Avoid Disasters..Yes You Can!

I recently received this article "Top Ten Disasters You Can Avoid" by Independent Travelers . Some of these top ten tips are great for our circumstances and so it made me think of what Top Ten guidelines I would own. So here's my top ten (using some of theirs) and hopefully like the article for me, you can use some of my tips as well.

1. Call your credit card company. Make a simple call and let them know you are leaving the country and where and when you will be gone. Confirm a toll free number in case of emergency.

2. Don't forget your passport & documents. Get a basket and start to put those item in it as the departure date approach. Do it when you thought about it. Like NOW!

3. Itinerary in your luggage & carry-on. It takes just a few minutes, but can save your life. Well it feels like it when you loose your suitcase or purse. Write down your flight and resort contact. Write your week's schedule so the airline can get your luggage to you. As well as your mobile number so they can reach you about your luggage.

4. Where did I park my car? Snap a photo of the parking lot section number with your phone camera or write it down on your parking lot ticket. Great idea Independent traveler!

5. Keys? Roger has this climbing hook called a carabiner. Its a handy item to hook your keys and attach it to your carry-on. It stays in place and the carabiner comes in various sizes and colors.

6. Pick Me Up please? Whether its a family or friend picking you up or perhaps a limo driver. Get their email and you can email your confirmation/reminder from the NOW Jade Riviera Resort Preferred Club Lounge. Or make a copy of the contact information & itinerary that goes into your luggage as a reminder.

7. Leave Early? There are a number of websites you can check traffic, weather and such. But nothing works best then plenty of time. So leave early and so what if you get there early. Relax have a cup of something and grab a magazine to take on the plane!

8. Stop mail? Paper? You don't want to alert the burglars that you are out of town by not canceling your paper and mail. Also if you are in good with neighbors, let them know your absence and return the favor for them on their next trip.

9. Nightmare Seats? Plane is full and no option to move. Remember, you're on vacation, it's not forever. Grab those head phone and maybe a nice drink to calm you down. It's mind over matter...really!

10. In-Flight Food? I don't think so, those days are gone or far and few between. So plan ahead and prepare a little. You can always get a drink but bring something from home and your crankiness and gurgling stomach will be a lot happier.

Photo provided by Flickr.HenriqueVicente

R & D for "Yaxche" Mayan Cuisine

That's Roger & Diana, not Research and Development...well hold on, hmm? Maybe it is...

Not to take away from our incredible snorkeling adventure to Yalku Lagoon. But after a good swim and enough salt water in your mouth. I know Roger and I are gonna be ready for a cold drink and lunch! Well anyone who knows me (and can see me), knows that I am a "Foodie" and since I've never been to the Yucatan, well Mayan cuisine has got my curiosity. So through some research... here we are.

During our visit to Playa del Carmen (PDC) the Yaxche Restaurant has me personally intrigued. So that is our PDC tourist destination - First Mayan cuisine and if there's time after we will stroll and explore.

Below are some information and links about this very unique restaurant. It is not a "hole in the wall" joint and not the 5 Star restaurant either. Moderately priced is what my 2010 Frommer's Guide stated. Meal to cost between $10-30 pending what you get. The draw here is that this is the closest we can get to on this trip for true Mayan cuisine without having Anthony Bourdain or Andrew Zimmern with us from the Travel Channel! So check out the information if this is of interest for you. R & D are planning to head to Yaxche (that's pronounced, jag-shey)!

Yaxche Restaurant Website

PlayaInfo.com - Yaxche Restaurant

TripAdvisor-Restaurant Review

Chowhound- review

Photo provided by the Yaxche restaurant website gallery

Mexico, Mariachis, Music & Memories

We are headed to Mexico...the land where good times are had, where songs are of romance,

love & tequila. Oh and yes, stories & fun experiences are born - just wait & see!

Near 25 years ago I 'ventured to my first visit to Mexico with my Parks & Recreation friends from Hawaii. You will meet two of them on this trip by the way, Naomi & Joan. After our annual conference in Southern California we would partake about 2-3 nights and drive in a caravan and head towards Ensenada for lobsters, camaraderie and of course tequila, beer and shopping!

