Aug 27, 2018 - Havana - steamy Caribbean gem

This is a short update on Havana - more complete details to follow.... I do love Havana and Cuba...it is a Caribbean gem, somewhat unpolished, far from living up to its potential. I missed Havana last time - spent more time in that crazy José Martí International Airport last time than I spent in the city. So, I had to get more acquainted with it yesterday - it was unfinished business, and a need to get it out of my system. Travelling back from the airport along the somewhat 3rd grade roads sub-standard for my hometown of Dalby (even today),...

May 12, 2018 - Havana, Cuba

Out for a walk this morning and looking for a place for some breakfast and it sure looks like more rain, LOL Exchanged a bit more money to CUC. Went to the Capitolio Nacional plaza check out the area then a stop for some breakfast and as I was just getting back to my room the rain started, just made it back in time. LOL It rained about a hour then stopped so headed out to check out the old fort Castillo de San Salvador de la Punta at the entry to the harbor, with this fort and the one across the channel would have been impossible to enter...

May 11, 2018 - Off to the tobacco fields of Vinales

This morning after breakfast I set off for my trip to Vinales to the west part of Cuba and the area where the tobacco fields are at, this time I was in a 1953 chevy very similar to the on my folks had when I was a child, the big difference was this on was a four door our had been a two door, and this one had a diesel engine. As we headed out of the city a little rain was falling but cleared as we got to Vinales about 180 km from Havana saw lots of field some being worked by teams of oxen lots with horses and some with tractors older than...

May 10, 2018 - Havana, Cuba

Breakfast at the BnB then repacked my luggage and waited for my ride to pick me up. Was there at 10:00 AM a bright red 1952 Chevrolet convertible car with the original engine the car was in great shape, and my local hero the young man that had set up my trip Elvy, Loaded up my bags was just enough room in the truck for them as there was a big amp and speakers in there, LOL off for a city tour with a couple stops, was a great ride, and just before we got to my new BnB it started to rain so had quickly pullover and put up the top which is not...

May 9, 2018 - Cienfuegos and on to Havana

Another small breakfast again way too much food,LOL it was a walk to the main plaza about 10 blocks away, passing many horse drawn taxis, checking out some things along the way lot's of 50's cars some in real good shape some of them having seen a lot of hard times, only a few with the original engines most blowing lots of black smoke. A stop at the bank to exchange some money then off for a city tour an a small train, checked out the naval museum then a stop for lunch at a pizza place, then back to the BnB got my luggage and off to the bus...

May 8, 2018 - Cienfuegos, Cuba

A good night rest it was another great breakfast at the BnB again for 5 CUC, then out for another walk around the town going to the top of the bell tower of a old church, back to room and checked out,then off to the bus station for the trip to Cienfuegos. This was a ride of 1 1/2 hours getting in the late afternoon. As I came out of the bus station another group of taxi drivers and BnB people wanting you to go with them, above the yelling I hear my name from across the street and my BnB host was there saying don't need a taxi just come...

May 7, 2018 - Trinidad, Cuba

Up early and breakfast at the bnb a plate of fresh fruit, fresh juice, omelet with a couple slices of meat, toast, muffin and coffee with milk for 5 CUC witch is the same as 5 dollars USA. I left my big bag there and some clothes to be washed while I am traveling to Trinidad, then off to the bus station get my boarding pass, load up and on our way at 7:00 AM. It is a 6 1/2 hour ride to Trinidad going through Bay of Pigs and Cienfuegos then on to Trinidad getting there at 1:30 PM, after getting off the bus and getting my checked small bag I...

May 6, 2018 - Havana, Cuba

A wake up call at 4:00 AM finish packing and off to the airport for my flight, see you in Cuba. I got into Havana, Cuba through passport control, bag claim and customs, with no problems, was met by my local guide, a stop to exchange money, got a taxi and off to my airBnB near the bus station. Got checked into my room, made plans for the rest of the day, then out for some lunch and then off to the beach for the afternoon returning back to my room a bit of rest and then out for dinner. A very great day in Habana, I now have traveled to 100 of...

Feb 16, 2018 - Reading week :D

So term is officially over (no class on Friday is quite possibly the best thing ever!) which means the same as at home - it is a week where we get to catch up on study but that pass/fail life is giving me some wiggle room to take a proper break. Instead of study, a few of us decided to go to Cuba for a week or so! The concept of popping down to South America for the week just blows my mind but there you go. So cool!! I reckon this will definitely get me keen to do a proper South America trip for my next adventure abroad, but we shall see!...

Dec 19, 2017 - Arrived at Cienfuegos

Having major issues with WiFi if you did not receive Cuba Major disappointment, very sad existence very sad country. Unfortunately, no different than Havana , did have the opportunity to see and hear about the bay of pigs from the Cuban side, Fiedel was a god and still is, the cities are open air laundry mats, wet clothes are everywhere, interesting but will never be back, at sea heading to Jamaica.

May 8, 2017 - Cienfuegos to Havana

Last day in Cienfuegos. We enjoyed breakfast at 8 and were pretty relaxed as apart from changing some money, we don't have anything planned for today apart from catching the bus at 4:15. We thought we might see about going to the beach....Rancho Luna. A few days ago lady in the tour office told me the cost is 10CUC each way for a taxi, about 18k and takes about 20 minutes. We walked into the city and found a bank. There was a huge line outside and people were being let in as someone came out. I tried the ATMs around the corner. The two I...

May 7, 2017 - Cienfuegos

We are off on the tour to El Nicho (the niche....we go up into the hills and then down into a lower area) today and arranged for our breakfast to be ready at 7:00am as we are being picked up in front of the radio station just down the road. Breakfast was a plate of fruit (mango, banana and paw paw), omelette with cheese and ham, little pastries with our coffee and toast with jam. We haven't eaten so much that early in the day since we left home. We had an interesting chat about Cuba, it's people and anthropology with our host Luis Manuel...