Hanging out at Hemmingway's hang out

Marina Hemingway turned out to be a destination in it's own right. Here we met up with cruisers from all over the world who had spent the majority of the season in all corners of the caribbean and were all heading in so many different destinations. It was a really interesting time learning not just about Cuba but of lots of sailing stories too, over quite a few rums. We even had a rum tasting on board one night that ended up a little messy.

We spent time at the Hemingway International Yacht Club, where all were welcome. The pictures on the wall showed the infamous fishing trip with Hemingway, Fidel Castro and Che Guevara where they went out together from the marina and Fidel caught a bigger fish than Hemmingway. Che was pictured looking very relaxed - not something that often was caught on camera. 

With our friends from South Africa, Denmark, USA and Australia at the Yacht Club

Front of the Hemingway International Yacht Club

These pictures show a very special tine in history

We spotted the OCC pennant too

With Ley & Neil Crystal Blues under the flags

We left with a flag to take back to our sailing club in Fremantle and many new friends.

Here she is in Havana

Meanwhile Askari took pride of place on canal 1 in the first berth - this was great for fantastic internet and being so close to the bar. However every weekend a party took place at the public water front area and every person under 30 in the whole area turned up for a crazy afternoon. However, in Cuban style it was pretty controlled and very friendly and all was done by 8pm. We really enjoyed seeing all the kids having fun, but Askari became the object of the 'selfie' for all so was given her own security detail- no seriously.  

Wild afternoons at Marina Hemingway

Selfie central in front of Askari

Askari with her security guard

These guys also liked to visit us at Hemingway - I promise there's no stow away but it was tempting

Towards the end of our stay it became time to provision. Neil and Ley had met an Australian who lived in Cuba who spotted their flag at the marina. Steve had made a life for himself in Havana and had a beautiful old car and is building a home on the waterfront near to the marina. Steve was really generous with his time and took us all out shopping. What a different insight to see how an ex-pat lives in Cuba. The good thing was that Steve knew exactly where to find the sort of goodies we wanted and his car had air-conditioning.

I get to ride up front

Posing in front of Crystal Blues

Amazing fresh veggies from an organic market Steve took us to

Anyone for smoked pork?? Totally delcious..... 

After our provisioning trip I posted a picture on Facebook to our Cuba Land and Sea page that has been so helpful, just to show how fantastic the produce is - people often worry they can't eat here. What I didn't expect was a social media bashing for being an imperialist taking advantage of Cuban's who apparently were struggling to feed themselves! Wow where did that come from?? Oh and also how did I know it was organic?? Cuba certainly divides all and I feel so privileged to have spent enough time here to judge for myself. My view is, whilst the system isn't perfect, the people here are so much happier and healthier than nearly everywhere else I have travelled and lived I feel that there is a lot the rest of the world can learn from Cuba - both, so called developed as well as developing countries. Oh and as a sailing cruising destination, I honestly think this is one place that has it all - what an absolute privilege and honour to spend time here. 

Jaminitas

So much fun and art on our doorstep at Marina Hemmingway.

The nearest settlement to the Marina is Jaminitas and it looks like this.......

If you just wondered out here you could be forgiven for thinking this was a playground, however the whole little village has been taken over by the artistic style of Jose Fuster - the mosaics started at his home, pictured above however, in 1975 and he is gradually taking over the whole village as he has decorated the homes of his neighbours and businesses too. It's kind of Picasso and Gaudi combined with a bit of added flair and has transformed this once run down neighbourhood into a prime tourist attraction, known as Fusterlandia. It's all free to explore including his home which is open to the public everyday. Donations are of course accepted.

From the marina you cross the river as you enter Jaminitas and theres a small fishing boat harbour with a fantastic sushi restaurant - wow Cuba just continues to surprise. 

Walking back from lunch we were buying bread and met a guy with a basket of mangoes. They looked so great that I asked if they were for sale - he gave me three and would not accepted any money - such is the way in Cuba. The revolutionary principles of many apply to visitors just as they would another Cuban - sharing their produce is just one small example of the generosity shown to us everyday.

We came back for a second day we loved this village so much. 

Sushi this good in Jaminitas

Beyond Fuster's work the locals welcome everyone to their village

The Granma yacht - read our earlier blogs to learn the significance

My heart is in Havana

Oh Havana, where to start.....

I am so totally behind with our blog but for me Havana is virtually impossible to write about and capture. I've been struggling where to to start or even to find the words for this incredibly beautiful city of contrasts, fantastically good humoured people, music and history.

