Photos from Cuba

Friday, August 08, 2008
Havana, Cuba
This trip took place in 2008. I had been wanting to visit Cuba. It's such an interesting and easy destination from Canada, it's surprising that more people don't go there, and also surprising (and fortunate for the others) that most of those who do go confine themselves to the enclaves within Cuba that are not Cuba. If you want to see it as it is, better not wait too long.
Frances and I stayed in casas particulares, i.e. the privately operated guest houses which have been legal for a few years now. They are easily identified by a common symbol, no need to book ahead, although it might be a good idea in Havana. Some of them are in wonderful colonial houses. The cost was about 30 dollars per night.
We travelled mostly by tourist bus. We took two local trains: the Hershey train from across the harbour in Havana to Matanzas, extremely slow and dilapidated, for me a highlight not to be missed (but please take that recommendation from where it's coming); and the local train from Trinidad into the old sugar estancias (which was apparently not really meant for tourists, we had to talk our way on), also a nice little trip. After Frances had returned home, I took the national train from Santiago to Havana, this one not recommended unless like me you have a thing for miserable train rides.
From Santa Clara to Havana we accepted a privately organized ride. This obviously must be done with caution, but it turned out well: it was with a couple who were both doctors, spoke good English, and had lived in Ethiopia. I also talked myself into a ride with a Dutch couple at one point. I think a rental car would be good, because driving seemed to be pretty easy.

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