Massive Mexican IFBB Pro Victor Rea Cano

Victor Joel Rea Cano (also known as "Victor Rea") was born in 1976 and he is from Leon, Mexico. He has always been an amateur bodybuilder and he made the decision to become a competitive athlete. He got the IFBB Pro Card at the age of 40yo after some years of work and persistence. 

Country: Mexico
Birthdate: 1976
Height: 174cm/5'9''
Off season weight: 120kg/265lb
Competition weight: 102kg/225lb

Read More

Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

I recently visited Baja California Sur — a state on the Baja California Peninsula in northwest Mexico. We stayed in Cabo San Lucas and also spent time in San José del Cabo, Cerritos Beach and Todos Santos.

The flight was an easy 2 hours and 20 minutes from Los Angeles International Airport. They are planning major renovations and expansion of Los Cabos International Airport which is badly needed because the airport has a tough time processing travelers when the planes from the United States and Canada all arrive around the same time. It can take an hour to get through customs and get your baggage after landing. The flights are going to increase as well with service starting between London and Cabo and South Korea and Cabo so European and Asian tourists in addition to the many Americans and Canadians.

The roads are very impressive in and around Cabo. My driver told me that the toll road from the airport was built for the 2012 G20 Los Cabos Summit of world leaders.

Our tour guide told us that Cabo only has a 2 percent unemployment rate. Tourism is the main industry and puts almost all of the locals to work. You can tell. The streets are clean with hardly any trash and there are very few homeless people.

We stayed at the Grand Fiesta Americana resort hotel and there were multiple layers of security. Cabo is very isolated compared to mainland Mexico so doesn't experience crime from the drug cartels. We did see the Mexican military patrolling for drug cartels on land and in water.

Our tour guide took us to a glass blowing factory, on a glass bottom boat out in the waters around Cabo and for lunch to San José del Cabo which is the colonial town and the quieter side of Cabo. The party town with the spring breakers is Cabo San Lucas.

On Friday night we celebrated Shabbat at the Cabo Jewish Center - Chabad Cabo.

On Saturday we took a trip north to Cerritos Beach which is the best kept secret in Cabo and maybe the best beach in North America. It is rapidly developing with new housing. There is a hotel and villas there and massages on the beach.

Then we headed to Todos Santos — a town on the Pacific coast of Mexico’s Baja California Peninsula, backed by the Sierra de la Laguna mountain range. That is where the Hotel California is which has no affiliation at all with the Eagles song of the same name but has an interesting history in its own right. Todos Santos is the quintessential Mexican town with all the warm and friendly Mexican hospitality you expect.

The last full day in Cabo we went whale watching. We caught the humpbacks near the end of breeding season before their migration north to feed on krill. We also used a hydrophone to hear mating sounds. The alpha male whale with the best song gets the girl to mate with and pass his genes on to the next generation of humpback whales.

The next day I flew back to LAX and made sure to get a window seat to see the amazing Baja California below.

I would definitely recommend visiting Cabo and other parts of the Mexican peninsula.

Viva Cabo!

More pictures:

Video:

Read More

River under the Sea

A massive underwater river flowing along the bottom of the Black Sea has been found by scientists - a discovery that could help explain how life manages to survive in the deep oceans away from the nutrient-rich waters found close to land. 

It is estimated that if on land, the undersea river would be the world's sixth largest in terms of the volume of water flowing through it. Researchers working in the Black Sea have found currents of water 350 times greater than the River Thames flowing along the sea bed, carving out channels much like a river on the land, the Telegraph reports. 

The undersea river, which is up to 115 feet deep in places, even has rapids and waterfalls much like its terrestrial equivalents. The scientists, based at the University of Leeds, used a robotic submarine to study a deep channel that had been found on the sea bed, and found a river of highly salty water flowing along the deep channel at the bottom of the Black Sea, creating river banks and flood plains much like a river on land. 

Dan Parsons, from the university's School of Earth and Environment, said, "It flows down the sea shelf and out into the abyssal plain much like a river on land. The abyssal plains of our oceans are like deserts of marine world, but these channels can deliver nutrients and ingredients needed for life out over these deserts. 