One of the highlight of our trip was the mariachi who usually strolled to our table requesting songs to be sung. Back in '86 a song came about for $1...but probably will do so now for 5? The musicians generally played off key, hardly harmonize and because the songs were in Spanish who knows what is being sung, but after our stomachs were full with lobsters and our brain was polluted with margaritas and beers...well my memory to this day has me nostalgic for more Musica de Mexico!

Below are some of my favorite songs and I also included a few Mexicana/Latino/ Hispanic/Spanish related songs that I enjoy. Have any favorites you'd like to share so we can ask the mariachi to play AFTER we get polluted so it will sound as sweet and lovely as I remember...

Diana's 'Caliente' Top Choices

1. "Solamente Una Vez" ( ask Naomi to sing along in English)

2. "Cuando Caliente del Sol"

3. "Sabor A Mi"

4. "Besame Mucho" My fav' by A Bocelli

5. "Cuando, Cuando Cuando" by M. Buble

And after all I am an Americans...so add these favorites as a related to Mexico selection. Listen to the verses & beat...you'll get it!

6. "Smooth" & "Corazon Espinado" by Santana

7. " No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problem", "Beer in Mexico", "You & Tequila" 'Tequila Loves Me"

by Kenny Chesney

8. "Mexico" by James Taylor

9. "Changes in Latitude & Changes in Attitude" & "Margaritaville" by Jimmy Buffet

10. And of course...everyone's favorite ... "TE-QUI-LA" by the Champs

Mike's Latina Musica Addition

Da na na na na na na TEQUILA

Russell's Latina Musica Addition (provided via his son Mike)

"I'm Your Dirty Mexican" by Hector Saldaña

Karen's Latina Musica Addition

"Oye Como Va".....Santana is another fave!

Jan's Latina Musica Addition

"White Bird" by the It's A Beautiful Day

" DIITTO TO YOUR LIST MS. DI, EXCEPT TO ADD ‘WHITE BIRD”: (EN ESPANOL)"

Naomi's Mexican Music Favorites

1. All of Diana's music & memories from our days gone by of Ensenada trips

2. Cielito Lindo

3. Amor

4. Nosotros

5. Amapola

6.Besame Mucho

7. Guantanamera

8. El Rancho Grande

9. Malaguena

10. Perifidia

"..that's it! Can't recall anymore...mind's going! This time next week, we'll be in MEXICO!! OLE!

Thank you, Mahalo, Gracias! For doing all this for us.. I've experienced so much with you. LOVE IT! "

Photo provided by Mike Cobb

ITunes-UTunes-We All Tunes!

Well I asked you all about your favorite reading material...NOW for those bringing their tunes..oh you know those MP3, itune library in laptop, iphone, ipad, itouch, ay-ya-ya-ya-ay...oh my!

So what is your favorite music and singer(s)? What are you planning to bring in your playlist or gizmo machine....Name that musical singer and share away.... let's go for a list of no more then 10?

Here's mine..

DIANA's Album Choices - Top Ten Singers (not in order)

1. Michael Buble - "It's Time" & "Caught in the Act"

2. Barbara Streisand - "Memories" & "Emotions"

3. Kenny Chesney - " Be As You Are"

4. Andrea Bocelli - "Amore" & "Romanza"

5. Tommy Castro - "Right as Rain" & 'Exception to the Rule"

6. Tony Bennett - "Duet-An American Classic"

7. Patty Austin - "The Ultimate Collection"

8. Gloria Estefan - "Greatest Hits" & "Christmas Through Your Eyes"

9. Michael McDonald - "Motown"

10. Wave Aid - Various Artists from Smooth Jazz

Mike C's Music Selection

1.Sex Pistols

2. Fear

3. Dead Kennedys

4. Surf Punks

5. Black Flag

6. TSOL

7. PIL

8. Agent Orange

9. Social Distortion

& 10. Michael Bolton

Karen's Music Selection

1. Country

2. Classical - Pavaratti & Bocelli

3. R&B

4. Smooth Jazz

5. Hawaiian

6. Rock

Okay...I'm more partial to Country these days (my aging ears can actually understand some of the words), but you will find Classical, R&B, Smooth Jazz, Country, Hawaiian, Pavaratti and Bocelli, plus Rock from several eras.....but no complete albums. I mix and match the singles cuz I'm too cheap to buy the whole album ;-)

Alex's Music Selection

1.Gypsy Kings

2. Andrea Bocelli

3. 50's songs

4. 70's Disco (go Donna Summer!)

