3 more sleeps, what did I forget to pack ??

[Miner]

Ok Folks

I have 3 more sleeps before I head east of the planet on my first trip Cuba

I'm traveling with El Pres so emergency evac back to Oz is taken care of...

But I was wondering for all you seasoned Cuba travellers

What did you forget to pack ??

You've been there, there must be one thing you wished you took...

Toilet paper, tooth paste, toys for the kids, I don't know...

Any suggestions before I leave and join Rob and an amazing bunch of friends I am looking forward to meeting :)

Can't wait !!

Cheers

[Ryan]

Strong painkiller

Stomach medicine. One to get things going, one to stop the flow. Just in case.

Backpack

Cheap empty torch lighter (X 2). Gas usually available either in Partagas or Habana Libre cigar shops. Don't bring a good one, you could lose it at an airport and also you don't want to put Cuban gas in a good lighter.

Photocopy of passport, or two. Copies of your address in Cuba that you can fit in your wallet for taxi drivers

US electrical adapters. Bring a euro (2 round pin) one as well, some places have them.

[Miner]

Thanks Ryan

Are you one of the Friends I haven't met yet?

See you in Cuba Mate

Cheers

[Ryan]

1 hour ago, Miner said:

Thanks Ryan

Are you one of the Friends I haven't met yet?

See you in Cuba Mate

Cheers

I could be one of those! I'll see you in Espacios on Sunday afternoon or sometime close to there.

[Miner]

Just beat the All Blacks on the 17th and I'll be a friend for life !!

[Nino]

2 hours ago, Ryan said:

Cheap empty torch lighter (X 2). Gas usually available either in Partagas or Habana Libre cigar shops. Don't bring a good one, you could lose it at an airport and also you don't want to put Cuban gas in a good lighter.

 

You will lose your torch ( or any other ) lighter for sure at HAV airport if you have it on you or in your carry-on.

Being Aussie I guess  @Miner will have a floppy hat or cap and sunscreen - still over 30C in HAV now.

US 110V adapters and European 220V is a very good suggestion.

You won't need toilet paper, but if your bum is sensitive and doesn't take to the Vietnamese rough one in Cuba bring a roll or two ...

Also, if you like to put mustard or catsup on your breakfast bring a tube.

See you at Espacios !

[Ryan]

8 minutes ago, Miner said:

Just beat the All Blacks on the 17th and I'll be a friend for life !!

I'm scoping a potential venue to watch that match on the Saturday. The cigar shop at the Conde de Villanueva has been good in the past for the 6 Nations. It's a hotel so they get a good range of satellite channels. It's on at 2 pm Havana time.

I'm not sure if this game will be on one of the Central American ESPNs though.

I can usually find a website listing all the channels showing the 6 nations worldwide, not so easy for this though.

[Miner]

El Nino !!

See you in Cuba, This trip is going to be so good

Cheers

BTW " Also, if you like to put mustard or catsup on your breakfast bring a tub "

Nah, It's called Vegimite and it's in the survival pack next to my heart

PPS BTW 30C is cold in Perth, I may need to bring a coat !!

 

[Miner]

19 minutes ago, Ryan said:

I'm scoping a potential venue to watch that match on the Saturday. The cigar shop at the Conde de Villanueva has been good in the past for the 6 Nations. It's a hotel so they get a good range of satellite channels. It's on at 2 pm Havana time.

I'm not sure if this game will be on one of the Central American ESPNs though.

I can usually find a website listing all the channels showing the 6 nations worldwide, not so easy for this though.

While you're there, booking spots

England vs NZ on the 10th

Now that's a game I would gladly leave my toothpaste in Oz for to watch that match

[Ryan]

6 minutes ago, Miner said:

While you're there, booking spots

England vs NZ on the 10th

Now that's a game I would gladly leave my toothpaste in Oz for to watch that match

I'll be mid-air on the 10th. Hotel bars are your best bet. Generally only hotels have the satellite dishes necessary. Try Vivian in the cigar shop in the Melia Cohiba, Rob will know her. Rugby will usually be bumped for soccer though if there's anyone in to see it.

It's unlikely you'd get internet speed good enough anywhere in Cuba to stream it, worth a go though as a last resort if you have a laptop or tablet.

If you can find a TV where they'll let you take over the remote, the most likely channels would be ESPN, ESPN Sur or TV5 Monde.

