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 to Brisbane, leg 1 of 4. Sunrise. It's going to be a long 'day'
  • Cuba
: Day 0 -

Melbourne to Havana

The long, long, long haul to Havana.
The 'Good Room' - Hostal la Caridad
  • Cuba
: Day 1 -

Hostal la Caridad

First impressions of Old Havana (it's old). A rude awakening.
Rooftops of Old Havana. In the foreground: Iglesia y Convento de la Merced 1630, background: National Capital building
  • Cuba
: Day 1 -

Hello Hot Humid Havana

Orientation Day. Getting my bearings and trying to acclimatize.
Bicitaxi Havana
  • Cuba
: Day 2 -

Old Town Havana

A guided walking tour of Old Havana.
Chevy Tour of Old Havana
  • Cuba
: Day 2 -

Our Man in Havana

Riding shotgun in a new 1950's Chevy.
Chevies in Havana
  • Cuba
: Day 2 -

Cars

Cuba’s Classic Cars - Rolling Time Capsules.
Havana to Baracoa
  • Cuba
: Day 3 -

​Flying to Baracoa

A long wait in Playa Baracoa Airport.
Baracoa Beach
  • Cuba
: Day 4 -

Baracoa Beach Day

Vamos a la playa Maguana.
Cacao Fruit
  • Cuba
: Day 5 -

Baracoa Farm Day

A Chocolate Factory in the bush.
  • Cuba
: Day 5 -

Dinner With The Locals

Baracoa BBQ.
Traffic on main road leaving Baracoa
  • Cuba
: Day 6 -

The Road to Santiago de Cuba

The Carratera Central de Cuba. Baracoa to Santiago de Cuba.
Imías - roadside stop on Baracoa to Santiago de Cuba road trip
  • Cuba
: Day 6 -

Imias

Comfort stop in the one horse town of Imias.
The Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of the Assumption
  • Cuba
: Day 7 -

Santiago de Cuba

Viva la Revolución!
Street life, Santiago de Cuba
  • Cuba
: Day 7 -

Street Life Santiago de Cuba

Back streets of Santiago de Cuba.
Catedral Del Santísimo Salvador de Bayamo - Manzillo and Park Cespedes
  • Cuba
: Day 8 -

Bayamo

Santiago de Cuba to Camagüey.
Camaguey Locomotive
  • Cuba
: Day 9 -

Sugarcane (un poco) Loco

Camagüey rail yards and the sugarcane loco.
Ballet School - Camagüey
  • Cuba
: Day 9 -

Camagüey Ballet Company

No left feet at Camagüey Ballet School.
Galeria Pauyet - Ciego de Avila
  • Cuba
: Day 11 -

Galeria Pauyet

Ciego de Ávila. A quick stop at Junk-to-Jewels.
Iglesia Parroquial Mayor Church, Sancti Spíritus
  • Cuba
: Day 11 -

Sancti Spíritus

Iglesia Parroquial Mayor Church
Street vendor Trinidad Cuba
  • Cuba
: Day 11 -

Trinidad

Mangoes - Pop-Up Shop
Children playing Trinidad
  • Cuba
: Day 12 -

Tiempo de Juego (Playtime)

Where the children play
Trinidad beach
  • Cuba
: Day 12 -

Playa Ancon

Trinidad beach picnic
Cienfuegos swimming
  • Cuba
: Day 13 -

Cienfuegos

The Bicitaxi was a Tricky taxi. Up the garden path and down to the river
Che Guevara Mausoleum Santa Clara
  • Cuba
: Day 14 -

Che

Che's last resting place
Havana Museum main stairs
  • Cuba
: Day 15 -

Havana

Freedom Day - Vive la Libération. Happy Havana wanderings
  • Cuba
: Day 16 -

Havana Look Around

Sometimes I sits and thinks, sometimes I just sits
  • Cuba
: Day 16 -

To Market, To Market!

Almacenes San José Mercado de Artesanía
Malecon, Havana
  • Cuba
: Day 16 -

El Malećon

An afternoon stroll with fishers, lovers, and lovers of fish
Viñales Valley
  • Cuba
: Day 17 -

Viñales Valley

Last day in Cuba | Off to see hills 'n shit
Cuban cigar maker
  • Cuba
: Day 17 -

Cigar Dude

Rollin' a 'Stogie'
La Guarida
  • Cuba
: Day 18 -

The Last Supper

Dinner at Paladar La Guarida
El Cielo Country Club
  • Cuba
: Day 19 -

Guadalajara

Battleground below, restaurants above.
homeward bound
  • Cuba
: Day 23 -

Homeward Bound

The long, long, long haul back to Melbourne.