Celestyal Cruises: The Authentic Cuba

 Feature photo provided by Celestyal Cruises. Other photos taken by Isabel Payne.  Celestyal’s onboard destination expert, Dr. Jorge Arocha, describes the Republic of Cuba as a pot of Ajico — a melting pot of many elements, peoples and cultures that formed the country into what it is today. While most refer to

Giving Bikes a Sunny New Home

 Defying the 2,600 kilometre distance, Ottawa’s biking community is helping to make a difference for bike riders in Cuba. McCrank’s Cycles’ mechanic extraordinaire Angie Nellis has been a large part of this project. Nellis, who is one half of the two-person McCrank’s team, has been working at the bike shop

Lloyd Frost Provides Social Commentary with a Groove

 Photo courtesy of Ben Dionne © Blue Plazuela Music. Lloyd Frost has many tales to tell. Frost is a Montreal-born singer/songwriter and musician who lives and plays his songs in Ottawa. Lloyd has recently released The Sun Is Rising and Other True Stories, an 11 track album. People have told Frost that it

The Sound of Strings: Stellae Boreales

 The Ottawa Suzuki Strings Music School has a vision to “create a music school that is internationally recognized for the quality of its pedagogy and the achievements of its students and faculty, resulting from a culture of innovation in training and development.” The Stella Boreales Violin Ensemble is a perfect testament to

Cuba-Canada Relations are Strong, Comprehensive

 Canada has had a friendly relationship with Cuba for nearly a half century. Canada first befriended Fidel Castro when former Prime Minister Trudeau to a visit to the island nation in the mid 1970's. Since then Canadian business and investors have been active in the country and Canadian Tourists have

Some Day at the Beach! Destination Weddings: Cuba

 When my brother-in-law announced his intention to wed in Cuba, my wife Trine literally jumped for joy. She had seriously considered holding our wedding party on a beach in the Caribbean, so she could get hitched while barefoot in the sand. I was happy too – I like a beach vacation