Captivating Cuba

Hi there. I'm not sure what happened to November, but it seems to have flown past and people are starting to discuss how to celebrate New Year. I was trying to think of my favourite New Year's celebration so far and I wanted to tell you about it in case you're still trying to decide where you're going to welcome 2010.

The best New Years I ever celebrated was when I was in Cuba on my holidays. To Cuba, the first of January is a particularly significant date, as it is not just New Years Day, but also the date on which the Cubans officially celebrate Liberation Day. This celebration marks the triumph of the Cuban revolution, ended by Fidel Castro and his troops as they drove out Batista's dictatorship. With two reasons to celebrate, it is not surprising that Cubans tend to see in New Year with a bang.

Having been told that Havana was where the most spectacular celebrations were held, I made sure I was back in the capital for the 31st December. I planned to see in the New Year on the seafront, where people gather in their hundreds to watch the magnificent fireworks display that is held each year. The fireworks certainly did not disappoint, although in the end I was not amongst those watching from the seafront.

Picture Flickr - sonewfangled

For those 300 people lucky enough to get tickets, Cathedral Square is the real place to start the New Year and I was fortunate enough to know somebody with a spare. The square is a must see for anyone going on their holidays to Cuba, as it is full of life and festivity all year round. However, the atmosphere on New Year's Eve is unmatched on any other day of the year. The square is closed to the public whilst those with tickets enjoy a gala dinner, seated at tables that are laid out by the only restaurant located in the square, El Patio. Drinks flow all night long, with waiters and waitresses topping you up with wine, beer, champagne and especially with the famous Habana club rum, as you enjoy a combination of Cuba's finest cuisines.

Picture Flickr - Lauras512

But there is more to New Year in Cathedral Square than just the food and drink. A stage is built towards the end of December, and on New Year's Eve this stage becomes the platform for a truly magnificent display of Cuban music and dance. Watch the variety show, and join the crowds as they dance along to some of the most impressive musicians and dancers that Cuba has to offer. This truly is one of the most spectacular performances you are likely to see, and once it has finished, the fireworks are the perfect finale.

New Year at Cathedral Square is an impressive celebration, but if you're unable to get tickets, there are plenty of other restaurants around Havana that will be hosting similar festivities. There's no doubt that the Cubans know how to celebrate New Year better than anybody else, and if you're in the midst of planning your holidays to Cuba, I'd advise you to make sure you're in Havana at the turning of the year.

Now, who's going to buy me a ticket to Cuba for Christmas?
Jasna

posted at: 12:02 | path: /jasna | permanent link to this entry | 4 comments

Hello! I can't believe its November already! This year seems to have flown past, and it only seems like yesterday that I was saying 'I can't believe it's November already!' ... last year!

Anyhow, it got me thinking about this time a few years ago when I was in Havana myself for a much-needed break. It is my favourite time of the year in Cuba. Hotels and business are quieter than summer and the island has a different feel to it. But in November there is one amazing event that turns Havana into a massive race track and brings people from all over the world. It's called the Marabana and it's Cuba's answer to the New York Marathon! It actually finishes off a week of athletic events that take place in Havana, but the race itself, held on the third Sunday of every November for the past twenty years, is the main attraction.

Picture flickr - Josiah McKenzie

Over a thousand people from all different levels compete every year. Some are professional international runners, but some are just are normal everyday people, who come from all over Cuba to take part. It has been said that it's not the destination, but the journey itself which makes the Marabana so special. I have to agree. There is so much camaraderie between the runners and even language is not a barrier. There are also a lot of handicapped competitors who take part, and it is a really wonderful sight to see the able-bodied helping them out too. Anyhow, as I was there at the right time a few years ago, I decided it would be an amazing thing to do and so me and my friends signed up for the race!

It honestly has to be one of the best experiences I have ever had. There is such a buzz in the city as everyone gathers to begin. The race starts and finishes in the Old Town but you don't have to complete the full 21km as there is also a half marathon route. The circuit takes you through the streets of Havana and past many well-known sights of Cuba. Hotels and businesses right on the circuit provide 'pit stops' with loads of volunteers giving out oranges and water. I felt like I was on a high-speed tour of Havana, with all the familiar and famous sights flashing by me as I whizzed past! Well, jogged anyhow! We also ran along the sea wall of Havana ' the Malecon ' which has some amazing views and gave us an opportunity to catch a cool breeze too.

Picture flickr - neijs

I managed to complete the half circuit (no records broken I'm afraid!) although at times I wasn't sure my legs would hold out. I felt like I'd run right around Cuba! Hotels, hot showers and beds were the order of the day for me and my friends! Next time my goal is to return fit enough to complete the entire marathon.

The best moment came at the end of the race as people were crossing the finish line. Many of the foreign runners took off their shoes and gave them to the Cuban locals who had run the entire course barefoot. It's turned into a tradition for them to do this and it was such a lovely sight it really made me proud. And even though it meant handing over my favourite trainers - I too became a part of the wonderful tradition of the Marabana.

