Caye Caulker, Belize

If you had asked me some three days ago what or where Caye Caulker is, I wouldn't have had an answer. I wonder how many of you have ever heard about this place.
It is a tiny Caribean paradise island, 5 miles long and half a mile wide some 30 miles away from Belize coast. Long beaches,turquoise see,beautiful reefs,hot sun and
cheap beer and rhum in a perfect breeze all day long. It's quite international over here. In 24 hours I've met people from Australia,USA,Canada,Germany,Holland and Poland. I booked my cottage for 6 nights for USD.30. each, so I have 5 more days to simply relax.

Belize City, Belize

I just yesterday did remember that I did not mention by mistake the name of restaurant, where I heavenly enjoed my life in the last evening in Playa del Carmen.
It was La Casa del Aqua, and the duo's name was Bluenova. The music was mainly Bossa Nova based but also they sang beautiful Mexican, also Argentinian ballads including
tangos and of course American standards like At Last and Misty etc.
Yesterday evening after 8 hours in two busses I arrived to Belize City.
On the way I received great tips but also frienly help from three young German ladies
from Hamburg. Svena meanwhile lives in Berlin but Annike and Mira in their home city. Still many thanks to them all.
Here after a search I found with the help of friendly taxi driver a Chinese guest house Ma Ma Chen, price USD.30. Today was a very hot day and practically all places were closed. After a long walk I first found a cozy hotel Smoky Mermaid, where I had my late breakfast with two beers. That's because as the Germans say, I had a Nachdurst. Yes, I also last night was in a jazz club, Perky Parrot. Good local Belikin beer. but music was not exactly my taste - too young.
Later today I sat for some other beers in a harbour patio with very drunk but harmless local people. A beer USD 1.50. Now I finnish this in Radisson hotel , where frienly staff gave me the possibility to use this. Tomorrow I will find my self in an paradise island Caye Caulkin, where I might stay for six days before leaving for Guatemala.

Cozumel and ...

This was again one of those fantastic days of my life I´ll never forget.
Last night after an amusant evening with my new friend of Norway, I reached my bed at 3am, and most probably did sleep immediately after getting my chlouthes off.
Well, very fresh this morning around 10.30 I was having an breakfast of two fried eggs, of two icecold coronas and some papas fritas. After that I was ready to a snorkeling trip at Cozumel waters. The fast ferry trip took just about40 minutes, and an hour and a couple of beers later I was sitting in a glass bottom boat with nine other eager snorkler. We were 7 women and 3 men. An young Canadian couple, Melissa from Missori ( who promissed me a perfect dinner,if in their neighborhood ) with her husband,3 young ladies from Philadelphia, a Japanese and a Mexican girl and me. We had a good trip, we saw a lot of colorful fishes just around yourself but practically no corals. Then afterwards I was just thinking what to do at Cozumel, when somebody called for Matti.I did not react, because I knew there should not be anybody around ,who would mean me. But there was another call for Matti ,and then I looked behind ,and I saw those three Phillies between 28 and 22 from Pennsylvania, who wanted to know, if I would like to join them for some snacks and drinks. They did not have to ask twice, and we had some three hours a nice time together.
Back in my hotel in Playa del Carmen, and after a refreshing shover I was walking the 5th. Ave. when I heard an angel singing. I went up to the second floor of the restaurant called Bistro . I took a bar table ,and was amazed how marvellous voice did come out from a tiny beautiful singer. I was a fan immediately. She sang and a man ( her husband )played piano wonderfully. We soon were friends. They were from Argentina but living in Mexico for five years. During the evening I kissed Laura Celave nine times, and most probably told her husband Martin Maina as many times , how good they were. She gave their record to me . The house offered free drink to me, because el Jefe Pablo Castillo said that I am an ideal customer for them, who really does understand for good taste and fantastic music.
Goodbye ,I love you all! Thanks! I had an awesome day!

