Month: November 2024

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Cuba: An Exciting Travel Destination and Cultural Surprise

Finding the right travel agency in Cuba can be a great way to make your trip to this country a memorable and pleasant experience. The local agents know in details the situation in the country, procedures and regulations, they can help with getting a visa, find the cheapest airfare, etc.

Despite numerous political problems that the country was so rich in, Cuba remains one of the most visited tourist destinations in the Caribbean Sea. Hundreds of thousands of tourists from around the world come to Cuba every year, attracted by its warm climate, beautiful sea, the island’s rich history and the famous Cuban cigars.

Havana is located in the northwest of the island. It is known for the magnificent mansions and the buildings in the style of developing socialism. The city has a lot of cutting-edge skyscrapers just opposite to the numerous dilapidated houses. Grandiose hotels in the coastal area of the city and numerous churches contribute to the general tourist outlook of the city.

The historic core of the city is Old Havana, located around the port and Havana Bay. It is a narrow strait into the harbor, protected on both sides by the old fortresses Castillo del Morro and Castillo de la Punta. The west coast of the city is guarded by the forts of La Cabana and La Real-Fuersa, the oldest fortification in North and South America.

Nowadays it houses the museum of ancient weapons. Havana’s seafront Malecon is a favorite walking place of the citizens and the arena of the traditional February Carnival. From here, the main street of Havana, The Paseo del Prado, begins. This boulevard is one of the main monuments of the old Havana, paved with marble slabs and green with a variety of trees. In the street, one will find picturesque mansions representing the old Spanish style. Today, it is one of the most popular holiday destinations. Prado is the place where one can see the building of the National Capitol, the Cuban Academy of Sciences, and the National Library of Science and Technology. Nearby the tourists will see the former Presidential Palace (which is the Museum of the Revolution now) and the Governor’s Palace (the present-day Museum of the City of Havana).

One of the best resorts in the Western Hemisphere is Varadero. Magnificent beaches of white fine sand and amazing turquoise sea water stretch for miles here. The coast is lined up with dozens of comfortable hotels. Varadero beaches are the three best beaches in the world, and the safety in these places is perhaps the best in Latin America. Varadero neighborhood is very picturesque, there are many unique places there, just as the Ambrosio cave with rock paintings, Varadero National Park, the dolphin and crocodile nursery, the islands of Cayo Largo, Cayo Guillermo and Cayo Coco, as well as many smaller islands called Royal Gardens. The resort has all conditions for recreation, including 23 diving centers, numerous swimming pools, sports facilities and all kinds of boats, yachts, jet skis, and paragliding.

Holguin is the second largest resort area of the country after Varadero and Havana. It was here that Columbus first set foot on the ground of the island. Here one will find the most beautiful beaches of Cuba, Paya Esmeralda, the famous beach Gvardalavaka with a beautiful coral reef, and Playa Pesquero with exceptionally beautiful seabed. The local hotels are surrounded by tropical greenery and correspond to the highest international standards.

There are many tiny islands, caves, rivers, waterfalls and natural mud springs. In the area of Haguey Grande, one can go to the largest lake in Cuba, Laguna del Tesoro, known for its large trout. This place is a famous destination for fans of sport fishing. There is also the crocodile nursery nearby.

The provincial capital, the city of Holguin, is interesting for its cathedral of San Isidoro, the Provincial History Museum, the Museum of Natural Sciences. Of special interest is also Carlos de la Torre park with an aquarium nearby.

Santiago de Cuba is famous for the world’s only museum of history of piracy. It is home place to two theaters, seven museums, the picturesque city cathedral, the conservatory, the university, and many cinemas. But most importantly, Santiago de Cuba is famous all over the country for their Carnival and the Feast of Fire. The local Natural Park Baconao is declared a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve.

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How My Solo Adventure Changed Everything

Tapping in my credit card number and clicking on the flashing green “Confirm Booking” link was probably the wisest thing I ever did.

My trip to Bali was all set – my accommodation was booked, my flight was fixed and my bags were packed. I was growing more and more excited as the date approached but I was also overwhelmed; What if I don’t make any friends? What if I become too lonely? What if I get too sick to make it to the hospital? What if what if what if…

I wasn’t able to calm myself down,and when I boarded my flight I immediately FaceTimed my boyfriend and broke down into tears. They were more like ridiculous sobs and I couldn’t stop. Ten hours later, Bali’s beautiful temple like airport came into view through my small airplane window. The sight of the Indian Ocean’s waves filled with me with a sense of relief and excitement. I made it.

I left my anxieties and worries behind on the plane and stepped onto Balinese soil with a new sense of excitement. This is going to be amazing. I knew that from the very start and I was absolutely right – the next ten days were truly what I needed.

These are the top five things I gained.

1. Regaining Independence

Traveling alone means you are solely responsible for your belongings, cash, passport and life. With that comes a sense of regaining your independence and learning how to deal with tricky situations. It can be scary at times because life is full of surprises, but being on your own in a foreign place teaches you how to prepare yourself for situations that may not usually happen in the comfort of your home.

It ultimately teaches you that security lies in your hands, and your hands only. These are things that help you grow as a person and level up your sense of maturity.

