My trip to Cuba (Final update, link to album of all pictures added)

I know I'm jealous as hell, and greatly look forward to your pictures.

Enjoy

Looking forward to following. On my short list, for sure.

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I will be in the keys in august and was hoping there was some sort of ferry or boat I could take to Havana for a night or two but I have been told that we still aren't that friendly yet

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Ya that isn't going to happen for you unfortunately.

Looking forward to following this!

Have fun. I will check for the updates.

BTW, You don't seem like one OCD mofo at all from that schedule

You ever heard of just winging it to see where life takes you

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Left there 13 years ago. Don't think I'll be going back anytime soon

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You Taliban, bro?

I schedule like that too now when I travel. you think it would take the fun out, but it actually keeps you moving. if you don't feel like sticking to the schedule, when you spot something really cool on your way to one destination, you just side track and go off schedule. However, being scheduled ensures you are up and moving and exploring the city to its fullest, rather than laying around the hotel pool or eating breakfast at McDonalds.

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I know I'm jealous as hell, and greatly look forward to your pictures.

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Don't be jealous, just jump out and do it. This is definitely out of my comfort zone, atleast I know it will be when I'm on the plane headed there. haha, but thanks! Will definitely enjoy it to the fullest!

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Looking forward to following. On my short list, for sure. ETA: Just saw your reply to my topic. Shoot me an email

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Thanks! Putting an email together now.

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I will be in the keys in august and was hoping there was some sort of ferry or boat I could take to Havana for a night or two but I have been told that we still aren't that friendly yet

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Unfortunately, I don't see that or lots of flights being scheduled in the near foreseeable future. It actually doesn't have a lot to do with the American government or relations. IMO it has to do with cutting Cuban government profit. If they allow flights from American (or any other major carrier) that can cut prices and take market share from their own operations they lose money by the boatload. A ferry would slash alot of opportunity for Cuba to get Havana air to Miami or the keys and offer flights. It's ridiculous how hard it is to get somewhere that is so close.

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You Comunist you

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LONG LIVE CASTRO....

I kid I kid.

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Looking forward to following this!

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Thanks, hopefully it lives up to everyone's expectations!

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Left there 13 years ago. Don't think I'll be going back anytime soon

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Any particular reason? I know at that time things were extremely bad in the area. Not necessarily crime wise, just government, quality of life, etc. They have poured tons of money, mainly in Havana, into rebuilding, restructuring, and IMO have come leaps and bounds. Literacy rate is one of the best in the world at >98%, and although Crime statistics are not available the Country seems (outside looking in here) very safe. Crime is has not been and will not be tolerated by the Government. They are swift and harsh in punishing it.

Please don't take this the wrong way, I'm genuinely curious. not trying to say you are wrong for your opinion in any way.

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Have fun. I will check for the updates. BTW, You don't seem like one OCD mofo at all from that schedule You ever heard of just winging it to see where life takes you

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Hahah you would be very surprised at how Non-OCD and organized I am. I had a TERRIBLY planned road trip that led to it being entirely too expensive and not doing any of the things I really wanted to in the areas we were visiting. It ended up being a terrible experience, so from here on out, I plan. haha

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you are one organized mofo.....that being said have tons of fun and bring back a cubano for me.

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Thanks! I'll definitely be bringing some back. Whenever I looked up the prices it amazed me! I expected them to be pretty cheap in Cuba, boy was I wrong. I guess in the Grand Scheme they are, but we are talking Boxes of 25 for 400-800 for the brands I would want to bring back. That being said, I'll still get a box or two of a cheaper Cuban brand, and just a couple of the big boys. Gotta smoke a couple while I'm there just to say I did it!

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I schedule like that too now when I travel. you think it would take the fun out, but it actually keeps you moving. if you don't feel like sticking to the schedule, when you spot something really cool on your way to one destination, you just side track and go off schedule. However, being scheduled ensures you are up and moving and exploring the city to its fullest, rather than laying around the hotel pool or eating breakfast at McDonalds.

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100% agreed! Like I said before, I had a poor experience from not planning once, that is all it took. I don't ever want to miss out on the things I wanted to do again. I'll definitely sway from the schedule, I know that for a fact, but atleast having access to something on paper I can see, since internet and phone will not be an option, will help tremendously.

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I don't even know how you could make a schedule like that for a place you've never been to

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Lots of research, my friend! On the flip side, how could you go somewhere you've never been and know what you want to do? You would spend so much time asking around and finding it yourself, and lose precious time not doing anything when you could already know when you get there. Obviously if I hear of a "must see" while I'm there from a local, I'll check it out. It's more of a "try to do these things" as opposed to "WE MUST FOLLOW THIS FACKING SCHEDULE"


With all that being said, thanks for all the replies! I'll do my best to photo/go pro everything I can while I'm there. One of the things that interests me the most about Cuba, other than the fact that it is completely unlike the US, "untainted" in a way, or maybe "raw" is a better word choice, is the fact that it is so close to us, yet been off limits for so long. It amazes me to think that up until just a few months ago it was literally illegal to go spend (over a certain amount of) money in Cuba, yet the government had no problem with you going to North Korea if you could get a visa. That's crazy. So I can go to Somalia if I choose, yet I can't go somewhere that's a quick boat ride away. It honestly blows my mind in an odd way. I've also never done anything like this before, although I consider myself very adventurous. I've never had the time nor money up until this point. I'm a firm believer in grasping opportunities while they exist, and, unfortunately, I don't think an opportunity like this will be available very long, and probably not come around again for a great while.

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Any particular reason?

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Well we defected so there's that. It's not like I'd be arrested upon my return. The law changed a few years ago that defectors can return if they've been gone for 8 years.

I just remember the hell we went through leaving that I don't exactly jump at the chance to go back

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..... I will attach a screenshot of my itinerary at the bottom, update this throughout my trip, when possible, and when I get back with pictures and the experience.

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We have many folks eager to look through your photo journal. Sometimes it can be cumbersome to post a new intensive-photo thread about your trip. Simply decide what photos you want to share, then use the URL feature to post.

I will, among with others, will be on the lookout for your future posts .

Thanks again for sharing.

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