"This means they could be vitally important, like arteries providing life to the deep ocean. The key difference we found from terrestrial rivers was that as the flow goes round the bend, the water spirals in the opposite way to rivers on land," Parsons said. The undersea river, which is yet to be named, stems from salty water spilling through the Bosphorus Strait from the Mediterranean into the Black Sea, where the water has a lower salt content. 

Read More

Enjoying The Sights In Playda Del Carmen

Playa Del Carmen is a great beach-side town on the East coast of Mexico, it is a popular vacation destination for those people who love to play in the sun and the sand. If you are planning to travel to Playa Del Carmen, you will need to fly into the Cancun airport, and then get transportation a little ways down the coast to Playa. Here are a few tips for the area:

The beaches there are beautiful, the white sand and warm weather make it perfect for any type of beach activity. Sunbathing, beach volleyball, frisbee, and just hanging out are all very popular. There are sections of the beach that are a little more quiet so that you can relax, or if you are looking for a good party you can easily find a bar with fun music and great drinks.

Another great activity to enjoy at the beach is snorkeling. There are many great fish to see in the water, and it is easy to find a small equipment rental shack and rent the gear for the day.

Another aspect of Playa Del Carmen that visitors love is the fact that they have excellent shopping. There are all kinds of shops available, everything from high-end clothing stores to smaller trinket shops. You can buy discounted jewelry, hammocks, t-shirts and just about every type of souvenir that you can imagine!

One of the best features of staying in Playa Del Carmen is the food, you can't beat authentic Mexican food! There are many small restaurants and cafes where you can find the real deal-- tacos, nachos, burritos, etc. And the food is very cheap, so you don't need to worry about breaking your budget on one meal. You can often find a delicious meal for just a few dollars.

Overall, Playa Del Carmen is an ideal vacation location, you will find all sorts of activities to please every type of traveler!

Read More

Four Nicest Attractions at Guadalajara

Tagged as the second largest city in Mexico, Guadalajara is a distinct place of solace and comfort due to several tertiary activities that are focused on tourism growth. As you tour the city, tourist attractions are everywhere.  To mention a few attractions of the many are:

The Cathedral 

The Cathedral of the Assumption of Our Lady is the first minor basilica built in 1541 and has already undergone major constructions for many times. However, the Cathedral remains strong and until now, it still is the wonderful structure in the city. Inside this basilica lay the two of the notable pieces in history like the largest organ in Mexico and the mural of the Assumption Blessed Virgin Mary. 

Degollado Theatre

Looking forward to watch theatrical plays? The elegant hall of Degollado is the place you’ll want to be. With its European Opera Houses, chandeliers, frescoes and red velvet seats in all four levels of balconies, watching Mariachi Galas can be a rewarding experience can’t be forgotten.

Rotonda de los Hombres Ilustres

Built by Former President Sebastian Lerdo de Tejada in 1872 to remember those people who gave honor to their Nation, the Rotonda is definitely a circular room you must explore with great enthusiasm. When you are in this place, you’ll be surrounded with respected people who contributed pride and honor to Mexico’s history. Naming a few people are David Alfaro Siqueiros, the painter; Eligio Ancona, the historian philosopher; Mariano Azuela, the writer and Calixto Bravo, the Coronel.

Instituto Cultural Cabanas

 

This orphanage has become the neo-classical landmark in Guadalaraja since Jose Clemente Ordozo began to adorn it with beautiful murals and exhibitions. The Plaza Tapatia is a stunning water mirror inside the institute that surely makes you react in disbelief as you stand on the edge portion of it. For those artistic minds, Orozco’s masterpiece, Man on Fire, is absolutely the piece of art to see.

Read More

Exploring Attractions in Mexico City

Touring Mexico City is fun! Food is no problem due to various restaurants and cafes all around the corner. The Café Popular permits you to have a full meal priced at twenty five pesos only. At La Casa del Pavo, this small but unique restaurant gives you delicious entrees with charcoal-roasted turkey drumsticks at affordable prices ranging from 20-40 pesos.

