Jungle Jim and Jenée are on the road again. We fly into Cancun and arrive at Jenée's brother Mike and Monica's beautiful place on the beach. They sailed a couple of the Greek Islands with us back in 2012. We arrive just in time for sunset ...
... and moonrise. Check out the sailboat on the horizon. We passed this way on Jungle about out 4 years ago. Just saying.
Monica is hard at work making a fantastic dinner.
Nice backyard. We'll check it out again in the morning.
Nice setting. So far I have done absolutely nothing to help.
Mike is in the kitchen helping out. Great dinner.
Same backyard view the next morning.
Nice pool
Nice view. Mike's boat is on that dock. We went for a waterfront tour of the Cancun strip. Mike and Monica live quietly, well off the strip. Tomorrow we head to Cuba. We intended to sail there on Jungle 4 years ago, but it turns out to be a bad idea if you then plan to sail on to the US as the Coast Guard disapproves.
Hola Cuba! We arrived Habana (Havana) from Cancun after the longest 45 minute flight of our lifetimes. Our initial impressions of Cuba? A little tough to get into, but clean, safe and very nice people who appeared happy to meet us. Muy Bueno! Fortunately, we were able to walk to a restaurant - mojitos for everyone!
Happy to be here. Everything is currently cash only in Cuba. Their currency for visitors is the CUC (kook) about 1:1 with the dollar. Cuban locals use what is called CUPS (coops) about 25:1 with the dollar. Typical Cuban salary is about $15 per month - that's right. Oh, and we had the added luxury of our personal Spanish interpreter - lovely Monica.
Here is the view from our Vedado, Habana apartment (friends of Monica and Mike)
We are touring Habana. Arriving the Hemmingway Marina - Hemmingway is a recurring theme in Habana.
Cruisers at dock - coulda been us!
Mike taking photos of boats from everywhere but the US.
Except this one. Actually, Wilmington, Delaware is the port of choice for boats all over the world.
In honor of Ernest Hemmingway.
Russian Lada. Interesting cars in Cuba.
Looks like an old Audi.
This is more like it - pre 1959 vintage American cars.
Nice streets and not much traffic.
This is the tower where Fidel Castro made mamy of his speeches - when he actually was making speeches. Check out the cars.
This is a Chevy, followed by a Ford. These are the local taxis.
Nice guy opened the door for me to take photos.
Buenas. Gracias.
Monica is our floor shoe model.
A hot pink Ford baby!
The taxis line up. These cars have been maintained with whatever parts the locals can find or make.
Many of the gas powered engines were replaced with Deisel engines.
Looking good.
Cool Ford Fairlane.
Another recurring theme are the Ché Guevera presentations. Ché is a popular guy here.
This must be the Revolutionary Motel.
Jenée and Monica jump for joy. I have no idea why, I didn't take the picture - lets move along.
We are going that way.
Back in the car, we tour Habana.
Approaching the Habana University.
The university where the revolution began.
The exact location where a student was gunned down in 1953 - seeding the revolution that culminated in the 1959 overthrow of the Batista government. Hola Fidel.
Back on our tour.
Downtown Habana. Does that building look familiar? It should, it's an exact copy of the US Capitol Building - US congress home.
More cool cars.
And nice guys to show them off
I'm guessing Buick, but what do I know.
So we get approached by these street artists, who fire off these caricatures in 30 seconds for 1 CUC. This is my lovely spy Jenée
Va-va-voom Monica.
Mike aka Miguel aka Butthead
Oh boy
My new friends, the artists.
Glad we know where we're we going.
The cars.
The city is undergoing a face lift.
Sister and brother.
Lovey and hubby.
Cuban music at lunch - muy bueno.
What are these colorful ladies up to?
Oh, that's what.
Bullseye! Best $5 we ever spent.
Church in old town Habana.
This is Ernest Hemmingway's favorite Habana bar.
We'll come back later. Old Town Habana is a beautiful place to visit. Until then.
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