Cuba by Luís Rosa (ENG)

 

My vacations

The year is 2011, a difficult year in politics, economy and society, which requires us to make some sacrifices beyond those already imposed. Going on vacation is becoming a luxury, especially when traveling abroad. I've been making some savings in last years to be able to go to one of the many destinations I wish to visit, and, even though the period is of contention, there I was with my daughter and some friends and relatives. It is not the first time that I hear the following words "Go to Cuba while Fidel is alive, because after everything will change..." and maybe weighed in our decision and we chose Cuba.

Cuba is considered the pearl of the Antilles. The capital is Havana, was born in 1519, a time when European navigators traveled the seas of all Central America.

It is a large city, which owns an overwhelming colonial charm, inhabited by three million happy, expressive people, that seem to live in permanent party atmosphere because the city has characteristics that translate into a permanent invitation to enjoy life thanks to the enviable weather (23ºC average annual temperature) and a huge blue and bright sky. Undoubtedly, Havana is one of the most beautiful Latin American capitals with characteristic of the colonial period and has many valuable historic buildings and monuments built in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries.

Plaza de Armas is the oldest and most majestic scenery of the city. The main commercial route of the city is Calle Obispo. One of the symbols of the city is Giraldilla, a bronze statue of two meters height holding the cross of Caravaca in the hands, located in La Fuerza fortress.

When you visit the Plaza Vieja, is essential to go to the Jaruco Count house, currently Cuban Heritage Cultural Fund, with numerous art galleries, and the house of the sisters Cardenas, now the center of the city's philharmonic society.

Between the second half of the seventeenth century and early nineteenth century, new places appear, like the first sidewalk of Havana, known as "Alameda de Paula." Other points are the Plaza de la Cathedral, considered the best preserved architectural landscape of Latin America and the Plaza de la Revolución. In the center of Havana can admire the beauty of the Paseo del Prado, Capitolio, where is the "0 km" (kilometer zero), from where all distances are calculated on the island.

During the decades of 30 and 40 of the twentieth century, Havana became the only urban metropolis of the country and throughout the Caribbean, which as reflected in high and rapid urban growth and population. Comes to power in 1952 General Fulgencio Baptista starting a period of strong political dictatorship. To combat the dictatorship came a revolutionary movement led by Che Guevara and Fidel Castro, who still runs the country.

Havana seems to have stopped in time, and today we can see the famous Cadillac from the fifties and enjoy a cigar handmade in the street of Havana, where the smell is felt in the streets expressing the identity of the city and its inhabitants.

You can not leave Havana without stopping for a moment to taste the best mojito in the world in "La Bodeguita del Medio" which is a typical restaurant and a strong touristic spot of the city. Passed through here many writers, politicians, artists, actors, etc.. And they all leave their mark on the site through photos, objects or graffiti on the walls (most used), you can find names like Errol Flynn or Salvador Allende among others.

Fernando Ortiz describes the history of Cuba as being heavily dominated by tobacco smoke, the sweetness of cane sugar and full of sensuality in their music. A mixture of products featuring one of the most hospitable and sociable people of the Caribbean, with a blend of the presence of Spanish conquistadors and African sweat of black slaves.

Havana has everything to fill the eyes of those who visit, its history, rhythm and color, but above all by its architecture, it's a delight to stroll through its streets with beautiful facades and painting with custom colors and diverse themes.

 

To get to know the city well, the ideal is to walk, especially in the area of ​​Habana Vieja (if you have a sketch diary, you'll love). Want to go to the surroundings of the city? There are buses or you can always opt for the taxi.

Havana is a city with great nightlife, which lives to the rhythm of Latin music, so take the chance and learn to dance the mambo, bolero, salsa and chachacha in one of the many bars.

