Blognations
death to the infidels
Round flag - Cuba

CUBA

Republic of CUBA

2016

On a cold, wet, miserable Melbourne afternoon in May, I decided it was time for a change of scenery. After all, this was my gap year – my year of travel, and it was time to tick off another place on my bucket list.

My choice came down to travelling to either Iceland or Cuba. I had extensively researched Iceland over the last few years, read books, picked up glossy travel brochures, followed photographers on Instagram and scoured the web for the best times to go and what to see. Iceland had been at the top of my list for a long time.

I decided to go to Cuba, and two weeks later I touched down at José Martí International Airport in Havana…

Melbourne
Day 0 - 
June 8

Melbourne to Havana

The long, long, long haul to Havana.
Havana
Day 1  -
June 9

Hostal la Caridad

First impressions of Old Havana (it's old). A rude awakening.
Havana
Day 1 - 
June 9

Hello Hot Humid Havana

Orientation Day. Getting my bearings and trying to acclimatize.
Havana
Day 2  -
June 10

Old Town Havana

A guided walking tour of Old Havana.
Havana
Day 2 - 
June 10

Our Man in Havana

Riding shotgun in a new 1950's Chevy.
Cuba
June 10

Cuba’s Classic Cars

Rolling Time Capsules: Tin, Smoke and History
Baracoa
Day 3 - 
June 11

​Flying to Baracoa

A long wait in Playa Baracoa Airport.
Baracoa
Day 4  -
June 12

Baracoa Beach Day

Vamos a la playa Maguana.
Baracoa
Day 5 - 
June 13

Baracoa Farm Day

A Chocolate Factory in the bush.
Baracoa, Cuba
Day 5  -
June 13

Dinner With The Locals

Baracoa BBQ.
Baracoa, Cuba
Day 6 - 
June 14

The Road to Santiago de Cuba

The Carratera Central de Cuba. Baracoa to Santiago de Cuba.
Imias
Day 6  -
June 14

Imias

Comfort stop in the one horse town of Imias.
Santigo de Cuba
Day 7 - 
June 15

Santiago de Cuba

Viva la Revolución!
Santiago de Cuba
Day 7  -
June 15

Street Life Santiago de Cuba

Back streets of Santiago de Cuba.
Bayamo
Day 8 - 
June 16

Bayamo

Santiago de Cuba to Camagüey.
Camagüey
Day 9  -
June 17

Camagüey Ballet Company

They leap, I gawk. Cuba's ballet doesn't need my approval
Camagüey
Day 9 - 
June 17

Sugarcane (un poco) Loco

Haircuts, locos, and art; just another afternoon wondering and wandering, lost.
Camagüey
Day 9  -
June 17

Camagüey Curtain Call

The building needs work. The ballet doesn't. Camagüey in a nutshell
Ciego de Ávila
Day 10 - 
June 18

Galeria Pauyet

Ciego de Ávila. A quick stop at Junk-to-Jewels.
Sancti Spíritus
Day 10  -
June 18

Sancti Spíritus

Iglesia Parroquial Mayor Church
Trinidad
Day 11 - 
June 19

Trinidad

Mangoes - Pop-Up Shop
Trinidad
June 20

Tiempo de Juego (Playtime)

Where the children play
Playa Ancon
Day 12 - 
June 20

Playa Ancon

Trinidad beach picnic
Cienfuegos
Day 13  -
June 21

Cienfuegos

The Bicitaxi was a Tricky taxi. Up the garden path and down to the river
Santa Clara
Day 14 - 
June 22

Che

Che's last resting place
Havana
Day 15  -
June 23

Havana

Freedom Day - Vive la Libération. Happy Havana wanderings
Havana
Day 16 - 
June 24

Havana Look Around

Sometimes I sits and thinks, sometimes I just sits
Havana
Day 16  -
June 24

El Malećon

An afternoon stroll with fishers, lovers, and lovers of fish
Vinales Valley
Day 17 - 
June 25

Viñales Valley

Last day in Cuba | Off to see Hills 'n Stuff
Vinales Valley
Day 17  -
June 25

Cigar Dude

Nothin' but Leaf
Havana
Day 17 - 
June 25

The Last Supper

Dinner at Paladar La Guarida
Guadalajara
Day 18  -
June 26

Guadalajara

Battleground below, Restaurants above.
Melbourne
Day 22 - 
June 30

Homeward Bound

The long, long, long haul back to Melbourne.