Thoughts from our time in Cuba

******Promise this is the last blog on Cuba******

Here I am sitting on the beach in Grand Cayman pondering where the last two weeks went. Cuba was a surreal travel experience for the both of us. It's a place we had both wanted to go to for many years and we are almost on a bit of a downer now that we've been there.

I've travelled a lot and can honestly say Cuba is one of the most amazing places that I have been to. How do I try and surmise that in a blog entry when it's more about the vibe than anything else? A few thoughts anyway

• Cuban people are some of the friendliest out there. Yes there are the usual annoyances on the street but I never felt unsafe or threatened and many people were just interested to chat and happy to communicate with smiles.
• The visual diversity is stunning. From the old town of Havana to the valleys of Vinales. The French colonial architecture of Cienfuegos to the colorful Spanish decor of Trinidad. Sometimes you could forget you were in the same country.
• The food is awesome. Lobster, rice and beans, mojitos, street pizza and especially the Casa cooking.
• Sanctuary is never far away. The dust and fumes and noise can become overwhelming, especially in the cities but it is not hard to find somewhere to escape this and get some peace and quiet.

The list could go on and on but I thought I would change to a must do list in case you ever plan on heading to Cuba.

1. Stay in the old town in Havana.
2. Where possible stay in Casas. They are clean, safe and provide an interesting look into real Cuban life. The food is also better than almost all restaurants.
3. The two must see places outside of Havana are Vinales and Trinidad. Admittedly we did not get to Baracoa which is meant to be amazing but it's miles away and we did not have enough time.
4. Go to a tobacco factory to see how they are made
5. Walk along the Malacon in Havana at sunset. Also worth having a mojito at the Hotel Nationalle as that was probably the best one I had. Getting a ride in an old convertible is also lots of fun.
6. Stick to Bucuneros. While Crystal is ok I found Bucunero to taste much better

On a final note be warned that I have taken in excess of 2000 photos so expect to see many more random blog entries from our time in Cuba.

Only 1 mile to Australia

School kids on an excursion

the Cuba analogue series 2.0. Plasma is so 2002

We ca,e across this random screen printing place in Havana and they were happy to show us around.

 

the number of dacca's in Havana really spun us out

San Francisco square in the old town

One last ride in an old American convertible

Promise no more car shots after these

 

 

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