Cuba - The Pearl of the South

Hotel Nacional in Havana

Lindblad Expeditions and National Geographic started people-to-people travel to Cuba last year and after considering first a trip to Key West, we decided to try out Cuba instead.  The trip was appealing at least partly due to it being in the Caribbean during February when the cold and gloom of a Wisconsin winter is usually getting to us.  So two weeks ago we headed first to Miami before catching our flight to Havana.

We found that Cuba both met many of our expectations - crumbly apartments and houses, people struggling to make ends meet - and was nothing like we were expecting.  But then most travel is usually like that.  The Cuban people are very friendly, easy to talk with, and pretty honest and open about the struggles they and their country face.  We found them passionate about the arts, especially music and dance, but could use a little more passion around the sciences (of course, we might be a bit biased on that one).

Havana was fun to explore and we enjoyed our walks on the Malecon and through Central Havana.  Although we did worry a few times about having a balcony fall on us.  We learned a lot about Cuban history and Fidel's revolution.  It is always interesting to see how history is remembered from the other side.  We visited Ernest Hemingway's home outside of Havana and took in the museum to the revolution (with some choice comments on American efforts to keep it from happening).  We also got to enjoy a few rides in the 1950's classic cars that Cuba is famous for and you see all over the city ranging from rusting wrecks that you can't believe still run to impeccably maintained beauties that look like they just rolled off the assembly line.

Central Havana

After three days in Havana we headed to the south coast to board our ship for seven days of sailing around the southern part of the island.  During the cruise portion of the trip, we spent time in Trinidad, Cienfuegos, and the Isle of Youth taking in old sugar plantations, visiting schools, and seeing musical groups perform.  Each day was packed with activities in which we got to meet with the Cuban people and ask questions to help us understand their culture and lives better.  We also got the chance to do a little snorkeling.  One of the snorkel trips was in the Bay of Pigs after visiting the Bay of Pigs museum presenting the Cuban perspective on the ill fated invasion.

Two key highlights that are worth mentioning.  One morning as we were sailing we were joined by a pack of 30-40 dolphins frolicking in the bow wave of the boat.  It was spectacular to see them leaping out of the water, weaving around, and easily keeping up with our boat.  The second was Jo learning to salsa which I was recorded as a movie for posterity - unfortunately it is too big to upload to the blog.

We took over 600 pictures, so those here are just to peak your interest.  You'll have to visit us here in WI to see the full set.  We would recommend a visit to Cuba if you have the chance - it remains a bit of an enigma, but it is still set in the beautiful Caribbean with balmy temperatures during our winter and great sea breezes (at least along the coast).

Trinidad