Monday, August 31st, 2009
There are many reasons I love the Iberostar Resort in Cozumel, Mexico. As scuba divers, we love the amazing reefs and fish that cannot be beat in the Caribbean.
Here are some reasons you should give the Iberostar a try:
- Great dive operation through Dressel Divers on site dive shop
- Located on the south side of the island so close to the reefs!
- Reasonable prices
- Cute bungalows – not a big hotel look and feel
- All inclusive
- If you don’t want to go to town to shop or party – this place is the place!
- Beautiful gardens
SCUBA Diving in Cozumel
We love to go diving in Cozumel because, for us, it’s about a 4 hour flight out of Denver and we are there! You can catch flights in the morning and enjoy a beverage on the beach at sunset that same day!
We have found the diving in Cozumel to be incomparable. Even as we talk to people that dive all over the world, Cozumel is compared only to The Great Barrier Reef in Australia and the Red Sea in Egypt as some of the most spectacular reefs and variety and size of sea life.
Hotel
The pool at the Iberostar Resort
The Iberostar is our choice because it is a great value for the money. We are hooked on all-inclusive resorts and this meets our needs every time. It’s close to the reefs so you don’t have 1 hour +/- boat rides to and from the dive sites. Some are as close as 5 minutes straight out from the dock. Their on-site dive shop – Dressel Divers does a great job. They have a very professional staff, nice boats, good equipment and are a joy to converse with as they are from all over the world.
The food is pretty good. We tend to go there in either April or November just before or after peak season, when the resort is not full. This means that not all restarurants are open at all times and the variety of food is not as great as when they are filled to capacity. Is this a big deal? Certainly not! We don’t go there for the food – we go for the diving!
The rooms are also nice. These little 4-plex bungalow type units give the place a smaller resort feel. No need for elevators as they are only 2 story. The beds are comfortable, the rooms are clean and there are plenty of units with a nice view of the water. Always ask about the location and if there is a view of the ocean. If they aren’t full they might just move you to a better view!
The Beach at the Iberostar Resort
The grounds are very tropical. After getting nearly wiped out a few years ago due to a major hurricane hovering over the island for 3 days there wasn’t much left for flora and fauna. I want to give the Iberostar 5 stars for a very quick rebuild of the buildings and gardens. We were there 6 months after it being nearly destroyed and we were touched that this Iberostar chose to *not* wait for insurance money to arrive. They fronted the money, kept their staff employed and were up and running in just a few months – way ahead of most of the other resorts.
We’ve stayed at other places in Cozumel – but his is our place. So
Around the island of Cozumel
much so, that when we retook our wedding vows a few years ago.
we chose the Iberostar for this event. We brought our son who was about 24 at the time and he loved this place, too. Check out the Iberostar in Cozumel. If you love to dive and love a casual atmosphere, this could just be your place!!!
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Tags: 4-plex, all-inclusive resorts, Beach, beverage, boat rides, bungalow, Caribbean, comfortable, Cozumel, Cozumel incomparable, Cozumel Mexico, Denver, dive shop, dive sites, diving, diving in Cozumel, dock, Dressel Divers, fish, flight, food, food is pretty good., Gardens, gardens.destroyed, great value for the money, grounds, Hotel Iberostar Cozumel Mexico, hurricane, Iberostar, Iberostar Cozumel, Iberostar Resort, island, Mexico, nice boats, ocean, peak season, pool, professional staff, Reasonable prices, reefs, resorts, restarurants, SCUBA Diving in Cozumel, sea life, smaller resort, spectacular reefs, sunset, Tropical, wedding
Friday, June 26th, 2009
On our trip to the Bahamas this year, the resort offered an offshore excursion to the Exuma Islands through Island World Adventures. We were a little skeptical at first because of the price, but that all faded away once we saw the islands.
Saddleback Cay(one of 365 islands that make up the Exumas) is about a 1 hour fast boat ride from Nassau. As you approach the gathering of small islands (cays). The anticipation builds as you glide through the variegated shades of blue and green Caribbean waters. As we pull in towards our first destination we are warned about the sharks on *this* side of the island and complete lack of them on the other side. Sufficient warnings were given as we pulled in towards the dock and we could see the sharks gliding through the water – very close to the 
boat! We learn very quickly that the sharks inhabit this side of the island and we will get a chance to feed them after lunch!
As we disembark the speedboat I feel like I’m on a Swiss Family Robinson type of escape. There are wood walkways that weave among the trees. There are covered picnic tables, a makeshift bar, a restroom, and a very rustic ambiance to the whole place. We had a great lunch with ice cold drinks and any leftovers were thrown over the rail at the awaiting sharks and sea gulls.
The lagoon is as pristine as advertised in their brochure. It was surreal to see is vacant cove with a white sand beach and water that can only be described as Caribbean blue (and that doesn’t even do it justice). While walking on the beach someone notice a rather large black object swimming in our direction. We called immediately to the captain and he comes over and identifies our guest as a stingray. As it comes closer he runs up to the food area and runs back down with a big
handful of fish. The ray is immediately interested in our captain as he runs a hand through the water with a bit of fish in it. Sure enough, the ray ate right out of his hand. He showed us how to repeat this up close and personal experience. We lined up, opened our hand with a little fish in it and this ray just floated from person to person for his lunch. Just so you know, when it eats the food out of your hand there is a gentle sucking sensation.