5. Tango

6. Brazilian

7. Favorite Jazz

8. Europa (makes my skin tingle)

9.

....actually most anything with saxophone will do that.

Jim's Music Selection

Country Music, Definitely!!!

No other musical genre captures the heartfelt emotions of life, love, joy, pain, and despair...and the beauty of the English language like a good country song. Just consider the following examples...Pure Poetry!

1. Were You Born an Asshole (or did you work at it your whole life)?

2. At the Gas Station of Love, I Got the Self Service Pump

3. I Don't Know Whether to Kill Myself or Go Bowling

4. Although You're Thirty, I Still Think You're Purty

5. From the Gutter to You Ain't Up

6. How Can I Miss You If You Won't Go Away?

7. I Don't Want You're Body If Your Heart's Not In It

8. I Still Miss You Baby, But My Aim's Getting Better

9. I'm So Miserable Without You It's Almost Like Having You Here

10. You Can't Have Your Kate and Edith, Too

11. If You Won't Leave Me Alone, I'll Find Someone Who Will

12. Tennis Must Be Your Racket 'Cause "Love" Means Nothin' To You

Jan's Music selection

I enjoy the following, “even though I can’t find my ipod after moving our homes...ugh!”

1. Country- the best

2. Smooth Jazz

3. R&B

4. Classic Rock, various eras

5. Sinatra, Cole, Streisand, Bennett, et.al.

6. Various Latin Jazz ex: Santana, Poncho Sanchez

7. Bon Jovi

8. Ottmar Liebert

9. Kenny G types
And finally number 10 …the “Coup de Gras” various renditions from Jim Berkson’s Pedal Steel Guitar ! ("Ear Ache")

Photo provided by Flickr:AndersLjungberg

Here's Some Recommended Reading from Our Guests...

Allow me to begin by saying many thanks for those who responded to my email. Appreciate your input and assistance. For those who want to lounge around the pool, relax and perhaps read a book or two. Here are some recommendations from our own guests. Check it out...

JIM - "Thunderstruk" & "The Devil in the White City by Eric Larson plus "The Girl Who Played with Fire" by Stieg Larsson

I highly recommend "Thunderstruk" and The Devil in the White City, both by Erik Larson. These are two historical pieces that read like mystery fiction novels. "Erik Larson" is a master researcher, weaving historical events into a fascinating story. Each book takes two apparently unrelated events and ties them together in a unique and entertaining fashion. Both are fascinating books you won't want to put down...and you'll learn a lot, too.

An very well-written fiction book I'm currently reading is "The Girl Who Played with Fire," by Stieg Larsson (Wow, that's real close to the name of the first author!) This one is a murder mystery that takes place in Sweden

JAN - "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo", The Girl who Played with Fire" & "The Girl who Kicked the Hornet's Nest " by Stieg Larsson

These books were recommended to me, and I will bring “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” by Stieg Larsson. (a suspenseful thriller.-Jim is reading Larsson’s” other book “The Girl who Played with Fire”.) I see that there is one more thriller by Larsson called “The Girl who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest.”

RUSSELL - How about the "Drink Menu"? By NOW Jade Riviera Cancun Resort &Spa

I prefer the purist approach, Absolute Vodka,straight up and on the rocks..no umbrellas or garnish...just more vodka!

ALEX - "The Help"by Kathryn Stockett & "Kitchen House" by Kathleen Grissom

Last 2 books that I really liked were: "

The Help", by Kathryn Stockett, "

Kitchen House", by Kathleen Grissom

KAREN - Various Titles by Nora Roberts, Sandra Brown, J.D. Robb, Tom Clancy, James Patterson, Jonathan Kellerman, Patricia Cornwall & Vince Flynn.