Playa del Carmen, Mexico

I`ve been here for two days and have had fun. This place is for Americans and Mexicans what Torremolinos or Playa del Ingles are for Europeans. Very beautiful and clean beaches, and warm water of course. There is also a ferry connection to Cozumel island, where are some of the world`s best diving and snorkeling waters.
I yesterday met an young Norwegian guy Idar 28, and that did mean a lot of Coronas with some Jagermeisters too.In a night bar we then enjoyed for a while a company of two very good looking ladies from Mexico City, Ana and Gladys.
I extended my stay at least until tomorrow and try to get myself to Cozumel today

Chichen Itza, Yucatan, Mexico

I yesterday had a whole day tour to these ruins of ancient city of Mayas.The Mayan culture lasted from about years 600 to 1250 a.d. ,until it vanished mysteriously, leaving only these phenomenal monuments like the pyramid behind themselves. They were agricultural people, whose most important need was the rain. Very logically the rain and the sun were worshipped as main Gods.The best known thing they left behind is their calendar, which profes their very high math skills.
Chichen Itza is now one of the new 7 wonders of the world, and abbsolutely worth of
visit. I however recommend to read the history of this place first in internet or elsewhere ( I did not ), and it does give you much more, when you´ll experience it all here.
I believe I by now have visited all the wonders of the world except Taj Mahal in India.
I was 35 years ago in Delhi, and wanted to go to Accra , where the burial monument lies, but without offending Indian people I was so fed up with my experiencies there
that instead of making my way to Taj Mahal I stayed in my five stars hotel´s pool bar. I regret it now but I think it´s not too late. There might be in this huge country the best and most human people in the world, but also the worst.

Two more nights at Santa Lucia in Cancun

Nothing special happened during the two days, if we do not count a drunken guitarist, who, when he saw me started play and sing a Jose Feliciano Christmas song We wish you a merry Christmas..., and after that Hoo Hoo Hoo.. you are Santa Claus! I was laughing but his friend did not like those jokes, and bought for me two beers and wanted to buy more because I was so nice gentleman. I politely refused, and went back to my hotelroom, and I really had to agree with that guitar man, and did cut my beard a lot and felt myself much younger, when I later headed to Santa Lucia.
Now there were an other singing artist Bety Melendez from Kolumbia.She was a great Diva at grandmothers age at least, but I could imagine her as one of grand old ladies of latin music. She fantastically took the audience with her program of mostly quite old but poular canciones from all over latin America. My friend William Coba introduced me to her, and we had a nice chat after she had finished her program of two hours.
On Friday or better on Saturday morning I felt my self tired, and because my favorit Alex Shanini just had maybe a bit lazy night joking with people, I was in bed already at 4.00am.
Now on Saturday night, Sunday morning all performing Santa Lucia artists were there.
It was a night of great latin music, and especially Alex was in strong form. He sung fantastically from 2.00am to 7.30am having only breaks at the stage for his many tequilas. Around 6 o'clock he remembered to sing for Matti,first My Way in Spanish and just after that a long Beatles medley in English, for Matti too.
I must correct some remarks I made about Alex after meeting him first time in the club.First he is not really young but youngish, in his early forties, athletic body, and a great condition even after a lot of tequilas.
I this morning saw him first time in day light ,when the show was over. And if he has been singing for 15 years and is the greatest favorit of Cancun music lovers, I cannot say he is talented like I did, but a great professional with big heart for music. I received as promised his new record with wishes and signature. We said warm good byes , and the whole personal wanted to thank me for my support.
If anyone of you, my dear readers, is going to visit Cancun, you have to come to listen Alex and others at Santa Lucia, downtown Cancun. Thank you Santa Lucia, all you entertainers and the great friendly personal for these four fantastic nights I spent there . I never forget you!

