Discussion
TOENHEEL said:
Any advice or information on where to stay and what the place is generally like for a holiday would be greatly appreciated 
Do the group jetski thing, from Varadero they head up into a jungle like water parking area, where there is a tied up crocodile which needs to be rescued, but instead is passed around from tourist to tourist 'for laughs' - Worth asking about the fresh water cave area too - and I dont know what they are like now, but the two clubs, la bamba and la rumba were a laugh last time I went. Generally very nice, the water is lovely and warm, cant remember where we stayed though.If staying at one of the all inclusive places, where you pick your own cuts of meat, and take them to the BBQ to be cooked whilst you wait, ensure yours is well done. I remember everyone getting very ill - the Cubans dont have a clue when it comes to turning cooked meat with utensils that seconds before, were used to handle raw poultry...
Mobsta said:
TOENHEEL said:
Any advice or information on where to stay and what the place is generally like for a holiday would be greatly appreciated
Do the group jetski thing, from Varadero they head up into a jungle like water parking area, where there is a tied up crocodile which needs to be rescued, but instead is passed around from tourist to tourist 'for laughs' - Worth asking about the fresh water cave area too - and I dont know what they are like now, but the two clubs, la bamba and la rumba were a laugh last time I went. Generally very nice, the water is lovely and warm, cant remember where we stayed though.If staying at one of the all inclusive places, where you pick your own cuts of meat, and take them to the BBQ to be cooked whilst you wait, ensure yours is well done. I remember everyone getting very ill - the Cubans dont have a clue when it comes to turning cooked meat with utensils that seconds before, were used to handle raw poultry...
TOENHEEL said:
and have quite a big interest in Che Guevara
Then you are going to love this:http://www.amigospais-guaracabuya.org/oaghf050.php
TOENHEEL said:
Yeah they look fantastic, ive wanted to go for years and have quite a big interest in Che Guevara etc so looking forward to visiting sites relevant to him.
What is the facination with that fellow? He was not even a Cuban, he got crossways with Castro (differed on styles of dictatorships), was nothing but a failed (pick a subject), was hunted down and killed like a dog by the C.I.A.....end of story. Read what Cubans who are free to speak their mind (i.e. not in Cuba) and have access to the whole story think of the tw@t:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7027619.stm
Edited by Jimbeaux on Wednesday 18th February 03:30
Mobsta said:
TOENHEEL said:
Any advice or information on where to stay and what the place is generally like for a holiday would be greatly appreciated
Do the group jetski thing, from Varadero they head up into a jungle like water parking area, where there is a tied up crocodile which needs to be rescued, but instead is passed around from tourist to tourist 'for laughs' - Worth asking about the fresh water cave area too - and I dont know what they are like now, but the two clubs, la bamba and la rumba were a laugh last time I went. Generally very nice, the water is lovely and warm, cant remember where we stayed though.If staying at one of the all inclusive places, where you pick your own cuts of meat, and take them to the BBQ to be cooked whilst you wait, ensure yours is well done. I remember everyone getting very ill - the Cubans dont have a clue when it comes to turning cooked meat with utensils that seconds before, were used to handle raw poultry...
Jimbeaux said:
TOENHEEL said:
Yeah they look fantastic, ive wanted to go for years and have quite a big interest in Che Guevara etc so looking forward to visiting sites relevant to him.
What is the facination with that fellow? He was not even a Cuban, he got crossways with Castro (differed on styles of dictatorships), was nothing but a failed (pick a subject), was hunted down and killed like a dog by the C.I.A.....end of story. Read what Cubans who are free to speak their mind (i.e. not in Cuba) and have access to the whole story think of the tw@t:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7027619.stm
Edited by Jimbeaux on Wednesday 18th February 03:30
Enjoy the freedom that you, as a Westerner, have in Cuba. It's very strange, but you can do what you want and go where you want.
The locals will be extremely candid if you can get to talk to them alone, and are utterly hospitable. Don't forget to bring back as much Havana Club rum as you are allowed. Bring back the good stuff, it's far cheaper there.
If you buy art you must get an export licence. They do x-ray your luggage on the way out and will ask to see the licence. We haggled our licence as part of the cost of the painting we bought (ie agreed a price, feigned shock when they added the extra on, and walked away
)
The locals will be extremely candid if you can get to talk to them alone, and are utterly hospitable. Don't forget to bring back as much Havana Club rum as you are allowed. Bring back the good stuff, it's far cheaper there.
If you buy art you must get an export licence. They do x-ray your luggage on the way out and will ask to see the licence. We haggled our licence as part of the cost of the painting we bought (ie agreed a price, feigned shock when they added the extra on, and walked away
)Jimbeaux said:
TOENHEEL said:
Yeah they look fantastic, ive wanted to go for years and have quite a big interest in Che Guevara etc so looking forward to visiting sites relevant to him.
What is the facination with that fellow? He was not even a Cuban, he got crossways with Castro (differed on styles of dictatorships), was nothing but a failed (pick a subject), was hunted down and killed like a dog by the C.I.A.....end of story. Read what Cubans who are free to speak their mind (i.e. not in Cuba) and have access to the whole story think of the tw@t:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7027619.stm
I expect the Cubans who left don't like the regime or Castro and Guevara that's why they left in the first place.
