Cuba Day 5 - Havana

Today plan was National Captical, Tobacco Factory, and Museo de la Revelucion, Unfortunately I found out there's no cigar tour in the capital until next year, and National Captical is closed for renovation. The Lonely Planet stated it was closed at the time of writing, and it was written couple years ago. At the end I traded those 2 itinerary items with the Cuban Art Museum. The Revolution Museum was good, to tour the former presidential palace and as well learn a little more about the revolution history and see some interesting artifacts. The Cuban art museum was definitely worth it. I personally like modern art more than traditional art, but I visited the latter last so was kind of too tired to really enjoy it. Never the less it was a treat. Contrary to the Lonely Planet, the Cuban art museum is $5, not free. There are noticeably more street hustler on the street than small town Santa Clara, as expected. I was approached by men and women numerous time, all seems to off for something. The most common one was young people asking passer by to salsa party. The most funny one was a guy who told me he played in a jazz band which flied to the Edmonton Jazz Fest, that today is his birthday, and he is playing for the Buena Vista Social Club today at a venue somewhere close by, and that Fidel Castro is going there too, that he told me all these because I come from Canada. OK.... As far as I know, Fidel is ailing and is sick in bed... At the end of the day, I made a detour to the China town where I was the only Chinese there. I took a picture of the gateway, the street name, and I'm out of there.

Cuba Day 4 - Havana

After the dinner yesterday, I'm feeling out of it. I must have been too full, starting to have a soar throat and tired. The smog here in Havana doesn't help either. Anyway, the travel went smoothly from Santa Clara to the most romantic Latin American city, Habana. Took a taxi from Viazul station to the hostel (House in front of the sea). Took the taxi driver a little while to find it. There is no clear sign at all with the hostel name. I arrived at an old run down building on Malecon over looking the sea. I was very skeptical as I walked up the stair. Then opened the door, there the living room window looking out to the endless ocean. Fantastic! Inside is not run down at all. I get my own balcony, which can see the sea as well, but with my soar throat and the smog from this huge busy highway, I think I'd have to keep the door closed. I spent the rest of the day resting, took a walk down Malecon and went up to the National Hotel. I think I'm gonna rest early today.

Cuba Day 3 - Santa Clara

I was planning to go to the Tabacoo factory and the Casa de la Ciudad, but both are closed on Sundays, and unfortunately is not mentioned in Lonely Planet guide. So I went to look for a church instead, 'cause it's Sunday, and so happened just around the corner of my casa is a small church, just started worshiping. The pastor invited me in, so I sat there, for the whole service, even though I didn't understand a word. After that, I had nothing else to do, so I just headed to the square, and join the locals, spend an afternoon sitting and people watching. There is always someone playing music, and as the night draws near, there are just more and more music. It doesn't look like they are playing for money, they just play for the joy of it, and that's the best kind of music. They are mostly seniors who are sitting there to enjoy this traditional Cuban jazz. The young people are mostly kissing in the corner, or lining up for restaurants, or enjoying a beer on the patio. As I was sitting there a fellow came to me and gave me an offer to a restaurant, $8 for all dishes. He sounded like someone who is onto a scam, but I thought what could go wrong with a meal, besides it's Cuba, it's suppose to be safe. So I followed him to the restaurant, and it is a proper restaurant, just the location is in middle of no where. Greeted me was the overs-sized restaurant owner. I ordered a grilled pork. I had no idea what comes next. Whoop there comes a dish almost half the size of the table, and 3 huge pork steaks with skin! The rice and salads are extra. After I finished the dinner, I could hardly walk. I could understand why the owner is over-sized. sorry... cruel joke.