Late nights in Cancun

In my first evening I started walking around to look for places with live music.
I first found myself around 10pm in an elegant and intimate bar Los 4 Elementos.
11.30 the duo Los Miserables, Andres Tenorio and Alex Can, started with very romantic
music. By that time there were a lot young good looking women but I had more fun with
Miguel Madrigal Davalos, a Police Officer and a-look-alike with my good friend, an eager law defender Mr.Ilkka Iho back in Helsinki. Around 2am I moved further and entered in another cozy bar Santa Lucia.There was entertaining Alex Shanini, a very talented young singer with this trio. We became friends and time to time in between his latino songs he decided to sing for me, which he also always announced, some bestsellers from Elvis Presley´s or The Beatles's collections.I have no idea, why he made this , might be my age, maybe because of the English language to be more polite to me. Of course I had a lot of fun , and everybody in the night club knew , who was de Finlandia.
I was back in bed around 4.30 am.
Yesterday after dinner I was back in Santa Lucia. The first singer was a man about my age "El Bohemio de Cancun" Alfonso Chavez. He sang beautifully old and contemporary ballads in Spanish and English. Then the there was another guitarist/singer Alvaro Gonzales for whom the singing was just a hobby, even he was
very professional and excellent too.You can find him at www.alwaysdiving.com .
Then at 1.30am my friend Alex started again, and he must be The Heartbreaker of Cancun. Now there were practically no empty seats, and women from 20 to 40 loved him and men bought him drinks, including me. The same procedure continued as night before latin hard rock but ballads too, and once in a while a Beatles or Elvis number for my friend Matti. I was in my bed at five a clock, but he still continued singing without longer breaks than a small drink needed, when I was leaving.
I'll be back there tonight again, and Alex is going to give me his brand new CD.

Cancun, Mexico

I yesterday afternoon after a sleeples night arrived to Cancun, and had really superb fun until 3.30 in the morning. This is a great place.I am not staying at tourist area but in the heart of downtown, some miles away from tourist hotels at the beach. I continue this tomorrow.

Last day in Santa Monica

As I did yesterday, then with the bus to the end of Venice Beach, and a brave walk back to Santa Monica, I did today a nice walk of a couple of hours in Santa Monica, with just two one beer stops, before I finally ended at The Lobster. At the center of Ocean Avenue, this bar & restaurant was absolutely most interesting place I saw
during my voyage in U.S. It was elegant and friendly, a bit higher priced but the visitors or customers made it interesting. I was there one of the few men alone,single women did not exist, and noboby was at all interested in my personality,
except the bar tenders , who did run their job,but no personal contact. All other were couples of all kind of art. Rich not so young men with like fashion models looking girls, and beautiful women intimately together, not to mention these gay men with considerable age difference. And all the time the place was crowded.I felt myself like a peeping Tom, but it really was most interesting to look that type of life of strange people.
Next time I hope to make my comments from Cancun, Mexico.

