Bobthebuilder's next adventure - Key West to Havana, Cuba
09-18-2009, 10:23 AM
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It is a very interesting place to see as many things are so very different from our everyday life. Life is very difficult here but most we have met are happy but very needy and lacking basic things.
09-18-2009, 10:40 AM
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Bob,
Glad you made it in ok. Sounds like an adventure. Can't wait to see some pictures.
You should do a bar crawl through Old Havana. We stayed at the Santa Isabel right in the heart of it and had great times looking for the best bar. And found some good ones.
The National has a nice outside patio area for Mohitos but the best restaurants are elsewhere. We ate out every meal and found three very good restaurants you should try. The best two are private "Paladore's". The La Guarida is really great (don't worry about the entrance and the stairs up-just hit the buzzer at the unmarked door at the top) and the Don Carmella is over by Morro Castle and has nice outdoor seating. The La Oriente Restaurant (not oriental food) is in San Francisco Plaza in Old Havana. You will feel like you stepped back into 1958 when you go in. All great but if you choose one go with La Guarida for the whole experience. (they all have toilet seats and paper)
Have fun and let us know how it's going.
David
Glad you made it in ok. Sounds like an adventure. Can't wait to see some pictures.
You should do a bar crawl through Old Havana. We stayed at the Santa Isabel right in the heart of it and had great times looking for the best bar. And found some good ones.
The National has a nice outside patio area for Mohitos but the best restaurants are elsewhere. We ate out every meal and found three very good restaurants you should try. The best two are private "Paladore's". The La Guarida is really great (don't worry about the entrance and the stairs up-just hit the buzzer at the unmarked door at the top) and the Don Carmella is over by Morro Castle and has nice outdoor seating. The La Oriente Restaurant (not oriental food) is in San Francisco Plaza in Old Havana. You will feel like you stepped back into 1958 when you go in. All great but if you choose one go with La Guarida for the whole experience. (they all have toilet seats and paper)
Have fun and let us know how it's going.
David
I am on the VIP floor of the National and you will see by the pic my toilet is as good as home. It comes with paper as well !! This morning when I went for breakfast all the staff were gathered around this obvious celebrity taking pictures. She is a latin singer from Puerto Rico - Olga Tanon. Had my pic taken w her and talked a bit. She has a place in Orlando and wished us a safe trip.
The other pic is Cuban CG following us into Marina Hemingway. We have more action shots and video we discreetly took for later.
Bob
09-18-2009, 11:16 AM
#63
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Great story, glad to hear things worked out.
Have a safe and great time.
Take lots of pictures. Hope to see you in a few weeks.
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09-18-2009, 05:53 PM
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A further report from "Big Daddy"
I am now known around Havana and by my crew as "Big Daddy". Too funny. We were doing a tour of a cigar factory this afternoon that has 700 workers. Our guide was a cutie names Ely who spoke very good English. Part way thru the tour she addressed me as " Big Daddy" to much laughter. Now I have no respect from the crew and inteasd of Captain, I'm just Big Daddy.
Some brief notes about the Partagas Cigar Factory. They produce 30,000 cigars a day. No automation. Same as 100 years ago. They have people in "training" that when they are able to produce 60 to 180 cigars a day become "professional" and make more money. As u go thru factory workers try to get u out of group and sell u cigars. This happened several times. Most expensive cigar is Cohiba Behike at 15,000 uros a box. Like i imagine a sweat shop would be like. Very hot, humid with only fans. Only A/C in retail store and VIP smoking room. In important baseball game was on today so radio was piped thru plant. The 300 professionals had a TV on a table at front of room. Every day for 45 minutes a reader reads the news over the PA system. If no ball game to watch, he reads books to workers over PA. I have never seen anything like this.
I asked if the Gov. owns the factory. Surprised to hear half govm't and half private investors from UK, France and Spain.
This trip has been a major culture shock for me. So much more to tell.
Bob
Some brief notes about the Partagas Cigar Factory. They produce 30,000 cigars a day. No automation. Same as 100 years ago. They have people in "training" that when they are able to produce 60 to 180 cigars a day become "professional" and make more money. As u go thru factory workers try to get u out of group and sell u cigars. This happened several times. Most expensive cigar is Cohiba Behike at 15,000 uros a box. Like i imagine a sweat shop would be like. Very hot, humid with only fans. Only A/C in retail store and VIP smoking room. In important baseball game was on today so radio was piped thru plant. The 300 professionals had a TV on a table at front of room. Every day for 45 minutes a reader reads the news over the PA system. If no ball game to watch, he reads books to workers over PA. I have never seen anything like this.
I asked if the Gov. owns the factory. Surprised to hear half govm't and half private investors from UK, France and Spain.
This trip has been a major culture shock for me. So much more to tell.
Bob
Last edited by Bobthebuilder; 09-18-2009 at 07:53 PM.
09-18-2009, 06:11 PM
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Nuther funny story
After pictures were being taken of Olga Tanon and I, one of the staff approached me and showed me what a great picture she taken. She then said - "this time tomorrow, I bring to your room." I say - Olga ? You can't bring Olga to my room ! I could not understand her reply and she was not understanding me. We go to the front desk and someone there who speaks English said " she wants you to have a copy of the picture, and that is what she is bringing to your room. Much laughing by all of us but the laugh was on Bob. Just so much crazy stuff like that with the language barrier.
09-18-2009, 07:36 PM
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keep it comming
bob,me and the wife have enjoyed reading about your adventures in cuba.sounds like your living the life.have a good time and rember.we are here for a good time,not a long time.have a safe trip.back.
09-19-2009, 07:49 AM
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Picture time
1) Joe Quinn, Toronto; Paul Huck, Kitchener; James Glover, London & Big Daddy LOL
2) Leaving Key West harbor - 2 miles out I am running still thru a mental checklist and realize I forgot my passport and money in the hotel safe. Had to return and start over.
3) the sea half way there. Less than 2 ft. Sometimes it would change a bit.
4) Havana first coming into view about 15 miles out or so,
5) Cuban CG escort. Young guys. You can see the rifle slung over the guys shoulder right in front of console.
2) Leaving Key West harbor - 2 miles out I am running still thru a mental checklist and realize I forgot my passport and money in the hotel safe. Had to return and start over.
3) the sea half way there. Less than 2 ft. Sometimes it would change a bit.
4) Havana first coming into view about 15 miles out or so,
5) Cuban CG escort. Young guys. You can see the rifle slung over the guys shoulder right in front of console.
Last edited by Bobthebuilder; 09-19-2009 at 07:59 AM.
