Category Pages For: Destinations

Day-to-day blogs about the places already visited

Guanajuato - Street Dancing 1
AUGUST 2016: Why not read our Mexico Retirement Reviews. OVERVIEW: Guanajuato is located in North-Central Mexico between the arid north and the lusher south. The origin and growth of Guanajuato resulted from the discovery of minerals in the mountains surrounding it. The mines were so rich that the city was one of the most influential during the colonial period. One of the mines, La Valenciana, accounted for two-thirds of the world’s silver production at the height of its production. Guanajuato was the site of the first battle of the Mexican War of Independence. The city was named a World Heritage Site in 1988. For […]

Guanajuato – Mexico – Information

AUGUST 2016: INTRODUCTION: Well, I’ve been here nine months now and I thought it would be appropriate to reflect on what life is like for me here. So here are my thoughts about that. The Village of Ajijic: First off, let’s handle the pronunciation thing. With the exception of the “J” in Jack Daniels, “j’s” are pronounced in Spanish like an “h”.  In fact, I don’t know why they even bother to use that stupid letter – except maybe to make gringos look foolish trying to pronounce it. Anyway the village I live in is pronounced “Ah-hee-heek”. Work on that […]

Ajijic – Mexico – By Mike McSweeney

AUGUST 2016: Why not read our Mexico Retirement Reviews. OVERVIEW: Ajijic is a small town on Mexico’s biggest lake (Lake Chapala) about 50kms south of Guadalajara. Ajijic is 5,046ft (1,538m) above sea level in the vast central Mexican plateau that is home to the Sierra Madre mountain range. Lake Chapala is a well known expat destination: mainly for expats from the USA and Canada … but they are, now, being joined by an increasing number of Europeans. Ajijic boasts the largest expat community in Mexico: over 20,000 expats live here on a permanent basis and 1,000s more ‘snow birds’ join them each year […]

Ajijic – Mexico – Information

JULY 2016: Click here to read our Mexico Retirement Reviews. OVERVIEW: It is recommended that, if you plan to live in or travel in Mexico for any length of time, you should try and learn some Spanish. I made my way from Puerto Vallarta to Tlaquepaque to attend Spanish Immersion Classes. CULTURLINGUA: I took the middle-priced Tlaquepaque option for US$650. You are, usually, quoted in US$s – but can pay either in US$s or in MXP (at the conversion rate on the day of payment). I was willing to pay a bit extra for private classes. Other schools only had 2 hours of group […]

Tlaquepaque – Mexico – Spanish Immersion Classes

  MAY 2016:   Why not read our Philippines Retirement Reviews. OVERVIEW: Malapascua Island is located just off the north coast of Cebu Island, Philippines. Malapascua Island is a well known SCUBA Diving destination. As with Port Barton, El Nido, Coron, Boracay and Panglao … its popularity reflects in its prices. For GRANDPAckers, Malapascua is expensive (yet still affordable). Read on … GETTING THERE: I made my own way from Bantayan Island to Malapascua Island by Ferry, Ceres Aircon bus and Bangka. The ferry from Bantayan to Hagnaya leaves every 1-2 hours, takes 1.5 hours, and costs PHP175 each including the PHP5 Terminal Fee. At the Hagnaya Ferry Port, you […]

Malapascua – Philippines – Information

  MAY 2016:   Why not read our Philippines Retirement Reviews. OVERVIEW: Bantayan Island is located in the Visayan Sea, Philippines. It is situated to the west of the northern end of Cebu Island and across the Tañon Strait. Bantayan Island is a well known tourist destination in the Philippines and it is increasing in popularity. White Beach is the most popular tourist spot on the island. Unlike Port Barton, El Nido, Coron, Boracay and Panglao … Bantayan remains uncrowded and still retains some of its ‘character’. It is not (yet) over-run by Western tourists – who are still out-numbered my Filipino tourists. For GRANDPAckers, Bantayan is expensive (yet still affordable). Read on … […]

