Two Nights in Havana Vieja

We spent our final two days taking in Cuba’s complex history at Hotel Inglaterra where colonialism meets communism, strolling around Havana Vieja, unsuccessfully trying to avoid Calle Obispo and all the souvenir stores, feeling overwhelmed when stepping inside Hemingway’s favorite bar El Floridita and quickly stepping out again, listening to a great band at Café Paris, admiring the beautiful architecture and artworks on the buildings along the narrow streets, and having mojitos at Hotel Nacional.

Hotel Inglaterra HavanaHotel Inglaterra HavanaHavana Vieja Cuba

Havana Vieja Cuba

El Floridita HavanaHotel Nacional HavanaCafe de Paris Havana

Our favorite dinner may have been at Paladar Los Mercaderes – relatively expensive but great food, lovely ambiance and really nice staff!

Surprise Stop in Cienfuegos

On the way back to Havana, we made a surprise rest stop in Cienfuegos – the regional capital of Santo Spiritus. Less of an outdoor museum and more of a buzzing town, I thought it was more interesting than Trinidad if one would stay there. It may also be because I found my dream hotel there….

Cienfuegos CubaCienfuegos Cuba

Cienfuegos CubaCienfuegos CubaHotel La Union Cienfuegos CubaHotel La Union Cienfuegos CubaHotel La Union Cienfuegos Cuba

Last three pics are from Hotel La Union. Perhaps a stay there next time… 

Reaching Waterfalls

A hike through a tropical forest, passing by wasp nest formations, crossing streams on hanging bridges and little rocks,  and walking through a blossoming field. And then, there it was! Cool, playful, and surrounded by hanging vegetation and rocks that had been shaped and polished by 1000s of years of water pouring over them! Beautiful and soothing!

Salto de Javira

Salto de Javira

Unfortunately, it was difficult to capture the beauty of the Salto de Javira waterfall.

Visiting the Town of Trinidad

Incredibly hot, incredibly beautiful, and well worth visiting! Here are a few pics from the 500 years old UNESCO World Heritage Site, the small town Trinidad:
Trinidad Cuba

Trinidad Cuba

Trinidad Cuba

Trinidad Cuba

Trinidad Cuba

Trinidad Cuba

Trinidad Cuba

As visible from the pics, although there are Cubans living in the old quarters, Trinidad is a bit of and open air museum. We almost enjoyed the drive from La Boca to Plaza Mayor equally, as it gave us a chance to see more of Cuban every ay life. Unfortunately, I didn’t have a chance to capture that side with my camera.

Seeing Cuba – A Dream Coming True!

It always starts with a dream. Then maybe a text. My dream of visiting Cuba likely developed sometime in my teens, with Hemingway and other books and movies from the first part of the 20th century, only to eventually end up on my bucket list of travel destination within reach as Cuba increasingly opened up to tourism over the past decades. The only thing holding me back was that I really wanted to see it with someone, for no other reason than that I wanted to share my impressions and this experience, and Cuba was not on the top of the bucket list of my regular travel companions. Or so I thought until I sent off a text to Andreas back in April to let him know that I was on my way to Stockholm and as a side note dropped a question about Cuba.

Me: “Also wondering if you’d be up for seeing Cuba, before it gets invaded by Starbucks and  Mac Donald’s?”

Andreas: YES! Let’s plan when we meet!

Easy as that!

Cuba street view

Reminders of Cuba’s history all over Havana

Back from Cuba!

I am home after nine days in Cuba! It’s been wonderful. Surprisingly, I was able to roam with my cell phone in most places so I’ve up dated my IG @asagiertz along the way, but unfortunately, my blog app wouldn’t upload photos instead so I couldn’t post from there. But I’ve been writing along the way, so here we go!

Cuba street sign

Going to Cuba!! 

I’m on my way to Cuba! It’s another trip on my bucket list and it has been a dream of mine for many years to see Havana and the rest of the island before it changes too much. And even though I like to travel alone, I really wanted to share the Cuba experience together with someone! Luckily,  I found someone who is as eager as I am to go there in my friend Andreas! We got to know each other when we both lived in Chisinau, Moldova, many years ago, and have since traveled together to places like Odessa and Jura. So a perfect travel companion for this trip!

We have booked Airbnbs in Havana and on the southern side of Cuba, and will be away for over a week. I expect that I will have little access to internet in this period but I will update with lots and lots of pictures when I get back. See you then!!

packing cuba