CUBAHAMEX

These were old days before international destinations even became an interest. These were not travels; they were vacations. Holidays. Which are fine, but at the risk of sounding arrogant, the truth is: traveling is not staying in one place getting looped on all-inclusive drinks.

These were beautiful places in the Caribbean; Cuba, the Bahamas and Mexico. The waters were azure blue, the sand blinding white and the drinks never stopped. Fun, from what I can remember, but a couple of years later, travel became so much more.

Mexico (Cancun)

When six dudes in their early 20's go to Cancun for a week, chances are it's going to be a bender. Which is what it turned out to be. I needed a vacation from my vacation afterwards...
It was my first of my only two all-inclusives and I was stunned to see that those azure blue waters and white sand beaches actually did exist. The hotel itself was insanely nice. Must have been 5-stars.
Activities included poolside drinking games, beach volleyball and off-resort excursions to a Senor Frogs, Carlos & Charlies, a bullfight, jet boating and deep sea fishing.

 

Big Game Fishing

Paul, Colin & Jay all caught barracuda's, I pulled in some snappers & the big mackerel.

The Bahamas

Shortly after 911, I got the chance to spend a week down in the Bahamas floating on a sailboat with some wonderful people.
D & L had navigated to the Caribbean from Lake Ontario and asked if we'd care to join them.

'Mystic Jade' was her name and watching sunsets from her stern was incredible.

 

After returning to land, the 'Sea Legs' stayed with me for a month.
I loved that feeling of being on the water; perhaps echoing back to a vestigial state; as though floating in the womb...

Cuba

My 2nd and final (to date anyway) all-inclusive was with my buddy Paul down to a resort near Holguin, Cuba where we frequented the swim-up bar maybe a little too often... We then jumped on a bike tour into the nearby town of Guardalavaca, did some zodiac boating, off-roading in some beat-up SUV's and some horseback riding. Being on a horse at a full gallop is an intense experience. Where was the Go-Pro when I really needed it?

Some of these pics are Paul's. Thanks buddy. Good times.