Travels : Holguin, Cuba

Has it gotten from busy to overload at work, where one days mess rolls into another and new projects compete for the priority position. Staying late is no longer some random occurrence. Extended hours have become the new lifestyle, as with popping into work on a Saturday morning for a couple hours. A good day versus a bad day depends on the email count. One can only dream about being worry-free and having time for absolute nothingness. It does exist, about four hours from YYZ is a land called Cuba.

After a busy season of being trapped in a pressure cooker, some serious lounging is necessary to recuperate. The town of Holguin is perfect for leaving all the nonsense of city life behind. It is one of the more beautiful parts of Cuba. Vacationing in a resort leaves you with the luxury of not having to think for yourself (at all), with everything provided for you. Cuba is one of the least expensive vacationing spots available, so pick a resort that suits you. If you can afford to splurge, than do it. Don’t pick a resort just because it is a bargain. Choose one that is huge and read the reviews. Larger resorts usually have more restaurants, bigger entertainment shows, as well as more activities.

Sol Rio Luna y Mares is located on the Playa Esmeralda beach in Holguin. It is a beautiful fine white sand beach with turquoise clear water. The view is breathtaking. Be sure to take time to wander through the hotel, as there are all these interesting nooks that capture the incredible scenery.

The number of activities available at this resort exceeds the expected. Combine them with excursions and it will be fun overload and exhaustion by the end of the day. Included on the resort is horseback riding that wanders along the countryside. The horses are friendly and basically know where they are going without any help. Along the beach are hobby cats, baby Catamerangs that sail along the water. If you are up for a bit of an adventure, wait for a windy day, give a good tip and go flying off the waves and balancing on one platoon.

 A must do excursion is the jeep safari that includes jet skiing. It is not all about motor sport but you will also visit the countryside to meet farmers and coffee-makers, as well as have an authentic Cuban lunch.

 Every night of the week there is a different show. Luna y Mares has a fairly large theater and their shows are quite elaborate with acrobatics and dance. Definitely worth staying up to see no matter how tired from a day of excursions and hobby cats.

There is a flea market not far from the resort: where there are paintings, clothing and wooden crafts available for souvenirs. Some of their toys are particularly interesting. There is also a mini zoo just outside of the resort that is fun to visit. Bring a camera and a bathing suit because there is a cozy private beach.

After all this fun, let’s not forget about the food. The buffets are excellent, with huge variety. You pick what you want and they grill it fresh for you. Don’t be all fussy and enjoy the food, just remember that back home you eat processed fast food, which can't be compared. There is even a 24hr restaurant that will make sandwiches and pizza if by some miracle someone is still hungry. The a la carte dinners are, at the very least, good if not amazing. Having a three course meal with friends or your partner in a fancy restaurant is not all about the food. Enjoy the moment.

Holguin is a great place to escape and indulge. The trick is to capture it all to memory. If only we could make our memories a virtual experience, so that we could re-live a particular moment, anytime we wish.

Words + Photos : Tobin Cheung