The Maya, Jalandhar

Advantages: Clean, comfortable, the only international hotel
Disadvantages: Limited facilities, not quite international standard

...Stepping off the train at Jalandhar station, the first thing the hit me - literally - were the FLIES! No, I was not looking at gentlemen's zips - these were the irritating, little, black, buzzing things swarming around my face from the moment I stood in the train doorway. I was not wearing "Doggy Pooh" aftershave, nor was I chewing anything sweet; this was just Jalandhar railway station. I batted them away from my face, repeatedly, and headed towards the exit. Either the flies followed me, or I just moved from swarm to swarm, but they didn't let up until I left the station and found the chap from the Radisson holding a piece of paper with my name on. Welcome to the Punjab. The Punjab is probably one of the two best known regions of India, the other being Rajastan. Other than being one of the larger cities in the Punjab, Jalandhar... Read review

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Advantages: Adventure on the river
Disadvantages: Sad feeling

...Lamanai is in the North of Belize, an area which had been inhabited by the ancient Mayas and still retains a lot of its past. It is possible to get there on a daily trip, or to spend the night there, although accomodation can eb a bit pricey. If you can afford it, though, I would recommend you spend the night there, since it is very athmospheric Most tourists get there by river, and so did I. We managed to spot 1 crocodile on our trip. Once we got there, what stuck me most is the local forest. You can visit the ruins at Lamanai only during the day. Our group was relatively small, only 6 of us, including a couple of German lesbians, I suppose, who felt particulalry out of place there. Apart for the ancient ruins, what each tourist visit, including myself, is the Indian Church. The strongest recallection I have of this trip... Read review

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Advantages: Crystal clear warm water
Disadvantages: Going Home

...I did my open water course in May 04. I was staying in the Fiesta Palladium grand resort and spa which had a dive shop in it's grounds. I decided to give it a try and signed up for the beginners course, just half a day from classroom to sea. The dive site its self was part of the mezo american reef which runs from cozumel down to honduras. the viz on my first dive was about 30m and the dive site itself (umberella reef) was absolutly spectacular. There were barrel sponges, sea fans, staghorn coral, all varieties and colours of soft coral, all at only 12m. We saw southern ray, baraccuda, trumpet fis, parrot fish, angel fish and many others. As it was my first dive it only lasted just over half an hour and I really loved every minute so I signed up for the full open water course. I did 4 more dives altogether, on Ruina Maya, Ruina... Read review

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