(This is a snapshot of my old weblog. New posts and selected republished essays can be found at raganwald.com.)
Thursday, July 12, 2007
Off Topic: Cuba, ¡si!
My bother and I are going to Cuba August 3rd to 11th for a week of rock climbing, scuba diving, salsa, cigars, and hanging out. We will be staying informally, in the Cuban equivalents of Bed and Breakfasts.
Update: Scuba diving off Isla la Juventud.
It's a great time to get cheap, last-minute flights down there. And there won’t be that many opportunities to visit before everything changes. For one thing, all those gorgeous old cars are going on eBay the very moment the trade embargo is lifted. An era is drawing to a close.
There is some of the world’s best climbing and reef diving to be had in Cuba, unspoiled by hordes of tourists. For example, the diving close to the big resorts is middling, but if you travel off the beaten track to Maria La Gorda, the Bay of Pigs, or the Isle of Youth, all reports are that the diving is spectacular.
I can report from experience that the climbing in Viñales is uncrowded and spectacular, with climbs from 5.6 to 5.13 on tufas, stalactites, and other features. It’s like climbing in Thailand, only you don’t have to fly twenty hours to get there and you are in the middle of coffee and cigar tobacco plantations.
If you have a fancy to try visiting and you want to hang out, please get in touch!
For me, visiting Cuba is absolutely not an endorsement of Castro’ policies, nor is it a criticism of the embargo and travel restrictions. If you are reading this and your country has laws or policies frowning upon visiting Cuba, please be very sure you are complying with your regulations before visiting.
It’s perfectly legal for Canadians, and it’s super easy for others to travel to Toronto or Mexico and fly direct from there, but the fact that it’s easy doesn’t make it right for you.
My bother and I are going to Cuba August 3rd to 11th for a week of rock climbing, scuba diving, salsa, cigars, and hanging out. We will be staying informally, in the Cuban equivalents of Bed and Breakfasts.
Update: Scuba diving off Isla la Juventud.
It's a great time to get cheap, last-minute flights down there. And there won’t be that many opportunities to visit before everything changes. For one thing, all those gorgeous old cars are going on eBay the very moment the trade embargo is lifted. An era is drawing to a close.
There is some of the world’s best climbing and reef diving to be had in Cuba, unspoiled by hordes of tourists. For example, the diving close to the big resorts is middling, but if you travel off the beaten track to Maria La Gorda, the Bay of Pigs, or the Isle of Youth, all reports are that the diving is spectacular.
I can report from experience that the climbing in Viñales is uncrowded and spectacular, with climbs from 5.6 to 5.13 on tufas, stalactites, and other features. It’s like climbing in Thailand, only you don’t have to fly twenty hours to get there and you are in the middle of coffee and cigar tobacco plantations.
If you have a fancy to try visiting and you want to hang out, please get in touch!
For me, visiting Cuba is absolutely not an endorsement of Castro’ policies, nor is it a criticism of the embargo and travel restrictions. If you are reading this and your country has laws or policies frowning upon visiting Cuba, please be very sure you are complying with your regulations before visiting.
It’s perfectly legal for Canadians, and it’s super easy for others to travel to Toronto or Mexico and fly direct from there, but the fact that it’s easy doesn’t make it right for you.
Comments on “Off Topic: Cuba, ¡si!”:
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hola, norteamericano.
Is there some news about the embargo being potentially lifted, or are you speculating?
Is there some news about the embargo being potentially lifted, or are you speculating?
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