Islazul Hotel Camaguey

14-12-2008: omstreeks 16:00 pm aangekomen in Camaquey waar dezelfde taxi-chauffeur me stiond op te wachten als de vorige keer en tesamen met twee spaanse dames richting centrum gereden. Eert de dames afgezet en toen werd ik afgezet bij een andere casa waar ik heen wilde. Dit scheen de casa van haar broer te zijn ende kamer waar ik oorspronkleijk heen zou gaan zou al bezet zijn door twee ...

... en dankt zijn naam " de legendarische" evenzeer aan een traditie van heldendom en patriottisme als aan zijn architectuur. Camaguey heeft een groot historisch centrum in koloniale stijl en het onregelmatige stratenplan had een defensieve functie. Hier tref je o.a. het Plaza de Juan de Dios en de Iglesia de Carmen aan.

... late night bar in Holguin". It was ****, and I ended up getting a bit stroppy until we left and hit the 24hr bar by the pool in the hotel. That was a bit better, before having a drunken swim until 4.30am in my boxers! After about 5 hours sleep we were up and on our way to Camaguey to drop the girls off for a coach to Cayo Coco for a few days (via Cielo de Avila). We stopped of at a random restaurant en route and I had ...

... the first time and then acknowledging they heard us but carrying on with whatever it was they were doing before finally serving us etc etc. Sarah became very frustrated and obviously upset as this continued in places, not all but 90% definitely, and simply walked away when she would ask for something but they would serve somebody else first or get the I don't give a toss face. While I'm on negatives I want to say that being accosted by taxi drivers and beggars and people ...

Due to slow and very expensive internet in Cuba, these entries are under construction... I hope to fill this big gap once I get home in december. Cuba was difficult to understand, as there as many layers for every aspect: social, political, economical ...

... see what they could offer. Everything normal up to there. The lady was fully booked, but proposed to take us to her cousin. She walked us there, of course, in order not to loose us clients. And anyway because Cubans are nice. Up to there, everything normal. Then comes that boy on a bike. He says he's from casa something (the one we were recommended in the first place), and that we are expected there. Very rightfully, the lady says she knows nothing of that, and we start ...

"You're travelling with a baby and a little kid!? To Cuba!?!" Old aunts and people who don't know me well tend to have this reaction to our upcoming trip. Over the Christmas holidays I'm riddled with questions and burdened with the concern of various relatives. Where will the kids sleep? What if something happens? Is it safe? Maybe I'm a literalist, but when I hear that the government is willing to pay me to take ...

Camaguey is an old city which was primarely built at the sea side by Diego Velazquez. But the Pirates of the Carribean (mostly English....) were veryfierce at attacking the poor city, so they moved it into inlands. This didn't work either, because pirates attacked it anyway. Our hosts of the city were Carolina and Reyes. The one who watches Brasilian soap operas in thisfamily is Reyes, so Luciana had to tell them what will happen next in "La seņoradel Destino". Carolina ...

... but went off every which way, making it difficult for pirates, I'm sure, but also for gringo tourists. Our guide took us to the requisite cigar factory and rum factory and then on to the central square of the city where we were eventually turned loose.