Sight-seeing in Varadero, Cuba

Varadero

Varadero (Spanish pronunciation: [baɾaˈðeɾo]) is a scenic resort town in the province of Matanzas, Cuba, and one of the largest resort areas in the Caribbean.

It is situated on the Hicacos Peninsula, between the Bay of Cárdenas and the Straits of Florida, some 140 km east of Havana, at the eastern end of the Via Blanca highway.

The peninsula is only 1.2 km wide at its widest point and is separated from the island of Cuba by the Kawama Channel. This spit of land however extends more than 20 kilometers from the mainland in a north-easterly direction and its tip, Punta Hicacos, is the northernmost point of the island of Cuba. At the northeastern end of the peninsula there is a nature reserve with virgin forests and beaches.

The northern coastline is lined with luxury hotels and connect with the main highway running along the southern coastline. Downtown Varadero is about 25 km away.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A day in Old Havana - (Habana Vieja) Part 2

Day trip to Havana - Cuba (2)

 A walk through the cobble stone streets of Old Havana after a wonderful lunch at a lovely homely family restaurant that reminded me of Goa. Walking through the quaint streets of arched facades in various pastel shades of green, pink and yellow, sounds of Cuban salsa music, permeating through the arched doorways and windows of restaurants, and tourists shopping along the streets for a souvenir of handicrafts at the Plaza de San Francisco de Asis. An overall short, but great experience of Old Havana or Habana Vieja. Memories to cherish in the company of our jovial and happy little group of friends.

 

 

A day in Havana, Cuba.

Day trip to Havana - Cuba (1)

Leaving the hotel in the morning from the east of Varadero, driving along the scenic boulevard 32 km towards the province of Matanzas to the east of the Varadero peninsula, a photo and souvenir stop at a lookout point at Mirador Bacanayagua, overlooking the highest bridge in Cuba. A magnificent view of the Yumuri Valley. Listening to traditional Cuban music, enjoying a piña colada in a scooped-up pine apple. A panoramic tour of Metropolitan and Modern Havana. A scrumptious lunch in a homely atmosphere of a Cuban house in the locality with a trio of traditional Cuban musicians. At noon – a walking tour through the historical center of Colonial Havana a.k.a. Havana Vieja or Old Havana – free time for browsing, shopping or just wandering along the narrow cobbled streets of good Old Havana. On a return ride along the way to the hotel at sunset in Varadero, a brief stop to pay a visit to ‘La Casa de Al’ - the vacation retreat (supposedly) of Al Capone – an old stone mansion. A gigantic framed photo of this house was in fact hanging on the wall of our hotel room.

 

A Trip to Cayo Blanco on the Catamaran

Cayo Blanco - (White Island) - off Varadero - Cuba.

A day long trip to Cayo Blanco to the east of Varadero. Sailing on a catamaran from Marina Chepelin amid turquoise waters surrounding Varadero peninsula. Stopping at a coral reef for snorkeling enthusiasts. Dropping anchor off the gorgeous and virgin beach of Cayo Blanco – a small island surrounded by mangroves – to enjoy a delicious lunch with several options of seafood - lobster, fish, shrimp, squid. Listening to traditional live Cuban music, dancing, games, and swimming in the ocean. Exceptional and lively tourist guide on board the catamaran with music and games on the way back to the Marina brought to a close a wonderful and enjoyable day just before sunset - a vacation with my dear wife Edna - and a surprise trip planned by my daughter Dahlia.

 

 

Goan Proverbs & Sayings

Proverb

Kam zalem, voiz melo,

Lit. translation

Work done, doctor died.

Application:

To be ungrateful to some who does one a favour, or helps during a problem or hardship.

Goan Proverbs & Sayings

Konkani Proverb

Tuji saulli tuji patt kednach sodinam.

Literal Translation

Your shadow never leaves you.

Application

This saying is implied when one one wants to express a situation where one cannot escape from the actual truth or harsh realilty.

Goan Proverbs & Sayings

Proverb

Vik khaun mortoloi munntlear atin duddu nam.

Lit. translation

Cannot afford to buy poison to die from it.

Application

 Term used in expressing one's inability or unaffordabilty to do a particular job.

Goan Proverbs & Sayings

Proverb:

Bithorlo bedi, bhailo chor.

Lit. translation:

Informer from the inside, thief from the outside.

Application:

This proverb describes an insider (a person in a group) who abets with an outsider in committing a crime or robbery, or leaks out secrets.

Goan Proverbs & Sayings

Proverb:

Khaun-jeun, beiman. 

Lit. translation:

Eat and dine, yet ungrateful.

Application:

This proverb describes a person who is provided with food and cared for, and yet is ungrateful.

Goan Proverbs & Sayings

Proverb:

Rup anjeachem, kortub devcharachem.

Lit. translation:

Image of an angel, deeds of a devil.

Application:

This proverb describes a hypocrite or a pretender very well. Someone with a smiling countenance, but with evil intentions.

HOW TO MAKE A HOCKEY STICK FROM BAMBOO

NECESSITY IS THE MOTHER OF INVENTION

The Field Hockey Stick and the alternative.
Line-artwork drawing by Tony Fernandes.
Guirim, Cumbiem Morod, Bardez, Goa. India. 

(The Fabulous 1950's and 1960's)

As a kid growing up in the 1960's in Goa, football was my passion. Hockey came a close second. But hockey sticks did not come cheap. So, in the right sense and application of the ages old saying: 'Necessity is the mother of invention', youngsters from the village had devised unique ways to create hockey sticks from bamboo. As shown in my illustration, here's an easy way to make a hockey stick from what nature's flora has to offer for free in order to make do and not miss the opportunity of playing the game.

