A place where everyone loves Ron.

[drron]

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The smelter from the ground and a bad case of borers-

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[drron]

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There was a bit of time before the bus came back so we crossed the square to the Gran Hotel and had a mojito and a pina colada-5.5CUCs

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Back to the ship for once again a cold shower,lunch and a lie down-

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This time however I did go out at 1500 to walk the town and spread some joy.That next.

 

[amaroo]

Just caught up. Very enjoyable TR...

 

[drron]

So off I set on my walk.

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So that building is for the electrical supply company.this is their wiring-

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Next was a milk market.All types of milk and cream plus the powdered variety.Milk was in takeaway containers wrapped in plastic.Cream looked very expensive-30CUCs for what looked like a litre.Whilst I watched only 1 customer.

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[drron]

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Hadn't gone too far when again recognised as Papa Hemingway.Also at least 3 young fellows that offered to be my guide for 3 CUCs.But this was my afternoon and I just wanted it to be spontaneous.Now here is the building that was the St.Dolores church that gave Dolores Square it's name-

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[drron]

By now I was back at the main square.It was very hot so I decided to have a local beer at the Gran Hotel.When on our tours at every stop there were women asking us for soap or perfume.The guide told us that these items were expensive and very much in demand.I had decided that this afternoon was to be by give back time so when I left the ship I went to the supermarket opposite I bought 10 bars of soap-cost 4 CUCs.
The woman at the cash register spoke a fair bit of English.There was a couple next to me in deep discussion,they had what looked like 2 year old twins.Being nosey I asked the woman at the cash register what they were arguing about-it was whether to buy fresh veggies or cooking oil-the oil was 2.4CUCs for a litre-ie 2.4 days pay.I bought them the cooking oil.

Now when I got to Dolores square and the main square there were none of the women wanting soap.Whilst I was drinking my beer I noticed them all walking together into the square and 2 minutes later a tour bus pulled up.Idecided they weren't having my soap.But back to the pics-

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So the hotel bar and then the walk downhill back to the ship.I deliberately avoided the wider roads.I certainly found the people that needed my soap and my left over CUCs.

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[drron]

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I began giving out soap and CUCs to elderly people in buildings that were in disrepair.One elderly couple were minding 2 young school age girls.I gave them a bar of soap and 3 CUCs-got a kiss that time.Usually a soap and 1 CUC.Got another kiss from the woman I gave the last soap and all the money I had-1.3 CUCs.It is amazing how much satisfaction you can get for such a little outlay.
Now to the politics-

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So socialism has given the Cubans prosperity and sustainability.Hmm.And CDR stands for the Committees who reported on their neighbours to the authorities.Ended up making everyone suspicious.Apparently it is a lot better but the Committees still exist.

.https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-NVaPPMxx_9Q/VhRTu-frtGI/AAAAAAACImg/7UIzhdZC61s/s400-Ic42/DSC06612.JPG.

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When I was about half way from the square to the harbour I was stopped by a well dressed middle aged fellow who asked if he could have an English conversation.Well it was 35 C (95 F) and 95% humidity and there was a shaded side of the street so I agreed.As we were talking an old wiry looking fellow came up the hill pushing a wheelbarrow with 2 25KG sacks of ? flour.I asked my new friend if he could find out a few things about the fellow as when he reached us he stopped for a breather.Turned out he was only in his 50s.He took supplies up the hill in his barrow for several restaurants which my friend said were government owned.He got 25 pesos a day as long as he did ~ 20 loads a day.No pay if it rained or nothing to transport.
I gave the fellow 5 CUCs-6 days pay.He stood there looking amazed just looking at the money then at me.My friend said Gracias and you deserve good luck for the rest of your life.And all it cost me was $US5.

So back to the pics-

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[drron]

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[drron]

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I walked back into the port with the Staff Captain.I was wearing a dark cap.The guard says to me-Welcome back Captain.The staff Captain had a good laugh.back through the security-walked through the scanner with bag,camera etc.The thing beeps but you are just waved through.Now time for another shower before Sail Away.
Sailaway was interesting.just before sunset and magnificent scenery-

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[drron]

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[drron]

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The pilot bids farewell,we reach the open sea and the internet returns-

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We then had another hot rocks dinner on the back deck.A beautiful night.To the east of Santiago de Cuba there were a lot of reasonably bright lights.I presume Gitmo which is a little to the east.
This time I had the prime rib eye and mrsdrron a half a pork chop-just the right size for her.They were perfectly cooked.

