Things to do in Cancun if you’re not a beach lover

Cancun, Mexico might be known for its pristine, white sand beaches, but these are not the only places you can visit if you are planning a trip there. While millions of tourists and beach lovers flock to this place for some beach time, here are some other activity options for you to enjoy if you don’t particularly like the sand.

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Explore and go swimming in an underground river. Cancun is also famous for its other kinds of bodies of water, such as underground rivers. The Yucatan Peninsula is known as the longest network of underground rivers and caves in the world. Cancun’s Xcaret has three rivers with slow-moving waters that is perfect for relaxing without dealing with busy beach crowds.

Enjoy its mouth-watering cuisine. Since Cancun is already established as a tourist hub, there is an abundance of restaurants in the area that you can visit. No matter what kind of food you are craving for, you will definitely find a place that will satisfy your gastronomic needs.

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Immerse yourself in the culture. Mexico is a country that’s rich in heritage and culture, and there are quite a number of museums, local markets, or small villages you can explore if you don’t want to spend your days tanning or drinking cocktails by the ocean.

Richard Ohlhaber grew up in Chicago but has been living in the DFW Metroplex since 1998. Though now based in Texas, he is a true Chicago sports fan, cheering for the Bulls and the Bears. Apart from watching games on ESPN, Richard likes to go boating or play golf. He names Cancun, Mexico as his favorite travel destination. If he could, however, reside anywhere in the world, it would be in Italy. For more on Richard, visit this page.

The mental health benefits of playing golf

While technique is part and parcel of excelling in golf, the game is also highly dependent on one’s mastery of its mental aspect. This challenge is true for both professionals and amateur hobbyists and is a huge reason why golf is such a great game for promoting holistic health. On this blog, golf enthusiast Richard Ohlhaber lists some of the top mental health benefits of playing golf.

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First, playing golf promotes socializing. Aside from being fun, the sport allows players to meet and converse with fellow players as they play. You get to catch up with friends or improve your relationship with your partner during a weekend golf session. You can also opt to play collaboratively in pairs. All in all, the game is a great bonding activity and be with people, surely vital in preventing any potential mental health issue.

Golf also reduces stress by promoting both entertainment and relaxation. Whether you spend just two hours on the weekend or face an entire 18-hole course, it’s a great respite from long and hectic days at work. Being out in the open promotes the production of the so-called happy hormone serotonin, which enhances your mood, improves your focus, and relieves debilitating stress.

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Lastly, golfing allows you to get immersed in nature. Spending time in the great outdoors and taking in the fresh air are keys to maintaining both our physical and mental health. The serene nature of a golf course with its pristine greens and surrounding lush trees and little lakes will revitalize both your mind and body. Ecotherapy, as many experts call it, significantly reduces agitation and anxiety, Richard Ohlhaber explains.

Richard Ohlhaber likes watching games on ESPN, boating, and playing golf. He is a big fan of Chicago sports teams. For more of Richard’s writings, go to this page.

Fun facts for fans of 'The Godfather' trilogy

Movie fans and critics agree that "The Godfather" trilogy is worth seeing more than once. The film franchise catapulted author Mario Puzo, director Francis Ford Coppola, and actors Al Pacino and Marlon Brando to worldwide fame. Supporting actors James Caan, Robert Duvall, Diane Keaton, and Andy Garcia also received critical acclaim for their performance in the movie. Here are some fun facts that might interest fans of the trilogy.

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 Marlon Brando was not the first choice

Paramount was against the idea of casting Marlon Brando as Don Vito Corleone. However, author and screenwriter Mario Puzo and Coppola knew that he was their guy early on. For fans of the film like Richard Ohlhaber, no other guy can top Brando's iconic performance. Despite being surrounded by controversy, he totally made the character his own.

Don's Cat

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The iconic cat scene wasn't really part of the script. Director Francis Ford Coppola found a stray cat in the studio and thought of a good idea. It's a good thing Marlon Brando liked cats, which made the scene look natural. Perhaps the cat got too comfortable because the purring sounds had to be dubbed over.