Landmarks

Apart from food, Mexico City is also the land of fantastic landmarks, parks and museums. The Plaza de la Constitucion, being one of the largest squares in the world is a centerpoint of historic buildings you want to go and if you are a pious Catholic, you should see the Basilica de Guadalupe. The Basilica is referred to as the holiest place in America and the home of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Other noticeable landmarks in Mexico City are Torre Mayor, Coyoacan, Ciudaddela Crafts Market, Latinoamericana Tower and the city’s main campus, Ciuded Universitaria.

Parks

There are three national parks in the city namely the Chapultepec Park and Zoo, Xochimilco and Plaza Garibaldi-Mariachi. In Chapultepec, there are educational museums around niching in technology, history, arts and anthropology. The Xochimilco has big waterways and flower gardens to offer and since 1987, the park is included in the UNESCO world heritage. The Plaza Garibaldi-Mariachi centers on bars and restaurants, especially to the supporters Mariachi Bands.

Museums

Did you know Mexico City is the nest of largest number of museums in the world? If sculptures, jewel and handicraft interest you, go to National Museum of Anthropology. Modern and colonial of Colombian architecture, the museum is called Plaza de las Tres Culturas. Rufino Tamayo’s paintings, explore his museum situated in Chapultepec Park and Zoo. Historic arts and sculptures of Mayan and Aztec--- go to Anahuacali Museum.

Food, culture and fun; Mexico City offers you with something at affordable budget.

Read More

Unforgettable Tourist Attractions in Cancun

Referred to as the Mexican Carribean with an approximate population of sixty thousand is the coastal city of Cancun and has only begun its tourism trade in 1970. Viewing from an aerial view, Cancun is definitely a lovely city of wonder and pristine beauty. There’s no problem to where to stay for beachfront hotels are all around this seven-shaped city.

Most visited attractions in Cancun are Xel_Ha and XCaret. These places blew you away with their natural reserves of marine life. Here, one can hike the mysterious marks in eco-jungles, get wet and swim the depths of their sparkling beaches and just be completely spellbound by the stretching coastlines around.

The Hotel Zone of Cancun in a fourteen mile long island definitely grabs your attention in a puff. These hotels are widely-known for its wide and inexpensive rooms to stay in. In fact, most of these hotels offer time-share condominiums and for those non-timeshare hotels, they all offer various range of accommodations including unlimited breakfast, lunch, snacks, dinne, Jacuzzi, spa, sports, clubbing and lounging; all these pure-fun activities are all here. There’s also forty percent discount to tour the Maya Ruins in Yucatan Peninsula.

The best fine dining and steak houses are in Cancun. Leonardo Cuisine, Frida Cuisine and Miyako Cuisine serve Italian dinner, Mexican food and Oriental dishes, respectively. Life is truly at its great circle when you eat delicious delicacies and attend live entertainments at night life bars after a thrilling adventure at the Maya Ruins.

As your final destination in Cancun, staying at Kabah is a perfect destination. The Kabah Parque is an oasis eco-park for the whole family. Kids and kids at heart can surely enjoy the playground, the wildlife zoo, the clean and a must-explore trail road, the green and great picnic area and the historic collections in their museum. Everyone is welcome in this park and entrance is absolutely for free!

Read More

Pure Adventure and Fun in Acapulco

Situated in the Western Coast of Mexico is the beautiful city of Acapulco. Like the Philippines, the climate here is tropical all year round. There are also winter seasons but most of the time, it’s dry. That’s why; this is definitely the hot spot for vacation escapades for several rich people in Europe and in America.

Brief History

Flashing back the history a little, Acapulco was only a small harbor for fishing. Acapulco started to become the center of attraction when Miguel Aleman Valdes, the president of Mexico in 1946-1952, transformed his creative visions and ideas into reality. In 1968, Acapulco was the host of yachting in Summer Olympics and from that moment onwards, it became the “Mecca Jet Set” of all the avid travelers around

the world.