Cuba Day 2 - Santa Clara

I tried to sleep in, but the neighbors (The cigar factory) were up at 7am chopping and chatting in the, almost like right next to my window. Walked slowing down the stair, and there a huge healthy delicious breakfast all homemade (including the jam) by the owner couple was waiting for me on the table with one seat. I feel like a king. I ate everything. With a full satisfied stomach, I headed out for a full day of walking to tour sights. Sight #1: Monumento Ernesto Che Guevara & the grave stones with the eternal flame. To me this monument, and Che's statures is unlike any other to me, because of what the person stands for, and his action that accompanies it. He is authentic, because he gave the ultimate price for it. And the grave stones of the Bolivian soldiers, rarely are rebels of a failed coup being remembered, but here an eternal flame is erected for them, all because of Che, and his legacy. I then had lunch at La Cochino, as recommended by Lonely Planet. Food isn't bad, but had to sit outside because of the tour group there. I then head back east to the Monumento a la Toma del Tren Blindado, took some pictures then went to the little Estatue Che y Nino. This stature is actually more interesting to me than the big one, with all the interesting details, specially the tiny people walking out from Che's belt, like Che is a giant robot saving the human race. I continued heading east on Independio and followed the sign for Loma de Capriio, a look out point overlooking the whole city, just in time for sunset. After sunset I went to El Alba for an early dinner, 'cause I was dying to go to the washroom which I found none in all the sights in the afternoon. My first dinner with local pesos, under $3 CUC gave me a full pork dinner, with quality too, Then headed to Coppelia, where all the locals are lining up to get in for $1 ice-cream. The line up was all the way to the street corner. I must have waited for almost an hour, and got only half way through. I decided I should head somewhere else. There got to be another ice cream place. Turns out there is another one with absolutely no one inside. I decided to head back to the square instead, and enjoy some free music instead. There I enjoyed my first outdoor Cuban music, they were playing 'Son', a full band of retired musicians, complete with all the wind and brass instruments and percussion. What a treat! I headed to the cocktail booth beside it, admitting I don't speak Spanish, I asked for a recommendation, she gave me a shooter but wouldn't accept my money. I have to say this is better than the ice cream.

Cuba Day 1 - Santa Clara

Arrived safely at the airport ahead of schedule, but got the most thorough custom questioning ever. She must have asked me 10 times if I have a girlfriend or know anyone here, and if I'm brining anything to anyone. I must have been the last one through the custom, She copied all my hostels information. At the airport, there were no exchange place, no bus out to the city. I asked another officer how to get to the city, he then asked me the same question the custom officer already asked me, in addition he asked if I'm carrying any drugs. Then he said "enjoy your trip" without answering my original question. I think they don't like solo backpackers here. I got out and found the one and only taxi waiting for passengers from the weekly flight, I got in agreeing on $20 Canadian cash, not knowing my hostel (Florida Hostel Center) actually sent someone to pick me up without confirming with me they are coming. When I got to the hostel, the owner was surprised, and the driver later came back and gave me the look. As one of the tripadvisor comment mentioned, this hostel sent the person to another hostel without telling him in advance, I was kind of expecting the same fate, and they did send me to another that is like 7 blocks away (Roberto y Terresita), luckily the owner is super nice, like a mother, and she gave me the upper double room without extra charge. It's full of serenity here, 'cause I'm the only tenant here. I settled down, got my money exchanged in time before close of business, and ready to take an early rest.

Cuba Day 0 - YYZ

This is a trip in the making for a long long time. Ever since I saw the Buena Vista Social Club documentary I decided I want to go, but there were always other trips that took priority. Now that most the members have past on, I finally came around to plane and go. Instead of going to their concerts, I'll be going to some of their grave stones and pay respect, which I'll be physically much closer than if I was to go to their concert. So looking forward to my Cuban experience.

Yucatán - Day 14 - Isla Mujeres

Finally I came to the last day of my journey. I rented a scooter today and went to a few destination. But none of the destinations were comparable to the beauty of the coastline. It was super windy, but the view is just fantastic. Mixed with the beautiful Caribbean styled houses, they make perfect postcard pictures.

I then finished the day with another dip into the crystal clear ocean, and a beautiful Mexican dinner (a rather expensive one). Another satisfying day.