Vinales to Santa clara
Well, I have now moved to Santa Clara some 500KM drive south east towards the centre of the island. I can now confirm it is a big island. The last 2 days have been extremely informative and useful in understand more about contemporary Cuban culture. My last day in Vinales was spent partly on the back of a horse doing a trek around the fertile valley. So fertile in actual fact that if “old jose he had a farm” on it he would have chickens, pigs and at this point it differs slightly to the original you may remember. He would also have pineapple, guava, mango, coffee, orange, banana,...
Read MoreCaves and Beach
Time for some exploration of the valley and the coast. Firstly to the cave Santo Tomas, a 46KM complex of caves. However, with the help of a guide, a helmet and a lamp you get only a glimpse of the numerous levels for a couple of hours. A long with the stalagmites and stalagmites of various forms there a number of creatures that live inside the cave, from bats to spiders and the odd owl pops in now and again to eat his lunch, the remains are a small pile of bones. Oh yes and according the humorous guide there is Fefe the cave monster for unruly cave dwellers. A pleasant, informative and funny...
Read MoreHavana to Vinales
Firstly, the humidity, it is 24/7 and whilst never completely energy sapping makes you slow down enough to enjoy the moment. Well, after three days in Havana it is time to get the hire car and head west to Pinar Del Rio. Eventually left at 10:30 with a little saloon car that has done 75000 KM and has a very lived in look. There were so many marks on the hire car paperwork it looked like someone had scribbled on it. Anyway, the 6 hour journey along the coast road was great. Hardly anyone else on the road, hence the profusion of people hitching lifts, so I happily obliged. For a start; they...
Read MoreMore Havana
Well the sun is still shining so I have done a little more exploring. First thing to note is the lack of general aggression in everyday life, no raised voices, just laughter, feels quite safe. I did get stopped by the police whilst taking photographs in an area surrounded by foreign embassies, but that was only to tell me to carry my camera rather than have it over my shoulder, a friendly piece of advice, a wave, a smile and off we both went. I have already chatted to numerous cafe and shop owners who seems only too keen to ask you how you are, even getting invited “behind the shop...
Read MoreHavana The Start
Cuba itself is a long banana shaped island, most suitable for hiring a car and going from one end, (Havana) to the other (Santiago De Cuba). As usual I have a rough plan, but let us just see where the island, its inhabitants and its flora and fauna take me. I may even get the chance to catch up with some of my relatives, that by pure coincidence just happen to on the island at the same time. Well, as Cuba is the home to fine cigars it would seem rude not to indulge, so it would with rum. Add to that a bit of salsa music and some warm sunshine and colonial architecture and it has all the...
Read MoreCigars at the ready
Yet another adventure is nearly here and I felt it was time to experience a different part of the world. Having thoroughly enjoyed both South America and the ex USSR over the years, what better location than Cuba (county number 65) for my next trip. I have been meaning to go to Cuba for a number of years. Its resolute steadfast attitude in the face of its great neighbour and ability to just carry on as normal has me intrigued. In addition, my lack of general knowledge on the country has me absorbed and wanting for more. Many laudable words (and pictures) have been published about the...
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Martin Weaver is a lovely man who likes traveling and having adventures. 
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