Euro Travel & More

While the rest of the world are planning for a winter vacation during Christmas – can you guess where I will be heading for this Christmas?  I’m definitely not having a white Christmas – because I’m going somewhere sunny and with sand and the beach.   You really can’t blame me for wanting to be somewhere warm this winter – for I’ve been here for 12 years to-date – and had been spending Christmas in the freezing cold.   My christmas stockings may not be near a fire place – but it will be filled with goodies like always – so if you are planning a Christmas vacation away from home – now is the time to start looking.

There are many great destination during Christmas time – and Cancun plus Havana are always crowded with Canadian and American tourists this time of the year.  We are booking earlier this year – because we are bringing our extended family with us for a week long vacation – just sipping mojitos and margaritas  with massages and sun.  I had thought about going back to Asia during Christmas time – but i figured Asia is best when it is the coldest here in Canada – in February.   We are not going to be opening our christmas stockings or bringing any presents with us during Christmas – but when we get home – we can all open our presents.  Time to go look for a travel agent.

Havana brings out the best in most people – why?  everyone is so friendly and warm – and everything is so cheap – except toilet paper – haha !  I kid you not – USD$1 for toilet paper – to use the public toilet – daylight robbery eh.   They say that men who goes to Havana with  low testosterone symptom comes back all refreshed and all ready to start anew after a trip to Havana.  How true it is – I don’t really know – but you and I know that it’s ok for men to take enhancers for low testosterone if they need it – no need to be shy about it.

Havana has changed very, very little since the 1950s – did you know that they are not allowed to import new cars?  so whatever you see on the street are probably vintage – most of them turned their vehicles into cabs for tourists like you and I.   Havana offers much more than just salsa, mojitos and cuban cigars – it is full of history and cultural experience.  Take your time to explore and talk to these really friendly people – and know that they are so humble and even though they are not in friendly terms with the United States – you can see that they are very much influence by the States.

This is a stadium in Havana – The Colossus of Cerro – and is usually used for baseball.   It’s pretty cheap to go watch a baseball game in Havana – for your info – this is not the only stadium in Havana.  For just USD$1 – you can get admission to a game – but choice seats are usually taken even before you get into the stadium.

Another view of the stadium.

This the the Havana Skyline called the Capitolio Nacional Cuba – inside the skyline – you can find some pre-revolutionary monuments.

The entrance of the skyline – so if you are in Havana Cuba – make sure you don’t just stick in the resort – come out and enjoy Havana and learn all about the history of Havana.   Havana is the can definitely raise my testosterone – because I love all old buildings and the architectural work done on them – you can’t find this in the new world now.

So you are heading out to Cancun or Mexico or even to Club Med – you go for your tan – you go get your pedicure done – after all you want your toes to look nice at the beach right when you are wearing your flip flops.  But wait a minute – what about losing 5 pounds before going?  first – you would look better in your bathing suit and secondly you don’t have to be guilty about eating too much.  By the time you are done with Cancun – you will be back to the same size.  For those who have stubborn belly fat like myself click here to lose stubborn belly fat .  That’s right sisters!  think of those sexy nights – you want to spend with the boyfriend or spouse – make it a week to remember.

Yes! one can get married in Cuba for just $800 – that was what i found out today – from a friend.  And I just had to share it with all of you because it is definitely interesting to know – and for some of you out there  – i hope it helps too.  First of all – the wedding is legit and recognized by the Canadian government.  The cost of the wedding itself is $800 – which includes the ceremony – the witness (if you don’t have one) because according to the cuban law – your witness cannot be a family member.  But it’s a one year notice – and you have to get all your papers sent over 2 months ahead of time.  And once that is done – everything will be planned for you by a wedding planner.  You get to stay a week in Cuba for your wedding ceremony and honeymoon – plus you can invite any amount of friends you wish to – at your own or their expense.   Bring lots of sunblock,  the best multivitamins because you would need it – and enjoy yourselves!

The friend had said it was a beautiful wedding – and I had seen their wedding pictures – it’s pretty easy and smooth sailing.  Oh by the way – the trip to Cuba – all inclusive was about $1200 – booked a year in advance.

Who doesn’t like a vacation in the sun and by the sea -  but we all know – too much sun is just not good for anyone’s skin and going on vacation doesn’t mean that we can forget about our skin and let our skin go on vacation too.   Besides protecting our skin with sun block and moisturizing it totally – I bring along my acne rosacea treatment because of all the junk food I would be eating on my vacation.  From BBQ chips to BBQ hotdogs – and the sinful chicken wings.  I tend to stuff myself with all sorts of food – just because I am on vacation – so you can imagine – how bad my skin is going to be.   But I’m always prepared – even after my vacation – my skin still needs to look gorgeous because I go back to work immediately -  so pack all your skin care product with you while on vacation and the men out there – don’t go rolling your eyes now – it’s important to look good!

