Havana Airport

March 24, 2016

We were told we had to be at the airport 3 hours before our flight. Due to an early start, we arrived 4 hours early-no fault to anyone. We processed through ticket agents quite fast as no one was in line. Moved on to passport control where we were held up a bit as they couldn't process us as the flight had not been activated in their system. Nan was at the window when that happened and of course we didn't understand what was wrong-Nan was just ordered to get back on the red line. Jade, our Cuban guide was nearby and she was able to clarify for us.

After passport check, we proceeded to their version of TSA, which though simpler, just as hectic. We had purchased a painting which had been rolled up and placed in a tube all wrapped with tape. I was carrying it in a backpack. As I emerged from the TSA screening, I was told to proceed to a desk off to the side. The person there requested the tube and proceeded to open one end and pull the painting part way out. She then said I owed 3 CUC and she stamped the back side and pushed it back in the tube and resealed it.

We found seats and  purchased some lunch. I had managed to acquire some more CUC's at the hotel as I planned to buy rum at the Duty Free store, so I wouldn't have to carry so far and didn't have to worry about it in our luggage. After purchasing two bottles of Santiago white, which is made in the old Bacardi plant in Santiago, I decided I would like some 7 year Havana Club and that's when I got socked with the 30% fee.

Our flight was delayed from 4 to 4:30. That time came and went. I think it was around 6 when we were in line to board. After we were all on the plane, we sat there for another hour while the luggage was loaded. Not sure what went down on the ground, but was some confusion.

When we arrived in Miami, all went pretty well, but now we were extremely late for our dinner reservation, so decision was made to go to Clarion and eat there.

Poor folks we were with had to catch a 6:30 a.m. flight, while we slept in.

Conclusion

The Cuban adventure was everything we expected and maybe in some cases more. Though most days were long and tiring, what we experienced was well worth it all. We got the sense that everyone in our group felt the same. The college and it's staff did all they could to make it the success it was along with a great Cuban tour guide and excellent driver. Was a pleasure indeed and we would recommend Cuba now to anyone and don't wait. They are busy building new hotels. We observed hundreds of tour buses running everywhere we were and when cruise ships and scheduled air comes to pass, I expect hundreds more buses. We did not experience anything crowded for the most part and were easily able to navigate around towns and highways comfortably.

Hemingway Farm

On road to airport

March 24, 2016

Since we weren't supposed to fly out of Havana until 4 p.m., a visit to Hemingway's Farm was on the agenda as we left the Hotel Copacabana. Managed to purchase two of the Havana Club glasses for our collection at the hotel shop in addition to a plate.

Hemingway's Farm was purchased by him at the insistence of his last, 4th wife. It covered 9 acres and had a tremendous view of downtown Havana from high on the hill where it sat. On the grounds was his boat. Much had been done on the outside of the buildings and boat as Michelle Obama had visited there earlier during their visit to Cuba. The pictures pretty much describe the scene.

View of downtown Havana

Tower with office at top

Santa Clara-Havana

March 23, 2016

Santa Clara, as others, has a large central square. We first stopped there and met our local guide. Traffic was difficult as the town was preparing for a book festival and had shut off vehicle access to streets leading into the square. Actually worked out pretty good for us in the long run as foot travel on the streets, especially around lunch time, was much easier.

Appears to be close to logo for TC Central

Sewing Shop

Our first stop was to the Abuelos de Fiesta. A group of seniors who meet often to dance. The presenters ranged from early 70's to 84. They each spoke as to what their occupations had been. The one male was married to one of the women. They presented history of dance and especially how in the old days, women used fans to communicate to men without their chaperons knowing what they were doing. They had fan positions for just about everything including hiding their faces while kissing. They were quite humorous in their presentations with lots of smiles and laughter all around.

The man demonstrated a game played with a round stick and a spherical piece. He would hit the piece on the ground so that it would bounce in the air, then hit it similar to batting a ball. He would then guess how far he had hit it. If he came in under the actual distance, he lost the game?

Next we got to visit a tobacco factory, which had been added at last minute. Was a great adventure to see how they make them and the different scenarios that go into the process. We were not allowed pictures. Each of the workers had a card that describes the specific cigar they make, so that when they are provided leaves, the provider knows which leaves to give them. We were introduced to the best rollers, both had been there over 20 years and were making the best cigars. Should mention that this factory makes all the kinds of Cuban cigars and sells all of them for export. Each worker is expected to make 100 per day. They work 5 days one week and 6 the next. They are paid by the number they make, so there is an incentive to make more than 100 and some do. They also are given cigars to take home to smoke or sell. Each cigar must go through a quality control process that includes testing for density and weight. Anything beyond the range standard, is returned to the maker. Each cigar takes 3 different leaves-one for combustion, one for wrapping and one for sealing. They said they use maple syrup to seal the cigars, but the paste they were using was clear and did not smell of maple syrup. Some surmised that it was a by product. Each person in training has to do so for 9 months.

