Travel

NoTes

TravelL at e s t n e w s at c a l g a r y h e r a l d . c o m / t r av e l

Section F

iNside Today:

BEACH RETREATSRomance blossoms amid

sun, sea and sand settings See Page F4

CAVES, PLANES & BOATSOut-of-the-ordinary options

for your next vacationSee Page F9

Editor: Lisa Monforton 403-235-7428 lmonforton@calgaryherald.com saturday, apriL 2, 2011

dave makichukcalgary herald

HaVana

it’s a typically warm and sunny afternoon in Havana and a gorgeous,

blue cloudless sky serves as an appropriate backdrop at the nearly packed Estadio Latinoamericano, home to the famed Industriales Lions.

The 55,000-seat stadium is visibly rocking to the hypnotic, pulsating rhythms of a tireless group of conga drummers and young, salsa-

swaying cheerleaders as the Lions’ big hitter, Alex Malleta, slowly strolls up to home plate.

The visiting Ciego de Avila Tigers are in deep trouble; it’s early innings and Los Azules (the Blue Ones), so named for their Blue Jay-like blue and white uniforms, have put two run-ners on base with only one out. The Lions are about to close in for the kill, and the crowd senses it.

It’s a gutsy throw — a fast-ball right down the middle. Crack! A line drive to right.

The crowd erupts — it’s complete and utter pande-monium in the stands as the runners round the bases. A deft pickup in the outfield is followed by a precise throw to second, which is relayed home . . . safe!

Instantly, I’m surrounded by a sea of joyous, bouncing conga-driven “fanaticos” as the entire Lions squad leaps from the dugout to form a line of high-fives for the scoring runner.

Welcome to baseball Cubano-style!

One only has to watch one game in the Cuban National League to gain an appreciation for the re-markable calibre of play, the

fierceness of competition and the undying loyalty of the fans, not to mention the unparalleled experience it offers visitors to Cuba.

Unlike the majority of Canadians who fly south in winter — most of whom head straight to the nearest beach, all-inclusive buffet or bottomless pina colada — I came to experience a week of “beisbol.”

To say that Cuban base-ball has left me — a tried and true MLB Detroit Ti-gers fan since 1967 — com-pletely and utterly spoiled for all time, is an under-statement.

Passion and sheer joy made one visitor ‘fanatico’ for the game

i love Cuba. Goddamn, they play baseball for all the right reasons: ’Cause they like it. They don’t play it

because they can make some more money and sell some more satellite dishes. They play it for all the right reasons.Bill (Spaceman) lee

Original image courtesy Dave Makichukthe industriales lions host a cuban Baseball league game at estadio latinoamericano, in havana.

FINALISTS • Jeju, the largest island off the south coast of Korea’s mainland, is in the running to become one of the new 7 wonders of nature.

Jeju is the only location worldwide to gain three UnesCO world heritage certifications: the Biosphere Reserve in 2002, UnesCO world Heritage site in 2007 and Global Geoparks in 2010. the island’s central feature is Halla mountain, a dormant volcano, which rises 1,950 metres above sea level.

Jeju is one of 28 new 7 wonders of nature finalists. You can see the entire list — which includes Canada’s Bay of Fundy — with images and videos and enter your seven votes at www.n7w.com.

Ladies only tour to India

culture • If your idea of a good time is travelling with women only, China-pac International has just the vacation for you: a new 19-Day Ladies Only India tour departing next Feb. 6.

while the itinerary includes visits to famous sites like the taj Mahal, it also promises a glimpse into India’s cultural, historical and architectural diversity. You’ll visit 11 Indian towns and have such experi-ences as elephant and camel rides, along with sari tying, cooking demonstrations and learning how textile is woven.

the land package com-mences in Delhi and is priced from $4,099. Chi-napac International (www.chinapac.com) can also arrange your airfares.

Three new guidebooks

ON THE SHELF • Let’s Go europe 2011 (Let’s Go, $21.95, 1,220 pages) — the student-travel bible has spruced itself up with a more-readable design, rewritten every listing and added photos. entries have youthful attitude and direct the backpacking crowd to cheap, filling food, nightlife and affordable rooms.■ Guided by a stone-Mason: exploring the Cathedrals, abbeys and Churches of Britain by thomas Maude (tauris Parke, $17, 176 pages) — How in the world did workmen using simple tools create the wondrous sanctuaries of the U.K.? this paperback will tell you.■ all aboard: the Complete north american train travel Guide by Jim Loomis (http://takeatrainride.blogspot.com) — not only will the third edition of this useful guide (Chicago Review Press, $18.95, 354 pages) help you plan a trip, but it also will tell you such fascinating tidbits as why a train that’s late can still be considered on time.

— Calgary Herald

World of wonders

roSS Werlandmcclatchy newspapers

In the fun book Concierge Confidential, superstar Manhattan concierge Mi-chael Fazio explains how to pry what you want out of the service world. He provides some intriguing insight into the inner human brat that service people often face. For that, you’ll have to buy the book. But here are a handful of his tips for navi-

gating this rusty old world in more princely fashion:■ No reservation at the restaurant? No problem. Check in with the host, be engaging and acknowledge that you’re an idiot. Say, “Look, I know I’m a loser. I didn’t make a reservation. I’m in your hands.” Fazio swears by it.■ Waiters have more clout than you know and can re-ward good customers. Tip no less than 20 per cent.

■ Hotels track your com-plaints. If you are a nice guest, that will go on your record. You may be re-warded even at other hotels. And if you’re a jerk, you may be rewarded for that too.■ If you have a reason to send food back, be very gra-cious no matter how you feel. You might be surprised at how well you’ll be treated.■ “Don’t make plans when you’re drunk. Trust me.”■ “You’re not going to get

good service from some-body who’s afraid of you.” ■ When trolling for celebri-ties at restaurants, sit up front, not in the back. In front, you’ll see the “whole parade.”■ In selecting a service person, do you want to see a cute face or get help? “I always look for the oldest, least glamorous person.”

Above all, treat service people as if you’re on their team, and they will deliver.

Concierge dishes on how to get your wish

See BEISBOL, Page F2

concierge confidential is filled with great tips on how to get your every wish when you’re travelling.

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