Gran Caribe Hotel Inglaterra Havana

... around 34 degrees plus.

Therefore decided not to stay here the 7 days we had originally planned.

We visited the next day the Heredia monument, opposite the main bus station and Parque Cespuedes. Also wanted to go visit the best local beach which was shockingly bad, very polluted grey sand,, and even a few jellyfish floating about. The local boom box was being played by locals with quite a few good Spanish hits luckily and there was a nice local family vibe with ...

... on Mondays. I only thought that happened in Euroville !!!

Back on the road, we ended up in Cathedral square. We climbed a tower and shot a load of locals who were trying to scam the touros. Once down, we headed back towards the Capitolo. Behind it was a tobacco factory, so we paid up and did a cigar tour. You were not allowed to take photos, and being a non-smoker, you could taste the tobacco !!! It was impressive seeing these Cuban ...

... time he wrote For Whom the Bells Toll. We were allowed upstairs to the small room that he lived in during this time. It was noted to us by our tour guide that on many occasions do to the fact that the room was so small, Hemingway would write standing up. The first 72 hours in Havana were amazing, from befriending Chester the John Wayne of the Caribbean to enduring Hurricane Gustav and exploring the beauty, the sadness and one of the most historical places in the world.

... peso. The frustrating part of the the loss is that there is no way to get more money once inside Cuba, so what you got is what you got. The country runs on two currencies a national peso and a convertible peso for tourists. Until recently the convertible's value was tied to the dollar, after some Bush admin changes to Cuban foreign policy, Fidel decided to make a few changes of his own (namely the 10% fee for one). Cubans pay ...

It's my first time to be in Cuba and I must say I am amazed with the place. I stayed in a private room in a house of an old couple in the central part of the city. Good, comfortable and very affordable 25 CUC per night. About 5 -6 km from this place is Habana Vieja where you see all the histories that took place and shaped Cuba's past. Seeing all ...

... two seats, when they're obviously traveling together, and should share one. I stood on the back deck, rather than settle for a wooden bench with a lesser vantage point. A few minutes later, the Russian man spoke to me in perfect English, asking me if I would be more comfortable in his seat that he was willing to give up. He next asked me if I would like a photo of myself with my own camera. "Ummm, gee, yeah, that would be great, and thank you" I ...

... I still had everything to see in Havana. There we stayed with the most wonderful lady in another beautiful colonial house. Everyone should stay with Martha Dulce. Not having Spanish really took from my experience in Cuba but Martha took the time to speak slowly and we had some chats. So, time to start ticking off boxes...we went to a cigar making factory where they make around 120 per day, depending on the type. Such a curious place where they have ...

... you dont like sugar in your coffee, how you know that? anyway i ramble) and go to sleep, the next day went to the che museo and monument, santa clara was the site of his greatest triumph, 12 blokes killed 350, impressive but not sure i would call it a triumph more like mass murder (all debates to be sent by email), it was very small the museo, just had a few belongings, and his tomb, alnog with loads of others, then hopped on the back of a horse drawn carrige (similar in looks to ...

... significant enough to be considered as the kick off of the revolution). Outside the hotel, on the next corner is the nicest place in Havana, the place of the cathedral: a large paved area with completely renovated colonial buildings made of stone, blue windows and two cafes and musicians playing "son". Wandering in the streets of old havana is really easy and nice ...

... other local speciality 'Pina Colades'. I say other, as on most occasions Mojitos were the drink of choice. The sea life is pretty similar to other parts of the Caribbean and I happily snapped away with my digital camera in its new water housing. My holiday ended by spending two days in Havana. I explored the craft markets, took classic guidebook photos and soaked up the entire atmosphere with one last mojito in my hand!