Havana and Gardens of the Queen June 2019

It’s hard to say which part of traveling in Cuba was the best because it was all fabulous.  During our 4 days in Havana, Cienfuegos and Trinidad we explored Old Havana on foot, took a salsa lesson, saw a dance troupe, visited an organic urban farm and were awed by “Fusterlandia” where whimsical mosaic artist Jose Fuster has used used every building as his canvas.  We had a chance to meet local artists and heard great music. We happily indulged in delicious and creative meals created by chefs in privately run restaurants.

Traveling in Cuba is like traveling back in time. Not just because the cars are from the 50’s. The pace of life and feel of the country is relaxed and slow-paced.  Tree lined town squares are full of people interacting with each other or just sitting contently. Horse and cart and bicycles are common sights on the two lane roads. If your vehicle behind someone slowly peddling along, there is no honking, you simply wait until you can pass safely.
In the U.S it’s the norm to see people surgically attached to their cell phones or clicking away in internet cafes.  It was refreshing to witness engaged person to person interactions and a slower pace of life throughout the countryside.
Cuba may only be an hour from Miami but it feels like traveling back in time and we all reveled in it.
Cuba is lovable and the Cuban people we met were incredibly warm and friendly.  Many of the group commented they would return in a heart beat.

And then there was the snorkeling in the Gardens of the Queen! Healthy expanses of Acropora coral, gorgeous purple and golden sea fans waving in the current.  The reefs are literally teeming with life. Grunts, snappers, angelfish, hog fish and tangs galore. Every time we snorkeled we saw whiptail and southern rays and the crowd favorite, eagle rays, at times five at once.  And lots of sharks-nurse sharks, reef sharks, silkes and lemon sharks.
We snorkeled three times a day in a variety of ecosystems including shallow coral reefs, mangroves and fields of sea grass.

Our knowledgeable and passionate marine biologists Fabian and Tamara gave in-depth lectures about lagoon and mangrove ecosystems , coral reef and sea grass ecology and we discussed management of the marine protected area.

Gracias Cuba! We left our hearts with you.
Wendy
June 2019