Well, the last thing I want to read when I am "chilling" on vacation is a "real" book. I prefer the simple to follow, predictable and no brainer romance type novels (a.k.a. smut novels)....though calling them a novel is a stretch of the imagination in this case. This way I don't have to keep track of a real plot, a dozen or so characters of various tongue twisting names and countries, good guys, bad guys, counter-good guys and bad guys....you get the idea. I just don't have the concentration power for all that when I'm on vacation. Maybe that would be due to those lovely little umbrella drinks of the day...ya' think?!

Some of those authors are Nora Roberts, Sandra Brown, J.D.Robb (who is also Nora Roberts) and any of the zillion others that make a living off of romantic intrigue. Not sure that any of these come translated in Japanese for Fumi, but I'm also not sure you want her to know what's in any of these anyway ;-)

For anyone who would like a "real" book recommendation, and in particular if you want to "listen" to a book instead of read, download "The Help." It's so well read that it's like going to the movies. Good reads come from Tom Clancy, James Patterson, Jonathan Kellerman, Patricia Cornwall and Vince Flynn (among hundreds more you all know and love I'm sure. These are all interesting authors I have read. One would think I was slightly literate after all this info, but trust me, it's a disguise. Plus, I keep going to the library and checking out books I've already read. I forget the names of books very quickly and even reading the dust cover doesn't clue me into the fact that I've read it before. Wazzup with that? Too many little umbrella drinks at home, too, I guess.

FUMI - Japanese Historical Stories by Yamamoto Ichiriki & Ikenami Shoturo

I enjoy reading stories of ancient times & the people in Japan including, but not always Samurai and their life. I would gladly share these books with you, but you will have to be able to read Japanese. Oh but I have another option, my other son, Russell

surprised me with a subscription to Reader's Digest. I will bring that and when I'm done...I can share that with you. It is not in Japanese. Thank you so much, Russell!

ROCKY - "The Art of Racing in the Rain" by Garty Stein

A great book that all will enjoy. "The art of racing in the rain", by Garty Stein. takes about three days to read (I'm a slow reader) very good.

NAOMI-"The Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet" by Jamie Ford and "Sarah's Key" by Tatiana de Rosnay

I recommend THE HOTEL ON THE CORNER OF BITTER AND SWEET. Takes place in Seattle during WWII, by JamieFord. Kinda a love story.

The book I'm taking with me is SARAH'S KEY by Tatiana de Rosnay, another WWII fiction takes place in France, about how the French police rounded up the Jewish families in the middle of the night. Something like SOPHIE'S CHOICE, I think.

MARTY - "Private" by James Patterson, "TickTock" by James Patterson,"Strategic Moves" by Stuart Woods,"Escape from Bangkok" by Andy Botts , "Caught" by Harlan Coben and "Fear the Worst" by Linwood Barclay.

I also like to read biographies but these tend to bore most folks so I'll leave those off and I also have been enjoying books on Hawaiian History (if anyone has any interest I can provide a short list on these).Escape from Bangkok by Andy Botts (someone I know who lives by me),One of my projects for next week is to go online and download a few new titles for beach reading. Getting excited!

ROGER - "Okinawa" - The Last battle of World War II by Robert Leckie

This book was given to me by Buzz and so I'm bringing it to read in between my martinis and naps. From what I can gather The author Robert Leckie was a Pacific War veteran and former Marine. The book is a stirring account of one of World War II's most desperate and fiercely fought battles. I wonder if they have any Japanese World War II Swords, hmmm...???

DIANA - "Turning The Tables - Resturants From The Inside Out" by Steven Shaw

The author a.k.a "The Fat Guy" is the founder of eGullet website, a James Beard Award winning food critic. In this book he shares with style and humor the inside scoop to getting the coveted reservation at restaurants, how to read between the lines of food critic reviews, why does some restaurant succeed and yet others fail or how does that fish or rare farmstead cheese reach your plate..best said by Anthony Bourdain, "Turning the Table is pure crack for foodies looking for more inside information on the restaurant world".

Photo provided by Flickr.siddylam