Santa Barbara and Santa Monica, California

These are my very last days in U.S. mainland this time. I came to Santa Barbara last
Friday evening. After walking a while I found a place in filled up restaurant at the bar table. Soon my next neighbour introduced himself to both men on his both sides.His name was Jim Palam,a local businessman. The other one was also in local business life involved, born in Norway but U.S. citizen. His name was Fred (I know his whole name but he did not want me to publish it in my blog). After Jim soon left we got better friends as Scandinavians,and flirted with the waitress Carrie ,who had a very beautiful northern European face and blond hair.First she denied any connection with Scandinavian countries but came after a while back, and told us that some her ancestors in fact were coming from some northern country and from Germany. Before leaving Fred invited me on Saturday to look with him a little bit around. After he left a young couple Brad and Lauren (soon to be )Kettmann , both 29 and from San Francisco, took Jim's and Fred's seats. I then had a nice chat with them.
Next morning Fred called me, and asked if it's alright that he picks me up from my hotel at 6.30 pm for dinner. He did not have to ask twice. He then was punctually at the hotel entrance with gorgeous new Bentley. We drove first to a private country club trough beautiful sceneries. He then suggested that before dinner back in Santa Barbara, we should taste his wine from his own vineyard at his home. Well, I never in my life have seen such a home with great big windows to his very well kept garden and over the Pacific Ocean. We sat in the garden some 20 meters over the sandy beach and enjoyed the sunset at the horizont with really excellent red wine. The big mansion, where he lived alone had a beautiful collection of arts, pictures of his girl friends (one from Finland),and a collection of photos of republican presidents Ford, Reagan, Bush Sr.and Bush Jr. plus mr. Gorbatchew, all with him in the pictures. Then in his garage was one Rolls Royce Silver Ghost 1963 and two Mercedez's. And we had good dinner then later, with not so good wine than his own.
Yesterday I probably had my last Greyhound trip ever to Hollywood from where I took a taxi to Santa Monica, after seeking at least 2 hours a local bus without success. I soon found reasonable priced Sea Lodge Inn for $140 a night.
Later in the evening when walking on the street I heard a very familiar language.
Two gentlemen from a little coastal town of Porvoo in Finland, had just finished a day before a long journey Route 66 from Chigago to Los Angeles. Mr Juhani Henkola and Mr Arto Haakana did not recommend anybody this boring route. They were sure that my southern choice was much better. We then celebrated with several Mexican Coronas in various bars. They left today via Paris, France back to Finland. I am still tomorrow here,but will fly very early Wednesday morning to Cancun, Mexico.

San Francisco, Monterey and Carmel ,California

Early on Friday morning July 6th. I did arrive to San Francisco. I was lucky to get my room already around 8.30am, and could take a nap of few hours, even I also did sleep quite many hours in the bus. In the afternoon then I started to walk around
to look after places , where I did have so good times more than 30 years ago. It was not easy and the results were very poor. However I found The Buena Vista, the birth place of Irish Coffee.Seemingly the bar had a new ownership,the name was not anymore
La Buena Vista, the interior was completely different and not better, the old funny atmosphere of young students was gone, and even the story how Irish Coffee was invented, had changed. After one tab irish I left to study Fisherman's Wharf more exactly .Everything was new for me, and once again I was disapointed because all was too touristic without any feelings. I continued to Columbus Avenue with many Italian
ristorantes. The Italians are champions to create very cozy places with nice and warm atmospheres, not depending in which part of the world you happen to be. So in San Francisco too. Of many possibilities, maybe because of the trattoria's nostalgic name Volare I chose this " a taste of Sicily " according their advertisement.There I was happy with good food and wine, and especially with warm, fascinating,Italian born waitress Irene 26. Next day, saturday found me in an Irish bar after some shopping, a new Digi camera and some spare parts for my Ipod. There I met Scott McNally,from Canada but working and living now in California. After a while we sat in an Belgian bar because I wanted to introduce him my favorit Red Chimay beer. Scott immediately liked the taste of Chimay. Then we soon were in China town, drinking in a Chinese bar Gold Dust now Tsingtao beer, Scott soon sighed two pretty young ladies, and invited them to sit with us. They gladly came to us, but instead accepting us to buy them drinks, they insisted to buy their own drinks but ours too (three rounds ! ).Then Scott got a home call, and I had to tell him how to find his car. We had very gay and pleasant times with you, Becky Kempf 29 and Missi Waitz 28, both from Chicago. Thank you! I know you'll be reading this back home.
Nothing very special did happen in the following days .I enjoyed the nice weather, having long walks allover, visited several galleries, took a ferry to Sausalito trying to find traces of my old days there. Then after five nights I decided continue my trip via Salinas to Monterey and Carmel. It was a most hilarious bus ride ever. The bus driver lost his way first time after five minutes. Already in Oakland his delay was a half an hour. The worst happened in Santa Cruz ,when he passed the same corner four times. In most places like in Salinas he needed passenger's help to find the bus station. Instead of four hours this sightseeing trip took almost seven hours, but we saw a lot and my co-passengers as me too, were just laughing. It was so unreal and macaber. I then finally got, after changing twice with local busses,to my hotel. I ate something at nearby Grannma's Kitchen, where soon came a young lady without any invitation to my table, and started to sell me any car I wanted. Very soon Lynette understood that I really do not need a car. She then very nicely gave me her visit card, and said call me if you need anything, anything at all I can help you.
Next day in Carmel after a long walk in the city and at the beach area , I had light lunch and four or five coronas, on a hot day in Porto Bello an Italian taverna ,of course.The owner was Hungarian born,and teased me saying that I must come from Tampere.There I met Kevin & Myrle O'Neill with their Bison Friche dog, same race as I have at home, and we naturally talked mostly about this fantastic dog race.They then left, and I had an other long conversation with Doug & Amy Wolf from Pennsylvania with their two tiny girls Chloe and Olivia. I evetually got back to Monterey, where I heard beautiful music coming from a bar. There was an excellent blues singer Lisa Lehua Taylor, to whom I personally told my opinion about her singing. She did thank me very chearfully.

