KeepCalmAndWander, Author at KEEP CALM and WANDER

Gays in Havana

June 4, 2014 KeepCalmAndWander 9 Comments

When I googled “Gays in Havana” prior to my trip, I found a host of information. It seems to me that many establishments in Havana are gay-friendly. Cuba, I reckon, would be the next gay destination. It’s a gay-friendly country and bisexuals abound. It’s safe, too. I was told that

, People

The Onion Guy

June 2, 2014 KeepCalmAndWander 0 Comments

“Cebolla! Cebolla!”, so I heard the onion guy screaming loud enough to be heard by household residents. I paced faster to get closer to snap a photo of him which he happily obliged without any return. He asked me where I come from and in jest, he said, “Buy this to

Cuba

Portraits of Cubans and Their Way of Life

June 1, 2014 KeepCalmAndWander 3 Comments

When traveling, I have this habit of talking to locals and asking them for their portraits whatever they are doing. I’d ask their names and I’d give mine even if they won’t ask. Most of the time, I got affirmative answers but there were few times I was refused but

The Gayest and the Most Straight-friendly Casa in Havana

, Pride Anywhere

The Gayest and the Most Straight-friendly Casa / AirBnB in Havana

May 28, 2014 KeepCalmAndWander 3 Comments

Gay Casa in Havana? Of course, it exist! Don’t be fooled by its tiny door when you find it nor think it’s a scary place with narrow steps when going to the second floor. You are, as a matter of fact, in a 114-year old colonial casa that withstood the

Cuba

Where To Stay in Cuba

May 28, 2014 KeepCalmAndWander 1 Comments

Cuba can be expensive for backpackers who travel solo. For a third world country, one might think its cheap—but it’s not. It’s a tourism-fueled economy where most tourists go with hotel and flight packages and stay in well-known beaches like Varadero, Cayo Coco and Playa Ancon. Thus, even accommodations aren’t

, Cuba

Hemingway’s Watering Holes and Life in Cuba

May 25, 2014 KeepCalmAndWander 3 Comments

While walking on a sweltering heat in Havana, I finally gave up finding La Bodeguita, a place where Papa Hemingway used to get wasted. I found a small cafe, sat there, and ordered a bottle of mineral water. When the waiter came back, I asked him where the said bar

, UNESCO Sites

Things to do in Trinidad

May 21, 2014 KeepCalmAndWander 2 Comments

If there’s one city I’d highly recommend you to visit, aside from Havana, in Cuba, it would be Trinidad. No, I’m not talking about the many museums the city can offer but the various activities you can do here and it’s neighboring places. From the cobblestoned streets to the mountains

, UNESCO Sites

Trinidad – A Time Travel

May 18, 2014 KeepCalmAndWander 7 Comments

Trinidad is a 500-year old Cuban city warped in time. Walking around, in narrow streets covered in cobblestones, I didn’t find it difficult to convince myself that I was living and breathing in the past. Time travel, in Trinidad, is indeed, possible. Try to wake up early–before everyone does–and walk

Cuba

Life is better at the Beach

May 15, 2014 KeepCalmAndWander 1 Comments

I know it’s still Spring but when people start wearing t-shirts in three consecutive days, summer is already here. Yes, it’s raining in Toronto today and the it might continue all the way to the weekend but who cares? At least no more jackets and trench coats but umbrellas. :))

Cuba

You Will Never Believe What’s Inside This Cave in Trinidad

May 13, 2014 KeepCalmAndWander 27 Comments

You will never believe what’s inside this cave in Trinidad. This experience is something I’ve never really planned out or expected to do during my 16-day backpacking trip in Cuba almost two weeks ago. describes it like it’s really no big deal—I suspect, the writer is a terrible dancer! I

, UNESCO Sites

A Day in Cienfuegos

May 11, 2014 KeepCalmAndWander 4 Comments

From Havana, it takes 4.5 hours by Viazul bus to get to Cienfuegos, a city whose urban center shows its UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The city’s old, historical buildings which are mostly art deco and colonial French are stunningly a visual feast to the eye. There’s really not much to

, Cuba

35 Things to do in Havana

May 8, 2014 KeepCalmAndWander 10 Comments

These are the 35 things to do in Havana, Cuba. From riding a classic car to watching the sunset at Malecon or strolling the street, Havana is vibrant and teeming with little things to discover. Colonial architecture is literally everywhere. Havana is a kaleidoscope of everything: of collapsing decay, of

, Cuba

Riding on the Classic Cars in Cuba

May 6, 2014 KeepCalmAndWander 5 Comments

Cuba is synonymous to two things: cigars and classic cars. The former is an object used by touts to scam unsuspecting tourists while the latter is an object lusted by every excited tourist to try riding on. And I’m one of those excited tourists who made getting on these cars

USA

This is Where Abraham Lincoln Died

April 15, 2014 KeepCalmAndWander 0 Comments

There’s no American President, perhaps, who could equal the legacy that [easyazon_link asin=”0743270754″ locale=”US” new_window=”yes” nofollow=”default” tag=”pridecostume-20″ add_to_cart=”default” cloaking=”default” localization=”yes” popups=”yes”]President Abraham Lincoln[/easyazon_link] left. And, perhaps, of all American Presidents, he’s got the most endearing monicker any political figure had been given–Honest Abe. Last week, when I went back to Washington,

USA

25 Photos of the Cherry Blossoms 2014 in Washington DC

April 8, 2014 KeepCalmAndWander 5 Comments

Last weekend, I went to Washington, DC to officially embrace Spring by enjoying its cherry blossoms around the Tidal Basin. Unfortunately, I was two days shy on the date they are expected to fully bloom—which is today. However, the weather was really nice—the sky was blue, the sun was up