Wednesday, June 5, 2013

Around the island

Next stop, Bay of pigs

Taking a shared taxi from Vinales to Playa Giron (on the Bay of Pigs) we were here for a dive. After enjoying some rum we jumped in the ocean for a dive and some snorkeling.

Coconut filled with rum!


Great wall dive

Amazing corals

What you lookin' at?

Chris free diving

Chris free diving with the scuba divers, he went 25 meters down on one breath hold! LOCO!



fishy fishy



It was an interesting feeling being at the same location where the American backed force was beaten back by Castro and his revolutionary army in 1961. The air force was supposed to soften up ground targets while the landing force advanced, instead the air force forgot the hour time change in Cuba and the ships in the harbor were left like sitting ducks. 

Bay of pigs




Men shuffling their feet to spread and dry the rice harvest on the road.  

Sweeping and bagging the rice in the heat.


Ready for pick up.

Cienfuegos

This sea side town was bustling with busy locals and home of the cheapest street food we have had the entire trip. Cuba has 2 currencies, Cuc's and Nationals. The cuc is pegged at the american dollar, and nationals are 24 to 1 cuc. Tourists get stuck using cuc's but if you can get your hands on some nationals the street food is so cheap. About 4 cents for a glass of juice and 45 cents for a personal pizza!


More old cars



The front of our casa

Every "Casa" seemed to be choked and cluttered with porcelain statues, antiques and old furniture. 

Any size and cut of cigar possible.


Plaza


Locals going about their day

Music in the park


Garlic for sale

Trinidad

After a 3 hour ride and flat tire we were in Trinidad. A small town with cobble stone streets and perched on a hill about 10 km from the ocean.


Fixing a flat.

Trinadad, the once "pirate haven" with its cobble stone streets and french influenced architecture was humming with music in the evening. In the day this town was one of the most fun to shoot with a camera. 




Plaza





Horse carriages



View from the top of the hill

Waiting for a taxi

Our ride to Varadero was in a '58 Chevy Bel Air






Varadero

We decided to spend the last 3 days of our entire trip relaxing on a beach in Varadero. Mojitos and cigars was a great way to end our trip.



Last night in Cuba


Cigar and a sunset

Our last day in Cuba and our second to last day on this amazing 9 month adventure. Bitter sweet feeling. Thanks everyone for following us on this trip and keep in touch, we have a best of's page and video's of the entire trip coming this summer :)