I've been to Cuba loads, the average Cuban has access to better health and education than the Americans to the North.
Cuba is my favourite place. An unspoilt country full of wonderful, generous, happy people (unlike the USA
)
Sunbathing by the beach is fun and the catamaran trip to the island is great, but you really need to get to Havana; It's like nothing else. No Starbucks, no Maccy D's or anything like that. A truly unique city. Heaven!
We booked a package deal for Varadero because it was cheaper overall, and hitched a lift into Havana on a tourist coach. We managed to book into Hemmingway's hotel in the old town. It was ace.
Personally I think you need a good few days in Havana. The whistle stop tours don't give you opportunity to explore and personally I'd prefer to spend more time in the capital than watching the copa cabana (sp?) stuff and seeing how they make cigars.
Note: Before the revolution much of Cuba was controlled by organised crime who fled to Miami subsequently. Obviously they want it back, and their strong involvement with the US senate has ensured that the US embargo has stayed in place. This is a shame as Americans have not go to know their nearest neighbour, merely the information that is fed to them via a biased media.
Cuba has a large amount of highly trained medical personnel, whom it sends to the poorest, most needy parts of the world. Cuba offered to send medial aid (100's of doctors) to help in the aftermath of hurricane Katrina. The US government turned them down, prefering to euthanize the poor who could not be treated/moved before the flood waters rose again.
)Sunbathing by the beach is fun and the catamaran trip to the island is great, but you really need to get to Havana; It's like nothing else. No Starbucks, no Maccy D's or anything like that. A truly unique city. Heaven!
We booked a package deal for Varadero because it was cheaper overall, and hitched a lift into Havana on a tourist coach. We managed to book into Hemmingway's hotel in the old town. It was ace.
Personally I think you need a good few days in Havana. The whistle stop tours don't give you opportunity to explore and personally I'd prefer to spend more time in the capital than watching the copa cabana (sp?) stuff and seeing how they make cigars.
Note: Before the revolution much of Cuba was controlled by organised crime who fled to Miami subsequently. Obviously they want it back, and their strong involvement with the US senate has ensured that the US embargo has stayed in place. This is a shame as Americans have not go to know their nearest neighbour, merely the information that is fed to them via a biased media.
Cuba has a large amount of highly trained medical personnel, whom it sends to the poorest, most needy parts of the world. Cuba offered to send medial aid (100's of doctors) to help in the aftermath of hurricane Katrina. The US government turned them down, prefering to euthanize the poor who could not be treated/moved before the flood waters rose again.
Puggit said:
Enjoy the freedom that you, as a Westerner, have in Cuba. It's very strange, but you can do what you want and go where you want.
The locals will be extremely candid if you can get to talk to them alone, and are utterly hospitable. Don't forget to bring back as much Havana Club rum as you are allowed. Bring back the good stuff, it's far cheaper there.
If you buy art you must get an export licence. They do x-ray your luggage on the way out and will ask to see the licence. We haggled our licence as part of the cost of the painting we bought (ie agreed a price, feigned shock when they added the extra on, and walked away)
True about hospitality, kind people and will talk it up if they are alone and not feeling threatened.The locals will be extremely candid if you can get to talk to them alone, and are utterly hospitable. Don't forget to bring back as much Havana Club rum as you are allowed. Bring back the good stuff, it's far cheaper there.
If you buy art you must get an export licence. They do x-ray your luggage on the way out and will ask to see the licence. We haggled our licence as part of the cost of the painting we bought (ie agreed a price, feigned shock when they added the extra on, and walked away
)Bunch of commies here by the look of it.
If Cuba is such a great place, why do so many risk everything to leave? I suppose you could all say that the DDR was a lovely place to live as well.
The only reason that anyone is left there is because it is an island. If Cuba shared a land border with the USA there would have to be a wall just like there was in Berlin. And it would not be to keep the Yanks at home!
Had the country not been subsidised by the USSR for years it would have collapsed long ago. Tourism is all that keeps them afloat now.
If Cuba is such a great place, why do so many risk everything to leave? I suppose you could all say that the DDR was a lovely place to live as well.
The only reason that anyone is left there is because it is an island. If Cuba shared a land border with the USA there would have to be a wall just like there was in Berlin. And it would not be to keep the Yanks at home!
Had the country not been subsidised by the USSR for years it would have collapsed long ago. Tourism is all that keeps them afloat now.
el stovey said:
Jimbeaux said:
TOENHEEL said:
Yeah they look fantastic, ive wanted to go for years and have quite a big interest in Che Guevara etc so looking forward to visiting sites relevant to him.
What is the facination with that fellow? He was not even a Cuban, he got crossways with Castro (differed on styles of dictatorships), was nothing but a failed (pick a subject), was hunted down and killed like a dog by the C.I.A.....end of story. Read what Cubans who are free to speak their mind (i.e. not in Cuba) and have access to the whole story think of the tw@t:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7027619.stm
I expect the Cubans who left don't like the regime or Castro and Guevara that's why they left in the first place.
