Manka Khala's annual celebrations

Maybe you’re a seasoned traveler who has been reluctant to try a cruise vacation in the past. People who have never taken a cruise have all kinds of reasons for not trying it. Maybe all you need is the perfect excuse! If you can’t think of a good one, here are six ready-made excuses for booking a cruise vacation right now.

1. I’m saving the environment. Where else can you find everything you could possibly want to do, see, hear, and eat all in one place? Take all-inclusive Caribbean cruises, for example. You’ll never have to get into a carbon-emitting car to go to the casino, to the gym, to get your hair done, or out for a night of dancing. When you get to your destination, you’ll find sunshine, sand and surf from the first moment you step off the ship.

2. I like saving money on a vacation package. Think floating vacations are expensive? Think again! There are discount cruises available to just about every destination you can imagine. You can increase your odds of finding discount cruises if you aren’t picky about destination, and if you are flexible when it comes to travel dates.

3. I don’t mind showing my age. Age is beauty, and sometimes age is savings too. There are many cruise deals available to seniors. So if you’re over 65, don’t hide your age, use it to your advantage!

4. I enjoy mixing pleasure with pleasure. You can book a cruise vacation that combines the fun and relaxation of cruising with your favorite hobby. There are cruises for scrapbookers, antiques lovers, golf enthusiasts, bridge and chess players, and more. Imagine enjoying all of the perks that cruising offers: dancing, dining, swimming and gaming, plus engaging in your favorite leisure activity.

5. Cultural exposure is important to me. There are ships sailing all over the world. No matter what culture tickles your fancy, there’s probably a boat sailing in that direction. Are you drawn to Greece, Turkey or Egypt? Book a trip on a Mediterranean cruise line. Do you prefer the tropics? Try a Hawaiian island cruise. Do you want to explore the rugged beauty of the mountains? An Alaskan vacation cruise might be just right for you. Besides diverse destinations, you can even get a taste of culture right onboard ship. Sample cuisine from several countries. See shows featuring dance styles from different continents. Plus, you’ll meet people from all over the world.

6. I think it’s important to see how “the other half” lives at least once in a lifetime. Where else can you go on vacation and have absolutely everything done for you? Imagine no cooking, no cleaning, no curfew and no demanding schedules. You do whatever you want, whenever you want. You’ll never run out of things to do. Or you can do nothing at all.

Now that you have six good excuses to take a cruise, it will be much harder to find an excuse NOT to!

Baja California has miles and miles of beautiful coastline. San Felipe is situated 125 miles south of the US border on that Baja coastline. It has a population of about 25,000 . This number includes the 10,000 American and Canadian residents who have retired to San Felipe.

During holiday periods there is, of course, more traffic, especially during Spring Break and other holidays. The active city has, in the past years, planted hundreds of new palm trees in the waterfront area on both sides of the seaside main drive. Tourists, locals and foreign residents like to cruise the seaside drive near the town center. There are always activities going on there. This area has hotels, resorts and restaurants and a lot of water sport activities.

There is a wide variety of facilities in San Felipe: markets, hotels, restaurants, bars, banks, clinics, trailer parks, auto mechanics, curio shops selling anything from shirts, shoes and beach wear to blankets and pottery. In San Felipe you find it all: hospitality, friendly people, warm climate, beautiful nature, white sandy beaches, mountains, etc. All this makes the San Felipe real estate opportunities exceptionally interesting for vacation, retirement or investment.

The beach in  the San Felipe area  has big tidal differences and year round warm ocean water. Water temperatures vary depending on the season. In the northern Gulf where San Felipe is situated the water temperature goes down in winter. In summer the temperature of the water may go up to 90 degrees F. In April the water starts warming up quickly and stays warm until October /November. So you won’t need a wetsuit to dive then. But in winter you will need one to dive as the water temperature goes down to some 60 degrees. Another attraction of this region is the unique eco-system because it’s one of the rare places where the desert meets the sea. The altitude of San Felipe is 10 ft above sea level. 

