Tardy Trip Report - CUBA

[Nylah]

Re: Tardy Trip Report - CUBA

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: mo_fire</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Thanks Empress... This is MY favorite too.
My likkle Mo is definitely a child of the sea... this picture was taken about 10 minutes after we got there.
She runs for the sea, and becomes one with it immediately.
Tasting it
Feeling it
Feeling the familiarity of the safety in it
becoming one with waves..
Like they are long lost friends.
I took a wonderful series while she was in her trance.
About 15 minutes later, it was as if she snapped out of it, turned around and ran to me saying: "Do you want to make sandcastles now Mommy?"
She is an awesome and inspiring kid! </div></div>


aahhhh...that is so kool [img]/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/70409-waytogo.gif[/img]

I really really love that pix.

I am sometimes surprised by how a picture can move me and that one does for true.

I loved water as a kid as well and you can sense she does too.

but her sense of comfort with the ocean also comes off as a sense of invincibility - that the world is her oyster and it is there for her taking. that's the vibe the picture is giving off.

I hope that feeling never leaves her [img]/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/70409-waytogo.gif[/img]

[mo_fire]

Re: Tardy Trip Report - CUBA

Th Empress... We could all take a little something from your though of the world is her oyster and hers for the taking! [img]/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/70458-applaud.gif[/img]
It really is as if she has no idea anyone is around when she is reunited with the sea, whether it is Jamaica, Cuba, Morocco, Florida, New York City, etc. When she gets to the water, time stops, and until she is finished catching up with her long, lost friend, she hears nothing of the outside world.

She really teaches me every day how to REALLY live in the moment, and savour, you know, really enjoy the Great things in the world.
[img]/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/blushing2.gif[/img]Likkle Mo [img]/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/blushing2.gif[/img]

[Nylah]

Re: Tardy Trip Report - CUBA

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: mo_fire</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Th Empress... We could all take a little something from your though of the world is her oyster and hers for the taking! [img]/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/70458-applaud.gif[/img]
It really is as if she has no idea anyone is around when she is reunited with the sea, whether it is Jamaica, Cuba, Morocco, Florida, New York City, etc. When she gets to the water, time stops, and until she is finished catching up with her long, lost friend, she hears nothing of the outside world.

She really teaches me every day how to REALLY live in the moment, and savour, you know, really enjoy the Great things in the world.
[img]/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/blushing2.gif[/img]Likkle Mo [img]/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/blushing2.gif[/img] </div></div>

awesome [img]/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/70409-waytogo.gif[/img]

the fact that u have her experiencing so many things at such a young age I would think contributes to the above. Likkle Mo is an amazing little girl due to your influence as well. [img]/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/smile.gif[/img]

[halfwaytree]

Re: Tardy Trip Report - CUBA

Hey MO those are wonderful pictures.

I see you have a young lady now! So cute!

I just reach back from Havana last week. I think it was my sixth trip to Cuba. Very reasonably priced, only 3+ hour flight from my home, nice beaches, some great high energy music, no WalMart, Burger King or McDonalds etc... all make it a place I will continue to visit every couple of years. Only problem is I have become addicted to the cigars. [img]/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/blush.gif[/img]

Nice to see you had another great holiday.

[7777]

Re: Tardy Trip Report - CUBA

Cuba looks nice. meks me even want to reconsider if I wouldnt want to take the family der for a vacation...
but being honest..
me friad a Fidel... [img]/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/70361-embarassed.gif[/img]

Nice, nice pictures by the way. Awesome!!

[mo_fire]

Re: Tardy Trip Report - CUBA

Thanks for stopping by Milo... I LOVE Havana.. so does Likkle Mo. We go there and find ourselves wandering from Music spot to Music spot... ahhhh, the cafes and culture and archetecture of Havana!! [img]/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/70409-waytogo.gif[/img]

Truly... I feel Cuba and it's people, heart, music and warmth is something to savour and hang onto each time I go there!

BND and I have been talking about how we can smuggle her in to Cuba for a trip with us... she longs to go there too! Maybe we should all go together!! [img]/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/grin.gif[/img]

I'll leave the cigars to you though! [img]/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/wink.gif[/img]

[mo_fire]

Re: Tardy Trip Report - CUBA

... you and your fam would love Cuba... there is a vacation for every type of family - beach, country, city, culture, etc.

