Blogs from Cuba, Central America Caribbean - page 4

We have three full days scheduled in Havana and today was the first one. On the go from 8:30AM until just before 5PM, we have visited a daycare center run by nuns for two to four year olds, stopped to see Del Morro fortress (bookending El Morrow Castle in Santiago de Cuba), and the eighteen meter high sculpture of the Havana Christ; we walked through and enjoyed the beauty of Havana's four main squares, plus explored parts of Havana Vieja, Old Havana. But that's not all! After a disappointingly mediocre lunch at another paladar (a family run restaurant - where most meals had been exceptionally good), we went to the large arts and crafts market. Most of us had already completed our shopping, and soon grew weary of all the shopkeepers seeing us and calling out, ... read more

In 2008 the old city center of Camaguey became a UNESCO World Heritage Site, for very good reasons. As our bus entered and drove through twisty, narrow streets full of bici-taxis (human powered bicycle rickshaws), people, and some cars and motorcycles, very quickly I couldn't figure out any direction at all. These streets are like a labyrinth, a maze purposely built this way to confuse pirates and any other attackers, to try to keep the city center safe from marauders. Even with my usually good sense of direction, I needed a map to keep from getting lost. I didn't explore the old city center as much as I'd have liked to do, but one other woman and I walked the length of the longest pedestrian street (less than a mile long) both evenings we were there. ... read more

Our tour director, Emilio, was born in Cuba. He's lived in Miami for many years, but returns to lead Vantage tours and tells us a different side of Cuba from his American perspective. He says Americans are naive, and that what we hear from our government-required Cuban guide, Eddy, is propaganda, but the only story Eddy knows. So when Eddy is not around, and when the group is in a relatively private place, Emilio tells us what he understands is really happening. All the information is very interesting but also confusing. Apparently nothing is as it seems. When we arrived at the airport several of us felt that Emilio should have been there to smooth and facilitate our way into the country. Where was our leader at this somewhat problematic and slightly difficult entry point? We ... read more

There are multiple ways to travel from Varadero to Havana. We could travel by bus which would cost 10 CUC per person, plus the taxi to the bus station. So in total an amount of 40 CUC, plus the transportation from Havana bus station to your accommodation. For a taxi one way you will pay average 100 CUC. Thanks to the guard of the hotel we found another option, using the collective taxi, which is a ‘friend’ of the guard who collects a number of persons and share the costs. With this option we paid 50 CUC door to door by taxi. We agreed to leave the next day around noon. The next morning, after breakfast and preparing a small bag to spend a night in Havana, we waited to the taxi. The other passengers were ... read more

I'm having a bit of a final catch up of our last few days in Cuba now that we're back home and have some internet. It's been a nice break from 'The outside world'.....but quite annoying not being able to get any information or check anything! Santa Clara Just an overnight stay in Santa Clara to break the journey back to Havana. known now mostly for the large monument to Che Guevara as it was here that he blew up the train carrying all the weapons and reinforcements for Batista's forces in the city. The town was really buzzing in the evening as it was Valentine's day, lots of people carrying one flower...no large over the top bouquets here! Our final few days are back nearer Havana on the coast for a few days of R&R. ... read more