Bantayan – Philippines – Information

  MAY 2016:   Why not read our Philippines Retirement Reviews. OVERVIEW: Panglao is connected by 2 bridges to the south of Bohol. The island has an area of 80.5 square kilometres (31.1 sq mi). Panglao Island is one of the main tourist destinations on the Philippines. Alona Beach is the most popular tourist spot on the island; it is noted for its white sand and clear water. Like Boracay, Panglao has become crowded due to opening of more and more restaurants and bars. There are also a lot of attractions for tourists such as SCUBA diving, island hopping, dolphin watching, snorkeling, kitesurfing and fishing. For GRANDPAckers, Panglao is […]

Panglao – Philippines – Information

  APRIL 2016:   Click here to read our Philippines Retirement Reviews. OVERVIEW: Roxas City is on Panay Island in the Western Visayas. Roxas City is known as the Seafood Capital of The Philippines. That is why I stopped there. GETTING THERE: I made my own way from Boracay to Roxas. I caught a ferry from Boracay to Caticlan, a minivan from there to Kalibo, and a connecting minivan from there to Roxas City. The door-to-door journey took 5.5 hours and cost me (as a solo traveller) PHP445. COMMUNICATIONS: I still had my Globe SIM card that I purchased at Manila Airport when I flew in from […]

Roxas – Philippines – Information

  MARCH 2016:   Why not read our Philippines Retirement Reviews. OVERVIEW: Boracay Island is only 10 km² and is located 300 km south of Manila and just north of Panay Island, Visayas. For GRANDPAckers, Boracay is expensive but (unlike El Nido, Palawan) Boracay DOES live up to its ‘hype’; this really is paradise on earth. At a price. Boracay has almost perfect coconut-tree-lined, white-sand beaches and turquoise-blue waters. Boracay is one of the top beach destinations in the world. But… read on. GETTING THERE: I made my own way from Carabao To Boracay by pump boat. The pump boat leaves from […]

Boracay – Philippines – Information

  MARCH 2016:   Click here to read our Philippines Retirement Reviews. OVERVIEW: Carabao Island is the southernmost (and smallest) of the islands that make up Romblon. Carabao is just north of (the famous) party island of Boracay; only a 1 hour boat ride away. Carabao is also known as Hambil Island (its pre-Spanish name) or as San Jose (its legislative name). Carabao is almost untouched by tourism. The beaches are deserted and quiet. It is nothing like Boracay. In fact, it is so laid back that there is hardly anything to do… GETTING THERE: I made my own way from Tablas Island to Carabao Island. The […]

Carabao – Philippines – Information

  FEBRUARY 2016:   Click here to read our Philippines Retirement Reviews. OVERVIEW: Tablas Island is the biggest of the 3 islands that make up Romblon. Tablas Island is South East of Mindoro en route to Borocay and the Visayas. Tablas has been little impacted by tourism; accommodations and resorts, though, are available around the island. These islands are not as commercialized as their counterparts in Palawan and Borocay to the south. Tablas has retained its original character. The wildlife and landscape appear untouched as deep-green vegetation is crossed by rivers and streams. Tablas Island provides a variety of outdoor activities. Visitors can explore wonderful waterfalls and […]

Tablas – Philippines – Information

  FEBRUARY 2016:   Click here to read our Philippines Retirement Reviews. OVERVIEW: Coron Town is on Busuanga Island in the Calamianes group of islands north of mainland Palawan. In the Calamianes you will find palm-fringed powdery white beaches, crystal clear lagoons, stunning lakes and towering limestone karst. These islands are not as commercialized as its counterparts in Puerto Princesa, Port Barton, and El Nido. You don’t have to be in Coron Town for long to realise that the greed that now exists in El Nido hasn’t made it this far – yet. Let’s hope that it never does. GETTING THERE: Coron Town is […]

Coron – Philippines – Information