TotalAdventure returned to Cuba from January 12th to 19th . Havana has changed quite a bit – due to the relaxed US business and tourism policies. Many new businesses have started – and following in the footsteps of China in the 1980s – a dual system is taking hold. There are more cars – Havana may see it’s first traffic jam  in 60 years, about 5 years from now. The weather this year was calmer and warmer, with daytime highs about 78 (26 C) and lows about 62. (16C) Above is the Malecón in the mid afternoon, taken from El Morro.

The Fathom – Bound For Miami.

A reminder of less peaceful times – 1961.

On Avenida Galiano.

Art Deco -style pharmacy.

Avenue Galiano.

Revolution Square.

1937 Chevy.

Near Downtown.

Local Block Committee.

One of the newer American cars – the 1960 Ford Fairlane.

In memory of the recently departed leader.

At The Museum of the Revolution.

Shot by TotalAdventure’s Blaine Zuver and Martin Zuver.

A an overnight first class sleeper train ride from Budapest had us arriving fresh and rested on the first morning of summer, June 21.

The”Dacia” Boarding in Budapesti Keleti.

Brasov – Romania’s Hollywood ? Brasov is the center of Transylvania.

Dracula’s Castle, known as Castle Bran, is about 25 km from Brasov. Building began in the 1200s and was added on to over the centuries.

A hidden stairway deep in the interior.

The modern day ( 1883 ) Peles Castle, in Sinaia. was built by King Carol.  It was built with electricity,telephones,telegraph and other modern conveniences.

A comfortable drawing room in Peles.

The Carpathian Mountains are quite undeveloped. There are a few small ski areas, with a long powdery season, rafting,climbing and seeing rare animals that are extinct in Western Europe. For many years only Dictator Nicolae Ceaușescu was allowed to hunt.

While forcing his subjects to live in poverty and half-starvation,Ceaușescu lived in the grand style of a Communist Emperor .An entire section of Bucharest ( not just a neighborhood, but comparable to the Upper West Side of Manhattan or Soho in London  ) in order to build the People’s Palace – the world’s second largest building in terms of square footage , just after the Pentagon. It took 18 years to complete – from 1978 to 1996 – 7 years after the execution of he and his vile wife Elena.

A chandelier weighing 5 Metric Tons  – one of over 100 in the building – constructed at a time the populace was relegated to one 40 watt lightbulb per apartment.

The Dictator. – “Genius of The Carpathians” was one of his many self-bestowed titles.

One of many grand staircases. Many had to be rebuilt several times in order to make him seem taller than his  short stature.

The view from one of the balconies from which Ceaucescu would never make a speech.

One in three adults were rumored to work for the Secret Police – the Securitate.

In a nautical mode.

In Nicolae and Elena’s villa – solid gold water faucets. Commoners were rationed to half an hour of hot water every other Sunday.

Modern radio – circa 1988.

Havana is best explored on foot on riding in a 1950s American car.

Rolling works of art.

Waves slamming the Malecón on a winter’s day. On January 29th, the temperature ranged from 57 to 68. ( 14 to 20 C)

Rationed Food Store. All citizens are issued ration cards to buy a small amount of basic staples every month. Prices are low and subsidized. A limit of five eggs per person per month. Anything beyond that must be purchased in convertible CUC currency  at market price.

Cigarettes are about 20 cents a pack.

Vegetable shop.

Socialist inspiration in the shops.

Free fuel from Venezuela.

Ready to start the day learning the principles of Marx and Lenin, and of course, Fidel.

For current adventures in Cuba CLICK HERE.

On the way back from Trinidad, TotalAdventure stopped in Cienfuegos for a couple of hours. Cienfuegos is an industrial port, with a center that is like a Spanish themed American town of the 1950s.

A cafecito is one CUP Peso – about 4 cents.

Cienfuegos is the home of the famed musician Benny More.

The Young Communist League.

TotalAdventure was asked not to come inside.

Perhaps this sign will be taken down soon ?

In the Cathedral.

For current adventures in Cuba CLICK HERE.

After Cienfuegos the car returned me to Havana for the final two nights at the apartment in Ciudad Vieja.

TotalAdventure spent the final day exploring eastern Havana from the Malecon to Miramar – the diplomatic district. Above , is the newly recommissioned United States Embassy.

On Avenida 5, the Iranian Embassy.

The very retro Habana Riviera, untouched since the 1950’s. Scenes from the Russian propaganda movie Soy Cuba  were filmed here.

Closed since New Year’s Eve 1959. Not much chance to redeem.

Inside – the Copa Room – your Grandparents may have danced here.

The all-seeing Soviet Embassy. The Russian Embassy occupies a huge plot of oceanfront land.

Venezuela, a close ally.

On Thursday, February 4th TotalAdventure returned to Miami, once again, on the 45 minute Eastern Airlines flight. TotalAdventure will return later in 2016, hopefully on the overnight ferry service that is expected to launch from the Port of Miami. In the meantime, please enjoy the video below – “Cuba Road Trip 2016.”

For current adventures in Cuba CLICK HERE.

An amazing waterfall coming off the Glacier this afternoon in South Iceland.Today was the first day – actually only a half day – on the Ring Road around Iceland.

A boiling caldera.

1000 Year Old Viking house.

The Geysir Erupts !

Volcanic rock formations , recently formed.

Icy River !

For adventures in Iceland, CLICK HERE

From Lake Baikal we made a quick dash back to Irkutsk on the hydrofoil, and caught the Trans Siberian for the overnight run to Ulan Ude. Ulan Ude is the closest Siberian city to Mongolia and boasts the world’s largest Lenin head.

The train leaves Irkutsk at 10 PM and arrives about 6 the next morning. It also passes Lake Baikal’s eastern shore , so would be a beautiful day trip.

The sleeping arrangements are communal but not totally uncomfortable. There is a separate reserved cabin car for those doing the long haul from Moscow to Vladivostok.

Soviet Heroes who defeated the White Army in 1919 helping Communism spread east.

Old city street scene.

Inside an old wooden apartment building.

For adventures in Russia, CLICK HERE

On the morning of June 1 we arrived in Irkutsk after a 5 hour flight and a 5 hour time change.

The flight is longer than New York to Los Angeles but only crosses about a third of Russian airspace.

Irkutsk is 350 years old, settled by fur traders. The Trans Siberian Railroad grew the settlement into a city.

The Communists never bulldozed the old Siberian buildings.

However frost in Irtkutsk’ 50 below zero winters causes the buildings to warp.

A hot bowl of borscht is welcome on a chilly 40 F ( 4 C ) degree day in June.

FOr adventures in Russia, CLICK HERE

Moscow is a great sightseeing city . It’s very easy to get around on the Metro. Above, church spires in the Kremlin.

The Tomb of The Unknown Soldier, outside the walls of the Kremlin.

Memorial to the Siege of Leningrad.

Inside the Kremlin walls.

Foreign Ministry Building.

Lenin is Everywhere – Still ! But his philosophy is long dead.

Evening Mass.

Stalin’s Greatest Masterpiece – Moscow State University.

For adventures in Russia, CLICK HERE

For thousands of years, life in Bagan has revolved around Lord Buddha.

For advenutres in Burma, CLICK HERE