Exploring the Best

La Quebrada is truly an iconic place for awesome adventure, where one experiences the jump of a lifetime. Just imagine if you are standing in the middle of this majestic cliff and dive into the deep waves of Pacific Ocean. But beware, diving must be only done at the perfect timing due to the unpredictable dangers you can face below the water. For those people who are scared to jump, there is a restaurant in one side of the cliffs and see how those large pelicans hunt for fish.

Other exciting attractions to chill in Acapulco are Acamar Beach Resort, Radisson Resort Hotel, Qualton Club, Romano Palace Hotel 7 Suites and Hotel Casa Inn. Three of the five mentioned are five star hotels that surely give you the glow and pleasures not found at the comforts of your home.

Shopping is also a grand activity in Acapulco. Among the various malls in the city, the most well-known is probably the La Gran Plaza. This mall is known for its affordable prices in all leather products. In fact, this two-level Plaza with 135 stores including Mexican Cuisines and Restaurants is easily tracked just by riding a taxi. If you are looking for great gifts and souvenirs like snacks, meat and cheeses, handicrafts, jewelry and textiles at low prices, try shopping at their municipal market, the Mercado Central.

Other department chains in the city are Avenida Costera Miguel Aleman, Artisan Mall across Plaza Bahia, Zocalo and Acapulco Cultural Center.

Read More

Island Visit - Espiritu Santo

Two anchorages on Espirito Santo

On Wednesday (Feb 11th) we departed for a four to five day jaunt out to Espiritu Santo with Dave and Anna aboard as our first official sailing crew!  We have never been so spoiled.  Dave and Anna provisioned for and cooked all of our meals ... and they were all outstanding!  They run a charter out of Kootenay Lake, British Columbia (in the summers obviously) and love to sail ... so not only were they great cooks, but also great crew!  I could easily get used to having extra crew ... four extra hands sure makes EVERYTHING easier!  And now for a quick commercial break ... their company is Red Sky at Night Sailing Adventures (www.sailthekootenays.com, info@sailthekootenays.com, 1-877-RED-SKYS).  From the three nights we spent with them I can only say that anyone who charters with them is going to be extremely spoiled and come away quite relaxed!

Bahia San Gabriel

Dave took this awesome shot from the top of the mast .. with a film camera (that's my bald head)
http://www.daveheathphotography.com/

Now, we come to a bit of a problem in this journal entry ... although I started writing this Feb 28th with the intention of hopefully posting it prior to leaving La Paz or as soon as we got to Puerto Vallarta, it is now March 21st, and, as you can tell, I have yet to finish ... the "problem" is that we are in rapid prep mode for the puddle jump (South Pacific crossing).  Our intent is to leave the marina (Paradise Village in Nuevo Vallarta) on Tuesday morning, the 22nd.  We will anchor out at Punta de Mita (in Banderas Bay) and wait for a weather window to begin the crossing (so far we are hearing that a good window might come Wednesday or Thursday).  Anyway, my point is that I don't have time to tell you about our adventures at the beautiful island of Espiritu Santo, or how we finally ran into Sea Pilgrim again, or the interesting sights of La Carnival (Maudi Gras).  It looks like I'll have to finish telling you about our other small world experiences another time.  I also won't be able to get in the next journal entry about our trip from La Paz to Banderas Bay, our stay in Paradise Village (Nuevo Vallarta), or the great time we had when Greg and Lisa (from Ventura) visited.  And finally, you'll just have to wait to hear about all the other fun puddle jumpers we met and our hard week of work in order to prepare for the jump!

But I figure I've got 3,000 miles to work on all that -- so stay tuned!  In the meantime we hope to be updating the website's "Current Location" (on the home page) with our Longitude and Latitude about once a week (during the crossing)... if you're interested you'll have to check back on your own -- there won't be any web update email that goes out.  We have no idea what the internet situation will be once we get to the Marquesas, but we promise to get back online as soon as possible.  Thanks for traveling with us through Mexico ... see you in the South Pacific!

Read More