My wife's trip to Cuba

[bolivr]

Well, this is a bit of a second hand travelogue. The plan was that my wife and I were all set to go to Cuba together. We also had some other folks interested and so we would have been a party of four. Then I got a job offer that I just couldn't refuse which meant that I was not able to get time off (sob).

Anyway, my dear wife said something like "bad luck I am going anyway" and roped in her sister as traveling companion. (The latest plan is that I will go to Cuba with a mate just after Christmas ). As some compensation she did bring back rum and cigars - Partagas 898s no less, so I am impressed she chose those without any coaching by me.

So here are her impressions of the trip. Much of this will be known to regular travelers but hopefully there is a little nugget of information you will find useful.

First though I would like to acknowledge the other threads here on FoH which I found the most interesting when preparing for a trip. There is a wealth of information already here

The Ultimate Visiting Cuba Thread

CanuckSARTech�€™s Cuban trip in Jan 2011

Planning a trip to Cuba

Aizuddin�€™s Cuba thread, How? When?, How Much?

Well, this time around, what was noticeable and impressive about Cuba was the natural emphasis Cubans place on community, socialising and enjoying life. This makes Cuba a wonderful place to visit but don't be surprised when these priorities mean you rarely find good customer service as staff are more keen to chat amongst themselves than see how they can help you. Go with the flow. Relax.

The amount of art and music everywhere was also a highlight. Every little area had their own museum and the island would be a haven for museum buffs.

Old Havana is worth spending time exploring in depth and so ask around for someone who does walking tours. Floridida bar a highlight as was the roof top bar at the Seville hotel. Unfortunately the Capitolio was closed and Revolution Square was closed due to the imminent celebrations for the 50 year anniversary of the Bay of Pigs victory.

Partagas Factory (must visit, its a no-brainer) Even for a non cigar smoker this was well worth touring. Havana Club Rum factory was also well worth taking a tour.

Casas - there is no doubt these are the places to stay in Cuba. If you have a couple to choose from take one that has been recommended by someone here and it has either a roof top terrace or veranda as being able to sit somewhere in the breeze is a great way to settle towards the end of a busy day spent sightseeing. Food at the casas was good and the only difference between a casa and a major hotel was the variety a hotel would offer. The hospitality in the casas was great everywhere they went.

Nacional - stayed there for the first couple of nights in Cuba. Was not impressed that on arrival the hotel claimed that the pre-payment for the room had not come through. This was strange as the payment was made on the Nacional's own website from Australia before they left. The hotel demanded full payment on check-in which meant that in effect a double payment was made. Still going through the process of trying to get the credit card company to sort this out now. In future it seems best not to pre-pay the room. More likely to stay at the Seville instead anyway. After this experience and being underwhelmed with the rest of the stay, the Nacional is worth a visit to have a mojito and a smoke on the veranda, that's probably all.

Spent some time down in Trinidad. Found this town much easier to relax in with its slower pace and quieter streets. Quirky little things here like the people taking their caged birds for a walk to the bar or cafe much as you would take a dog for a walk somewhere.

As with any trip there are the humorous times. In a bar in Havana my wife mentioned to the resident band members that she was married to a Skippy (meaning an Australian. She tells me she had to keep telling them she was married as many Cuban men were interested in her....hmmm ). Straight away one of the Cubans did a perfect Skippy whistle and launched into the TV show theme song. It is amazing how many countries the Skippy series were exported to in the 1960s and '70s, obviously Cuba was one of those countries.

Some other quick points are listed below:

�€� Australia was the only country requesting Yellow Fever documentation on our return to immigration in Sydney so best to have it before you leave Aus

Havana Airport:

�€� Allow 3hours at least before departing Cuba, queues are exceptionally long

�€� $25 departure tax only accepted in CUCs, currency exchange available but save delays by having it available

�€� TACA airlines have only 2 check in desks at Havana airport, there are two separate check in areas in the departures hall, A &B, check screens for which one relates to the flight. The dominating airline is Cubana Air and they will not check in TACA passengers

�€� Screens do not say when flight is closed, can show boarding right up until they commence boarding which is a little disconcerting if no staff to ask or anyone else at the gate is not going on the same flight as you!

