Cuba 2023 - Twice in One Year

 Hello Readers...

2023 was a big year for me, going to San Francisco, getting engaged and getting to travel to Cuba twice!!!

The Pool View out to the Ocean
Photo Credit: Danielle Gadsby

Cuba is the third-most populated country in the Caribbean. I had never been before, but it is definitely an affordable country to visit. When choosing where to travel my husband (boyfriend at the time) did some research with his travel agent and decided for Christmas 2022 he wanted to take me to Cuba in the new year. I was excited, we booked a resort that was fairly new to Cayo Guillermo for January 7 - 14, 2023. 

Cayo Guillermo is a small island in the Jardines del Rey archipelago, off of Cuba. You fly into the airport at Cayo Coco. It is a small airport, that brings in flights from Canada full of vacationers. We then had a 45 minute bus ride in the dark to Cayo Guillermo where we stayed at the Gran Muthu Imperial. The hotel was new in 2018 and was adults only. I was very much looking forward to relaxing and enjoying the sunshine, and we loved the hotel and its amenities. There was no beach at this resort, it was very rocky, but the beautiful Playa Pillar was a 5 minute taxi ride away with the most amazing white sand beaches. The sand felt like the texture of powdered sugar. 

Enjoying a Sunset at the Gazebo
Photo Credit: Danielle Gadsby

While on the plane we were seated with a guy going to the same resort, by himself (Geoff). Geoff became a fast friend, and we hung out with him often over the course of the week there. Night one, after check in, we met Geoff at the only bar at the resort open and over some drinks met a lovely girl named Kati. Day two we met Kati's husband Alex - and begun hanging out by the pool, having dinner together and attending the evening shows. 

We did a few excursions while on the trip. First up was a Cigar and Rum Tour. The tour explored sugar production, in an ancient sugar mill that is now converted into a sugar industry museum. Enjoy some time in Remedios, we received a bottle of Havana Club Rum as a gift from the tour. 

Second we attended a Catamaran Cruise. This was relaxing, we did a lot of snorkeling, but Chris was feeling a bit under the weather, so the boat rocking wasn't really up his alley. The food and drinks on board were great. Some of the water was rocky, so I didn't get off at every spot. We should have held out, as a few days layer we went to Playa Pillar with Geoff, Kati, and Alex. There was a boat tour here as well that was only $40 per person and it included snorkeling and lunch as well. If we had of known of this tour before booking the catamaran, we may have chosen instead to have a day at the resort instead of the catamaran. There were jelly fish in the water at the pillar beach, so we did not stay too long in the water, but they did not seem to be bothering the other vacationers. 

Chris in his Christmas Shirt enjoying
a drink and a cigar
Photo Credit: Danielle Gadsby

In December 24 - 31, 2023 we planned a vacation to Cayo Santa Maria over Christmas with both sets of parents, but due to medical reasons we only ended up going with my husband's (fiancé at the time) parents (Bev and Janet). This trip would be Chris' moms first time in an airplane, she did AMAZING even though she was scared. 

Cayo Santa Maria is a small island off Cuba's north Coast also in the Jardines del Rey archipelago.  You fly into the airport in the city of Santa Clara. Then we had a 90 minute bus ride in the dark to Cayo Santa Maria where we stayed at the Sanctuary Grand Memories Hotel. The hotel was new in 2001, so it was quite dated compared to our other experience. The hotel is not a 5-star like most websites state, it is more like a 1 or 2 star hotel. Something good about the hotel is that the beach is amazing. Clean sand, clear shallow water, with a sand bar, no rocks, no seaweed and warm water.

Since we had such a success previously with snorkeling, we decided to go on another Catamaran Cruise with Chris' parents. Before we left, I had ordered us our own snorkel masks (the one piece ones that allow you to normally breathe). We took these with us and I must admit, they are a real game changer. There was a lot of fish to see, and it was quite enjoyable. Janet did not enjoy it as much as the rest of us, she panicked in the mask, but that was okay, she watched the rest of us and enjoyed some time on the boat. 