Many Snowbirds (Americans who live part time in Mexico) have a property or some real estate in San Felipe. Buying property there is not complicated. The San Felipe real estate choice is large and interesting. Americans and other foreigners can easily acquire property in Mexico. All Mexican real estate transactions involve a real estate agent or broker, the buyer’s lawyer, a bank and a public notary. All these four players are essential in acquiring a property in San Felipe Baja as they are experienced specialists in their own fields .For more information on these legal aspects you can contact your Baja real estate agent.

 

Eleuthera, an out-island of The Bahamas, is not for everyone. If you like nightlife, casinos and lots of stuff to do, then Eleuthera isn’t for you.

But, if all you’d like to do is relax, enjoy secluded beaches, frolic in the ocean and collect sea shells, then Eleuthera is the perfect place.

Accommodations

Finding accommodations on the island of Eleuthera can be an adventure on its own.

Accommodations vary from modern, but small, hotels and quaint inns to renting a privately owned home or cottages.

Prices also run from several hundreds of dollars per night to less than one hundred dollars a night.

There are selections available to fit almost every budget.

Car Rental

Although sparsely populated, Eleuthera is a very long, but narrow island. The island is long – over 100 miles – and narrow – only 2 miles wide at its widest point.

So, having a car becomes very important if you want to explore the island.

Renting a car on Eleuthera will be a different experience than most people are used to. There are no national card rental agencies. You’ll rent directly from a Bahamian business person. You’ll likely rent a vehicle at whichever airport you arrive at. If not, any hot you stay at will be able to arrange a rental for you.

Usually a formal agreement isn’t required by the person renting you the vehicle. The business person that rents you a vehicle may ask for some basic information, such as you’re name and where you’ll be staying. But, often as not, they’ll hand yo the keys, give you their name and possible their card and ask you when you plan to return the card. Yes, it truly can be that simple.

Make sure to agree on the cost of the rental. Rental rates vary – from about to per day – and are based on how long you plan to keep the vehicle. The more days that you’ll need the car, the better rate you should be able to negotiate. If you only want the car for a day or two, you’ll pay a higher rate.

Be certain to set aside sufficient cash to pay for your rental. Credit cards will not often be accepted.

Getting To Eleuthera

By plane From the U.S.A.

If you’re arriving in Eleuthera by air, remember that there are three airports and that Eleuthera is 110 miles long.

Eleuthera actually has three international airports – North Eleuthera (ELH), Governor’s Harbour (GHB) and Rock Sound (RSD). Be sure to pick the airport that’s closest to where you’re staying.

Currently there are four airlines servicing Eleuthera directly from the US. Some airlines fly from Fort Lauderdale and some fly from Miami.

Twin Air Lynx Air Continental American Eagle

 

By plane from Nassau, Bahamas

You can choose to arrive in Nassau (NAS) and pick up a local airline to continue on to Eleuthera.

BahamasAir Southern Air

 

By Fast Ferry from Nassau, Bahamas

If you’re coming to Eleuthera from Nassau, you have the option of using the fast ferry – The Bo Hengy. It departs from Potter’s Cay each morning with stops at Spanish Wells and Harbour Island.

You can get a water tax from either Spanish Wells or Harbour Island to mainland Eleuthera. You’ll be able to get a tax or rent at car at either dock.

Restaurants

Restaurants on Eleuthera range from small take-aways to world-class cuisine.

Be sure to try a Bahamian-owned restaurant to experience authentic local cuisine like peas and rice, conch salad or conch chowder.

The Beaches

Eleuthera has an abundance of incredible beaches, the most well known is probably Pink Sand Beach on Harbour Island.

But, if you’re looking for a secluded beach there are several of them on Eleuthera. Unfortunately, a lot of them are difficult to find. A guide to finding the beaches – The Elusive Beaches of Eleuthera – can be invaluable in help you to find fabulous beaches that you’ll often have all to yourselves.

No, Eleuthera isn’t for everyone, but it can make for a memorable vacation experience.