Archive for the 'Communist' Category
While 70% of US Citizens favor dropping all restrictions for traveling to Cuba, President Trump , delivering on a campaign promise to a vocal minority in Miami, has reimposed restrictions on most individual travel to Cuba. These will likely take effect in the coming months. The purpose of the restrictions is to help individual Cubans in the tourism sector. Thankfully, TotalAdventure trips fall into that category. We have amazing trips that see the real Cuba, working and visiting with local people.
There are 3 places left on Cuba Explorer – 9 Days in August for $ 2199.
Also in August Cuba Rhythms – Only $ 944 !
The Cuba Colonial trip is also in August. 6 Places left at $ 2499.
On January 12 TotalAdventure returned to Cuba – the first of a few explorations this year. The following posts provide a great visualization of a slowly transitioning Cuba.
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.
On Sunday morning, January 15th TotalAdventure motored to Viñales , in Pinar del Río , Cuba’s westernmost region, about 2 1/2 hours from Havana.
The land is punctuated by limestone mountains jutting out of the farmland, much like rock formations in South China and Southeast Asia – caused by millions of years of erosion.
A mountain panorama. Hard to believe this area is so close to Florida.
Burning off brush. Flames were so hot that skin felt like burning from 4 meters away.
TotalAdventure dined twice at Finca Agroecoligica El Paraiso. They do not yet have their own website. Everything is produced on the land ,including this recently slaughtered pig, who makes excellent lechon asado .
All vegetables are grown on the restaurant’s land as well. This guarantees supplies and does not strain the public food distribution system .Everything is sustainable and recyclable.
Huge portions for 12 CUC per diner.
The old farmhouse is busy day and night. Some say – one of the best meals in Cuba. Beer is not served as it comes in disposable bottles . Instead – local rum from reusable bottles !
El Paraiso by night.
Driving to the guest house after dinner.
On Monday, January 16 ,TotalAdventure drove to Esenada Nombre de Dios on the Gulf of Mexico. Other than Mexico itself, it is the only place on the Gulf where one can actually see mountains – the limestone monoliths of Viñales about 30 miles distant.
As the peninsula was only 30 miles away, we thought it would be a quick morning trip to explore’s the area’s possibility as an eco-resort ( not likely ) and a snorkel swim. However, the roads were in serious need of repaving and turned out to be an all day excursion instead.
Iconic lighthouse, about half way between Florida and Mexico.
The Gulf beaches are clean and peaceful. TotalAdventure is exploring areas that might be good for an eco-resort – but the coral reef is not well developed in this area.
A deserted subtropic isle.
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.
The flight from Miami to Havana is only 45 minutes, but it’s a trip back in time. To 1959.
TotalAdventure flew on the newly relaunched Eastern Airlines – actually a charter by Havana Air. Real commercial fights will start later this year.
Arrival at Aeropuerto José Martí.
TotalAdventure was in Cuba in order to research how to set up eco-friendly and cultural trips to be led by local individuals. TotalAdventure operates just like AirBnb – with adventures instead of apartments. Our challenge is finding reputable guides offering unique experiences. One of the biggest difficulties is limited internet access – Wi-Fi is very expensive for the average person and it is generally not available in private homes.
The view from TotalAdventure’s $ 47 a night AirBnb apartment.
As the economy slowly transitions, Total Adventure does it’s best to patronize and work with individuals and families. Instead of a hotel, a local apartment or house. And always a private car and driver – whether a city taxi ride, a long trip from Havana to Trinidad and back , or a day tour in the Trinidad region.
Taxi from the airport to apartment – 1953 Chevy !
The neighborhood in Habana Vieja.
Cuba is the world’s largest renovation project !
All the Cuba posts were uploaded on the sameday, after return to Miami, due to limited access in Cuba. The final post is “Cuba Road Trip 2016” – a real life video !
For current adventures in Cuba CLICK HERE.
Military display near El Morro.
Che is everywhere.
Hemingway is everywhere.
Like Miami beach – Art Deco.
Controls for the Hershey Train.
Hotel Nacional de Cuba. There is a twin building in Palm Beach – the Biltmore.
1962.
1962.
Saturday Morning March.
Time standing still.
Nightlife – at an old Hemingway favorite.
For current adventures in Cuba CLICK HERE.
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.