It’s that time of year where we are supposed to feeling inspired, re-energised and ready to take on the world. It’s also that time of year where we reflect on what we have done in the past year, and what we could do better next time round. Although it almost seems like it is expected […]
The Time I Had a Comically Bad Meal
If anyone reads my blog, they may think I am some kind of super human who is blessed with a great meal every time I set foot in a restaurant. Maybe I have super powers? Not quite. This blog is not a restaurant review or critic blog, hence I don’t really say when I have […]
Valle de Viñales: A look back in time
Since 1998 this area has been UNESCO heritage protected, but it could have very well been for hundreds of years. It’s almost as if time has stood still in the Valle de Viñales. The main agriculture here is the tobacco industry. Farmers still plough their crops with the help of oxen, tend to the leaves and […]
Three Unique Dining Experiences in Cuba
Rice and beans. Chicken. Pork. Lobster. Prawns. Despite what guidebooks and travel websites of yesteryear say, the food in Cuba is not bad, though it can get a little repetitive after a couple of weeks. But there are some hidden culinary delights on the island. Restaurants that hand out a sensory overload, whilst somehow making […]
Cuba’s far eastern region: Is it worth going to Guantanamo?
Perhaps the only thing known internationally about the region of Guantanamo, aside from the infamous US base, is the song Guantanamera, made commercially famous by The Sandpipers in the 1960’s. But nestled deep in the far east of this region, facing the Atlantic Ocean and a world away from the town of Guantanamo itself, is […]
The Havana Hustle: Common Scams in Havana
The Cubans are savvy, suave, and desperate to get their hand on CUCs – the hard currency in Cuba. CUCs land into the pockets of locals almost entirely from tourists, so it’s no surprise there are some common scams in Havana to be aware of. I already posted (ranted?) about the epidemic of overcharging by waiters in Havana’s […]
It happens to the best of us: The epidemic of overcharging in Havana’s restaurants
I travelled throughout Cuba for two weeks before properly spending time in Havana, and in every city and town I encountered friendly locals, who had almost a glint of innocence about them. In Camaguey, a travel companion accidentally left his card in the ATM machine, and a local woman rescued the card, hopped in a […]
Strange Museums: The Hemingway Museum in Havana
I am the first to admit, I am not very good at sightseeing. I regularly choose the city’s oldest bar over the city’s oldest church, and find many museums a bore. What does interest me, is museums and monuments that have a human connection. To me, that means a place where it’s not just a […]
Photo Diary: Classic Cars in Cuba
Cuba felt a little bit like a time warp at times. The lack of modern day slogans such as McDonalds and Starbucks, the autopistas (highways) getting clogged up with horses and carts rather than semi-trailers, but most notably the 1950’s cars which often outweigh the modern vehicles on the road. Images of 1950’s Fords & Chevrolets […]
Is The Food In Cuba Bad? The Truth About Cuban Cuisine
“The food is bad.” “You will struggle to eat.” “Expect nothing but rice and beans.” These were all statements I had read online, in guidebooks and told to me by friends who have visited Cuba before. I am a self confessed foodie, so it’s fair to say that I wasn’t holding my breath for decent […]