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 Map of Cuba by LoriPori
Tropical Climate with two main seasons - rainy season (May to October) - dry season ( November to April). Trade winds and sea breezes constantly refresh the air. Hurricane season in the Caribbean is generally June through November.
November Min 21 Max 27
December Min 19 Max 26
ELECTRICITY:
The electric current of general use is 110 V / 60 Hz. Electrical plugs with round prongs require an adaptor with flat prongs. Hotels recently built, have 220 V / 60 Hz
BUSINESS HOURS:
Banking Hours: Monday to Friday 900 to 1700. Banking needs can also be taken care of at your hotel.
NB Our Hotel offered me 90 CUC for 100 CDN Dollars. The little bank exhange booth in the Hotel offered me 94 CUC for 100 CDN Dollars.
Shopping Hours: Monday to Saturday 1000 to 1900. Sundays store hours are shorter.
MAJOR AIRPORTS:
Havana International - 25 km from Hotel Zone
Varadero International - 15 km from Hotel Zone
Holguin - 60 km from Hotel Zone
Cayo Largo - 10 minutes from Hotel Zone
There is a mandatory departure tax of 25 CUC. This tax is paid locally at the airport. Upon paying your departure tax at a separate window at the airport, the cashier will attach a stamp on your boarding pass. Don't forget or you may not be able to board the plane.
RE-ENTRY TO CANADA:
Upon returning to Canada, you will be required to pass through the Canadian Customs and Immigration. At this time, you must show your Canadian Passport or proof of citizenship and a completed declaration card which you received on board the plane. You must declare all goods that you are bringing into Canada. Leave a Comment
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The Cuban convertible peso CUC is the sole currency accepted for payment of goods and services. It is no longer at par with the US dollar. Foreign currency can be exchanged at Cadeca exchange booths found in Cuba's international airports and in urban areas. as well as in banks and major hotels. Exchange of US currency is subject to a 10% fee in addition to the exchange rate difference. Canadian currency - cash and traveller's cheques with the exception of American Express, may be exchanged for CUCs without the 10% fee. CUCs can be exchanged for Canadian dollars at international airports before leaving the country. It is not possible to exchange CUCs outside of Cuba.
NB My hotel offered 90 CUCs for 100 Canadian dollars. A little bank kiosk in the Hotel offered 94 CUCs for 100 Canadian dollars. I changed just what I needed for our tour to Havana, two departure tax of 25 CUCs and a bit of pocket money for tips and souvenirs, just so I wouldn't have any leftover. I spent my last two CUCs at the airport so it worked out well. Leave a Comment
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The Capital of Cuba and a UNESCO World Heritage Site Havana or LA HABANA is also the major port and leading commercial center of Cuba. With 2.3 million inhabitants, Havana is the largest city in both Cuba and the Caribbean region.
Havana is located 106 miles ( 170 km ) southwest of Key West Florida, on the northwest coast of Cuba.
I thoroughly enjoyed strolling through the different Plazas like - San Francisco - Plaza de Armas - Plaza de la Catedral and Plaza de la Revolucion.
I found Havana to be a charming city to visit. It's like it is frozen in time with its vintage cars and Barocque-style buildings. Some of the once grandiose buildings, built during the city's more prosperous times, lie in disrepair, but still adds to the charm of the city. Hans and I are so glad that we decided to take a day tour here. Leave a Comment
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 Lori & Mojitos by LoriPori
Cuban and International dishes are served. Chicken, fish and pork are the usual meat dishes. Hot vegetables are not as plentiful as in Canada. Generally there are ample supplies of lettuce, tomatoes. All kinds of tropical fruits (papaya, pineapple, grapefruit, oranges & Guava) are available along with yogurt and juices. The National food is called ajiaco ( a root vegetable stew cooked with meat, especially pork). Other typical foods are lechon asado en pua (broiled pork cooked over an open fire), tachinos, chaninos or tostones ( fried bananas) , moros y cristianos (rice and black beans), congri oriental ( rice and red kidney beans), picadillo a la Habanera ( Havana mincemeat ) and pollo a la barbacoa ( barbeque chicken).
BEVERAGES:
Cuban rum and beer are the most popular drinks. Specialty drinks include Mojitos, Daquiris, Cuba Libres and Pina Coladas.
Information courtesy of Cuba Travel Advisory I received from Sears Travel Agency. Leave a Comment
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I never really gave it much thought before , but after our trip to Cuba, I wondered about CUBAN SOCIETY enough so to read more about this fascinating island. I'd like to share with you some of the things I learned and hope they will be interesting to you also.
EDUCATION IN CUBA:
Before and during the present government, Cuba boasted some of the highest rates of education and literacy in the Americas. The Cuban States, through tax receipts, subsidizes education for all Cuban citizens including Universityeducation. School attendance is compulsary from ages 6 to the end of secondary education - age 15 and all students wear school uniforms with the color denoting grade level.
