We wanted to visit Cuba as soon as we heard visitation restrictions for Americans were loosened by the US government.
We actually started this trip in 2016, spending Christmas and New Year’s in Cuba, and coming back in 2017.
Of course, we had to visit the capital, Havana…
But first we stayed in the less known Boca de Camarioca.
Princeton woke up on his first day in Cuba, looked outside, and thought to himself, “Where am I?”
When eating out, chicken, beef, or lobster cost exactly the same amount. Guess which one we often chose?
Princeton had no problem making friends…
He even met a new friend in the park!
You can’t think of Cuba without thinking of these classic American cars that are still very much a part of the culture.
“Che Guevara was a prominent communist figure in the Cuban Revolution (1956–59) who went on to become a guerrilla leader in South America. Guevara’s image remains a prevalent icon of leftist radicalism and anti-imperialism.” – The History Channel
After the revolution, the US imposed an import blockade, so no new American cars have been imported since the 1950s. Those that exist have been painstakingly maintained using Cuba ingenuity, including parts from household appliances and Russian tanks.
The National Capitol Building in Havana was the seat of government until after the Cuban Revolution in 1959. It is Havana’s most ambitious and grandiose building, and is now home to the Cuban Academy of Sciences. Some say the design is similar to the United States Capitol. What do you think?
Not every building in Havana is as grand, although these are probably even more functional.
Cuba isn’t the easiest tourist destination, but a day at the beach in Varadero makes it all worth it.
We found out my wife was pregnant with our baby girl just before leaving for Cuba! Momma and baby jump for joy!
Aside from visiting Havana and Varadero, we made it to the other side of the island and spent time in Trinidad, a Spanish colonial settlement.
The streets of Trinidad are packed with character.
We will always cherish our memories of this beautiful island nation!