Firstly, we looked out for a bamboo patch in the neighbourhood. They were normally found on the outskirts of our village. Then pick a bamboo matching the thickness of a normal hockey stick, dig out around the root, cut and separate the required piece, clean up, flatten the left side, cut to the right height and finally give some personal finishing touches.

Then go, run to the fields, play and return home before the 'Angelus' bell tolls at dusk.

Simple things and the rustic lifestyle gave us pleasure. We enjoyed the little things we had and silently wished and hoped for affordable and greater things for our future. Just like any other kids.

The players in my team were not only the boys and girls in my village, my class-mates, friends or neighbours, but also my parents and almost everybody that I knew, and those I held as special, including teachers at my Alma Mater. They helped shape what I have still have today - and those are the fond memories of childhood.

Bamboo Rhizomes propagate and expand profusely sending out roots and shoots from its nodes that defines its curved shapes a little beneath the ground surface.                                                       

St. Joseph Vaz - Goa's First Saint

ST. JOSEPH VAZ
Apostle of Sri Lanka

'TODAY THE BELLS TOLL FOR THEE'

Today is the greatest and the happiest day in my lifetime. Today the bells toll in proclaiming Goa's first Saint. My father and mother wished and prayed for Goa's first Saint. They too would have been the happiest people today to rejoice and celebrate in this great moment had they been alive. However, I am very lucky to see that this has happened in my lifetime.

Thank you - God Bless Pope Francis.

A GREAT DAY FOR ALL GOANS

A great day tomorrow for all Goans, Sri Lankans, Indians, and for all the people in the whole world.

BELLS TO PEAL IN GOA AT CANONIZATION

OF BLESSED JOSEPH VAZ.

Catholic churches in the Indian state of Goa will ring their bells in celebration on Wednesday when Pope Francis declares Blessed Joseph Vaz, a Catholic priest of Goan origin, a saint in the Sri Lankan capital, Colombo. "The canonization of Blessed Joseph Vaz, Jan 14, is the culmination of over three centuries of expectation and supplication on the part of his devotees from Goa, Mangalore, Sri Lanka and elsewhere," Archbishop Filipe Neri Ferrao of Goa and Daman said on Friday.

Fr. Vaz was born on April 21, 1651, in Goa, in what is India today. The Oratorian priest arrived in Sri Lanka as a missionary in April 1687 at a time of Dutch presence in Sri Lanka, then known as Ceylon. He travelled throughout the island bringing the Eucharist and the sacraments to clandestine groups of Catholics. He died on January 16, 1711 in Kandy. He was declared Blessed by Pope John Paul II in 1995 at a ceremony in Colombo.

Fr. Vaz will be Sri Lanka's first saint and the third of Indian origin to be conferred sainthood by the Vatican. Archbishop Ferrao said Goans across the globe were "spiritually and eagerly" awaiting Wednesday’s canonization "as a sign of our deep spiritual communion with the Church gathered in Colombo, bells be pealed at 9 a.m. Jan 14 in all the churches and chapels of our Archdiocese". (Source: UCAN)

And yay! finally we have a Goan Saint after a long wait. My father and our Seniors of Cumbiem Morod, Guirim, would have been proud. God bless Pope Francis. A proud moment for all Goans in Goa and around the world!

Tonferns Miniature Violins and Guitars

Hand-made Miniature Violins and Guitars - 1/6 Scale

in 1/8 thickness wood or PVC,

hollow body - by Tony Fernandes.

Tonferns Miniature Violins and Guitars

Hand-made Miniature Violins and Guitars - 1/6 Scale

in 1/4 thickness wood or PVC,

hollow body - by Tony Fernandes.

ALMOST GETTING THERE

YEARS ARE FINALLY CATCHING UP WITH ME

THE THREE KINGS FEAST - CUELIM HILLOCK - CANSAULIM



THE FEAST OF THE THREE KINGS AT CANSAULIM – SALCETE – GOA.

It was the Yuletide of 2004 that my wife and I had gone to visit our relatives in Cansaulim, to witness the grand feast of the Three Kings and fulfill a lifelong dream to attend this feast.

The three villages that take a major part in celebrating this feast are Cansaulim, Cuelim and Arossim, at the Chapel on the Cuelim hillock. A child from each of these three villages is chosen representing as a ‘King’ dressed symbolically in regal attire on horseback.

After a short prayer and ceremony at the respective three different local churches, the ‘Kings’ from the family of the celebrants start on the long trek on horseback, followed by other folks from each village and the surrounding areas through villages and fields in a procession to the accompanied by a brass band and playing along the way. The end of the journey is near, the mount is in sight, finally reaching the chapel on the hill.

When they arrive at the hill, the 'Magi' meet in front of the chapel, culminating with a con-celebrated Solemn High Mass and other traditional festivities. The unity and the camaraderie that exists between the folks of these three villages is evident in the fact that this great feast is organized so well, with such timing, pomp and fervour.  

The Adoration of the Magi - Feast of the Three Kings
Cansaulim, Salcete, Goa. India

In addition to the traditional feast celebrated at Cansaulim, the Parishes of Reis Magos and Chandor also celebrate this feast in Goa on a grand scale. It is commonly known as the feast of the Three Kings, Epiphany of the Lord, The Magi or the Three Wise Men of the East – Gaspar, Melchior and Balthasar – each one carrying symbolic gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.

Somewhere Only We Know - Dahlia Fernandes & Joel Schwartz (Keane Cover)
First cover of 2015 - A cover of Keane's Somewhere Only we Know Vocals - Dahlia Fernandes [www.dahliafernandes.com] Guitar - Joel Schwartz 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oOWODQl_m1o

NEW YEAR'S NEW RESOLUTION

NEW  YEAR'S NEW RESOLUTION

FOR 2015

Be resolute in finding
a new solution

 to try and keep last year's

broken resolutions.