Cayo Coco: Checking in to our resort and seeing the flamingos and peacocks
It’s been snowing here in the Netherlands since Monday. It’s white outside now. Tonight and tomorrow as well there is forecast of snow: 10-15 cm. During days like these I prefer to stay indoors and have a warm cup of something or a glass of red. But I also like to look back at the warm holidays I had earlier this year.
Speaking of which, let me go back to my Cuba trip last May with Blondine. Yes, I am far from over Cuba! The last entry I wrote was our arrival at the strip that connects mainland Cuba to the cayo’s (keys or islands). We will be going to Cayo Coco and we will be staying at the 4-star beach resort, ‘Hotel Tryp Cayo Coco’.
We will spend a night’s lay over here and tomorrow before lunch we will be driving up north to the direction of Havana and then to the east.
The initial plan was to spend 2 nights here so we can relax and enjoy the beach but with our tight schedule that was not possible. Helaas, we can’t have everything in life, can’t we.
Another plan in Cayo Coco was to sight-see some flamingos. The mangrove area just before reaching the keys are known to be flamingo infested. It must be a gorgeous sight to see a colony of elegant pink animals flocking the swamp. But because it is getting late in the afternoon, and whilst against our wishes, we decided to skip it and headed straight to the beach resort.
You see, Blondine and I are also hunkering for mojitos. The hours driving in this journey has taken its toll. We need booze so bad!
So we checked into the beach resort and were escorted to our room in a little golf cart.
Upon entering the room we checked our balcony right away for the view. In front of our room was a pond and we noticed pink creatures moving in the water. Blondine and I laughed when we saw what they were. What else? Flamingos!
Voila! We didn’t have to look far for them, they are here residing at the beach resort =). Blondine was so ecstatic because it was her wish to see them. Now, that is scratched off the list, haha.
Here is a trivia: Did you know that flamingos tend to stand on one leg, hiding the other under their wing? No one knows why really.
After unpacking and freshening up, we hit the lobby for mojitos =)
We have an all-inclusive accommodation which means we could drink mojitos unlimited until the bar closes, but because Blondine and I are responsble citizens (heh), we didn't go overboard.
We just stayed in the lobby and chilled and people watched for the rest of the afternoon. There were many holidaymakers from Canada and I believe a few were Americans. There are actually more Canadian tourists in Cuba than American tourists. But majority of the tourists in Cuba are coming from southern neighbouring countries in South America. It is easy to tell because they speak Spanish with a very strong South American Spanish accent. The Spain Spanish accent is very different, Spanish people speak using the tip of their tongue and through their teeth, while South Americans in general speak very clearly, pronouncing every syllable.
I always love this sub-activity of people watching: Trying to place the people I am watching, where they are from, what language they speak, what they might do in life, etc.
Nevertheless, we saw another lovely resident at the beach resort, a beautiful peacock showing off his impressive and colourful tail.Then we realised that he was not just showing off, he is flirting and courting the peahen.
It was beautiful to witness this type of animal courtship. I would have thought that it was the female with the beautiful impressive tail, but it wasn't. Peacocks are nonetheless prettier than peahens.
Besos! More of Cayo Coco next...
Travel Period: May 2012
Destination: Cayo Coco (Ciego de Avila), Cuba
Keep in touch and follow me on Facebook: Travel & Lifestyle Diaries by Dutched Pinay Travels
Happy Travels! Enjoy Life =)
Speaking of which, let me go back to my Cuba trip last May with Blondine. Yes, I am far from over Cuba! The last entry I wrote was our arrival at the strip that connects mainland Cuba to the cayo’s (keys or islands). We will be going to Cayo Coco and we will be staying at the 4-star beach resort, ‘Hotel Tryp Cayo Coco’.
This beach resort has definitely seen better days. I am guessing, the 1950's and 1960's. Building maintenance in Cuba is a known problem. I was quite glad that we were only staying here for a 1-night lay-over!
We will spend a night’s lay over here and tomorrow before lunch we will be driving up north to the direction of Havana and then to the east.
The initial plan was to spend 2 nights here so we can relax and enjoy the beach but with our tight schedule that was not possible. Helaas, we can’t have everything in life, can’t we.
Another plan in Cayo Coco was to sight-see some flamingos. The mangrove area just before reaching the keys are known to be flamingo infested. It must be a gorgeous sight to see a colony of elegant pink animals flocking the swamp. But because it is getting late in the afternoon, and whilst against our wishes, we decided to skip it and headed straight to the beach resort.
You see, Blondine and I are also hunkering for mojitos. The hours driving in this journey has taken its toll. We need booze so bad!
So we checked into the beach resort and were escorted to our room in a little golf cart.
Upon entering the room we checked our balcony right away for the view. In front of our room was a pond and we noticed pink creatures moving in the water. Blondine and I laughed when we saw what they were. What else? Flamingos!
They look so delicate, feminine and pretty.
Don't confuse the very pink fake Flamingos with the real ones.
Voila! We didn’t have to look far for them, they are here residing at the beach resort =). Blondine was so ecstatic because it was her wish to see them. Now, that is scratched off the list, haha.
Here is a trivia: Did you know that flamingos tend to stand on one leg, hiding the other under their wing? No one knows why really.
After unpacking and freshening up, we hit the lobby for mojitos =)
Salud! His name is Osmany =)
We have an all-inclusive accommodation which means we could drink mojitos unlimited until the bar closes, but because Blondine and I are responsble citizens (heh), we didn't go overboard.
We just stayed in the lobby and chilled and people watched for the rest of the afternoon. There were many holidaymakers from Canada and I believe a few were Americans. There are actually more Canadian tourists in Cuba than American tourists. But majority of the tourists in Cuba are coming from southern neighbouring countries in South America. It is easy to tell because they speak Spanish with a very strong South American Spanish accent. The Spain Spanish accent is very different, Spanish people speak using the tip of their tongue and through their teeth, while South Americans in general speak very clearly, pronouncing every syllable.
I always love this sub-activity of people watching: Trying to place the people I am watching, where they are from, what language they speak, what they might do in life, etc.
The peacock is flirting-courting with the peahen =)
Nevertheless, we saw another lovely resident at the beach resort, a beautiful peacock showing off his impressive and colourful tail.Then we realised that he was not just showing off, he is flirting and courting the peahen.
It was beautiful to witness this type of animal courtship. I would have thought that it was the female with the beautiful impressive tail, but it wasn't. Peacocks are nonetheless prettier than peahens.
Besos! More of Cayo Coco next...
Travel Period: May 2012
Destination: Cayo Coco (Ciego de Avila), Cuba
Keep in touch and follow me on Facebook: Travel & Lifestyle Diaries by Dutched Pinay Travels
Happy Travels! Enjoy Life =)
