Cuba.Where everyone loves Ron.

So off I set on my walk.

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So that building is for the electrical supply company.this is their wiring-

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Continuing to enjoy your pics, Ron. Cuba looks very interesting, and the flowers are beautiful.

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Next was a milk market.All types of milk and cream plus the powdered variety.Milk was in takeaway containers wrapped in plastic.Cream looked very expensive-30CUCs for what looked like a litre.Whilst I watched only 1 customer.

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Hadn't gone too far when again recognised as Papa Hemingway.Also at least 3 young fellows that offered to be my guide for 3 CUCs.But this was my afternoon and I just wanted it to be spontaneous.Now here is the building that was the St.Dolores church that gave Dolores Square it's name-

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By now I was back at the main square.It was very hot so I decided to have a local beer at the Gran Hotel.When on our tours at every stop there were women asking us for soap or perfume.The guide told us that these items were expensive and very much in demand.I had decided that this afternoon was to be by give back time so when I left the ship I went to the supermarket opposite I bought 10 bars of soap-cost 4 CUCs.

The woman at the cash register spoke a fair bit of English.There was a couple next to me in deep discussion.they had what looked like 2 year old twins.Being nosey I asked the woman at the cash register what they were arguing about-it was whether to buy fresh veggies or cooking oil-the oil was 2.4CUCs for a litre-ie 2.4 days pay.I bought them the cooking oil.

Now when I got to Dolores square and the main square there were none of the women wanting soap.Whilst I was drinking my beer I noticed them all walking together into the square and 2 minutes later a tour bus pulled up.i decided they weren't having my soap.But back to the pics-

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So the hotel bar and then the walk downhill back to the ship.I deliberately avoided the wider roads.I certainly found the people that needed my soap and my left over CUCs.

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Bravo DrRon.

To give back is the greatest gift.

I began giving out soap and CUCs to elderly people in buildings that were in disrepair.One elderly couple were minding 2 young school age girls.I gave them a bar of soap and 3 CUCs-got a kiss that time.Usually a soap and 1 CUC.Got another kiss from the woman I gave the last soap and all the money I had-1.3 CUCs.It is amazing how much satisfaction you can get for such a little outlay.

Now to the politics-

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So socialism has given the Cubans prosperity and sustainability.Hmm.And CDR stands for the Committees who reported on their neighbours to the authorities.Ended up making everyone suspicious.Apparently it is a lot better but the Committees still exist.

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When I was about half way from the square to the harbour I was stopped by a well dressed middle aged fellow who asked if he could have an English conversation.Well it was 35 C (95 F) and 95% humidity and there was a shaded side of the street so I agreed.As we were talking an old wiry looking fellow came up the hill pushing a wheelbarrow with 2 25KG sacks of ? flour.I asked my new friend if he could find out a few things about the fellow as when he reached us he stopped for a breather.Turned out he was only in his 50s.He took supplies up the hill in his barrow for several restaurants which my friend said were government owned.He got 25 pesos a day as long as he did ~ 20 loads a day.No pay if it rained or nothing to transport.

I gave the fellow 5 CUCs-6 days pay.He stood there looking amazed just looking at the money then at me.My friend said Gracias and you deserve good luck for the rest of your life.And all it cost me was $US5.

So back to the pics-

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Back at the harbour but not quite finished my walk.

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I walked back into the port with the Staff Captain.I was wearing a dark cap.The guard says to me-Welcome back Captain.The staff Captain had a good laugh.back through the security-walked through the scanner with bag,camera etc.The thing beeps but you are just waved through.Now time for another shower before Sail Away.

Bravo DrRon.

To give back is the greatest gift.

Thanks but in truth I get the most out of it.I always try to give back to the places I visit.Mostly this is done through Kiva-

http://www.kiva.org/

In Laos Kiva was not operating there when we went so we donated a school library through Big Brother Mouse-

http://www.bigbrothermouse.com/

It was truly emotional.Each child was given 3 sheets of A4 paper and a pencil and the enjoyment they got from that was just unbelievable.

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Do excuse my going off topic.

I know you give back. I have read your posts.

And yes, the gift gives back to you.

Random and not so random acts of kindness.

Thank you for sharing so much with us, and with others.

Thank you, Dr. Ron

You have changed the way I travel. To remember where I have had the good fortune to visit through Kiva is better than all my photographs (mostly because I am a really lousy photographer)! I hope our paths cross one day.

Winnie

Sailaway was interesting.just before sunset and magnificent scenery-

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The pilot bids farewell,we reach the open sea and the internet returns-

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We then had another hot rocks dinner on the back deck.A beautiful night.To the east of Santiago de Cuba there were a lot of reasonably bright lights.I presume Gitmo which is a little to the east.

This time I had the prime rib eye amd Rojaan a half a pork chop-just the right size for her.They were perfectly cooked.:D

I think I will stop this report here apart from a summary post.That will keep it on Cuba.I will start another on the rest of our time on the Explorer from Jamaica to Ecuador.

Thanks so much for posting on Cuba and your terrific pictures. They speak volumes!

Looking forward to the next voyage.

So my thoughts on Cuba.

Definitely go.It is changing and will keep changing though probably not as fast as people think.The Government is definitely still in control and it is not definite that they really want to normalise relations with the USA.It is convenient to have an excuse for your problem.

It is also obvious that at this stage they will not cope well with mass tourism.Your program can change without reason.The jamming of the internet in Santiago de Cuba is not going to work with 5000 + passengers on the large cruise liners.

Conditions outside of Havana are pretty basic.

A Silverseas cruise on the Explorer is a reasonable and comfortable way to go.Although it is an Expedition ship only 1 day required zodiac rides.In Havana,Cienfuegos and Santiago de Cuba you were docked.They are repeating the cruise in 2016/17 with the only change just 1 day in Santiago de Cuba.In Jamaica and Costa Rica again the ship was docked with only Isla de Providencia and Boca Del Toro being zodiac landings.Hopefully there will not be any large charter groups to give independent cruisers a chance.

I would avoid group tours.A private tour organised with a car and driver I would expect to give you the best Cuban experience if not cruising.But definitely worth a visit.

On the other hand there is a country we also visited on this trip where the culture is definitely changing and may well lose it's unique character in the future.Travel is also much easier and the locals are just as helpful.That country is Japan.Another I would class as a must visit sooner rather than later.

Thanks to all who have followed this adventure.It has been very heavy on pictures but I felt this was the best way of conveying the feeling of Cuba.

The rest of the cruise will follow soon.

Great stuff Drron. Enjoy the next stage of the voyage.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Ron, as you well know, it has been difficult for Americans to visit Cuba unless on a "cultural exchange" type program. Were there Americans on this cruise?

No Americans on this cruise as it was not advertised except in the UK but only from late May this year.54 of the 72 on board were the Captain's Choice charter.

However 2016 is being advertised.No need to worry our passports weren't stamped and our visa was a loose bit of paper which was taken in Santiago de Cuba so no evidence we had been to Cuba when we arrived in Miami.