We took a quick trip out to a sandbar with the hope of finding shells, but the pickings were slim. They also took us out for snorkeling and we were met with great marine life. A huge ray sails over in our direction, stops to pose for a couple of pictures and takes off. We find a huge and brilliant red starfish that I had never seen the likes of before.
On the way back we stopped at Leaf Cay which is home to about 500
iguanas. What a hoot! We put grapes on the end of sticks and they were very quick to take their treats!
When we signed up for this trip we choked a little at the $200 per person price tag. In our opinion it was worth every penny! The staff was fun and provided great service. The destination and ammenities were fun. Everything that was promised was delivered. This is a day trip that we will recommend to all our friends!
Check out Island World Adventures, Nassau, Bahamas
Posted in Bahamas, Caribbean Travel | No Responses »
Tags: Bahamas, Botanical, Caribbean, Exumas, iguanas, Island World Adventures, lagoon, Leaf Cay, Nassau, Photos, Saddleback Cay, Sandals, sharks, speedboat, Tropical
Monday, May 25th, 2009
Irises at the Denver Botanical Gardens
It’s been a few months since we last made the trek to Denver to see the Botanical Gardens. In my last post I was telling you about the construction going on there – and it still going on! I venture to guess that it will continue for at least another year – but don’t let that stop you from visiting!!! The flowers are in bloom and gorgeous!
I have a couple of favorite areas that I *have* to visitevery time. It’s called the Lilac Garden, but I always see irises and lilies. This trip was all about the irises. OMG! Still considered early in the season, I was astonished at the number and variety in bloom. My two favorite shades are the peach/coral and the lavender/purple ones. Those are just *my* favorite colors. The yellow and white are equally magnificent. Then there are those is the darker colors of brown and gold and even black ones (almost, but not quite in bloom). The colors and shades just seem to be endless. I didn’t see any lilies in bloom this trip, but by June there should be a great start to a color bonanza!
Irises at the Denver Botanical Gardens
My other favorite area is the rose garden, but we were too early for blooms on this trip. I’m always impressed with the plentiful varieties and magnificent colors. I’m hopeful that our next trip will yield both lilies and roses!
Even with construction in many parts of the Gardens ,the walkways are always clean, staff is there to answer questions and noise is at a minimum. Structures are taking shape – the new parking garage and the visitor’s center/entrance are going to be very nice. It will give the whole experience an updated look and feel.
Until next time!
Posted in Colorado Travel, Denver, Gardens | No Responses »
Tags: Botanical, Colorado, Conservatory, Denver Botanical Gardens, Flowers, Gardens Denver, orchids, Tropical
Wednesday, March 11th, 2009
909 York Street
Denver, Colorado, CO 80206
General Info: 720-865-3500
I love to garden and Doug loves to take pictures. Life doesn’t get much better than this! The Denver Botanical Gardens is rich in variety, sizes, shapes, colors and smells. It is a peaceful place near the hub-bub of a big city. We have gone here for years, but our trip in February 2009 was met with unexpected surprises.
We made plans to go because our membership brochure told us of a forced tulip display (Tulip Mania). They actually take tulips and inside provide the right environment to force blooming is the middle of the winter! This was certainly enough to peak our interest!
When we pulled onto York Street we were stunned to see the amount of new construction going on. The parking lot was all dug up and the entrance was fenced off and yellow construction tape was making pathways to over here and around over to there in order to get in. We get inside and they have huge banner across one wall talking about the project to expand and improve the whole garden. Yikes – we thought it was pretty swell just the way it was – but lo and behold – this place is going to rock when it’s done. New parking, new main building, new science center, updated Japanese Tea Garden, etc., etc. We can’t wait!!!
While there wasn’t much to see outside as Denver in the winter is pretty bleak for gardens and such, the indoors held our attention with the tulips. There were a fair amount already in bloom and you could see many, many more were to bloom in the near future. Doug took some amazing photographs of the insides of the tulips that were so intricate and delicate with such beautiful colors.
Since the outdoor gardens are seasonal, I’m pleased to have learned that the Garden offers programs all year round. They have limited run exhibits, concerts, and plant/bulb sales, a corn maze, pumpkin festival, Christmas Trail of Lights and a lovely gift shop. In addition to all that they offer a multitude of educational classes on a variety of plant and gardening subjects. 
If I have to pick a favorite place in the Botanical Gardens I would have to say it is the Tropical Conservatory. It does nothing for my hair and everything for my visual senses. This is a lush tropical indoor garden with gentle mists pumped throughout. It is beautiful year round. There are delicate orchids, a running stream, green leafed whatevers that I can just stare at as time stops for me in this place. I’m not much on the names of the plants; I just enjoy them – immensely. There are name plaques for those who like to associate a leaf with a name. But not me, I’m there for the ambience, for the rich colors, the feeling of peace and those amazing pictures that Doug brings home.
By Cyndy Harrington
www.dcmtravelreviews.com
View Photos of the Denver Botanical Gardens and other Great Places by
Doug Niedermiller at
http://dougniedermillerphotography.com/
Posted in Colorado Travel, Denver, Gardens | No Responses »
Tags: Botanical, Colorado, Conservatory, Denver Botanical Gardens, Flowers, Gardens Denver, orchids, Tropical
