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 Sunday, January 31 TotalAdventure hired a late model Chinese car for the 180 mile, 320 km drive from Havana to the colonial city of Trinidad. As we can see in the video below, the modern four lane freeway is almost always empty. No traffic jams in Cuba !

KM 141 Rest Stop.

Along the shores of the Caribbean.

Propaganda, not advertising.

Only one still alive.

In late afternoon we arrived in Trinidad.

In keeping with our philosophy of helping local people wherever possible and having a more authentic experience, TotalAdventure stayed in a private compound – casita below.

Dinner – one of the better meals of the trip – baked Florida lobster – $ 10.

For current adventures in Cuba CLICK HERE.

Monday, February 1st, dawned warm and springlike, with TotalAdventure being awakened by crowing roosters. The countryside near Trinidad reaches from high mountains to white sand Caribbean beaches.

A 1951 Chevy was hired for the day. For a 65 year old car, it ran great , though the driver would not take it over a high mountain pass.

We drove to a finca for horseback riding.

Lunch was being prepared – boiled yuca.

In Cuba, rum flows like water.

Off on a trail to the mountains.

To a large cenote – cool water in a cave – perfect after riding in the hot sun.

Torre Manacas Iznaga – 200 years old, 200 feet tall , 61 meters – built by sugar cane plantation slaves in 1816.

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.

TotalAdventure has just returned from a road trip in Cuba, only 45 minutes away from our home city of Miami. A 45 minute flight and 57 years back in time.Due to limited internet access TotalAdventure was unable to upload video and photos on a daily basis. The entire story of the trip will be uploaded shortly, with many great photos.

For current adventures in Cuba CLICK HERE.

2014 was an incredible travel year for ArcticTropic. We explored Myanmar ( Burma), European Russia,Siberia,Mongolia,China,Japan,British Colombia,Canada,Singapore,Philippines and Panama. Here’s 184 clips in 11 minutes. This version is natural sound,a musical version will be uploaded soon.

2014 was a busy travel year for ArcticTropic. In all, we travelled an equivalent of more than twice around the world.The voyage to Myanmar in March ,via Frankfurt and Singapore was to the opposite side of the world and back the same route. In May and June we travelled in a continuous Eastbound direction until we ended up back where we started. In contrast, the 2.5 hour hop to Panama was a mere commuter flight.

Today ArcticTropic accompanied the delegation from Enterprise Florida on a tour of the Panama Canal. The Canal, which just celebrated its’ 100th Anniversary is undergoing a major expansion -PANAMAX – which will triple capacity and allow much larger container ships to traverse between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.

Ships enter from the Atlantic ( Caribbean ) side at Colon.

PANAMAX construction. Estimated to be finished by late 2015.

Gatun Lake. The total route is 50 miles ( 80 km ) and takes 8 to 10 hours. Only 32 ships a day can pass through – 16 from either side. Reservations are required 547 days in advance, but expedited service is available.

Entering Miraflores Locks.

Clearance of the ;Miraflores completed, the ship sails into the Pacific, about 5 miles away, then on to China.

For adventures in Panama, CLICK HERE

After a 2.5 hour flight from Miami, ArcticTropic arrived in Panama City. All immigration and ground transport was super fast and efficient. Panama is a true Crossroads of the World. Since the Canal Zone turnover and the departure of Manuel Noriega, the economy has grown exponentially. Many Americans,Chinese,Colombians and Venezuelans have settled in , growing a huge modern skyline.

By air it’s only 5 minutes from the Atlantic …..

…. To The Pacific.

A Sunday Afternoon stroll through the Old City.

Part of the Spanish Main.

A peaceful oasis in a bustling World Port.

For adventures in Panama, CLICK HERE