I've been to Cuba loads, the average Cuban has access to better health and education than the Americans to the North.
Those that left should not be listened to because they just did not like the Castro Regime?? Do ya' think!!?? When one has to risk one's life to leave, that is a clue that is is desireable to do so. That said, the people there are wonderful and will hopefully be shed of their "regime" as you aptly put it, one day.
bobfrance said:
Cuba is my favourite place. An unspoilt country full of wonderful, generous, happy people (unlike the USA)
Sunbathing by the beach is fun and the catamaran trip to the island is great, but you really need to get to Havana; It's like nothing else. No Starbucks, no Maccy D's or anything like that. A truly unique city. Heaven!
We booked a package deal for Varadero because it was cheaper overall, and hitched a lift into Havana on a tourist coach. We managed to book into Hemmingway's hotel in the old town. It was ace.
Personally I think you need a good few days in Havana. The whistle stop tours don't give you opportunity to explore and personally I'd prefer to spend more time in the capital than watching the copa cabana (sp?) stuff and seeing how they make cigars.
Note: Before the revolution much of Cuba was controlled by organised crime who fled to Miami subsequently. Obviously they want it back, and their strong involvement with the US senate has ensured that the US embargo has stayed in place. This is a shame as Americans have not go to know their nearest neighbour, merely the information that is fed to them via a biased media.
Cuba has a large amount of highly trained medical personnel, whom it sends to the poorest, most needy parts of the world. Cuba offered to send medial aid (100's of doctors) to help in the aftermath of hurricane Katrina. The US government turned them down, prefering to euthanize the poor who could not be treated/moved before the flood waters rose again.
Wake up!! They send those doctor's to other countries while many of their own can't see one....what are they going to do, complain? You speak od biased media and go on to say that we in the US "euthanized the poor" during Katrina? Are you high? That is insane. )Sunbathing by the beach is fun and the catamaran trip to the island is great, but you really need to get to Havana; It's like nothing else. No Starbucks, no Maccy D's or anything like that. A truly unique city. Heaven!
We booked a package deal for Varadero because it was cheaper overall, and hitched a lift into Havana on a tourist coach. We managed to book into Hemmingway's hotel in the old town. It was ace.
Personally I think you need a good few days in Havana. The whistle stop tours don't give you opportunity to explore and personally I'd prefer to spend more time in the capital than watching the copa cabana (sp?) stuff and seeing how they make cigars.
Note: Before the revolution much of Cuba was controlled by organised crime who fled to Miami subsequently. Obviously they want it back, and their strong involvement with the US senate has ensured that the US embargo has stayed in place. This is a shame as Americans have not go to know their nearest neighbour, merely the information that is fed to them via a biased media.
Cuba has a large amount of highly trained medical personnel, whom it sends to the poorest, most needy parts of the world. Cuba offered to send medial aid (100's of doctors) to help in the aftermath of hurricane Katrina. The US government turned them down, prefering to euthanize the poor who could not be treated/moved before the flood waters rose again.
Hammerwerfer said:
Bunch of commies here by the look of it.
If Cuba is such a great place, why do so many risk everything to leave? I suppose you could all say that the DDR was a lovely place to live as well.
The only reason that anyone is left there is because it is an island. If Cuba shared a land border with the USA there would have to be a wall just like there was in Berlin. And it would not be to keep the Yanks at home!
Had the country not been subsidised by the USSR for years it would have collapsed long ago. Tourism is all that keeps them afloat now.
Yes. American States cand and do business with Cuba. A Federal embargo does not prevent individual states from doing business. US Dollars coming from either tourist or Cuban expats in Miami are what keep things going. Officially, US Dollars are against the law; however, Castro knows that is what keeps them going and never enforces it.If Cuba is such a great place, why do so many risk everything to leave? I suppose you could all say that the DDR was a lovely place to live as well.
The only reason that anyone is left there is because it is an island. If Cuba shared a land border with the USA there would have to be a wall just like there was in Berlin. And it would not be to keep the Yanks at home!
Had the country not been subsidised by the USSR for years it would have collapsed long ago. Tourism is all that keeps them afloat now.
the reason people lives are put at risk leaving Cuba is because the US failed to honour it's agreement with Cuba.
Cuba has always made it clear that any citizen is free to leave the country. The US agreed to issue at least 2000 visas a year. I recall to date it has only actually issued 500-1000 since the agreement was signed over 30 years ago.
Cuba has always made it clear that any citizen is free to leave the country. The US agreed to issue at least 2000 visas a year. I recall to date it has only actually issued 500-1000 since the agreement was signed over 30 years ago.
Hammerwerfer said:
Bunch of commies here by the look of it.
If Cuba is such a great place, why do so many risk everything to leave? I suppose you could all say that the DDR was a lovely place to live as well.
It is a VERY different country for the locals compared to the tourists. Treated as 2 different races, even with different currency.If Cuba is such a great place, why do so many risk everything to leave? I suppose you could all say that the DDR was a lovely place to live as well.
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