Profile
Blog
Photos
Videos
Righto - second country on the trip was the intriguing Cuba.
Getting to Cuba was not without incident. Upon setting off from the USA, we realised that our connecting flight from Cancun (Mexico) to Havana departed only 1 hour 40 minutes after our arriving flight - in a different terminal. How we made it check in on time is still beyond my understanding (there may have been a little pushing in involved). The best part, however was that upon reaching the departure gate, we realised that Luke is an idiot and had lost his Cuban Visa (which cost $100 to obtain). Jodi´s calmness under fire was a god send and by some miracle danger was averted by virtue of the fact that you can buy a new visa from the airline. That´s right, $25 later I had a hand written visa and we were good to go.
What a country of contrasts. Beautiful coast line, glorious colonial buildings (in serious decay in many instances) and fantastic old American cars from the 1950s and 60s mixed with socialist beuracracy, stray dogs in the street and touts trying to sell you cigars on every street corner.
Food in Cuba is a bit of a let down and shopping is an experience, In the supermarket, you have a very limited choice (100 times more limited than ALDI). It´s hillarious to see rum on sale next to tins of fruit, next to a dining table and chairs, next to some stereo systems which look like they are straight from the late 1980s. Can´t argue with buying a bottle of Havana Club rum for the equivalent of $5 or $6. Viñales was probably our favourite place on the trip - it´s a rural town with tobacco farms, caves to explore and a generally relaxed vibe. Trinidad was also good fun and has some gorgeous colonial buildings as well as some beautiful carribean beaches.
- comments
Lucy Awesome car and what a glamorous destination! Who needs food when you have Havana Club rum and tins of fruit? Glad to see the marriage is holding strong in the face of such visa-losing adversity. xxx
Greg Connolly Hi Crew Nice Pics!! You two look very chilled out! I agree the food in Cuba is terrible. Makes you think twice about places that advertise 'cuban fusion' over here. They'd want to fuse it with something tasty. Lukester the beard is a credit to you. I will be checking its progress. Jodi you look far happier on the beach with mojitos than on the hike. Solution - more beach and more mojito! Keep the news and pics flowing. Greggles
Louise Great photos - and I agree with Greg about the beach and mojitos. When in Rome, ah, Cuba, right? Happy Australia Day too!
Kylie I love the blog, it sounds like you're having an awesome trip Luke & Jodes! Thanks for keeping us updated. xx
Sarah DeBellis Pleeeeeeease tell me you got to hear some of their music. I'm an Afro-Cuban music tragic. *mua* Sarah.
Markus I am relishing the insight into another world. What a colourful and very different society is Cuba. Hope you guys spent one Havana night tangoing til dawn!! I hope you are both loving this trip of a lifetime!! Sydenham missing you big time guys; I'm sure you are not missing our grey skies and 4 degree temps. Thinkin of you a lot. Few of us saw the Wildlife photo exhibition at Natural History Museum. Remember that. Otherwise its January blues and riding out this winter and trying to do as much indoor sport to keep the blood pumping. Keep up this most excellent blog and keep bringing us the sunshine of your scenery and beautiful smiles!! P.S. Mr Luke - creo que su barba se ve fantastico!! Muy guapo!!
dave naylor Great shots- agree with Greg, Jodi looks far chilled on the beach than on the hills, but can looks be deceiving... lukes beard- very impressive...?sus escitoramos mas - por favour?