Robert K Stephen (CSW)

“Travels to a Different Time” : Santiago de Cuba: July 1996: Attack of the Cuban Red Ants: A Near Dangerous Shampoo

Woke up in the early morning for a swim and a game of tennis. I found someone looking for a game and sat down on the court to put on my running shoes. One night there were sheep on the tennis court and one morning turkeys. We had roast turkey for dinner that night! BoyContinue reading ““Travels to a Different Time” : Santiago de Cuba: July 1996: Attack of the Cuban Red Ants: A Near Dangerous Shampoo”

RKS Wine: A Laggard Cali Cab Sauv?

The Pull 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon from Paso Robles isn’t exactly roaring off the shelves. Perhaps it has no “big score” so buyers steer clear unwilling to risk getting stuck with a clunker. So it is shown in the Liquor Control Board of Ontario’s (LCBO) Vintages Catalogue as being an “editor’s choice”. Certainly not a goodContinue reading “RKS Wine: A Laggard Cali Cab Sauv?”

RKS Film: “The Passengers of the Night”

Having watched French films for many years I am rarely disappointed. You like something sophisticated and creative you can find it. Like something mainstream the French are on par with Hollywood but I can’t say that is a plus. That is the reason I turned to watching French films as they once had their ownContinue reading “RKS Film: “The Passengers of the Night””

“Andrij the Orphaned Ukrainian Rescue Dog” : Chapter 25: Time to Say Farewell

We arrived in the land beyond to a great crowd of many we know who went to the land beyond. What a dream to see my master and mistress Boyka and Anatoli and our children Danilo and Daryna all killed in Russian missile attacks. What surprised me was a crowd of Russian soldiers mostly veryContinue reading ““Andrij the Orphaned Ukrainian Rescue Dog” : Chapter 25: Time to Say Farewell”

“Travels to a Different Time” : Santiago de Cuba: July 1996: Evening Entertainment: Glorification of Colonial Exploitation!

Do I require nightly entertainment? It starts at 21:30 each night. Usually finish dinner at 20:00 and then have a coffee outside. One night it was some university students performing a cabaret show. One night dance. One night synchronized swimming with a fire eater and a magician. Then a strange cowboy and Indian show whichContinue reading ““Travels to a Different Time” : Santiago de Cuba: July 1996: Evening Entertainment: Glorification of Colonial Exploitation!”

RKS Wine: Quinta Cabriz’s Rosé from Portugal’s Dão

We do not see very many rosés from Portugal and I think I have yet to see any sparklers. Timid Liquor Control Board of Ontario buyers? The Cabriz Colheita Selecionada 2020 rosé is a blend of Touriga Nacional and Alfrocheiro and clocks in at $13.95. In colour it is barely pink so I am wonderingContinue reading “RKS Wine: Quinta Cabriz’s Rosé from Portugal’s Dão”

RKS Travel: Niagara-on-the-Lake’s Harbour House

I have stayed twice at Niagara-on-the-Lake’s Harbour House during the plague. Perhaps the strongest feature is its location off the dreaded main drag, Queen Street, clogged with day trippers in the summer and fall months eating Hungarian Funnel Cakes and chowing down on ice cream. Yet for tourist gawking, it is a rich gawking groundContinue reading “RKS Travel: Niagara-on-the-Lake’s Harbour House”

“Andrij the Ukrainian Orphaned Rescue Dog” : Chapter 25: Mass Carnage and Putin Executed

Bob, Fay, Mr. Gordon Lightfoot, me, Reggie, Bosco and Dylan were sitting in the front row at a Toronto benefit concert for Ukrainian orphans and security was extremely tight as you know there is a bounty on my head offered by Tsar Putin. I remember a bright flash and then walking along a tunnel towardContinue reading ““Andrij the Ukrainian Orphaned Rescue Dog” : Chapter 25: Mass Carnage and Putin Executed”

Santiago de Cuba: July 1996: Carnival and Begging Cuban Children?

Hotel guests were invited to Carnival Parade in Santiago de Cuba. We were only a few who accepted and it was an absolutely unforgettable experience of Afro-Cuban culture. We took a bus into Santiago de Cuba an impressive but decaying example of colonial architecture. Everyone was out partying in the street. The air was heavyContinue reading “Santiago de Cuba: July 1996: Carnival and Begging Cuban Children?”

Santiago de Cuba: July 1996: Fighting Cubans

Took a 6 km bicycle ride along the coast. Roasting hot but a nice breeze cooled things down a bit. The coast is rugged and rocky with crashing waves sending up a big spray. About 2 kms from the hotel there is a rather run-down amusement park that looks like something from a Flintstones cartoon.Continue reading “Santiago de Cuba: July 1996: Fighting Cubans”