AngelaPanama.com: 2019

Traveling to Cuba from the US

RECAP VIDEO

Link to my Airbnb: Nuestra Familia 2 (Plaza Vieja)

Excursions:
Cuban Bar Hop

Snorkeling and Reef Clean Up

Knowing another Havana across the bay - We had to cancel this excursion and leave Havana early because of a storm was causing cancelled flights in the US.

Notting Hill (London) Carnival 2019

London Carnival aka Notting Hill is one of the world’s largest street festivals, I can’t even begin to put into words how many people were out and about on Carnival Tuesday. Endless blocks of people ram packed, just a sea of people. London Carnival is said to have somewhere around 2.5 million attendees. To put that into perspective, Trinidad carnival has around somewhere around 35,000 visitors for carnival. The parade is well organized, although at times it was gridlock because the entire planet and even some neighboring planets were out there. London has an extensive train system so it was very easy to get to and leave the parade, it also made affordable lodging easy to secure because you could stay near or far and train to the parade. The costumes & J’ouvert were very affordable (PS: they do provide limited booze so be sure to bring your own to keep the party going).

A a portion of my carnival spreadsheet so you can see just affordable the fetes were, they are apparently not about that all-inclusive / drink inclusive fete life over there. No biggie, I had a flask or 2 of over proof rum *wink* Anywho, excuse Tuesday. I like to tell myself that I’m a cool cat, but then other times I have to admit that I’m a dork. This was my first time in London and I didn’t get to do much sight-seeing, but because I am a ginormous Harry Potter fan, I had no plans on leaving London without going to see Harry Potter’s Platform 9 ¾. I’m pretty sure it was the highlight of my trip. Don’t worry you get to enjoy my Harry Potter experience too, it deserved its on Youtube video (below).

So here are few stolen moments from my Notting Hill trip along with a recap video of carnival Sunday & Monday.

Scorch _uck Work

Pon De Roof

Ruk a Tuck

Kind strangers sharing their booze and cigs after Tribe Ignite

Minimal amount of tourist mode

Geeked Out!

Got to see the famous Tower Bridge only because it was next to my hotel

Jouvert with Chocolate Nation Mas

I met this lovely young lady Jamaica Carnival 2016 & she wore her new collar to Knotting Hill carnival the next year and now she plays mas in the kiddie carnival :-)

Monday mas w/ Chocolate Nation as well

Shout out to my Carnivam Compadres

She was TOO cute to not give my collar too, super early in the day.

*Drum Roll Please* the recap vido

Platform 9 3/4 at King's Cross Station

Happy hour at the Airport - Flight to nowhere

I had this idea, what if I bought a $15 flight that I didn't plan on utilizing just so I could go to the airport lounge & drink up all the free booze.

I had a received a few questions so I should elaborate a bit

1) How did I gain access to the lounge?
I have a Priority Pass membership. Priority Pass is a network of about 1,200 airport lounges world wide. You can get a Priority Pass membership free with various credit cards such as Amex Platinum, Hilton Surpass Amex, Citi Prestige, Chase Sapphire Reserve, Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex, Ritz Carlton Card, Mastercard Black, etc. Feel free to use my referral link for the Hilton Surpass Amex.

2) Are there really airlines that only charge $15 for flights?
Yes, but these are budget airlines. Don't book a flight thinking you are going to get the same amenities others airlines provide. They charge for bags, seat assignments, snacks/refreshments, there is no wifi, no outlets, minimal legroom and seats don't recline.

The flight we purchases

Recap Video

Vegas - Adult Style

I haven’t been to Vegas in maybe a decade, not sure what kept me away so long, but I has a BLAST this trip. Spent 3 days at the Park MGM and 2 days at the Aria. I decided to do Vegas in FULL TOURIST mode, I read a couple articles and watched a few Youtubes on how to do Vegas like a pro.

I was initially against attending the daytime pool partyz, they looked too wild online, like everyone was either vomiting or fornicating in the pool. Just looking at the pix online made me feel super old. My chica Andrea wanted to attend one so I went off recommendations of friends and picked Drais Beachclub. All research told me that you don’t need to pay to attend any partyz in Vegas, so I put us on several different Guest Lists… Just to be sure. Surprise, surprise Drais was a BLAST. They don’t need to charge for entry cause they charge an arm and a leg for drinks and sadly booze is my weakness (even tho I brought my lotion flask full of 151 to each venue). After that I was SOLD on Vegas Pool partyz, I just don’t need to go to the mega large partyz where everyone jam packed like sardines. We ended up going to the pool party at our hotel the next day and it was equally fun.

I’ll share with you my corny list of things I wanted to do “Vegas - Adult Style” so disappointed that I didn’t put “SEE JABBAWOCKEEZ” on my list, I feel like I need a return trip to Vegas just them. I really let myself down! I had some really lame old ppl stuff on there… lemme explain. (1) I don’t gamble (I had a bad experience many many years ago). (2) The Taco Bell Cantina looked very intriguing online, I had to see it for myself. (3) I had planned on chilling at the quiet pools located at our hotels, now I know better. Although we did spend Sun & Mon at the chill pools

Things to Do
Park MGM & Aria pool
Watch Bellagio Fountain Show - Everything 30 min
Visit Vegas Sign
Visit Downtown Las Vegas - Fremont Street Experience
Visit Neon Signs Museum $22
Walk the strip to meet party promoters that will put you on clubs FREE list - never buy a club pass
See a Vegas show - Groupon or Vegas.com
Play slots atleast once

TidBits
Use free tram from Park MGM to Bellagio (center of strip)
Stock up on room supplies at CVS/Walgreens
Keep some roll up Ballet Flats in ur purse

Drinks
Fat Tuesday in MGM Grand & Miracle Mile Shops
Vegas Strip Happy Hours
Vegas ALL- Happy Hours
Bottomless Brunch in Las Vegas
Taco Bell Cantina

On the Record speakeasy inside the Park MGM gets my vote as coolest lounge I’ve been to in a while. It was so uniquely designed, the DJs were on point, very laid back atmosphere, not crazy crowded. Definitely will return should I come back anytime soon.

The DJ booth in a Rollz Royce

Anywho, I leave you with a recap video.

Atlanta Carnival 2019 Fete List

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/atlanta-dekalb-carnival-2019-tickets-53262873689?aff=erelexpmlt

The usual disclamer *Atlanta has two (2) carnivals, held on the same day, at the same dayym time, different locations... The carnival in DeKalb carnival has the most mas bands, but Ima be rouge and play mas downtown this year.

Anyway, as always I gotta start off with the FETE OF THE YEAR aka Cooler Fete that actually takes place the weekend before ATL Carnival... be there or be square.