 

[drron]

So my thoughts on Cuba.
Definitely go.It is changing and will keep changing though probably not as fast as people think.The Government is definitely still in control and it is not definite that they really want to normalise relations with the USA.It is convenient to have an excuse for your problem.
It is also obvious that at this stage they will not cope well with mass tourism.Your program can change without reason.The jamming of the internet in Santiago de Cuba is not going to work with 5000 + passengers on the large cruise liners.
Conditions outside of Havana are pretty basic.
A Silverseas cruise on the Explorer is a reasonable and comfortable way to go.Although it is an Expedition ship only 1 day required zodiac rides.In Havana,Cienfuegos and Santiago de Cuba you were docked.They are repeating the cruise in 2016/17 with the only change just 1 day in Santiago de Cuba.In Jamaica and Costa Rica again the ship was docked with only Isla de Providencia and Boca Del Toro being zodiac landings.Hopefully there will not be any large charter groups to give independent cruisers a chance.

I would avoid group tours.A private tour organised with a car and driver I would expect to give you the best Cuban experience if not cruising.But definitely worth a visit.

On the other hand there is a country we also visited on this trip where the culture is definitely changing and may well lose it's unique character in the future.Travel is also much easier and the locals are just as helpful.That country is Japan.Another I would class as a must visit sooner rather than later.

 

[Julesmac]

GreatTR Ron, extremely interesting. So how does Cuba derive its income? There can't be that much demand for cigars, surely. When these cruise liners come in, does the local economy get flooded with $$ or is the profit from tourists get creamed off the top by govt/officials/...I think I just answered my own question! Did you find overall the people are happy, cos an awful lot of them appear to me from your pics, as living in grinding poverty.

 

[drron]

Yes the government always gets its cut.
One of the main Cuban exports is doctors.Originally to Venezuela.The Cuban doctor gets $US500 per month from Venezuela and the Cuban Government gets $US1000 per month paid with oil.Said to be 2000 Cuban doctors in Venezuela.
Recently a scheme has started with South Africa.

At least superficially happy.But when we went on our Old American car tour in Havana our guide Pierre who has been going to Cuba for some 15 years and plans tours there got talking to our driver it revealed that they do worry.He wouldn't have more than 1 child as he didn't want to bring up another under the conditions in Cuba.
According to Pierre when talking to locals about a third are confident there will be positive changes in the years ahead,a third are definite there wont be and the other third don't know.

 

[RB]

Thanks for another great read.

 

[drron]

The cruise continues.The morning after leaving Cuba we awoke to these sights-

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The water was clear and beautiful.The frigate birds put on a good display-

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[drron]

And we arrive at the Port Antonio cruise terminal-

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So off on our bus ride to a waterfall and swimming hole.Apparently 95 steps so Rojaan stayed behind.Interesting and beautiful scenery-

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[drron]

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We arrive at our destination.A little gift shop,tropical vegetation and an idyllic stream-

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[drron]

A magical spot.Water cool and refreshing.So clear you could see the fish who were not afraid and swam around us all.There was a small cave and sitting at the entrance you got a great massage from the waterfall.

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On the drive to the waterfall we had a young guide.She was very keen but did not have all the information.Her singing was just a little abrasive.however we had an older and knowledgeable bus driver who filled in the gaps.When we arrived I asked him if we could have some more traditional Jamaican music.Whilst we were enjoying ourself he downloaded some music.Starting off on the way back he started with Bob Marley's One World,One life.The group of 18 all joined in and we had a great trip back to the ship.Next was Harry Belafonte and the Banana Boat song as Port Antonio was Jamaica's banana port.
The road was narrow and winding and obviously a little dangerous-

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[drron]

We stopped at a bar on the way back.just beautiful-

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At the bar there was some local dancing and music by the Granny,Nanny cultural group-

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The children obviously enjoyed themselves.Now time to finish our coconut drink,have a last look at the view and drive off to Harry Belafonte's Coconut Water.

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