Blogs from Este, Cuba, Central America Caribbean - page 8

Well, as tourist attractions go, it’s a bit of a weird one. But I wasn’t going to pass up the chance to see one of the most famous and controversial places in the World right now: the US Naval Base at Guantánamo Bay. It took a lot of arranging. When I was at Sofía’s in Santiago, I had asked her if any of her previous guests had been and how I could go. To my surprise, no one had been but she made some phone calls and we found out that you have to get special permission and there are only two ways of getting a glimpse: the town of Caimanera, which is next to the base at one side of the bay, or Mirador Malones, a viewpoint overlooking the bay at the other side. Caimanera ... read more

My promised “10-12” hour journey from Havana, to Santiago de Cuba in the South East of the country actually took 16 hours! Cuba is Long! It’s longer from tip to tail than the British mainland and my journey was similar to London to Aberdeen. Not much to say about the journey really. We travelled first along an empty motorway, stopping at a few places on the way, and then the roads got smaller and more confusing as there were no sign posts. From my bus window, I saw countryside and towns full of tiny, dirty houses with as much poverty as I’ve seen in India or in those parts of Latin America in the “US Empire”. I finally arrived at Sofía’s house at 1.30 am, four hours later than predicted. She seemed non-plussed. Had a lie ... read more

Le 27 juillet, depart de Santiago pour Baracoa, dans un vestige d'automobile qui, a notre grande satisfaction, a reussi a nous mener a la station d'autobus. 5 heures de route a travers les montagnes qui entourent Baracoa et qui creent son microclimat, et a travers une vegetation particulierement dense, l'acceuil que nous reservent les bici-taxiset autres travailleurs (harceleurs) de l'industrie du tourisme, est digne des grandes stars de ce monde. L'accueil de nos hotes Natasha et Fernando, cependant, est tres chaleureux. Ici nous sommes restes 6 nuits dans un appartement independant de la maison des maitres, c'est donc tres relax. Nous avons escalade une montagne qui a la forme d'une enorme enclume, El Yunque, et quelle montee cefut! Chaleur, humidite, mille-pattes, moustiques et surtout boue rouge, en voulez-vous, en v'la, voila le resume de cette journee ... read more

Sorry guys, that doesn´t mean me getting nekked and over-familiar with trees! It´s just a good description of my time here in Baracoa!! It´s a lovely, calm relaxed place, almost completely free from hassle. It´s set in a wonderful location by the sea, with rainforest clad mountains behind, including "El Yunque", a big table-topped thing that was the first part of Cuba seen by Columbus back in 1492, and mentioned in his journals. So, while I´ve been here, I´ve been to the Parque Alejandro Humbolt, and seen the differing vegetation from tropical jungle to rainforest. And I´ve climbed El Yunque, all 575m steeply upwards in the baking sun. Fantastic views up top. Both days we walked miles, and both days at the end we were able to swim in crystal clear rivers. Much as I like ... read more

No habíamos oído hablar de Baracoa hasta llegar a Cuba. Como suele pasar, fue uno de los lugares que más nos gustó del viaje. No sólo porque es un lugar hermoso, sino por lo que podes aprender de la gente, de las costumbres, de los lugares. Realmente imperdible!... read more