Captivating Cuba

On my last visit to Cuba, I was lucky enough to try something I've always wanted to do. I went swimming with dolphins! I bet you're jealous.

Cuba is great for this because the water around the island is warm and clear. There are a number of places in Cuba to swim with dolphins - you can do it in Varadero, and check out the Dolphinarium - but I opted to visit them out at sea.

Image from creative commons, Flickr, by Tomato Geezer

As the water gurgles in your ears, you can hear their clicks and tweets as the dolphins approach. Very quickly, you know that there's no point chasing the dolphins. They're just so fast! I'm not a bad swimmer, but when you see them move under water around you it makes you know you are slow and clumsy.

If they want to come to you they will, and the dive guide had a rag and some toys to attract their attention. It's true what they say about dolphins being fun and curious, and you could feel the happy atmosphere around our group as the dolphins moved between us.

And I think one was trying to tease me by sneaking up from behind.

Image from creative commons, Flickr, by Tomato Geezer

When you touch them they feel like a Wellington boot, and the most surprising thing is how big they are. If you didn't know they were friendly it might be scary. But it isn't. One of the guys in the group was so lucky (or unlucky, depending on how brave you are) because the biggest dolphin got hold of his arm! The man wasn't hurt because the dolphin was very gentle - the guide explained beforehand that it was just a territorial thing that the dolphins do sometimes, making sure we knew who was boss by gripping him in its mouth.

I could see under water as the guy was casually stroking the dolphin's head with his arm still in its mouth.

I swear they were both smiling. Crazy!

Peter

posted at: 12:46 | path: /peter | permanent link to this entry | 1 comments

¡Hola!

It's me, Hector, again. I'm very excited today, because in a few days it will be the start of the Cubadisco XIII! It's from May 16 until May 24, so that is eight whole days of musical celebrations.

I better explain to you a bit about what the Cubadisco is. It is not a disco if that is what you are now thinking. It is a celebration of music, with an award ceremony and many different music events.

Image from creative commons, Flickr, by La Esquina del Son

Last year the Cubadisco was great, but this year I think it will be very special. Each year a different country is honoured, and this year it is Puerto Rico that will be the guest of honour. There are so many good composers to honour, like Rafael Hernandez, Tite Cure Alonso and Daniel Santos. And the Puerto Rican music is so great to listen and dance to, such as bomba, plena, danza and seis.

Image from creative commons, Flickr, by La Esquina del Son

Each year there are many events in the Cubadisco, where different music artists perform and the crowds enjoy the show. One night that I am particularly excited for is the guitar party, because there will be many prestigious guitarists and lutists at the event.

Here are some of the events I think are very exciting this year:

16 May 2009: Award Ceremony at the Carlos Marx Theatre
17 May 2009: Opening Ceremony at Amadeo Roldian Auditorium
23 May 2009: Gala Tribute to Puerto Rico with a special tribute the Frank Gonzales

Image from creative commons, Flickr, by La Esquina del Son

Well I hope I have inspired you to go next year, or even this year if you can. I know I am very excited for all the events.

Yours in salsa, Hector

posted at: 13:05 | path: /hector | permanent link to this entry | 0 comments

Hi everyone,

Have you ever tried big game fishing?

I'm not much of a fisherman, but my friend is getting excited because the 59th Annual Hemingway Fishing Tournament is coming up soon.

With the Caribbean sea on its doorstep, Cuba is a hot spot for deep sea fishing, and there's no shortage of holidaymakers and amateur fishermen coming to see what they can catch.

Image from creative commons, Flickr, by matthamm

There's been a Hemingway competition in Cuba since the 1950s, and it has attracted fishing teams from all over the world. This year, on the first day of June, the waters around Cuba will host teams from thirteen countries including Spain, the Czech Republic, Russia, Canada, France, the United States, England, and of course, Cuba. This makes it the biggest competition ever.

As well as the team trophy, there's a prize for the first catch of the tournament, and one for the hooking the biggest Dorado. Also called 'Mahi-mahi' or 'Dolphin-fish', Dorado are colourful fish, but most have some yellow colouring. Because they are fast-growing fish, they come out of the water in all sizes.

Image from creative commons, Flickr, by flawka

The event runs for the first nine days of June, at the end of the season when there are the most sail fish in the Cuban waters. And sailfish includes the marvellous marlin. Marlin are fast and powerful, making them hard to reel in. This makes for exciting sport!

They can be about 2 metres long and have a pointy snout which makes them easy to confuse with swordfish. Because marlin feed on squid, the fishermen will be dragging ugly squid-like lures behind their boats.

Image from creative commons, Flickr, by surdna

The Hemingway competition operates a 'tag and release' policy - each fish is marked to show they have been caught and then set free - so you won't find a competition fish on the menu of the restaurants Peter described last month.

These amazing fish are returned to a stretch of water that Hemingway called the "great blue river", giving holiday makers in Cuba another chance at reeling them in.

Happy fishing!

Jasna

posted at: 11:40 | path: /jasna | permanent link to this entry | 2 comments