Sanuk Canadian

The first two posts from this series are HERE and HERE .  In February 2017, I escaped the island of Japan to visit another island -- Cuba, specifically, the beach town of Varadero. While I stayed mainly inside the resort hotel, Club Kawama, my explorer-self ventured out to the town on two different days. Varadero town is just one long strip of a road with markets, restaurants, and local shops lining each side. I took a lot of photos while walking about four hours out and back. Please enjoy the pics. I love signs cause they're like art. The aforementioned hotel in the previous sign. Off the main strip were smaller side streets, all which led to the beach or coast. Heaven, no? Cubans are given rations for certain food items. This shop is one where locals can pick up rationed items. Street corners all had these lovely pyramids informing us as to the street and side roads. Loved them! The art below was attached to a chain link fence and the entire artwork...

See THIS POST for the start of this series on Cuba. In February 2017, I took a week-long break from my work and studies to become a beach-bum in Varadero, Cuba. The destination was not my personal choice. My parents requested I join them, yet I thought many times about turning down the initial invitation due to my perceptions of the beach-pace being too slow from my normal explorer travel behavior. I was pleasantly surprised how much I enjoyed Varadero's white beach and slow style. The resort we stayed at was the all-inclusive, Club Kawama. Similar to a cruise, the resort included food, drinks, snacks and entertainment, all free for guests. On one day, a water ballet show was performed in the main pool by a team of incredibly fit men and women.... The group performed to a number of songs including  Beyoncé 's "Single Ladies" (left)  and dance tracks (right).  The biggest surprise was a foam party, also held at the main pool closest to the lobby. It seeme...

I have traveled to 29 different countries in the world, predominately in Europe, North America and Asia. In February 2017, I had the honor of celebrating my 30th destination in Varadero, Cuba  (via Trip Advisor). Varadero is home to a 13-mile long white sandy beach which has been listed by Trip Advisor as one of the "top beaches in the world" (2016). Cuba is a very popular holiday spot for Canadians and according to the statistics, 1.2 million Canucks visit the island each year (see  LINK ). I joined my parents for a week long winter break and stayed at the oldest resort on the island -- Club Kawama   (via Grande Caribe), which was founded as a gentleman's club in the early 1930's and currently runs as an all-inclusive beach-front resort hotel. It is the largest resort on Cuba, and the guests are typically from Canada, Germany or Russia (!!). Let's tour the resort and beach itself. Later posts will showcase a self-walk and bus tour I took of the local town. En...

For most visitors to Japan, reaching the summit of Mt. Fuji is a must-do. In order to achieve that, most will follow the popular trails which typically begin at the 5th station. However, if one is fit and able, you can begin from the very bottom of the mountain itself,. traversing upwards from the 1st to the 5th stations. These lower stations pass through the lesser well-known, Mt.Fuji Natural Recreation Forest Trail. Trail sign. I started at the bottom of the Fujinomiya trail, which begins across the road from the main parking area, called Mizugazuka Park. A large map and signpost can be found at the start of the trail head. From here, hikers can enjoy a very quiet stroll through Mt.Fuji's forest on a slightly muddy trail.  Start of this trail. Note: The Mt. Fuji Natural Recreation Forest Trail has many trails of varying lengths and difficulties. Most surround the base of Mt.Fuji and are good for a day hike.  For those who can, it is best to access this trail at M...