Robert De Niro auditioned for the role of Sonny

Robert De Niro was one of the Italian-American actors who auditioned for the movie. However, the role of Sonny went to James Caan. Despite this casting decision, the producers loved him and offered him the part of Paulie. De Niro turned down the role to star in another film but finally said yes to playing the young Don Vito in "The Godfather II," his first Oscar-winning role.

Born and raised in Chicago, Richard Olhlaber is a big fan of the Chicago Bulls and is fond of movies like "The Godfather." Visit this blog for more updates on him and his interests.

The physical benefits of golf that make it worthwhile

Whenever Richard Ohlhaber isn’t screaming his lungs out for his beloved Chicago sports teams, his friends can find him playing a few holes of golf in one of the courses in the great state of Texas (where he’s based now).

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Golf is a sport that Richard recommends for everyone. The sport may look tame compared to other sports but make no mistake about it, there are physical benefits that make playing golf worthwhile. Here they are.

Improved cardiovascular health

Walking has always been associated with improved blood circulation, and in golf, there’ll be a lot of walking to do. The great part about it is people will always be surrounded by beautiful landscapes.

Improved respiratory health

Along with a healthier heart, golfers also develop healthier lungs. There is an abundance of fresh air from all the greenery in golf courses, which the respiratory system of the body can take advantage of.

Improved posture

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This is Richard Ohlhaber’s favorite thing about playing golf. It’s great for both the skeletal and muscular systems since the game promotes perfect posture at all times. And given that golf is a low-impact sport, it isn’t hard on the joints, meaning people can play the game longer and not worry about wear and tear.

Weight loss

A single 18-hole game of golf can help a person burn 1,000 to 1,500 calories, with all the walking and swinging. And that’s not even taking into account the resting metabolism that occurs after the game.

Currently based in Texas, Richard Ohlhaber is still a huge fan of Chicago sports teams. He also loves to go boating and to play golf during his free time. Read more about Richard’s passions here.

Can today’s Golden State Warriors beat Jordan’s 1995-96 Bulls?

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Many basketball pundits have toyed with this scenario in their heads: Can the modern-day incarnation of the Golden State Warriors that include Kevin Durant beat the threepeat champs Chicago Bulls of the 1995-96 season? Chicago Bulls supporter Richard Ohlhaber argues otherwise.

It must first be remembered that these teams come from two distinct generations of NBA play. The Bulls reigned during a time in the league when defense was king. Referees were more tolerant of physical contact and fouls that would in today’s NBA be normally and quickly called were then allowed. The advantage here should go to the scrappier Bulls team that included Dennis Rodman, as he would have manhandled the Warriors’ Draymond Green.

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In terms of offense, Jordan and company thrived in post-ups and mid-range shooting, which Golden State plays little attention to outside Durant’s and Livingston’s play. It most likely will be a battle to see which team will take and make more three-pointers and we’d give the advantage here to the Splash Brothers of Curry and Thompson.

Curry’s and Thompson’s dominance outside the arc may just be canceled, though; Phil Jackson’s triangle offense will drastically slow down the game and limit Golden State’s transition offense. Assuming that referees are coming from the old NBA contact rule, Jordan and Pippen will make mincemeat of the smaller Golden State guards’ offensive posturing.

Finally, the mid-90s was still the era of the big man, and Golden State simply cannot match the Bulls’ dominance and production in the paint even if DeMarcus Cousins were healthy, Richard Ohlhaber adds. Cousins, Bogut, and Looney will just be irked, hounded, and overpowered by Chicago’s Rodman and its four-player-strong centers Luc Longley, Bill Wennington, James Edwards, and Jack Haley.

Richard Ohlhaber has been living in the DFW Metroplex since 1998 but grew up in Chicago. He is a huge fan of the Chicago Bulls. Visit this blog for related posts on the NBA.

Boating spots in the United States every adventurer should check out

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Richard Ohlhaber has been a boating enthusiast for quite some time now. He loves being on the water as it relaxes him and takes his mind off the fast life in the city. Ohlhaber has also time and again shared his knowledge of boating so that more people may enjoy this amazing activity.


