Jun 17, 2009 - Cuba

Havana is an incredible place. ... After Havana, we rented a car and drove around the country. ... Outside of Havana and Santiago horse and carriage seem to outnumber cars. ...

Jun 9, 2009 - Cuba - Fidel's island

Havana (Teneale) Our first stop in Cuba was Havana. ... Not settling for anything but the best, we smoked Cohiba cigars and caught up with Team London and the latest victims to get “crunched” in London! Some of my favourite memories of Havana are the walks we did in Vieja Havana (Old Havana). ... Haggling (bordering on accosting) is also not uncommon in Havana and easy targets were: - Cooksie, who saw his life flash before him when he was taken to a druglord’s apartment in the search of a good cigar; - Patters, who was distracted by a haggler while the rest of the team fell prey to the haggler’s henchmen; and - Puddles, who is incapable of being rude to anyone and would dutifully listen to each haggler’s offer. ... Havana was also our first introduction to “casa particulars”, which is economical accommodation in which local families offer a room in their house to travellers. ... So we ordered beers in groups of 12 shot glasses and we chose our buffet food carefully! Things definitely improved as we settled into our surroundings and soon enough we were having a cracker of a time! Nights consisted of us joining in the Hotel game of Bingo!! Yes bingo! What a crazy vibe! Locals were left cursing as Patters managed to sneak a victory and take away the bottle of Havana Rum. ...

Jun 9, 2009 - Cuba

Havana: After much drama with cancelled flights between Mexico and Cuba and the need to buy new tickets via Panama, it was an uneventful flight to Havana right up until the immigration check where Pete found that the difference between his passport photo and his now hairy face was starting to raise concerns from the officials! Eventually we all collected our bags and caught a taxi to downtown Havana where we arrived at our Casa Particulares around midnight. ... More squeals of excitement from the girls (now two Benoni cronies in Ol’ Havana!) and the joy of travelling struck me again – a few emails and a flight and you can meet some of your oldest friends in the most unlikely places on earth. ... For the rest of that day we strolled through the once beautiful streets of Havana. ... It was a sad goodbye in Havana on Saturday as Lisa, Steve, Jawbone and Chris made their way to the airport in an old pink Cadillac convertible and began their trip back to the UK, how could a week have gone so quickly? Vinales Valley: The Lakes, Holleys and Goldies woke early to catch our bus to the incredibly beautiful Vinales Valley to the west of Havana. ...

May 18, 2009 - Varadero, Cuba

Once we arrived in Varadero we headed to Cubatour to find out about hotels. ... Varadero is certainly a huge tourist area and law prevents casa being an option in tourist areas. ... One of the great things about Varadero is they have a huge shopping area, and guess what they have at the shopping malls yes, stores that sell bikinis. ... The time in Varadero went by quickly and was relaxing. ...

May 14, 2009 - Trinidad to Santa Clara

We headed to the bus station early one morning to hop on the bus to Santa Clara. ... It is in Santa Clara that Che first proved himself when he and his band of 18 stopped the Batista army of 350 soldiers by derailing the train. ... The Che Guevera museum is in Santa Clara and it is here that his body now rests. ...

May 13, 2009 - Thoughts on Cuba

Poco has given Elaine permission to write this entry – thoughts on Cuba A couple of things had happened earlier in the trip that really weren’t worth mentioning. OK, so now we are in Cuba, and are spending a few days in Trinidad. ... The casa we are staying in came recommended by Juan in Havana.Poco has given Elaine permission to write this entry – thoughts on Cuba A couple of things had happened earlier in the trip that really weren’t worth mentioning. OK, so now we are in Cuba, and are spending a few days in Trinidad. ... The casa we are staying in came recommended by Juan in Havana....

May 7, 2009 - Catamaran trip

Little did I know what I was in for! Friday morning, we were up and ready to head off on our Catamaran trip.Little did I know what I was in for! Friday morning, we were up and ready to head off on our Catamaran trip....

May 6, 2009 - Cayo Largo, Cuba

Even thought I knew it was coming, I didn’t appreciate the early wake up call at 4:00 am. After they loaded up all my luggage, and theirs, we started out along Obispo St in Old Town Havana. ... We should have been at Juan’s casa in Old Havana around 8:00 but arrived at midnight. ... Juan kept some of our stuff for us while we went to Cayo Largo, so we had time for a quick repacking, and a quick sleep, as we were heading out a 7:00 to catch the bus to Trinidad Cuba.Even thought I knew it was coming, I didn’t appreciate the early wake up call at 4:00 am. After they loaded up all my luggage, and theirs, we started out along Obispo St in Old Town Havana. ... We should have been at Juan’s casa in Old Havana around 8:00 but arrived at midnight. ... Juan kept some of our stuff for us while we went to Cayo Largo, so we had time for a quick repacking, and a quick sleep, as we were heading out a 7:00 to catch the bus to Trinidad Cuba....

May 4, 2009 - CUBA LIBRE

Poco is very tired from two plane flights from Guatemala, so he is letting Elaine and Cory write this entry. We arrived at our Casa Particular ' basically a homestay around midnight, and today have wandered around old Havana. ... Havana is fantastic, the buildings are amazing. ... Walked along the Malencon today.Poco is very tired from two plane flights from Guatemala, so he is letting Elaine and Cory write this entry. We arrived at our Casa Particular ' basically a homestay around midnight, and today have wandered around old Havana. ... Havana is fantastic, the buildings are amazing. ... Walked along the Malencon today....

May 3, 2009 - Arrival in Havana

We flew to Panama City and changed flights to connect to Havana, Cuba. ... Once Cory had exchanged some money and we had enough to catch a taxi to Old Havana, we headed off. ... Now, Elaine might not admit it but there was a brief moment when they were following Juan through the streets of Old Havana, which she wondered, if everything was OK. ... After dinner it was time to return to the casa, catch some sleep, as the plan for tomorrow was to take the Havana bus tour. ...

Apr 11, 2009 - Meeting the tour

Today I was meeting my tour so got up early to pack and then head out and see a bit more of Havana. ... We were going to go to the revolution museum but because it was such a nice day we decided to walk to the castle instead.Today I was meeting my tour so got up early to pack and then head out and see a bit more of Havana. ... We were going to go to the revolution museum but because it was such a nice day we decided to walk to the castle instead....

Apr 10, 2009 - Havana

Today me and Robbyn had the whole day in Havana to explore so we got up early and walked into the centre and caught a tour bus. ... Then took around old Havana at night - love ...