The people are super friendly!! [img]/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/bannana_purple.gif[/img]

Give it a try one day... you won't regret it! In 20 years I haven't had one bad experience or stayed one bad place in Cuba... and doone fraid of fidel, him nah badda wid yu, him too ole and rickety! [img]/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/70394-sleeping.gif[/img]

[7777]

Re: Tardy Trip Report - CUBA

well since u seh me noh fe fraid..
(me grandma fadda a Cuban by the way)...
me a go *tink* bout Cuba fe a likkle while more and den me will give u de answer as to wehther or not me a go conquer the fear fe travel der..
me just friad seh, if me go, dem a go have a coup and me cant come back out.. [img]/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/blush.gif[/img]

[halfwaytree]

Re: Tardy Trip Report - CUBA

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 7777</div><div class="ubbcode-body">well since u seh me noh fe fraid..
(me grandma fadda a Cuban by the way)...
me a go *tink* bout Cuba fe a likkle while more and den me will give u de answer as to wehther or not me a go conquer the fear fe travel der..
me just friad seh, if me go, dem a go have a coup and me cant come back out.. [img]/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/blush.gif[/img] </div></div>

There is simply no group organized enough to carry out a coup anytime soon,... if ever. President Kennedy tried it and look how that turned out. Fidel is hanging on and his brother is running the country quite nicely. No changes to come in the near to medium future. I'm sure MO wouldn't take Likkle MO if things were not criss in Cuba. It really is a generally safe place to travel. Just be on the look out for pick pockets as you would anywhere else and all will be well. I have never felt the slightest fear in regard to my safety in Cuba. Just keep tabs on your belongings and use common sense.

[mo_fire]

Re: Tardy Trip Report - CUBA

A tru dat Milo...

I find Cubans more helpful than harmful... they are so desperate to find out about different people and different places in the world that they just want to chat and share with you... Like Jamaica, it is extremely hard for Cubans to ever leave their island.
Do some looking around, and if you need any helpful info, I am sure you could pm me or Milo for some. I have been travelling there for 20 years, and truth be told, things were a lot more volitile and tense 15-20 years ago than now.

[ackeepod]

Re: Tardy Trip Report - CUBA

3when yu went to Havana, did yu stay in a hotel and if so which one? or was it a casa particular? am mulling ovaa a trip there myself .. this yr

[Laurel]

Re: Tardy Trip Report - CUBA

WOW ... simply divune!!! little one grown up so nice!!

so sweet!!! Nice to finally see you as well ~ [img]/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/wavey.gif[/img]

[halfwaytree]

Re: Tardy Trip Report - CUBA

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: haki</div><div class="ubbcode-body">3when yu went to Havana, did yu stay in a hotel and if so which one? or was it a casa particular? am mulling ovaa a trip there myself .. this yr </div></div>

Speaking for myself, on my last visit to Cuba I stayed at Hotel Tropicoco. It is located on Playa Santa Maria (approx. 20 minutes drive into Havana). the beach across the road is the place where the people that live in Havana love to visit on weekends. The hotel offers free bus service to Old Havana twice daily. While the hotels location was a great mix of beautiful beach and the sights of the city I found it a little too spartan, even for me. The hotel up the road would have been a better choice. I believe it is called "The Atlantico".

On previous visits I have stayed in Casa Particulars in Havana. If doing so I would suggest you only stay in one that has been recommended by someone who has stayed there. Some private Casas can be a little bare boned, while some are quite nice. Personally I have only stayed in the bare boned ones but I know there are nice ones out there. Some even have hot tubs etc... .

One hotel I love to visit in Havana is the Hotel Ambrose Mondo (spelling?). It's right in the middle of Old Havana and has a wonderful rooftop bar/restaurant with a view of the old city and the harbor. I'm not sure what the price is per night to stay there but I would imagine it is $150 plus.

There are lots of great hotels in Havana proper to meet all budgets however.

[ackeepod]

Re: Tardy Trip Report - CUBA

thanks, Milo.. Did yu go on a charter or just paid airfare and booked ur own hotel??
how is immigration/customs going into and leaving Cuba?

[mo_fire]

Re: Tardy Trip Report - CUBA

Thanks Laurel... she is a cutie, isn't she? [img]/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/blushing2.gif[/img]

Haki... You can do either for Havana or any other major centre in Cuba (it is a country full of airports - you know with Fidel in charge, there needs to be military access everywhere!)

With an all inclusive charter, you can get some decent priced 7 or 14 day things.. and now there are a lot of 11 day split between two places holidays offered by a few of the charter companies (especially sunwing vacations).

For me in the past, I have found it more fun and affordable (when I didn't want all inclusive, but to travel around) to just book charter flights, and have one accomodation arranged for twhen we fly in, and then move where and when the moment takes us.

The roads and infrastructure in Cuba are much better and maintained to very high standards compared to many Carribean islands. Public transport is easy, and they have a GREAT train system which very cheaply runs you around the country and into the interior.

Lots of options!

Immigration lines are more efficient than many I've seen in many countries too. Lots more lines, and they move quickly unless on the way out you have lost your loose Cuban Immigration Card (temporary Visa)... make sure you don't lose that!

Cuban Departure Tax is also something to know about. It is $25.00 CUC per person payable only in local currency. $25.00 CUC is approx. $25.00 USD.