   There are a lot of details, descrpctions, not only about the kilometeres between the villages, as the places we can eat something or the places we can buy something... Than you, and I have a nice live!!
   
   Recuerdos a Enrique

1 comments about Us Virgin Islands Alive! (The Us Virgin Islands Alive) (The Us Virgin Islands Alive).

1. US VIRGIN ISLANDS ALIVE! by Harriet & Douglas Greenberg is the Second Edition and also an excellent Hunter Guide Book. After an introduction which includes such things as history, climate, food, and various ways to travel to the Virgin Islands, the book gives great detail about three specific Islands: St. Thomas, St. John, and St. Croix. With numerous color photographs of lovely scenic spots on each of these islands, the book serves as a wonderful memoir of your trip. You'll also find information about the best beaches, sight seeing, and shopping in addition to the various places to stay and eat. There is a variety of contact information including phone numbers and website addresses for booking your trip.

No comments about The History of Chile (Palgrave Essential Histories).

4 comments about On and Off the Beaten Path: The Central and Southern Bahamas Guide : From South Florida to the Turks and Caicos.

1. Pavlidis' guide will get you to places you didnt think you could visit. It also assumes you are a competent tropical water sailor and wont do stupid things like run into rocks, etc. Where other guides state "local knowledge required" for an area Pavlidis gives you the best current info and then warns you to be aware of possible changes and hazards. If you want to find places where there is still a lobster under every rock and no other boats in sight, this is the guide to use.



2. I am getting ready to take off for the Bahamas next month so I decided to take a trip to the ship's store and have a look at the cruising guides. I am heading to the Southern Bahamas so you would think that this guide would be perfect. It is NOT. I took a quick look through the contents and index and discovered he did not cover the Exumas. How could this be? Ah... Mr. Pavlidis wants you to buy YET ANOTHER of his books, one specifically covering the Exumas. Appauling. How can you say you are covering the central and southern Bahamas WITHOUT even one chapter on the Exumas?

   I think I will stick with my trusty Yachtsman's guide to the Bahamas. It actually covers the Bahamas. It does not leave out A WHOLE ISLAND CHAIN in order to suck up another 30 bucks.

   The book's name should be The Central and Southern Bahamas Guide EXCLUDING a Great Deal of the Southern and Central Bahamas.

   Good Grief!




3. The initial review looks great! When I get to the Bahamas the real review will begin.



4. I'm NOT a sailor yet, but am in the "early retirement planning" stage (meaning sailing lessons and drooling over boats). In about 6 - 8 years we will have a boat and will be spending a lot of time in the Bahamas. This book really gives a lot of excellent information on just about everything you need, and more stuff on the things you want to know.
   
   I highly recommend this book and this author to any one, sailor or not!

2 comments about Grenada: Isle of Spice (Macmillan Caribbean Guides).

1. This book was everything I expected. It's very good as a preview for visiting the island. The history gets a little dry after awhile; otherwise, a pretty good book.



2. This is the best, most comprehensive guide to Grenada we have found yet. As we are moving to Grenada, we had a challenge find information beyond the normal tourist spiel. The book was obviously written by a native Grenaian and she shares all kinds of insightful and sometimes humorous anecdotes on island life. I can see why she has updated the book so many times. Actually it could probably use updating once again as things seem to have changed again since hurricane Ivan in 2005. The book was last updated in 2000 I believe. Still, if you want to get the scoop on the character of Grenada, this book is the best, period.

1 comments about Rum & Reggae's Grenadines: Including St. Vincent & Grenada (Rum & Reggae series).

1. We spent spent two months in Grenada, St Vincent, and the Grenadines on our sailboat in the winter of 2008. We had seven guide books for this area -- Rum & Reggae was our favorite. For exploring, hiking, snorkeling, eating: this book consitently recommended places and activities that were more interesting and less touristy. Sure, we used the others books too, but we used this one more.
   
   Note that we were living on our sailboat and did not use their hotel recommendations.
   
   We've since bought the Rum & Reggae books for the rest of the areas that we plan to explore next winter.