Life-Changing Trip of a Lifetime! - Life-changing experience!
I cannot say enough about our Get2KnowCuba tour of Cuba in early September 2024. Leysester ("Ley") worked with us for ten days to customize... read more the tour, and the end result was AMAZING. He offered multiple options and was flexible and understanding in setting up an nine-day, eight night journey from Havana through the cultural heart and soul of Cuba. And during the journey, was flexible, willing and able to change things on the fly based on our experience and desire to experience things that resonated.
Perhaps the best part of touring Cuba with Ley was the exchanges we had on Cuban culture, history, life in general, and how the US / Cuba relationship has been so tragic and difficult. After the devastating ban on cruise ships in 2017 crumbled the tourism industry, life changed for him and 10,000-plus tour guides that were thriving when four cruise ships ported daily in Havana. We had deep and meaningful interactions about the "history" and roots of Cuba and the hope for better days if only Cuba can finally get what they really need: "American people and products."
We started with three nights in Havana, including a full-day with Ley and driver Tinito, starting down the embassy district of 5th Avenue and Fusterland, then weaving our way back through the city to the forts, Plazas and the Malecon before a 2-hour stint in the 1946 Ford convertible! We saw everything we could on Saturday, with a free-day Sunday to explore more on our own.
Highlight for me was the Ché museum, the house he lived in, with an office and meeting spaces filled with the true history of the brilliant Argentine doctor and revolutionary. We also saw the cannon firing ceremony later that night at the Fort facing Havana, where you have an amazing view of Havana Viejo and the entire city.
On Monday morning, he real journey begin. Ley and Tinito picked us up for the beginning of a four-day road trip. The first stop was the Bay of Pigs, stunningly
gorgeous protected habitat area with stops at the hummingbird farm and a natural reserve with Pink Flamingos! The museum of Playa Giron was a hightlight, as were stops at a fish cave (we dove in!) and lunch at an amazing beach overlooking the bay, complete with a coral cave and all-inclusive food and drinks for $20 a day.
The long day ended with our arrival in Cienguegos at dusk, where we settled in at an amazing waterfront Bed and Breakfast Paladar with an incredible dinner of lobster and crab. fresh and delicious.
Tuesday, we embarked on the road again for Trinidad, the third oldest city in Cuba. We learned all about the history dating back to 1513, when the Spanish first landed there and build a huge coffee trade in the mountains. The cobblestone streets remain, as does all of the charm of this enchanting city. The historical landmarks are stunning--we had the famous drink unique to Trinidad, the "chinchanchara"---followed by amazing dinner at La Terraza Paladar two nights in a row.
Then it was off to Veradero Beach, our final stop on the 4-day journey--and the spot I've been dreaming of since my first trip to Cuba in 2002 when I only visited Havana.
Veradero is gorgeous: a combination of the Coronado peninsula in Southern California, 1955 Miami Beach, and the "Mafia's Malibu." Incredible white-sand beaches and crystal clear blue ocean--Heavenly!
As we could not stay in hotels, Ley set us up in friendly "hostels" that are really AirBnB's / Rooms for rent. Breakfast was included at most.
Shortages are a big problem no matter where you go. We got a feel for what it's like for the Cuban people on this tour, enduring power outages (not like it didn't happen all week in SoCal when were were in Cuba, due to excessive heat!).
The food was really incredible, as long as we stayed with the private paladars. the government owned restaurants (only went to a few) were far more mediocre. We had so much delicous Caribbean lobster, shrimp, crab and we found freshly caught snapper on the beach in Trinidad simply incredible.
The spirit and soul of the Cuban people remains inspiring, just as it was in 2002. They are not a nation divided, 100% Cuban and no talk of "civil war!" Yes, many complain about the government, and we are in no place to judge that. But I reminded Ley how unique, for American s, that they all have guaranteed health care and free education for life, something we can only dream of.
As we drove through poor agricultural areas, Ley pointed out in each town a house with a red-cross sort of symbol, where a doctor lives. Anytime anyone in the town is sick, you knock on the door and the doctor treats you. If it's serious, you get sent to the hospital. and in the end, when the bill comes THERE IS NO BILL.
I asked Ley if there was any gun violence in Cuba. He gave me a puzzled look---ike what are you talking about? Ahhh, yes, hard to explain, but he doesn't have to worry about his children being gunned down in school or on their way home, or when playing freely in the streets.
Saturday morning, it was time to return to Havana, and Tinito and Ley dropped us off at the Havana airport. We were sad to say goodbye, but after such an amazing journey, we will return and do it again in a heartbeat!
Jimmy S
AYSE BİLGE G