[dvickery]

Face cloth ... no hotel/resort in Cuba has face cloths .

dental floss ... forgot to bring dental floss once ... there is no dental floss for sale in Cuba .

derrek

[oliverdst]

I´ve already watched matches in Melia Cohiba and Melia Habana.

If I am not mistaken the girl who Ryan mentioned (Vivian) is the bartender so look for her in the bar (right side inside the cigar shop). big screen there, not just a tv like in Habana.

 

I am going solo, if I forget something it´s a pain. You will be in a group so I think you dont have to worry about it.

anyway:

sunscreen;

hat/cap;

sunglasses;

medicine for hangover and diarrhea.

 

[RijkdeGooier]

You can bring in lighters, cutters and gas in your checked luggage. 

Bring a powerstrip and a suitable adapter to charge all devices at once. 

If you are noise sensitive bring earplugs

[Drguano]

If you are bunking with Rob, bandages, a tourniquet, fire extinguisher, bolt cutter and jumper cables might come in handy.

[Nino]

1 hour ago, oliverdst said:

I´ve already watched matches in Melia Cohiba and Melia Habana.

If I am not mistaken the girl who Ryan mentioned (Vivian) is the bartender so look for her in the bar (right side inside the cigar shop). big screen there, not just a tv like in Habana.

Nope @oliverdst, Vivian is the LCDH manager at Melia Cohiba ...

I found the open air Sports Bar at Melia Habana to be a great spot to watch El Clasico and other football matches - not sure about Rugby though ...

[El Presidente]

Clive, call me today or Saturday when you are up and about and I will give you a last minute rundown. if you are in contact with West later today, have him do the same 

[Nino]

4 hours ago, Miner said:

PPS BTW 30C is cold in Perth, I may need to bring a coat !!

Happy you !!

5C here and miserable - like to change places ? See ya in Havana - safe travels mate !

[madandana]

Dana and I can’t wait to see you Clive. Safe travels.

[Miner]

4 hours ago, El Presidente said:

Clive, call me today or Saturday when you are up and about and I will give you a last minute rundown. if you are in contact with West later today, have him do the same 

Will do ?

[Fuzz]

See you at Panama airport, Clive!

[westg]

No need for a pillow...so long as you do not dribble...my shoulder on the plane is all yours 

A book ....mine will be the Donald Trump of Australian Sport. SKW's new  book ..and no we cant share.

Some cigars for LA and Panama 

Yourself....my great mate

Suitable footware for a little walking

Lana has all the relative info for you and Gemma.

See you at the airport..we go again Clive for the greatest time ...we gunna have some fun brother.

 

 

[luckme10]

Toilet paper is important. They don't give you much at the casas, and their paper is like paper towels that you get at a public restroom. A toilet seat would also be nice. Some of the bathrooms I went to didn't have one and others had a really them made of really cheap plastic.

A water bottle - buy a big gallon of water and keep in fridge to refill.

Pepto Bismol because the ice can make you sick.

A map

[Nino]

2 hours ago, luckme10 said:

Toilet paper is important. They don't give you much at the casas, and their paper is like paper towels that you get at a public restroom. A toilet seat would also be nice. Some of the bathrooms I went to didn't have one and others had a really them made of really cheap plastic.

A map

I agree on the cheap plastic seats ... I've broken a few already and had to use the official Granma newspaper as a replacement seat cover ... must have the pictures somewhere, guess that misuse of the paper would get me a lifelong travel ban to Cuba ... ?

As for a map : download the App MAPS.ME for Havana or Cuba and you can use it offline on your mobile, it is very good and gives you accurate positions. 

https://mapsme.de/
 

[Ryan]

15 hours ago, nino said:

Nope @oliverdst, Vivian is the LCDH manager at Melia Cohiba ...

I found the open air Sports Bar at Melia Habana to be a great spot to watch El Clasico and other football matches - not sure about Rugby though ...

Thanks Nino. The sports bar in the Melia Habana is great and great TVs.

The only problem is the rugby is on a Saturday afternoon and if there is any soccer on, in any part of the world, that's what will be on the TVs in the more popular bars in hotels. As you know, the staff like watching it, and that's fine. So the best bet for rugby is in the smaller rooms. I've had luck before in the basement cafe in the Nacional where they have a good size rear projection TV but they don't like you smoking, or in the bar-room (with the soccer scarfs) in the shop in the Conde de Villanueva. Here's me there last year during the national anthem to watch Ireland beat France in the Six Nations.

[cybermadhatter]

Bring cigars for the first night, if the stores are already closed when you get in.