Puerta Plata in the Dominican Republic

Decided to actually go to the Caribbean for an all inclusive vacation and picked the Senator Spa Resort in Puerta Plata and it was gorgeous. We went in late October and it was the perfect weather and in the low tourist season so it wasn't too busy at all. The umbrella alley is pictured above.

We took a guided city tour of Puerta Plata and we got to see a lot of the attractions in the town, famous for bars, gates and barbed wire along with plenty of police, army and navy in the downtown area. From the Amber Museum (above), to the pink alley and the town square all the way up the mountain to the smaller version of Christ the Redeemer statue.

A donkey waits for you to take photos so the owner can ask you for cash

You can see photos of the resort and more of the city after the jump.

Toronto Sign before the skating rink

The Toronto Sign is so nice at night and I managed to drop by before the cold weather turned the concrete pond into a municipal skating rink.

Toronto Holiday Fair in the Square 2022

Winter carnival season has returned to the heart of the city as Holiday Fair in Nathan Phillips Square from December 2 to 23, 2022 (closed Mondays). Amusement rides combined with the Cavalcade of Lights and vendors bring life to the concrete square while opportunities to skate on the cement pond make City Hall the place to be in the runup to Christmas.

From the Fair's website, "Holiday Fair in the Square is returning to the heart of downtown Toronto! This year, the Fair will be working in association with the City of Toronto's Cavalcade of Lights to transform Nathan Phillips Square into a magical winter wonderland! Combining the charm and elegance of a Christmas market with the excitement of a thriving winter carnival and light show, Holiday Fair in the Square is a holiday tradition you don’t want to miss."

December 2nd to December 23rd 
Opening Friday, Dec 2nd at 4:00 pm
Closing Friday, Dec 23rd at 9:00 pm

Regular Hours
Tuesday to Thursday – 4:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Friday to Saturday – 12:00 pm to 10:00 pm
Sunday - 12:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Monday - closed

See more of the fair after the jump.

The Distillery Winter Village 2022

Santa has plenty of time this winter to hang around in the historic Toronto Distillery District and hear all about the presents that children want for Christmas. The Winter Village is on from November 17 to 31, 2022 and you need tickets (purchase online before your visit) after 4pm on weekends and also from December 27 to 31 after 4pm. Adult entrance costs $11 plus tax.

You can visit the seasonal cabins for food, beverages and gifts/vendors but remember the cabins are cashless and open after 10 am, seven days a week. The historic neighbourhood really comes alive when darkness falls and the Christmas lights shine bright.

The Distillery Historic District shops, restaurants and cafés are open starting at 10 a.m. daily, seven days a week, while the outdoor vendors are open at noon from Tuesdays to Sundays.

See more photos after the jump.

#RAWF100 Royal Horse Show at 100 Years

Canada's top equestrian event is back in Toronto during the 100th Anniversary of the Royal Horse Show in Exhibition Place. Opening night was November 4 and the Royal Horse Show and the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair continue until November 13, 2022. The Royal Horse Show includes top class show jumping and the RCMP Musical Ride on every day but Monday and the final day. Tickets to the Royal Horse Show includes admission to the Royal Winter Fair. Parking at Exhibition Place was $16 for the day.

From the Royal Horse Show website, "Watch over 1,000 competitors vie for more than $1,000,000 in prize money and the coveted title of Royal Champion!

The world-renowned Royal Horse Show returns this year with incredible competition and a chance for our fans to take in all the sights and sounds of the ten-day event.

Mark your calendar for November 4 – 13, 2022 and join us in celebrating our 100th Anniversary! You’ll enjoy Olympians and other top international athletes and horses competing at the highest level in Show Jumping while experiencing Canada’s largest variety of equine breeds and events. The Royal Horse Show also features inspiring entertainment with special features during each horse show paid performance. This year’s Royal Horse Show showcases the very best in horse sport with an elevated CSI5*-W rating from the International Equestrian Federation (FEI)."

The RCMP Musical Ride

During Saturday's matinee we caught some magnificent jumping by Junior and pony categories and in the busy arena one of the horses refused to jump and one of the riders fell off their mount and was disqualified. The crowd were very supportive of the disappointed riders.

The Royal Winter Fair is also bustling with activities and vendors. A ring is setup where various brands of cows were shown to judges.

Maple Lodge Farms had their free rooster hats back at the show

This cow was enjoying his blow dry session

One of the feature attractions at the RAWF is the Burnbrae Farms Culinary Academy where you can learn to cook with some top Chef's, then sit down and enjoy your creations.

World Press Photo 2022 at Brookfield Place

Large scale photographs sit under the white arch of the Allen Lambert Galleria in Brookfield Place. It is another year of powerful photos from the annual World Press Photo Contest which celebrates the best of documentary photography and photojournalism. This stop on the worldwide tour showcasing the "stories that matter" during the 65th annual contest remains at Brookfield Place until October 26.

From the World Press Photo website, "Selected by an independent jury out of 64,823 entries by 4,066 photographers from 130 countries, the 2022 World Press Photo Contest regional winners are 24 photographers from 23 countries: Argentina, Australia, Canada, Colombia, Bangladesh, Brazil, Ecuador, Egypt, France, Germany, Greece, India, Indonesia, Japan, Madagascar, Mexico, the Netherlands, Nigeria, Norway, Palestine, Russia, Sudan, and Thailand."

Columbia, South America: Police arrests during evictions of people from the San Isidro settlement, by Vladimir Encina

From the Book of Veles by Jonas Bediksen of Norway. The lady pictured is not real, she is a product of computer-generated 3D models for a documentary on fake news - where all the content of the book was fake

Women make camouflage gear for snipers in the Ukrainian army, by Guillaume Herbaut of France

Coca-Cola Dreamworld Experience in Toronto

It really seems like something you would see in a very colourful dream, but this free experience can be found at the Coca-Cola Dreamworld Experience. The show takes place in a long room in a building on the east side of Yonge Street across from the Toronto Eaton Centre (south of Shuter, just a few doors north of Firkin on Yonge) and will be there until October 28, 2022.

From the Dreamworld website, "A fantastical look-and-feel complements the beverage’s flavor profile by fusing whimsical shapes, electric colors and a 3D expression of Coke’s signature script to create an illusionary visual landscape on Coca-Cola Dreamworld packaging, in-store merchandising and other physical and virtual elements.

This video show almost comes to life as Coca-Cola has these creations to promote their new beverage to Canada and the United States. “Coca-Cola Dreamworld taps into Gen Z’s passion for the infinite potential of the mind by exploring what a dream tastes like,” said Alessandra Cascino, Creative & Shopper Program Director, Coca-Cola North America Operating Unit.

A small youtube clip that I took of the experience

The Everything to do with Sex Show Toronto 2022

I'm at the International Centre Hall 5 for the return of the Taboo Naughty but Nice Show with the Everything to do with Sex Show which is on from October 14-16, 2022. The music is blasting and the stage shows are about to begin, so come down by yourself or with others and enjoy some spicy entertainment and vendors.

Jacqui Childs (left) with a podcast from Cannabiswiki

From the Show's website, "The Everything To Do With Sex Show provides an upscale adult playground dedicated to enhancing lifestyles, encouraging romance, personal betterment and all things Taboo. Enjoy entertainment, provocative and educational seminars, unique shopping, fashion shows and LIVE demonstrations."

Promoting the Miss BumBum contest

Tonight is the Miss BumBum North American contest finale at 10pm.

Show hours:

Friday: 5pm - Midnight
Saturday: 1pm - Midnight

Sunday: Noon - 6pm

See more photos from the show after the jump.