Tobacco Factory Sign

Some of the group had gone across the street to a tobacco shop. Since I had mine, we sat and waited for them on the bus. We had been wanting to buy some Cuban coffee, but up to now could only find ground and we didn't want the bag getting punctured and spilling the grounds all over a suitcase. Well of course at the last minute, when the bus was getting ready to leave, someone got on having purchased beans at the shop. We went on back to near the square on the bus and were allowed some free time. We decided that the tobacco shop wasn't so far away and pretty much a straight shot, so Nan and I took off. I had a picture of the tobacco shop sign and Nan remembered the color of the building. Several blocks later I could spot the sign and the building 3 more blocks away. We were able to get a bag of beans and make it back in time for lunch. Everywhere we had coffee, it was always good. Hopefully, what we have won't disappoint us.

Next for lunch, we attended a restaurant that began in 2007 and later added rooms to form a hostel. The owner described how he took a place needing lots of work, borrowed from 3 associates for the financing and grew into what looks like a thriving business. He was proud that he had paid off his debt and was not charged interest.The furniture alone, as you can see below, was not typical.

Restaurant

Inside guttering to carry water off roof

Hostel dining area

Hostel courtyard

Hostel floor

We drove to the Che Guevara memorial. 

Passed another memorial to the attack on the munition's train that was carrying munitions to Batista's army. It was passing through Santa Clara. Castro's men took a D6 Caterpillar tractor and pushed the rail cars off the track, keeping the munitions from the army.

Below is a typical gas station-you may be able to identify the Studebaker Hawk in the far left corner. Also, in addition to peditaxis, horse drawn carts, they also had motor scooter/cycle type carts carrying anything including passengers. Another interesting item was the presence of many electric scooters and cycles. In this town in particular, many were evident. First picture is a sample of a cycle.

Back to Havana for our farewell dinner at the La Casa paladar. Being a private place, the food was excellent. I've lost track, but I believe a Cuban woman and her Italian husband owned this place and served us some great pastas.

Trinidad-Santa Clara

March 22, 2016

Back to Trinidad (most hotels were on the out skirts of towns) to take a walking tour. Europeans rate this the second best town in Cuba. Should mention that this was a bit strenuous tour in total. Lots of walking and lots of stairs, some very steep and winding in all towns. Most of the sidewalks in towns were of broken concrete, so you were often walking head down, so you didn't trip.  In Trinidad's case, cobble stone streets. I wore my Keen sandals the entire time in Cuba and never suffered a sore foot. Love them.

Trinidad is a World Heritage Site. We observed many old and beautiful buildings and houses that in many cases had been maintained better than in other locations we has been in. A tower as part of the history museum was a great picture spot; however, again narrow, winding staircases. The entrance to the stairs was being controlled to not have too many on the stairs or at the top. I attempted to make it to the top, only to find out that 30 people were waiting at another level to proceed to the roof. I stepped to a window at that level and took some shots below of the view to the sea.

Restaurant

Wooden covers on windows

Wooden railings

View from tower

Tower

While others rambled, we took off for a tobacco shop that had been identified in Fodor's. Found it on a corner. I was totally flustered inside. New some names. Couldn't decide on how much to buy. Thought I saw a box of Montecristo's that looked reasonable. Thought they were 12, turned out to be 25 and the most expensive thing we purchased on the island. Oh well, today I figured out at home how to package them for safe keeping without a humidor and have my fingers crossed.

We had been searching for some art to purchase and ended up buying a painting of a street in Havana.

Haven't mentioned much about the horse drawn carts and wagons. They are everywhere, especially outside of Havana, on the roads and highways. Some have wooden wheels with a small strip of rubber. Many have springs to cushion the ride.

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The restaurant as usual was nice and food was good. We were again upstairs in a covered, but open space.

On to a sugar plantation, which for the most part turned out to be out of production, at least for the time being because the soil was dead. We did visit an old processing plant and distillery that was in ruins, but you could see the pieces of the process from sugar cane, to molasses, to rum. They were in the process of rebuilding some of it for show.

Some cane in fields

Old tower on distillery grounds

Main house being rebuilt

Well

Molasses processing 

On to Santa Clara for the night at the Hotel Granjita, another all inclusive with the best rooms yet. They were set up in quads, two on top of two. Nice pool and beautiful dining room. Food was the usual and singing and dancing after. Nan's Pina Colada awaits her at the pool bar.