TravelBlog » The Costello Brothers in Cuba

The Costello Brothers in Cuba - Chris Costello

It was only 2 months ago I decided on Cuba for a winter escape. Thankfully James couldn't miss out on a cycling adventure so on 24th July we leave for Havanna. James is the real cyclist and I just hope not to hold hime back too much. There is always the option of loading up his panniers! The more we read the more we realise just how large and hot Cuba in August will be. We were just a bit lucky that we happened to pick one of the most exciting cycling/ adventure holiday destinations. We hope to keep Family and friends up to date with this site. We also have appreciated others sites and notes in their own experinces.

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Joined on: July 5th 2009
Last Login: November 24th 2009

Blog Entries: 10
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by The Costello Brothers in Cuba, order by Date newest first.

By The Costello Brothers in Cuba
August 20th 2009

enjoying Chile, South America » Chile » Valparaíso Region » Viña del Mar

Valpariso boats

Thanks Francisco for the notes of ideas and things to do. I have tried many different foods, especially the Completo combinations. Had a good fish meal of tuna with sala last night. With a half bottle of Cab Sav of course. I ended up basing myself in Valparaiso ( which is the more historical and rustic of the two neighbouring towns in the bay. Drinking beers in an old saliors pub. Ending up in with a group of which one was a retired irish merchant navy engineer. Thats a bit of a cliche. I´ve been using the local buses to get [View Full Entry]

By The Costello Brothers in Cuba
August 16th 2009

We just had Starbucks in Santiago, Chile.. felt like Paris South America

We had a dream, run getting back though the confussing city roads . Ferry across the habour at Havana. Then connected up with Freddy who had our stored packaging and extra clothes. We had our doubts how this was all going to work. Shouting out in streets with nobody home. We sorted him out with a fair rent to hang out and clean and break down the bikes. Thunderstorms rolled through all afternoon and we we out for dinner, cofee to try and fill in the time as our flight was at 3am. 5 hrs at Havana airport. Afew hours sleep [View Full Entry]

By The Costello Brothers in Cuba
August 16th 2009

Total KMs for trip.1800km' James, 1400km Chris Central America Caribbean

012

Of our 20 days in cuba James bike 1800km and Chris 1400km, Non biking days Jim (2) Chris (4). Flat tyres . James (6) Chris (1)but 2 broking spokes. We covered all but the most East and North East. Missing out Barocca and Guntanamo. That missed some hilly sections. James did some big sections of Autopas in the middle Chris detoured then bused for 3 days. We will get some photos and recommendations on the site over the next month. Chris will add a couple of Chilean enteres. >Thanks Farncisco for the travel notes [View Full Entry]

By The Costello Brothers in Cuba
August 13th 2009

100km from havana Central America Caribbean » Cuba » Centro » Bahía de Cochinos

087

We have coverd a lot and found no internet along the south coast. Yesterday and today we have riden north from the carrabean to the gulf of mexico. We only have a few mins on this connection so will fill in the details tomorrow when we get rto a tourist area out of havana , we go to the airport Sat. We went along the coast to the bay of Pigs. A few crabs on the road but no big exodus. 2 nights at a hotel then 3 100km days . we went inland to a dirty little town call Australia [View Full Entry]

By The Costello Brothers in Cuba
August 8th 2009

Meet up in trinadad at 4pm sat on the dot Central America Caribbean » Cuba » Centro » Trinidad

mazalillo

We have had our 2 days getting 500km by different routes. James did it hard with 4 flats on the 1st day )150km) , 200km ) 9hrs23min biking time) on the autopas the next day and a cruisey 150km today in the heat. I got into town 3 hrs before and got a casa. He got to the town square at 4pm on the dot, well done. The two towns Chris stopped at had beatiful town squares with nice spanish buildings and Trinadad is the best at that. Quite beautiful. My bike suffered a bit of damage on the bus trip, [View Full Entry]

By The Costello Brothers in Cuba
August 7th 2009

Seperate ways to Trinidad , meet Sat 4pm Central America Caribbean » Cuba » Centro » Trinidad

Cuba and Chile 09 Chris 062

The rest is over. We did a couple of 110km days out of the dry south east. Over the Sierra Maestrra´s . Thankfully not that high by road. Yesterday we started differnet routes to Trinidad. 450km away. James wanted to do 3 big days . I cycled to Bayamo ' historical town and stumbled acress the canervial. Vet cool but my bus to Stainti Spirtitus was at midnight so a long day after 70km to hang out. I drunk homebrew and roast pig. Been on a bus for 7 hrs overnight ) few hours sleep) . So I will stay here [View Full Entry]

By The Costello Brothers in Cuba
August 3rd 2009

Resting up by the carriabean Central America Caribbean » Cuba » Este » Santiago de Cuba

057

We got our bus back to Hanvan and hoped to get a second overnight bus down to the East end city of Santtiago de Cuba. 10 hrs in havana , told no bus so off to train ticket office 10km away to find it closing. Thought we were told to come bak at 3pm but it was closed until Monday 3rd. We then tried to get a ticket fornight tain at public station for 2 hrs , queued 3times to be told NO way. In between we had anotrher good look around Havana and we enjoyed the people at the cafes [View Full Entry]

By The Costello Brothers in Cuba
July 31st 2009

3 days in Vinales, no bus Central America Caribbean » Cuba » Este » Santiago de Cuba

rain 1sr day

We have had to hold here for another night but get on a long bus trip tomorow to the other end of Cuba. ) we hope as we need a connection in Havana but can´t prebook. James made use of the day and biked out over some hills to the beach Cargo Jutius ) a island connected to the mainland. He was going to stay but the only option was sleeping on the beach. Without a mossisto net or repellant that was looking a nightmare. He turnsup just as I was sipping rum drinks and getting dinner served after 6 hrs [View Full Entry]

By The Costello Brothers in Cuba
July 29th 2009

First 4 days in Cuba Central America Caribbean

havana streets

Sat 25th to Wed 30th. Wow. Sorry for the delay this is the first town we have found the internet after leaving Havana. ( Sun was a public hol so we didn't find the Etecsa there) We had an interesting stop over in Santiago, Chile. Hotel was OK and we got a bit of sleep. It was in a good area to walk around and we had a great steak dinner. South America style. Initally Santiago look a bit of a stock with some slum areas on the way into town but after half a day we started to like it [View Full Entry]

By The Costello Brothers in Cuba
July 5th 2009

Preparation , arrive in Havanna 26th July 2009 Central America Caribbean » Cuba » Oeste

Costello brothers on the farm
Dad, Chris and James. Tom sitting in front. At Hawarden, North Canterbury. Jan09 drought.

My brother and I (James and Chris Costello) plan to get the especial train overnight to Bayamo or Santiago de Cuba after the public holiday on 26th. Start biking 28th July with a South West coastal loop over 4 days back to Santiago de Cuba. Then head East ( Este) to Guantanomo on the way to the Atlantic Coast, Baracoa. Then a few days on the North Coast heading west. Bus from Holguin to Centro. Maybe a Five day loop of Sancti Spritus, Trinidad and Santa Clara. Bus back to Havanna then head down West ( Oeste), Pinar Del Rio for [View Full Entry]

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The Costello Brothers in Cuba | Chris Costello | Travel Blog

The Costello Brothers in Cuba - Chris Costello

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