Chris with his Catch
Photo Credit: Danielle Gadsby

Deep See Fishing
Photo Credit: Danielle Gadsby

Chris and his dad very much wanted to go on a Fishing Charter. There was a 4 Hour charter we booked (it was the same price for 4 people as it would be for 2, so Janet and I tagged along). When we got to the marina, we found the lovely bartender Bev had made friends with the day prior on the Catamaran. He was now a captain of a fishing boat, and ushered us into the boat as he had claimed our group for the day. Chris was on fishing first, and he happened to catch our only catch of the day, an Albacore Tuna. The rest of us took a turn in the seat, but none of us got to reel in a catch. We got to enjoy some beverages out on the open water and learn lots about fishing from the Captain and Deckhand (two locals who have been fishing for many years). Our Tuna did not go unused, the boat captain assured us it would be given to some locals in the near by town to feed their families. 

All of us on the Cart
Photo Credit: Danielle Gadsby

The rest of our vacation was all about relaxing, and that we did. This was the trip to celebrate our engagement (originally Chris wanted to propose in Cuba but he did so before we left Canada). We spent time on the beach, time in the pool, time with one another. 

One of the days we did rent a golf cart at the resort. It was $100 for the entire day and we used it until we got poured on with rain. We took it to the sister resort next door, through the adults only section, we also went out onto the road to look for flamingos (no luck there). We had a  such a great time cruising around on that thing, it sat all 4 of us. Janet had her phone connected to the Bluetooth in the cart, so the tunes were bumping the entire time. 

Check out Cuba if you ever have the chance, there are many different areas to the country. I hope to check out more in the future, Havana sounds like a lovely culture driven place. Thanks for reading.

The Pool at Night
Photo Credit: Danielle Gadsby

Chris and I ready for Christmas Dinner
Photo Credit: Bev MacLeod

Study Week

Hello Readers,

Alex, Julianna, and Myself at the Outdoor Rink
Photo Credit: Danielle Gadsby

Study week has come and gone for us students in Finland. In October and March the schools have a one week break of studies. In the past, I have chosen to visit my Finnish friends home in the middle of Finland. I chose that again this year, as I hadn't seen them in about a year due to my exchange. Her family lives in a small town called Kärsämäki, with approximately 2,000 inhabitants. This small town makes me feel more at home since my village in Ontario only has 800 inhabitants. 

My friends dogs Jimi and Pössi.  Photo Credit: Danielle Gadsby

The week is meant for students to get caught up on studies but since returning from Germany my studies haven't started yet. For most students the semester starts in January, but due to the exchange period I was on, I missed a few courses that I will make up next year. It just means that the 1/2 year I thought I could skip last year, by taking 2nd year courses has caught up to me. I have 2 courses that I can take this semester to at least get some credits. I used this week to relax before starting studies and to start applying to some summer jobs. 

I got to enjoy some recreational activities as well. My friend, her sister and I walked one of their dogs around their property (which is quite large, they live just outside of town on a farm). It was a great way to get some Vitamin D and some fresh air, though bundling up was still necessary as it was -5degrees.We also went into the town and enjoyed an afternoon of skating. Here in Finland there are outdoor rinks in just about every town or city. They allow you to skate and get some exercise for free. This was the highlight of my trip, because since moving here I haven't had the opportunity to go skating.

Skating around. So glad I didn't fall. Photo Credit: Danielle Gadsby

After we went skating, we went to my friends Grandparent's house. I had been before so it was nice to get to visit them again. They do not speak any English but we get by with my friend Alex who is our own personal translator. Her grandparents have complimented me before on the fact that I speak directly to them even though they don't understand me. They just find it more personal that I don't speak to the translator when I am actually addressing them. 

One of the days, we went to a shopping mall in a nearby city. It was about an hour drive, I was happy to go there, as the one store had really good deals. For those North American's that follow my blog it was similar to that of a Walmart (minus groceries)...it had everything at reasonable prices.

I enjoyed my relaxing week in the middle of Finland, immersed in  a Finnish home, so the culture and language was around me the entire time. The family asked me everyday if I wanted to go to Sauna (Big part of Finnish culture) but I decided not, as I don't like the heat of it and find it increases my blood pressure too much. I had a great time, I can not wait to visit again.

Bye for now...