Around Cuba

�€� Carry plenty of local currency, CUC. Really more than you think you will need as outside the hotels and tourist areas cash is king. Taxi fare is $25 �€“ go to information and request one for agreed payment or line up at the taxi rank, always ask how much as they don�€™t use taxi meters in Cuba, that way they pocket the cash

�€� Cubacel is the mobile network for sim card, communications company is Etecsa. There are always locals queuing up outside telcos they only let people in one at a time and you have to assert yourself as they will push in. Internet connection is slow even at hotels often taking 10mins to log on to emails and being charged by the 1/4hr.

�€� Currency is Cuban Convertible Pesos, dollar for dollar with our currency . At times when using a credit card, lines can be intermittent and they will try to ask you to pay cash, ask them to try again, in our case it was at the Sevilla hotel at the rooftop restaurant that were having trouble, so we solved it by going down to reception and using their line. We never attempted using ATMs �€“ seemed dicey. Change money at International bank, hotels often run out of currency

�€� Taxis are the most efficient way of travelling between Havana and Old Havana where all the action is, but you have to negotiate they will always try for $5CUCS. There are different tiers of taxis, with the old cars �€“ expect the locals to hop in for the free ride. Taxis in non tourist areas will name their price

�€� Using a local guide for recommendations to a Casa is a great idea, expect to pay between $25-45p/n per room and breakfast and dinner are additional, allow $15p/p, very cheap!

�€� Booking bus travel to other parts of Cuba (ie Trinidad, Varadero) with Viacul bus company best to arrive the day before to book for travel after their main rush 8:30am. They have no computers, cash only and often close their office by 2pm. Arrive 30mins before the bus departs.

�€� Tourist Traps

�€� Beware of what you are paying for with a guide �€“ be upfront otherwise they may make phone calls to engage family members with a car and charge additional by the hour. If you buy the guide a drink, they may expect a meal paid for when you stop for lunch, make it clear if you only want a snack or they will take you to their friend�€™s restaurant and you will be expected to pay the lot.

�€� Dancing lessons �€“ ladies, arrange a lesson before dancing at clubs to have a pre-arranged partner and set firm boundaries if you are looking for dancing and not a boyfriend. Cost $10 for up to 2 hours

�€� Nothing is free �€“if a museum is �€œfree�€� look out for someone trying to be your guide then they will charge between $3-$8 CUCs

�€� Ordering French fries can be disappointing when potato crisps arrive.

�€� The Partagas cigar factory tour was a highlight, arrive early lots of tourists and last tour is at 1:30pm, cost $10

�€� Some regional hotels, ie/ Varadero resort area require you to request credit when booking in to charge food and drinks to your room

�€� Cubans flood the bus terminals with placards advertising their Casas, have your host meet you at the bus terminal or take a cab with the address in a notebook. Cubans require the address to state the two streets the casa is in between

�€� Trinidad �€“ highlight of our trip but cobblestones make it difficult to pull trolley bags if walking to a nearby casa, pay the peso to a local who offers you a trolley to carry it. Lots of handicrafts and art to purchase

�€� Music �€“ artists often perform at cafes and will offer their CDs for sale at $10, these are good quality otherwise give a donation

�€� Places of Interest - Revolution Square monument and Capitolio were both closed indefinitely

�€� Bottled Water �€“ difficult to source late at night other than bars/hotels, so stock up if staying at a Casa

Recommended to take with you:

�€� Lots of Canadian or Euro currency

�€� Tissues, paper, pens for personal use or expect to pay for toilet tissue every time when out

�€� Tissues, paper, pens, soaps, shampoos and lollies to trade/give with the locals

�€� Personal sanitary products

�€� Various adaptors, some work in Havana but not everyone has the same type of power points �€“ go for the type with two prongs that are vertical

Highlights

�€� Partagas cigar factory tour

�€� Havana Rum factory tour

�€� Old Havana �€“the four squares, Floridita Daquiri bar,

rooftop restaurant at Sevilla hotel

�€� Malecon �€“ staying in a casa overlooking the Florida Straits

�€� Verandah at the Nacionale Hotel �€“for mojitos

�€� Revolution museum

Photo guy at the Capitolio

Trinidad Highights

�€� Trinidad �€“ four night stay in a casa, beautiful home cooked food, a rooftop terrace, music every night at Casa de la Musica, salsa and percussion lessons. Dancing with the locals, lots of handicrafts to buy.

�€� ½ day trip to waterfall

�€� Many beautiful old buildings/galleries