Rare kazu Posted December 19, 2014 #101 Share Posted December 19, 2014 Something like that. Briefly, injuries he sustained when he was free (some sort of attack) were permanent requiring monthly treatment by an avian vet while he is sedated. Complications are such that his health can turn on a dime at any time. We have to stay on top of it. No petsitter can deal with this. Owing to a career which required we move to different countries every 2-4 years, it is not as if we haven't seen the world. This little guy flew into our lives at the only time we could have taken on a pet - when we were going home to retire. Clearly he needed us, and now we can't imagine losing him. So we won't cruise as long as he is alive, and we are pulling out all the stops to give him the most optimal and longest life we can. So we are grounded by a bird - an irony we are happy to live with.:) Such lovely post - grounded by your bird. A truly inspiring story for all animal lovers everywhere. What kindness! Thank you for sharing this wonderful story with us. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
serendipity1499 Posted December 19, 2014 #102 Share Posted December 19, 2014 (edited) Something like that. Briefly, injuries he sustained when he was free (some sort of attack) were permanent requiring monthly treatment by an avian vet while he is sedated. Complications are such that his health can turn on a dime at any time. We have to stay on top of it. No petsitter can deal with this. Owing to a career which required we move to different countries every 2-4 years, it is not as if we haven't seen the world. This little guy flew into our lives at the only time we could have taken on a pet - when we were going home to retire. Clearly he needed us, and now we can't imagine losing him. So we won't cruise as long as he is alive, and we are pulling out all the stops to give him the most optimal and longest life we can. So we are grounded by a bird - an irony we are happy to live with.:) Oh My What a beautiful story! I'm sitting here crying.. Know how you can become attached to them.. Years ago we had a Cockatiel named "Holly".. Our children adopted her but their Kitty cat kept terrifying her, so she had to stay in her cage.. We decided to take her in & got a larger cage for her.. She used to sit on top of the cage & try to talk.. It still haunts me as it was my fault that she died!.. We had her for several years & kept her wings clipped... One day she climbed down her ladder & went looking for me in my computer room, so I could pick her up & put her on my shoulder.. I had just stepped outside for 5 minutes but "Brandy" my wire-haired dachshund puppy, got her when my back was turned, thinking she was a squeaky toy.. Sadly, Holly died.. We buried her in our back yard, but I sill mourn that little one 14 1/2 years later... Edited December 19, 2014 by serendipity1499 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lizzie68 Posted December 19, 2014 #103 Share Posted December 19, 2014 Something like that. Briefly, injuries he sustained when he was free (some sort of attack) were permanent requiring monthly treatment by an avian vet while he is sedated. Complications are such that his health can turn on a dime at any time. We have to stay on top of it. No petsitter can deal with this. Owing to a career which required we move to different countries every 2-4 years, it is not as if we haven't seen the world. This little guy flew into our lives at the only time we could have taken on a pet - when we were going home to retire. Clearly he needed us, and now we can't imagine losing him. So we won't cruise as long as he is alive, and we are pulling out all the stops to give him the most optimal and longest life we can. So we are grounded by a bird - an irony we are happy to live with.:) Awww, what dedication - I do understand the love of animals and especially birds - and what special people you are to care so much about your little guy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrispb Posted December 19, 2014 #104 Share Posted December 19, 2014 US Business interests have had a lot to do with the push to open up relations with Cuba -- and there is much to gain in some sectors (Internet providers, travel-related businesses, banks, medical supplies, etc.) Not to mention a new consumer base for other US products. You do realize that Carnival stock (yes, HAL's parent company) saw a good-sized bump on the day the announcement was made, on the strength of future cruise possibilities: http://www.thestreet.com/story/12989148/1/carnival-ccl-stock-gains-following-easing-of-uscuba-tensions.html I just hope places like MuckDonalds and StarMucks stay away.:cool: But I expect they'll be the first ones there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare cruisemom42 Posted December 19, 2014 #105 Share Posted December 19, 2014 I just hope places like MuckDonalds and StarMucks stay away.:cool: But I expect they'll be the first ones there. Sadly you are likely correct. And don't forget Diamonds International. :cool: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sail7seas Posted December 19, 2014 #106 Share Posted December 19, 2014 US Business interests have had a lot to do with the push to open up relations with Cuba -- and there is much to gain in some sectors (Internet providers, travel-related businesses, banks, medical supplies, etc.) Not to mention a new consumer base for other US products. You do realize that Carnival stock (yes, HAL's parent company) saw a good-sized bump on the day the announcement was made, on the strength of future cruise possibilities: http://www.thestreet.com/story/12989148/1/carnival-ccl-stock-gains-following-easing-of-uscuba-tensions.html Why are we so sure Cuba wants U.S. mega chains to build there? They may well be denied. They likely don't really need Coca Cola et al Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sail7seas Posted December 19, 2014 #107 Share Posted December 19, 2014 Something like that. Briefly, injuries he sustained when he was free (some sort of attack) were permanent requiring monthly treatment by an avian vet while he is sedated. Complications are such that his health can turn on a dime at any time. We have to stay on top of it. No petsitter can deal with this. Owing to a career which required we move to different countries every 2-4 years, it is not as if we haven't seen the world. This little guy flew into our lives at the only time we could have taken on a pet - when we were going home to retire. Clearly he needed us, and now we can't imagine losing him. So we won't cruise as long as he is alive, and we are pulling out all the stops to give him the most optimal and longest life we can. So we are grounded by a bird - an irony we are happy to live with.:) What a heart warming story. Thank you so much for sharing with us. All us animal lovers melt at such loving pet parents. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrispb Posted December 19, 2014 #108 Share Posted December 19, 2014 Coca Cola is already sold there. Just not made in US, I understand. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kamloops50 Posted December 19, 2014 #109 Share Posted December 19, 2014 Coca Cola is already sold there. Just not made in US, I understand. It's Cuban version of Coke. They are recycling the old Coke bottles. Sent from my Transformer TF101 using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sail7seas Posted December 19, 2014 #110 Share Posted December 19, 2014 Coca Cola is already sold there. Just not made in US, I understand. Literally vs. figuratively. :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iancal Posted December 19, 2014 #111 Share Posted December 19, 2014 Never had the Coke but I can attest to the fact that the Mojitos (without the sugar) were FANTASTIC! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christine Frances Posted December 19, 2014 #112 Share Posted December 19, 2014 (edited) Why are we so sure Cuba wants U.S. mega chains to build there? They may well be denied. They likely don't really need Coca Cola et al The Spanish Hotel chains have already arrived! Melia alone has 27 hotels in Cuba. My friends are leaving tomorrow to spend Xmas at this hotel:) http://www.melia.com/en/hotels/cuba/varadero/melia-las-americas/index.html Edited December 19, 2014 by Christine Frances Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sail7seas Posted December 19, 2014 #113 Share Posted December 19, 2014 The Spanish Hotel chains have already arrived! Melia alone has 27 hotels in Cuba. My friends are leaving tomorrow to spend Xmas at this hotel:)http://www.melia.com/en/hotels/cuba/varadero/melia-las-americas/index.html We stayed in some really lovely Melia Hotels in Spain, particularly Marbella. Wonderful experience. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christine Frances Posted December 19, 2014 #114 Share Posted December 19, 2014 We stayed in some really lovely Melia Hotels in Spain, particularly Marbella. Wonderful experience. :) What North American chains would you compare them to? I have never stayed in one but they all look lovely. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Krazy Kruizers Posted December 19, 2014 #115 Share Posted December 19, 2014 Maybe Four Seasons? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christine Frances Posted December 19, 2014 #116 Share Posted December 19, 2014 Wow thanks. The Four Seasons in Vancouver is fantastic! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wilsonqbc Posted December 19, 2014 #117 Share Posted December 19, 2014 (edited) Melia is very similar to Iberostar or Riu, Bleau, They all have many resorts there. They keep building more and more mega ones. Melia also owns Trypp, and Paradisus. There is also a Sandals in Varadero. We have been to Melia Caya Coco, and Paradisus Varadero Royal Service, Also owned by Melia. Nothing missing there, Private car to Airport, Golf cart shuttle on the grounds. Only thing was some items not available now and then as no Tomatoes for a day or so and strawberries are scarce, but will have some certain days. But the fresh fish was amazing. Beef so/so Brazilian or Argentina beef. Wines were great, Spanish, Argentine, Italian, French. They were not lacking many items, But more like a 4 star elsewhere I guess. We loved it so much, will certainly return soon. In Varadero where we were some days lots of jellyfish and other days none. Depends on the winds or currents I guess. The resorts are well developed, lots is imported by these mega chain hotels. BUt Cuba does have some wonderful beer. Buckenero