For this blog, Richard Ohlhaber shares his favorite boating spots in the United States.

Lake of the Ozarks, MO

Boating enthusiasts all over the country know the Lake of the Ozarks in MO. Aside from having one of the most beautiful backdrops in the state, the boating scene here is quite exciting. There are a number of boats for rent and even novice boaters will find docking here manageable.

Gulf of Mexico, FL

Moving over to the city of Destin in FL, there is a place that’s popular among the boating community—the Gulf of Mexico. People can sail, fish, or simply relax and enjoy the sea breeze. Like the Lake of the Ozarks, this port in Destin has a number of boats available for all kinds of boating fans.

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Newport, RI

The docks in Newport, Rhode Island are underrated for boaters because of one reason—the food. But boating fanatics always come here to experience old-school boating, which is considered an all-American hobby. And Richard Ohlhaber also mentions that the beauty of New England isn’t so bad itself.

Chicago-born Richard Ohlhaber has been residing in Texas for close to two decades. He likes to spend some time on his boat when he’s not working. The self-confessed dog person is a fan of John Steinbeck and lists 'The Natural' as one of his favorite films. Visit this blog to know more about his interests.

Why the Bears' signing of Ha Ha Clinton-Dix is a laughable bargain

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When the Chicago Bears lost starting safety Adrian Amos to longtime rival Green Bay Packers in free agency, Bears fans, including Richard Ohlhaber, wondered how the team would replace an integral component of the Bears vaunted defensive line. The front office did not take long to find one in Ha’Sean “Ha Ha” Clinton-Dix, a 2017 Pro Bowl selection.

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Amos struck a lucrative four-year, $37 million contract with the Packers, one that would pay him an average of $9.25 million per season. On the other hand, Clinton-Dix signed up for a one-year deal at $3.5 million, obviously much less than what Amos got.

Ha Ha is not a downgrade on the field, though, as not only is he more accomplished than Amos at the strong safety position, Clinton-Dix has a solid relationship with Chicago’s free safety, Eddie Jackson, as both have been teammates in Alabama and remained good friends after graduating from college. Their potential chemistry as partners in Chicago’s secondary could improve what is already one of the league’s best defenses. This is certainly great news for Chicago Bears supporters like Richard Ohlhaber.

It also would not take long for Clinton-Dix to acclimate himself to the Bears’ defensive system because the team’s defensive coordinator, Chuck Pagano, runs similar schemes as Mike Pettine. The latter spent time with Pagano some years ago with the Indianapolis Colts and current defensive coordinator of a team Clinton-Dix used to play for—incidentally, the Packers.

Currently based in Texas, Richard Ohlhaber grew up in Chicago and has backed the Bulls and Bears ever since he was young. Read more about these teams here.

Bulls Talk: A rundown of the greatest achievements of his royal Airness

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There is a reason why basketball fans like to use Michael Jordan as a yardstick when measuring the performances of superstars like Kobe, LeBron, and Curry. To stay that Jordan is a great player is an understatement considering his phenomenal run in the NBA. There are even records made by Jordan that haven’t been broken yet even more decade after his retirement. Here are some of the greatest achievements of his royal Airness, Michael Jordan.

Jordan holds the record of having the most points ever made by a single player during a playoff game. He scored 63 points versus the Celtics in 1986. What makes this even more incredible is that the game where Jordan scored 63 points was his first game where he scored over 50 points.

In the 1991 finals, Jordan made a record of 13 consecutive field goals without any misses. Not only was it a unique Finals record, but it was also an all-time playoff record that remains unbeaten.

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Jordan wasn’t just spectacular during playoffs. He also made several records for his regular season games. Jordan has a record of having the most regular season games where a player scores over 30 points. His record was 563. He also holds the record of holding the most number of consecutive regular season games scoring double digits with a streak of 866 games.

Richard Ohlhaber grew up in Chicago but has been living in the DFW Metroplex since1998. Though now based in Texas, he is a true Chicago sports fan, cheering for the Bulls and the Bears. Apart from watching games on ESPN, Richard likes to go boating or play golf. For more sports articles, visit this blog.