Puerto de Vita, Cuba

Cuba was a completely different experience from the other Caribbean islands we've visited.  We rarely got to do what we set out to do at the beginning of the day, but we always had fun.  There was always more red tape and bureaucracy, but government officials were prompt and efficient.  Maybe we had terrible timing, because 3 of the 5 days we were there were holidays, which meant either things were closed or were closing early.  We tried to rent a car on multiple days, and no cars were available.  We wanted to go to  Bioparque Rocazul, but it was closed due to a celebration in the area.  We went to restaurants that were serving other guests,  but couldn't serve us because they had to close early due to maintenance.  A museum didn't have washrooms due to renovations.  However, the people were completely charming and would help you organize an alternative, such as ordering a taxi or making a reservation for you at a nearby restaurant instead.  There was a distinct feeling of community, and everyone was quick to help another person out.  Once we went with the flow,  we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.

Our taxi in Cuba

Local traffic

We arrived at Marina Gaviota in Cuba on May 1st.  Although we were docked and through customs and immigration by lunch time, we weren't able to start touring Cuba right away.  The marina staff told us everything was closed for the day due to a holiday.  So we relaxed on the boat for the afternoon.  We took showers and did laundry.   Anthony put up the shade over the cockpit as it was very hot and very humid.  We played cards and chatted.  Viv and I took naps.  Catherine, Justin, and Anthony walked around Puerto de Vita. Viv and Catherine made pork tocos for dinner.  We ended the evening by watching the movie, "Robin Hood, Prince of Theives."

Marina Gaviota in Puerto de Vita

Catherine and Anthony exploring Puerto de Vita

The following morning, I made grilled cheese and eggs sandwices for myself and the boys, and eggs for the girls as they are gluten intolerant.  We took a taxi (a classic 50s car) to Guardalavaca.  First thing, we went to a bank to get cash out, because everything in Cuba has to be paid for in cash.  We swan at the beach.  Afterwards, we grabbed a taxi to Aldea Taina, a replicated indigenous village,  where we ate lunch and did a guided tour.  We also went across the road to Museo Chono de Maita, an archeological site of an indigenous village.  Viv made Italian sausages and salad for dinner when we got back to the boat.  We played cards games such as Tarot, Cambio, and Crib for the remainder of the night.

Markets in Guardalavaca

Justin at the beach in Guadalavaca

Viv, Anthony, Catherine, and Justin cooling off in Guardalavaca

Aldea Taina

Viv, Catherine, Myself, Anthony, and Justin at Aldea Taina with our tour guide

Viv, Catherine, Viv and Anthony at the entrance of Aldea Taina

Museo Chono de Maita

Catherine, Anthony, Justin, and Viv enjoying a drink at Aldea Taina

Viv. Catherine, and I trying to blend in at Aldea Taina

Myself being diagnosed for my ailment; apparently, I was just hungry

All of us with the performers who did a reenactment of an indigenous dance for us

On May 3rd, I woke up early to do a workout.  We spent the day at Parque Nacional Monumento Barjay, situated outside of Guardalavaca.  This is a park that is located where Christopher Columbus landed, and was developed in 1992 for 500th anniversary of his arrival on the island.  The park offered us local coconut and coffee.  We rode on an ox cart and then toured around the park in a house and buggy.  We saw the monument, and then enjoyed a display of indigenous dancing. The restaurant in the park was closing early due to repairs.  So instead, we had dinner at a local restaurant, which was actually the back patio of a home.  We were the only customers.  The food was delicious.  When we returned to the boat,  and we did a photo exchange.  Justin, Anthony, and Catherine jumped off the dock for a swim.

Anthony and Justin enjoying local coconuts

Apparently, chickens like coconuts too

Justin grinding coffee beans for our cups of local coffee

All of us on the ox cart

How we got around Parque Nacional Monumento Barjay

Myself, Catherine, Viv, Anthony, and Justin on the horse and buggy

The old world meeting the new world at Parque Nacional Monumento Barjay

Justin at Parque Nacional Monumento Barjay

Catherine and Viv at Parque Nacional Monumento Barjay

Justin with our faithful steed, who took us around the park

Viv and Justin at Parque Nacional Monumento Barjay

Replication of indigenous dancing

All of us with the performers

Anthony, Justin, and I with our bartender, "Christopher Columbus"

Parque Nacional Monumento Barjay

Catherine, Myself, and Viv getting into the homemade Cuban meal

Anthony and Catherine swimming at Marina Gaviota

The last night with everyone board equals cards and photo exchange

As Anthony, Catherine, and Viv were departing at the end of the day to explore more of Cuba, they had to check out of the marina with customs.  Everything was sorted in less than an hour and we left the marina at 9 am.  We arrived in Holguin by 10:45.  Viv, Catherine, and Anthony picked up bus tickets and then rented a room for the day to have a place to leave their bags and to wait for their bus, which was sceduled to depart at 11 pm.  The owners of the room had a sweet dashund, who would come up to the room with us whenever we stopped in.  We walked around Hoguin, which is known as the City of Parks.  Holguin is not a touristy town per say, but rather a working town that showed off the real Cuba.  We purchased ice cream in coffee at a local parlor for about 2 cents Canadian.  We started at Central Park, or Parque Calixto Garcia, and we walked a few blocks North and a few blocks South to other parks.  Anthony was trying any street food that we came across.  At one Pecos (5 cents Canadian), it was a great way to sample multiple local dishes.  We ate lunch at 1910 Restaurante, which had full table service and excellent food / drinks for about the same price as fast food in Canada.  We checked out the markets,  where I bought a leather backpack, and we visited San Jose Cathedral.  We finished the day back at the rental room and said our goodbyes to Anthony, Viv, and Catherine.  Justin and I took a taxi back to the boat.

Anthony, Viv, and Catherine checking out of the marina with custums

Holguin

Myself, making friends.  I might be compensating for missing our dog, Vada

I almost put this little fella in my purse, he was too precious

Anthony trying the local cuisine in Holguin (fried maize)

Dinner at 1910 Restaurante in Holguin

Myself in Holguin

Myself, Catherine, and Viv at San Jose Catherdral

On May 5th, Justin and I slept in, and watched episodes of Bones until 9:30 am.  Justin made breakfast.  We checked out of the marina at 11:30.  We swam off front of boat, and then got showers.  We prepared the boat for departure.  Customs came on board at 2 pm.  Again,
Two cocker spaniels came aboard to check for drugs and explosives.  We left the marina and navigated out of the channel by 3 pm.

Just Dreamin in Marina Gaviota

No matter how old boys get.....