is quite good. Its the regular folks that have trouble getting supplies in their home towns Service was great, friendly, lots of activities. Had more fun there than in Jamaica, Dominican Republic, or Cancun. or dare I say a cruising, lol. The horror stories of no hot water and bad food, are if you stay in 3 star resorts. Which is the same in many other countries. Many Brits, Italians, French, Canadians of course and Yeah Russian too, lol Edited December 19, 2014 by wilsonqbc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CowPrincess Posted December 20, 2014 #118 Share Posted December 20, 2014 world~citizen, thank you for the update on Birdie/Oiseau. How fortunate you all were to be in the right place, at the right time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sail7seas Posted December 20, 2014 #119 Share Posted December 20, 2014 What North American chains would you compare them to? I have never stayed in one but they all look lovely. I think there may be a few varying standards for Melia Hotels. We stayed in one in Madrid we liked just fine and had everything we needed or wanted but the one in Marbella (deluxe resort area) was wonderful. It was a step above the one in Madrid and compared well to the Four Seasons in which we've stayed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Despegue Posted December 22, 2014 #120 Share Posted December 22, 2014 There is quite a difference between a GranMelia like in Marbella or in Tenerife, and a normal Melia, which is a typical 4 star Spanish chain hotel...so mostly very good value for money, but certainly not luxury. To compare with familiar US hotel chains: A Melia is compareable to a Hilton or Sheraton ( two overrated chains really) A Gran Melia is more like a Westin or Grand Hyatt. Paradisus is compareable to Secrets or Excellence resorts Sol Hoteles are budget resorts, mostly 3 stars and compareable to a Ramada. hope this helps, Despegue ( who has to spend around 250 days a year in hotels) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Hlitner Posted December 23, 2014 #121 Share Posted December 23, 2014 For those US folks that want to go to Cuba, it has been quite easy for several years. One needs to simply take a flight from places like Toronto or Cancun. While it has been technically illegal to spend US dollars in Cuba one can either ignore the law or simply change money to Canadian Dollars (or Mexican Pesos). While we hope that one day cruise ships will call at Havana, keep in mind that Cuba is a large island which can best be explored on a land-based trip as opposed to a short port day. One wonders how many car collectors will quickly head to Cuba if all the embargos are lifted. Hank Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sail7seas Posted December 23, 2014 #122 Share Posted December 23, 2014 For those US folks that want to go to Cuba, it has been quite easy for several years. One needs to simply take a flight from places like Toronto or Cancun. While it has been technically illegal to spend US dollars in Cuba one can either ignore the law or simply change money to Canadian Dollars (or Mexican Pesos). While we hope that one day cruise ships will call at Havana, keep in mind that Cuba is a large island which can best be explored on a land-based trip as opposed to a short port day. One wonders how many car collectors will quickly head to Cuba if all the embargos are lifted. Hank Americans do not have to break the law or ignore it in order to visit Cuba. They need only join any one of the great many group trips sponsored by universities, congregations, service clubs etc Many are granted waivers and those traveling with the group do so with the approval of U.S. Government. I prefer to stay on the right side of the law. :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
superoma Posted December 23, 2014 #123 Share Posted December 23, 2014 One wonders how many car collectors will quickly head to Cuba if all the embargos are lifted. Hank here's a preview of what they might see!! from trip in 2010 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doublebzz Posted December 23, 2014 #124 Share Posted December 23, 2014 Americans do not have to break the law or ignore it in order to visit Cuba. They need only join any one of the great many group trips sponsored by universities, congregations, service clubs etc Many are granted waivers and those traveling with the group do so with the approval of U.S. Government. I prefer to stay on the right side of the law. :D While I agree with you completely and also don't want to break the law, trips under the auspices of approved organizations are very expensive. Friends of ours took a 7 day educational trip last year and the cost exceeded $9,000 for the week. I wonder if these institutions are not exploiting the embargo to feather their own pockets. Surely, the Cuban government is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freestyling Posted December 23, 2014 #125 Share Posted December 23, 2014 Cruise Companies are sure looking at the opportunity of Cuba. http://www.seatrade-insider.com/news/news-headlines/cuba-a-tremendous-opportunity-11-ports-can-take-ships-carnival-chief-says.html?nspPage=1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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