15th April 2002
Cuba’s not the easiest of countries to navigate. Simon Calder wrote in 1998 that you were 60 times more likely to crash on Cubana, the national airline than British Airways and Pat is anxious to say the least. .
30th April 2003
The Dominican Republic is mega resort country. I’m staying on Playa Dorada in San Felipe de Puerto Plata (usually known as Puerto Plata). The lengthy beachfront is backed by resorts and an 18-hole golf course and my hotel is in an enclave with about 12 others. There are about 100,000 hotel beds in the city altogether.
31st December 2004
I blush and point. 'Ah yes', he says, 'we call those the trailer trash of the sea'.
1st January 2005
Before we landed in Jamaica the on-board entertainers made us practise saying 'Ya man'. On land it is more a case of 'Naw man'.
23rd May 2007
Waves lapping on palm tree lined beach , three swimming pools and I just lay here and snap my fingers at waiters who scurry around and fetch anything you want. Champagne, pina colada, oasis mama, fruit punch. Anything. Every so often I roll off my sunbed into the sea and go snorkelling.
23rd May 2007
A day trip from St Lucia on a ferry; it’s a very choppy stretch of water. The Caribbean is very far from being a tranquil holiday paradise at times. There isn’t time to explore beyond the capital – Fort de France.
22nd May 2008
A sunset boat cruise round the picturesque harbour of St George, with the compulsory rum punch, is relaxing. A car around the island makes a better escape. The weather is still not great, but there are flowers aplenty and rum distilleries and plantation houses to visit.
9th November 2009
The hotel has its own lovely beach surrounded by a stone arm, to create a lagoon with a little gentle snorkelling. The clients are mainly British and super-friendly. I hardly eat dinner on my own