2. Meeting Extraordinary People

Traveling with a partner or a group of friends means that you won’t have to dine alone or walk back to your hotel alone at 2 in the morning or have to approach strangers at the bar. But it also means that you most likely won’t make new life long friends from all over the world.

I was most nervous about not meeting people on this trip; I know I am a shy person and have quite a few inhibitions when it comes to approaching random people. But it took me less than 24 hours to realize that I was completely wrong and to discover a friendly, social and affable side to me.

I ended up having striking conversations with all sorts of people from different backgrounds – conversations that will stick with me forever, conversations that have shifted my perspective and opened up whole new worlds inside me. It was refreshing to meet strangers and to hear their stories; some were inspiring while others were bizarre.

Most of all, it made me realize just how big our world is and how we become so cooped up in our own lives and social circles that we forget just how amazing (and sometimes heartbreaking) the human spirit can be.

3. Leaving the Comfort Zone (then erasing the definition of comfort from your life)

Whoever said that life begins at the edge of your comfort zone was absolutely right.

I would have never imagined to drive a motorcycle and get lost on the narrow and chaotic roads of Bali but I did – and for ten days, too! I never thought I would enjoy dining at a five star couple infested restaurant on my own (and in my yoga gear to be exact) but I loved it so much that I sat there alone for an hour and a half and savored every last bite of my three course meal. I never dreamed of surfing but became so addicted to the thrill of it that I signed up for more lessons after my first time. New territories were explored, and because I was on my own I felt no obligations or limitations. I was going to explore things on my own time and at my own will.

Traveling alone subjects you to all sorts of adventure and the wise thing to do is to take them up. You start to see how beautiful life can be and how it consists of seizing every moment and not worrying about the consequences (let’s be sensible here – I’m not referring to wild parties and drugs!).

It was when I left my comfort zone that my inner self was surfaced and when I discovered that I am a wild spirit that cannot be easily tamed. It also made me see how my routine at home killed that part of me. Now that I have shed a light on this and have come back from my trip, I have learned new tricks to revive that part of me and say no to routine. I feel more flexible and more adapted to the idea of going with the flow.

4. Facing the Monsters in Your Head

This comes inevitably when you leave your comfort zone, and when you do come face to face with these monsters (for me it was getting a foot massage and going inside a cave) you realize just how small and ludicrous they are. Being alone helps achieve that.

5. Getting in Touch with Yourself

This sounds very cliche, but cliches exist for a reason.

To my surprise, being alone with myself and my thoughts was remedial. It allowed me to get in touch with the person I am:my hopes, my dreams, my ambitions and my fears. It made me realize just how out of touch I have been with myself for the past decade, and how my life has been a struggle of pleasing everyone and conforming to their image of me. It gave me the opportunity to say Hey! I’m actually pretty awesome the way I am and people are lucky to have me in their lives. And trust me, saying that out loud with true conviction is so liberating.

I can go on endlessly about my solo trip to Bali, but I’m afraid that words will fail me. The feelings that it provoked and the experiences and life lessons it handed over to me are etched in my soul. I can’t recommend this enough; if you feel like you have been stuck and emotionally drained then book a ticket and GO GO GO!

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Organic Freeze Dried Foods

Organic foods have become very popular in recent years. Health concerns surrounding foods produced in traditional ways prompted this popularity. Organic foods are foods that have been grown or food from animals that haven’t been exposed to pesticides, preservatives, or hormones.

Freeze drying is a form of dehydration that has been used for many years to preserve food naturally, and removes air and moisture from foods using a type of cooling vacuum. Removing moisture and air from foods extends their shelf life exponentially.

Popularity
Organic freeze dried foods are becoming a commonly found product on the internet. Organic freeze dried foods such as grains, pasta, beans, fruits and vegetables are all able to be freeze dried and stored for years at a time in most cases. When organic freeze dried foods are bought in bulk and reconstituted they supply many servings of the food. If stored in proper airtight containers, the food can last for years as long as it has not been prepared. They don’t expire as quickly as foods bought in the store due to the manner in which the large quantities are packaged.

Shelf Life
Due to the bulk dried food packaging, a year’s worth of food can be kept in a very small space, making it ideal for apartment or mobile home dwellers. Buying these foods helps offset high food prices and provides emergency supplies. Freeze dried foods also require very little preparation; all that is most often needed is some water.

Foods that are grown without pesticides or hormones are made less perishable by freeze drying. Shelf life is extended tremendously by this form of dehydration. Organic foods are typically pricier than non-organic foods. Preservation by freeze drying saves money by making certain purchases less frequent and providing the same more servings per container. Foods are also typically protected better in airtight containers which better prevent spoilage.

Nutrition
Freeze dried foods; often have a slightly different flavor than their fresh, canned, or frozen counterparts as freeze drying occasionally changes the texture of the foods when they are prepared. Freeze dried foods are however thought to be significantly more nutritious than their canned or frozen counterparts. The superiority in nutrition is accounted for by the freeze drying process, which suspends the food in the fresh state at which it is frozen. It is not uncommon for people to included freeze dried foods in their diet alongside traditional food.

Use as an emergency food supply
Freeze dried foods are excellent pantry foods due to their extra long shelf life. These food products are excellent for those on a tight budget looking to stock-up or campers. and hikers. Freeze dried food is also good to have in an emergency situation as many of them only require hot water to prepare.