But now let's talk about where I spent most part of my vacation: VARADERO. Here you can see some of the most beautiful beaches of Cuba and the largest complex of resorts in the Caribbean. Is 140 km east of Havana, 34 km east of Matanzas and from Cardenas 16 km. It is the most famous beaches in Cuba, is situated on the northern coast of the peninsula Hicacos in the province of Matanzas. It is a sheltered peninsula which gives excellent condition, considered by many as one of the best beaches in the Caribbean with a variety of hotels. The route from Havana to Varadero, which necessarily passes through the city of Matanzas (the provincial capital of the same name), is pleasant and takes about 2h30 when done by car.

The domestic tourists began coming to Varadero in 1872, but the international development began in 1930 when American millionaire Irenee Dupont Nemours built a large estate on the peninsula. Even Mafia boss Al Capone spent his vacations in Varadero.

I stayed at the Tryp Peninsula which is a beachfront resort, with the main building entrance with restaurants, bar, lobby and services. As usual in this type of resorts, extends to the beach, surrounded by well treated and beautiful gardens where you can find the bungalows with rooms, swimming pools, spa and restaurants. It is calm and the beach is paradise, look good.

Children's pool - huge, with many shades and activities. Around the pool also has a baby pool, playground, kids club and snack bar for kids. 

The rooms - spacious and comfortable, with full bathroom, balcony and free safe. It has AC, TV, radio, CD player, telephone.

Pool of adults - has a bar and snack on hand, plenty of sun beds available and some shade. 


Activities and Entertainment - it has a little bit of everything both on the beach and on the resort, but nothing special and I venture to say bad. Only the lobby bar is great, always good voices and lots of salsa. It is very good for children because there is always fun entertainment for little ones.

Restaurants and Food - It is the reasonable but very repetitive. There are two buffet restaurants, 2 snacks and 4 themed. The theme did not bother to know, but according to some, are nothing special, so the buffet is the best option. The food is good and varied, but in both respects with small defects. But the meals not cease to be a "torture" because we had to head in the opening hours, or the queues were lengthy (more than 20 minutes) to get a little meat or fish and with children is not easy. And of course, take a little tip to the man of the grill.

Cleaning and Hygiene - Everything went well in both restaurant and room, but with small defects. On the first day, I tipped the "maid" with the a request for leave me one more water and beer. To take especial attention to bath towels and cleaning of the room because I was with my daughter, never failed. But not with the other people who have spent this vacations with us: they were always short on towels and the cleaning was not the best.

To be all good, you have to tip every day in different places, which is not fair to those who have already paid and was not little. The staff is very friendly, because friendliness works according to the tip: smile always appears after!

Maybe it's not a vacation to repeat! It was not bad, but from all the places I've been in the Caribbean...

But not everything is less good, and go to Cuba and not dive in these waters with a fabulous transparency "is like going to the Vatican and not seeing the Pope."

The geographical features of Varadero invites lovers of diving to visit these paradise water. The peninsula is close to one of the largest chains of coral with 7,000 km2, makes its flora and fauna that live on the sea, wrecks and underwater caves, the main attraction. Thus, diving in Varadero and witness landscapes of sea sand areas where several match zones of coral reefs, home to beautiful fish to be seen by divers, as lionfish (fabulous), grouper, huge shells among others. The water is completely transparent and warm. I have no doubt that it was the best waters in which dived. Lovers of photography would be surrendered to such beauty. It's very interesting the diving area known as "Cayo Piedra Underwater Park del Norte", which are distributed sunken warships that are very well preserved, and are poorly sighted just put your head under water (this is the transparency). Varadero has a diving area with more than 10 km long that includes 32 diving areas located between the keys and Matanzas Bay West Sabana-Camagüey archipelago.

Photos marked with logo are from the author | Photos without logo are from internet

I think that there are three Diving Centers in Varadero  (Aqua Diving Center, Marina and Chapelin Aquaworld Barracuda Scuba Cuba), and all have a long experience with divers.

What can I conclude from my visit to Cuba is that it is worth spending a few days in Havana, yes, and feel the city, diving in one of the best waters in the world (I'm not exaggerating, it is fabulous). Regarding resorts, maybe look for an alternative ...

Luís Rosa