Till next time
Peter

posted at: 11:55 | path: /peter | permanent link to this entry | 0 comments

Hello again! Every time I go to Cuba I get loads of people asking me to bring them back some cigars for their dad or themselves! Personally I don't smoke, but I have to admit even I have a sneaky one when I'm in Havana. In Cuba, hotels have both smoking and non-smoking rooms, but it's almost a tradition to find an authentic old bar down a side street of the city and indulge in a Mojito and one of Cuba's finest hand rolled cigars.

Whether you're a smoker or not though, I highly recommend a visit to one of the cigar factories in Havana. I've been to the Partagas one a few times and it is an amazing place to visit. Built in 1845, it is the oldest one in Havana. It is housed in an impressive old Colonial style building and I just love the moment when you walk in, because the aroma of the tobacco is so sweet and strong. It really hits you, and the scent will remain with you even when you've returned to your hotel. Cuba's cigars are world-famous and although I'm no connoisseur I think they smell the best in the world!

You can take a guided tour of the factory, they are really well organised with guides speaking all different languages. Absolutely every thing is done by hand. Some workers are weighing the tobacco, some counting and sorting all the wrapper leaves and then there is the actual rolling of the cigar and the sticking on of each individual cigar label. Even though there are 700 workers in the factory, it is still amazing to think that over 25,000 cigars are produced every day! Cigar rolling is quite an art and part of the factory is devoted to a training workshop to teach new rollers their craft.

There is one tradition in the factory which I really love. There is someone called the Tobacco Reader, and their job is to read aloud to the workers everyday! He reads the newspapers, books and anything else of interest. The workers love it - especially when he gets to the sports pages! If you feel inspired to stock up before you head back to your hotel, Cuba's most famous export is available for sale from the factory store. Although they aren't cheap, once you have seen the process you can understand why. Cigar smoking is definitely not everyone's cup of tea, but I think that when in Cuba you should definitely give it a try!

Talk soon
Peter

posted at: 11:45 | path: /peter | permanent link to this entry | 0 comments

Hola, it's Hector here.

I thought I would share with you one very interesting festival I know - The Havana Biennial. This year, the festival will have been going for 25 years now, which I am very happy about. Let me tell you a little bit about why I like it so much.

The Havana Biennial is a festival which gets artists from very different backgrounds to display their works all together. There is such a big range of art, and all artists are welcome. The festival is about contemporary artwork from around the world, and it is about the thoughts of the Cuban people as well as thoughts around the globe.

It is a way for people to speak their minds freely. That is why I find it so special and important. There are projects from places like South America and the Caribbean, Africa, the Middle East and the Western countries. So it is really is a global festival.

The artwork is very interesting, and it is great to spend some looking at the displays when you're here in Havana. It is hosted in the colonial buildings of Havana's historical centre, which makes the festival even more historically fascinating. It was held in March and April this year, and more than 200 artists from 40 countries displayed their artwork.

I definitely recommend it for people visiting Havana during the festival time, as there are so many different art forms that there will be something for everyone here.

Hope to see you for Havana's next Biennial,

Hector

posted at: 12:21 | path: /hector | permanent link to this entry | 0 comments

I have a confession; I'm not a huge fan of creatures of the reptilian variety. Their scaly skin and quick movements usually send shivers down my spine. So I'm not the sort of person that you would find on the island of Cayo Iguana. However, if there's one thing that I do love its catamaran cruises and scuba diving excursions, so on my last trip to Cuba I thought that I'd brave the iguanas and take a cruise to the famous Cayo Largo. Cayo Largo is located near to Cayo Coco, Cuba, which is littered with a number of all-inclusive Cayo Coco hotels and resorts. However, I'd chosen to board the boat in Trinidad, where excursions to Cayo Iguana run daily.

The catamaran cruise was amazing and en-route we stopped off at the beautiful coral reef surrounding Cayo Coco, Cuba for a spot of snorkelling. The marine life around the reef was incredible and although it was too early in the year to spot sea turtles, I saw brightly coloured angel fish, blue tangs, clown fish and grouper. I could have stayed at Cayo Coco, Cuba all day, particularly as it would have meant missing the iguanas of Cayo Iguana.

Hector, who was with me on this trip, began slicing up bananas for the iguanas almost as soon as the boat left Cayo Coco, Cuba. He explained that it was the iguana's favourite food, but you had to feed them quickly as they could nip your fingers. This fact really was not helping my phobia and neither was the fact that on sailing up to the island, I could already spy hundreds of dark green shapes. I'm literally not joking when I say hundreds; you can not see the sand for the masses of Cuban iguanas that lounge on the beaches.

Apparently, the island was far more populated with iguanas prior to the onset of Hurricane Michelle in 2001. The hurricane killed many of the iguanas and the devastation that it caused to the island's vegetation had a negative effect on the remaining lizards. However, the population is slowly improving, and Hector told me that he spotted several baby iguanas on the islands. The baby iguanas were keen to eat the fresh banana from his hands and largely ignored the hordes of excitable tourists snapping pictures of them.

Okay, I admit Hector had to tell me all about the iguanas as I was far too 'chicken' to even get off the boat. But maybe on my next trip I'll actually get to see the iguanas for myself. Just don't hold your breath.

posted at: 12:16 | path: /jasna | permanent link to this entry | 0 comments