We were lucky enough to meet Jorge shortly after we arrived at Marina Hemingway - he became one of our favourite taxi drivers and friends. He has a 49 Chevy which is his pride an joy, Andrew and he became brothers as he drove us to Havana and then on a day tour of the surrounding area ending up at a local restaurant for a wonderful lunch that cost $15 for us all. Wandering around the Museum of the Revolution with Jorge gave us a very special insight as he was able to give us his family stories. It was fascinating to read the Cuban perspective on this story, and some of the evidence about the US Government involvement was pretty compelling.

Andrew checks out the 49 Chevy

We loved Jorge's car even with the weird steering

The Russian Embassy - subtle!

One of the many perfectly restored streets

The US Embassy - the poles were erreted by the Cuban Government to block 'US propaganda' screens

Pretty cars everywhere

Museum of the Revolution - fascinating

At the old port

Beautiful park near the centre of Havana

During our first few day trips to Havana we knew we wanted more, so decided to return for a few days (think minibreak). Throughout our time in Cuba we have seen signs for Casa Particulares so decided we would take the plunge and packed a bag and went off to find one of these private hotels. We went to one of the main squares and instantly saw the sign. In through an outer door, up three flights of stairs I found a maid cleaning a room, after a bit of my bad Spainish I learned this one was fully booked, but she called a friend. He came and took us to his Casa just around the corner - 40 CUC a night for a clean, secure, air-conditioned apartment just off the fabulous Plaza Vieja, right in the centre of everything. We booked in for three nights!

Plaza Vieja

The entrance to our Casa

These boys playing on their phones - too cute!

One of the fabulous things about Havana is that people live in the city - that may sound strange but think about it, most cities in the world the real people don't live right in the city any more. In Plaza Vieja one end of the square is a primary school and the kids take breaks and games out in the square. There are also fruit and veg carts milling around, mixed in with tourists and business people. Our apartment was in amongst Cuban apartments and everyone was super friendly as we came and went.

Life in Havana

Renovations required, you walk from a perfectly preserved area to this in 2 minutes

Day to day life goes on right in the centre of the tourist district of the old town

Andrew went for a haircut - it wasn't as cheap as in Manzanillo however the experience was pretty surreal as the building was on the verge of collapse, and the barber told him all about his religion that included dolls and special powder. I bought shoes and have never had so much attention; it would be a months wages to buy the shoes I bought. Now fondly known as my Cuban heels.

Hair cut Havana

So much attention - only buying a pair of cheap wedges!

We did a number of the museums, the small African museum was a treat as we saw all the gifts that Fidel had been given from the African countries all displayed for the people. These small museums are all free, however a tip of the guides is always appreciated and they are pretty knowledgeable.

Getting down at the Hotel Inglaterra - the oldest hotel in Cuba

View from Hotel Ingalterra roof terrace

Thanks Crystal Blues for this picture of one of our fav bands at El Patchanka

Music is just everywhere in Havana and while we were told to check out the big venues we found that the music throughout the city was so fabulous we never needed to venture too far. In the old town it stopped a lot earlier than we expected, however we found the Hotel Ingleterra was open much later - the oldest hotel in Havana and a great rooftop bar. A bit of a late night watching fantastic Salsa into the small hours however meant we were a bit late getting up for the 1st May parade at the Plaza de la Revolution that started at 5.30am..... we instead watched it on the TV, Raul gave a speech in his perfect Army uniform while the new prime minister was in a suit - a sign of change perhaps!?!

Plaza de la Revolution

A bit late for the 1st May Labour Day parade at Plaza de la Revolution

Hemmingway at El Floridita

 Floridita - home of the Daiquiri - we may have tried one or two....

Football in the Bar Bilbao - no big screen but a lot of passion

We had a fancy night out - we started at the Hotel Nacional for Mojito. This hotel is famous for the largest ever gathering of the Mafia and has hosted many famous stars. We had a cocktail on the terrace high up above the Malecon watching the sunset with peacocks walking around - what a contrast! Then we took a Taxi to the fabulous  La Guardia restaurant, in the building where the famous Cuban film Fresa y Chocolate was filmed. This stunningly romantic building hosts Havana's best restaurant and we were not disappointed. We arrived back at Plaza Vieja to find the party still going at our local bar and carrots had arrived in Havana. This was big news - we hadn't seen a carrot for weeks and then there was a truck full of them, not in crates, just wedged into the back of a truck, floor to ceiling, about a million carrots - in Cuba vegetables come and go - buy when you see!

Hotel Nacional

Arriving La Guarida

Fine dining in Cuba - wow!

Fresa y chocolate - signature desert

Wondering around the backstreets, we met Vianko a fabulous artist. We admired his work and chatted to him for a while. He decided to make artwork on my arm with a symbol, I think was Santeria very popular in Cuba. He told me it meant long life and safety on the ocean. We later bought a picture from Vianko that he painted just for us - another story!

Me with Vianko

The Malecon Havana

There were more treats for us back near to the marina and the fabulous people we met there....
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