Mar 22, 2016 - Salsa, Cigars & Rum

Nothing beats that feeling of being somewhere so unique that you’re hard pressed to think of any other place it reminds you of whilst, at the same time living up to the expectations you have of seeing classic cars, colonial towns with cobblestone streets, beautiful plazas and locals smoking cigars. On our first night in Cuba we stood on our small balcony and watched the street come alive below, the pavement almost pulsating itself to the sound of salsa and local banter. The neighbors were out gossiping, hawkers were hawking and kids were...

Mar 6, 2016 - Last of Cuba Trip

This is my last message about my trip across Cuba and back. It is the longest. I made it back to Havana on Friday and continued west to the valley around the town of Viñales, the center of Cuba's world renown tobacco production. It is also surrounded by the most unusual mogotes, or limestone cliffs, and pine tree forests. The town is going through the changes from a quiet collection of wooden houses around the great fields of verdant tobacco plants to the creation of casa particulares, or bed and breakfast establishments. Recent changes in...

Mar 2, 2016 - Santiaga de Cuba

After leaving Camaguey and spending a couple of nights in Bayamo, the provincial capital where each of Cuba's two revolutions started, I met my goal and arrived in Santiago, Cuban's second largest city and some say the most Caribbean. It is warmer and greener in compared to Havana in the northwest. Another UNESCO World Heritage site like Havana, it has many old, huge, colonial buildings and neighborhoods of lesser apartments and houses. See some photos above. I met a guy Peter, my age from the UK and we decided to travel together for the...

Feb 26, 2016 - Cuba Update

My last morning in Trinidad I saw my first Edsel. Later on the bus for Santa Clara, the third largest city and ground zero as far memorialize get the legacy of Ernesto Che Guevara. The route crossed the island through farms with lots of sugar cane and other crops. Also several railroad lines serving cane harvesting. Eventually, we reached the central highway which spans most of the length of the island. It's two lanes each way, divided by a median with on and off ramps similar to the American interstate. I can only wonder how Cuba, that is...

Feb 22, 2016 - Cuba, Part2

So far I have conversed with many Cubans who express hope and excitement about the pending visit of President Obama. While some of the older people doubt that anything will change in Cuba as a result, younger, post revolution individuals who have no personal experience with former repressive Batista regime, and also have relatives who have traveled and lived in other countries, exude beliefs that there will be great change for the good. Cubans love ice cream. A national chain called Copelia is very popular. It is owned by the government....

Feb 20, 2016 - Cuba

Cuba I landed at Jose Marti airport outside Havana on Valentine's Day. After long lines for immigration (they didn't stamp my passport) and a long wait for my suitcase at the only conveyor belt, I entered Cuba and stood in another line to exchange my Eiros for. Cuban CUCs. I rode into Havana aboard a battered '53 Chevy, modified throughout with home made and black market parts. It had a diesel engine as do most of the American vehicles dating from the late forties to 1959. Found a room in a private house (Casa particular) where friends from...

Feb 1, 2015 - Day at Sea

I put Cuba as the map location only because I know we will be sailing by the island today. No wifi on board, at least not that I'm willing to pay for...$19/day!!! We are planning on a quiet day by the pool, reading, listening to the music and people watching!

Jan 26, 2015 - Havana

The work trip from hell. Visa problems on arrival and 2 days to get work permits. Credit card declined, phone refused to work, crap internet connections but cheap cocktails to see us through. Managed to take an open top bus tour (a first for me) on one of the waiting-for-visa days so did manage to get a glimpse of Havana.

Jun 1, 2014 - Se Acabó

Al final, se acabó mi tiempo aquí entonces me voy. Estoy muy feliz pero ahora tengo que irme y no puedo decir que voy a regresar pronto o algo cerca de eso pero vamos a ver. I have seen this island and i think it is safe to say that I no longer have anything to do here. I spent my last week out of money, sitting at home and re-watching chick flicks. Overall, I had a great time in Cuba and wish my friends there the best. I also extend my deepest gratitude to the families that crossed my paths. I think by far, the hardest thing about travel...

Apr 19, 2014 - Panama to Havana, Cuba

Walked across the water and caught the bus at 7:30am to go to Panama - about a 5 hour drive. When we arrived we went straight to the Panama Canal visitor centre. Here we were able to see a 3D movie about the canal and then visit their museum which is spread over 4 floors. After this we waited on the observation desk to watch one of the ships go through the lock. This is a rather slow process. It took about 40 minutes for the tug boats to guide it from the previous gate to the lock that we were at. They were just getting to the stage to...

Apr 11, 2014 - Cuba

Our visit to Cuba was spent traveling between various locations and staying in Casa Particulars (rooms rented out by Cubans in their own house). We visited Veradero, Guanabo (a small beach town just east of Havana), and Havana. We managed to ride in several of the old classic cars, and spent lots of evenings sitting on the beach and watching the sun set.

Mar 14, 2014 - Cycle of Life 2

Classes So Far: After finally picking the 4 final classes I will be taking, I have been able to limit my class week to Tuesdays through Thursdays meaning that I have a four day weekend to do whatever I feel like doing. So far, that means walking around Havana Vieja, Vedado and some times, Miramar. Out of the four classes, I really enjoy my Spanish and film classes the most. Spanish because that is what I am here for and film because the lady has great movie taste. Last week, she announced that she is making plans to go to a Cuban film...