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CAYO
LARGO
DEL SUR
Memories of an Anniversary
By: Tahimí
Barzaga Soto
Source: Periódico
Victoria
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Full
satisfaction was brought about by an unforgettable anniversary
of the beautiful destination Cayo Largo del Sur; jewel
of the Canarreos Archipelago surrounding on its
southern part, the western region of
Cuba
.
Last
February 20 the important destination held its XXI
anniversary, a time in which the key has totally recovered from
the hurricanes harmful effects. In the middle of the beautiful
colors of its vegetation, workers, executives and guests
celebrated the birthday of a destination that, no matter
what, still captivates visitors.
There were lots of reasons to celebrate: January came up as
one of the best months in 21 years: tourism earned 3,2
million dollars, the occupational capacity was over 98 % ,
three hotels and 4 villas were commercialized and the
arrival of seven weekly flights.
Last
Thursday celebrations were dedicated to the
Distinguished Guest, repeat visitors and workers who have
been in Cayo Largo since its beginnings.
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MARATHON
Miguel
Cárdenas: first male position
A
marathon with tourists and workers preceded the rest of the
activities held in Cayo Largo for its anniversary.
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The
marathon began in Isla del Sur hotel, the first to be
founded in the place, to continue till Sol Club Cayo Largo.
Canadian Martha Harrison
won first female position; and Miguel Cárdenas, health
worker won first male position.
This competition was first made last year, and due to the
acceptance it had among visitors and workers, it was carried out
this year as well. Participants received souvenirs and the
possibility of tourist excursions to other areas of the
country.
AT
THE MUSEUM...
The destination’s museum was born among mangroves, pelicans, and
seagulls. It is the only one of its kind in
Cuba
and that very day, February 20 reached its first year. This
place treasures several testimonies of Cayo Largo’s
history and it has welcomed so far more than 4 600
visitors.
The occasion provided a space for children studying at Vilo
Acuña school to play the different stages gone through by the
island of white sands. They also represented aborigines,
corsairs, pirates, Spaniards and the Revolution and tourism
arrival.
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Luis
Clarke opened the photographs exhibition
"Una
proeza que marcó la historia" was the name of the
exhibition opened minutes
later by Luis Clarke Wright, representative of the
Minister of Tourism at the museum.
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The
exhibit, featuring 40 images shows the visitor Cayo
Largo in the time of hurricanes, the recovery stage that
came after, Lage´s visit, the reopening of Isla del
Sur hotel, Villa Linda Mar and the celebrations for its XX
anniversary.
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Helene
Gagne Reviv, widow of Tolly Reviv the first tour
operator in Cayo Largo, exposed the real story of
Tolly´s relationship to the destination.
"It is a real pleasure to be around people who love
Cayo Largo, because it all began as a love story. I found Tolly
in
Cuba
and I loved him in
Cuba
, it was a great love. When he invited me to visit this
place in 1982 I said that it was a paradise in the
Caribbean
; it was then when he decided to consider it a
tourist destination".
"It is a daydream island and I my husband’s dream
came finally true when I brought his
ashes in 1998; he had two loves, Helene and Cayo
Largo". After that, the widow started an
exhibition with pictures of Reviv´s visits to
the place as well as the promotion they carried out
on radio and TV. Helene also donated among
other objects, a video cassette with Tolly´s first
interview and a pullover with the first advertising he
made on Cayo Largo.
Clarke Wright, thanked Lily and Normand Pare,
two Canadians who inaugurated the website www.cayolargo.net
, through which the destination has been promoted and
reached its position in the international market.
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Enzo
Fialdini donated his book to the museum
At
that moment as well Juan Colina La Rosa, historian of the
Isla de la Juventud, commented on his book Cayo Largo del Sur,
still in process of edition and available to visitors very soon
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Enzo
Fialdini, repeat visitor, referred to the book he wrote under
the same title. He had published it in
Italy
and now he donates it to the museum: "This book was
written with the heart; it was a result of the love my wife
Antonella and I feel for Cayo Largo and its people. When
we are in
Italy
, not a single day goes by without our thinking of this
place."- said Enzo who was interrupted by his
wife’s laughter to announce that, for those very reasons, when
they are parents they will name their son Cayito o
Cayita.
UNEXPECTED
SURPRISE
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"It is a
beautiful image", said Helene
The most surprising of the celebrations for the XXI anniversary
of Cayo Largo was granting Helene and Tolly the
condition of Distinguished Guests.
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The
exclusive ceremony was carried out at Los ballenatos, in
the coral reef near the beautiful playa Sirena;
where Tolly´s ashes were spread some years ago. A
lovely piece made of ceramics made by artist Idilio López
depicting the tour operator’s image lies now is the
sea bottoms, from where, at the same time, emerged a beautiful
coffer, showing Champagne Tours Director´s symbolic gratitude.
Minutes later, the widow said: "This has been a huge
surprise because I did no t really expected it. I feel very
happy because I sense now the same zest of five years ago, when I spread
Tolly´s ashes. I want to thank the artist for depicting my
husband’s quiet image and great smile".
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