HEALTHCARE IN CUBA:
The Cuban government operates a National Health System and assumes full fiscal responsibility for the health care of its citizens. Cuba has long ranked high in number of medical personnel.
SPORTS IN CUBA:
Sport is Cuba's national passion. Baseball is by far the most popular, followed by basketball, volleyball, cricket and amateur boxing. Leave a Comment
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 New fishing line by TOFFY
If you are staying in hotels, plan to leave something on the pillow each day for the maid.......shampoos, makeup, toys for her children.
For wonderful experience, pack up a package for a school, and ask a taxi driver to take you to a country school so you can deliver the goods. It is a very pleasant experience, that gets you into the countryside and benefits a classroom of children. You will also be amazed to find computers in the one room schoolhouses.
You can also do the same with medical centres.
Getting out of hotels and into the countryside will result in hundreds of fond memories which ultimately results in loving the country. Visits to schools are always on our agenda, especially the ones deep in the countryside. Leave a Comment
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 Ernesto -El comandante by Luchonda
by a Cuba lover born in the fifthees - so myself - and as late teenager hanging posters of this revolutionair on the walls of his bedroom.
Ernesto CHE Guevara de la Serna - El Comandante - from origin Argentinian was one of only two foreigners in the history of Cuba to be proclaimed a cuban citizen "by birth" - the second one was general Maximo Gomez)
On the famous 26th of July – Fidel Castro did a raid on the Moncada barracks in Santiago the Cuba – a first attempt and attack to the regime of former president Batista. Castro was imprisoned and later on released (first mistake of Batista!) International pressure and influence (US) made it possible for Castro to get to Mexico.
Che didn’t know Fidel Castro yet – but later on in 1953 Che had some contacts with the Moncadista Nico Lopez who organized a first meeting with Castro in 1955
In august 1955 – Che married a Peruvian political activist called Hilda Gatea.
They had their first child Hilda Beatriz Guevara in 1956
That same year – in November – 82 revolutionaries left Tuxpan/Mexico direction the coast of Cuba on the yacht “Granma”
The Sierra Maestro became the legendary battlefield – Santa Clara was taken and scenery of the fall and capture of Batista’s train – fully loaded with weapons to attack Fidel and Che Batista left Cuba – Che and his troops were ordered to go and capture Habana.
He himself reached Habana in January 1959 – Fidel Castro joined him a few days later.
Che married Aleida March on the 2nd of June 1959. Aleida was a reporter and his personal secretary who followed (and admired) Che through his entire revolutionary battles and actions.
So far this part of the history of Che Guevara –as from the beginning in the sixties a lot will change. Cuba will change political scenery – Americans will leave and boycott the Nation.
Che became minister of Industry and president of the Cuban Treasury – He visited many countries abroad as diplomat - The Sowjet Union will be the next partner of Cuba! Till the early nineteen’s
And than Cuba will be isolated totally – but he Cubans learned to survive ! They are very inventive – and no isolation will get them down. Further history will tell the truth. Leave a Comment
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 José Martin Monument by Luchonda
“The U.S. has never looked upon Cuba as anything but an appetizing possession with no drawback other than its quarrelsome, weak and unworthy population.” (From History of Cuba)
Another thought of this freedom fighter and i quote : "Liberty is the right of every man to be honest, to think and to speak without hypocrisy....A man who obeys a bad government is not an honest man."
The history of this country - occupied by three grand nations like Spain - the US and the USSR and theme of many political quarrels and discussions
Histories like the invasion of the "Bay of Pics"
- nuclear weapons of the russians - Fidel and Ché - and not at least - What about Cuba today and in the near future - when Fidel is .... Leave a Comment
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 Ernest himself by Luchonda
This fondest memory you can not put on paper
You have to go and feel the heart of the people and the beauty of this island in the Caribbeans Leave a Comment
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 Mar del Sur by agarcia
They speak to us about a distant age that no longer exists...
Please, check my Classic Cars travelogue for more pictures... Leave a Comment
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Hotels in Cuba
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- Hotel Horizontes Los Caneyes
Av. de los Eucaliptos and Circunvalación Santa Clara, Cuba - Sol Pelicano
Archipiélago de los Canarreos, Cayo Largo, Cuba, Cuba - LTI Costa Caribe Beach Hotel
Sector Playa Caribe, Cuba - Paradisus Rio de Oro
Carretera Guardelavaca Playa Esmeralda, Cuba - The Inn On The Bay
Seaview Avenue, Cuba - Hotel Ancon
Carretera Maria Aguilar Playa Ancón, Cuba - Hotel Horizontes Playa Giron
Montemar Natural Park, Cuba - Sol Cayo Santa Maria
Cayo Santa MarÃa Villa Clara, Cuba - Breezes Bella Costa Cuba
Las Americas (formerly Iberostar Bella Costa), Cuba - Brisas Guardalavaca
Calle 2, No 1, Cuba
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