Santa Monica , California

I finally found again a net connection, but being quite tired. thursty and hungry after todays trip, I shall come back tomorrow with my experiencies in San Francisco,
Monterey, Carmel and Santa Barbara.

Las Vegas, Nevada

I did not wait very much from Las Vegas but I still was disappointed with my two days
visit here. Maybe because I do not gamble with money, I cannot find that excitement what brings people here.For me Las Vegas was just on my route, and I decided to stop here for a couple of nights. I was here last time 35 years ago, and I then found this city somehow exciting. Like the name of one best known hotels here "Circus Circus", you could call the whole city with that name , at liest the strip.
Today I am heading to San Francisco. It will once again be over 24 hours in Greyhound, because via Los Angeles and with several stops. But I have time, and hopefully not too big expectations from Frisco, one of my favourite cities in the world.The time in very near future will show ,how long I am going to stay down there. By the way the temperature in Las Vegas has been quite warm, 117 F. or 47C. in last days.

Flagstaff, Arizona

My first train trip in U.S. ever to Flagstaff, took 6 hours. It was a very pleasant one, not just mention the bar and restaurant, but especilly because of great sceneries. When I arrived at night, I was lucky to get a room at a motel near railway station. Day before yesterday I then went trough the historical part of this, another well known Wild West town, with about 60,000 population. The most charming place is The Weatherford Hotel,built at the end of 19'th century, where Zane Grey wrote his maybe most famous novel, The Call of Canyon. Other guests the hotel has noted, were President Theodore Roosewelt and the publisher Randolph Hearst. I yesterday went to see that magnificent Grand Canyon. I just was amazed, the trip was worth of every penny ($88.)and took 10 hours.
Tonight I shall take again a nightly Greyhound to be early in the morning in Las Vegas.

Santa Fe ,New Mexico

After, once again, 24 hours travelling I arrived to tiny but very beautiful, historical town of Santa Fe.The population is about 70,000,and I guess that most of the inhabitants are artists, because of so many galleries and exhibitions.
For me the place was a romantic Wild West city from the past. Even the inn where I stayed had the name of famous US. Marshall Pat Garret, and the street was naturally Santa Fe Trail. The first bar,The Anasazi Lounge, I landed, had as bar tender a very friendly lady, Lynn,whose family came to Santa Fe already in 1590's, when the first Spanish mission was established. Her famous earlier family members were Pat Garret, Billy The Kidd, an outlaw and Lucien Maxwell. who was at his time the biggest land owner in whole U.S.A. In 24 hours I thought to know everything important , and decided to continue with Amtrek to Flagstaff, Arizona.

Disapointing news

On my last day in San Antonio I did receive very disapointing message from my girl friend Kaisa in Finland. She had got a new dream job but in condition she would start to work next week.Just 10 days before we should meet in Vancouver. She had no other choice than cancel her trip to west coast. Of course all I had planned had to be forgotten. She was very, very sad too, and she told to me that this should not change our relationship at all, and she would be waiting my return in 9 months time. Well,I needed a couple of days to recover, and to see the sunshine again