Vacationing in Cancun, Mexico one year – we decided to visit Xcaret the eco park by the sea.  It was a huge park with many things you can see – like a zoo – but more than that.  It has an underground river, a Butterfly Pavillion – a beach and many water activities.  You can even swim with the dolphins if you like – go snorkeling and Sea Trek.

Flamingos

A close up of a parrot after a parrot show.

Fishes on the wall.

A goat?

The very shy trainer with the parrot.

Entrance to Xcaret Plus

Baboons? or Monkeys?

Voladores de Papantla, Veracruz – where they played music around the pole and then the guys would twirl around the pole during the time the music was playing.

swinging in action – kinda dangerous – but they made it seems so easy.

Tortoise in the sand

Very beautiful scenery all around the park.

clear water for swimming

Drinks you can buy to quench your thirst in the park

I wished we had more time – but we spend 6 hrs in the park – and we didn’t finished doing everything – maybe the next time.

On the way for some live entertainment – some sexy looking man – hahah!

Entrance to the theatre – for live entertainment

Native man – a bit eerie not?  More on the live show in another post.

Cuba here i come at the end of March !  i refused to go during the March break because it is so expensive !  and very crowded too in Cuba – just about anyone i know from my small town is in Cuba suntanning and making a fool of themselves.  But did you know that WestJet has a sale on for it’s flight as well as 7 nights for as little as $999 – so I’m taking advantage of it .. and packing my best wrinkle cream for this trip.

For those who are not aware of this or those who live in the tropics and have never experienced winter, like me when I lived in Singapore, then I should highlight that I now live in the West and winter is about 6 months long.  Many a times I have been asked by friends, customers and relatives about the all inclusive vacation. What it includes and how can one find some discount holidays since most of us here bring the entire family to warmer places during our coldest month in the Winter.

The folks from the UK are darn lucky because of the many cheap holidays they can find departing from UK.  That is why overseas students in UK would definitely plan to tour Europe at least once before going home.  Many of these places includes Spain (my favorite since I ended up working in Madrid/Barcelona), Greece (where my ex-boss was from), Cyprus (the third largest Mediterranean Island), Turkey (more than just Turkish delights and of course the Canaries (very much Greek & Roman influence). One can find not only results online but the ever popular all inclusive holidays.

So you ask “What’s the benefit of going for an all inclusive holiday?”  First of all, an all inclusive holiday usually means airfare, accommodation and the main 3 meals are included in the package.  With breakfast, lunch and dinner provided for, you now only need spending money for gifts and the little extras.  Did I mention that drinks are also included? Yes, drinks, which to many is the best part of the vacation.  Whether it is juice for the kids, cocktails for yourself and beer for the spouse, it’s there for you for free.  Finding cheap holidays is a must, especially when you are bringing the entire family along.  If you have teens who are still growing you will understand why I recommend it since they do eat non-stop.  So besides the relaxation time spent on wonderful beaches, the sun and the sea and some sightseeing, it’s actually also a great time for bonding, for bringing back that love.   If you chose Cuba then don’t forget to check out their vintage cars, they are all over the streets.

Cuba is one of the most popular destination in Canada. I’ve not met anyone in this town who haven’t been to Cuba. Hell..! the man’s uncle and his wife goes there on a yearly basis. The all inclusive is what makes this place an ideal for family and couples. Sipping mojittos all day long seems to be the thing that everyone does in Cuba. So if you don’t see some of your friends in Canada.. or USA.. you prolly can find them in Cuba.

This was in Havana

Cuban Houses definitely nothing like the resort we stayed in.. an an eye opener for me. I didn’t think houses in Cuba was so much like Asia in their 70s. The folks in Cuba were very nice. You see alot of tourist around in Cuba.. and young children to flock towards any tourist they see to get them to buy their wares. The best time to go to Cuba has to be in February when the hurricane season would be over..and the Canadian weather would be really back by now. A very light wind jacket is all you need to bring .. but knowing that you have to come back to the cold.. in a week’s time.. sure doesn’t mean that you can leave your winter clothes behind.

We stayed in the hotel mostly..and on the beach for fishing and scuba diving. Afterall, food and drinks is free from the hotel.. and you can even order room service.. when you are sitting on the beach of the hotel. It is a good thing that we don’t go explore the city that much for you will see lots of children trying to pawn their wares to you. Do not hand out money to beggars or kids on the streets. It is illegal for them to beg for money.. and even if you think you are helping the needy.. you might be just responsible for sending them to jail.