Day 18

We wake up after a little more than 5 hours sleep and here we are, already over France and ready to land …. This return flight wasn’t a problem at all.

Just few hours at Paris Airport and we’ll be on our way to Edinburgh. What a marvellous holiday ! Certainly something that we won’t forget for a long long time.

The End.

Ps: Thanks for following us in this adventure, please feel free to contact us if you want to visit Cuba.

Day 17

Last day in Cuba, it's time to priorities the last few things that we still have to see. Today we decided to have a wee look around Plaza de Armas. An interesting route on Monday morning; with less than the average number of tourists. We then change area and we visit a small museum just off the Capitolio dedicated to a local religion; Santeria. As usual dedicate a museum to a religion is not easy, in this case there is a representation of the 29 Santeria's Gods. In itself nothing more than 29 brown statues but the thing that really cracked the visit was the guide; a lady in her 60s that also has been practicing Santeria for a long period of time. This religion is a mix between Christianity and African religion, for this reason each Santeria's god matches with one or more Christian’s saint.

A very interesting visit that I recommend to anyone interested in spirituality and religions.

We has just time for the very last minute shopping and its time to go back to our accommodation. We both deserve some rest before begin our return trip, remembering the arrival flight we need to be in perfect shape. In fact we decide to have a shower and some food before going to the airport. At the casa particular there are two new comers; Australians just arrived from a long flight. It was enjoyable to exchange some thought with them giving some tips about what to visit and what to do. The taxi arrives and it’s time for us to go we say goodbye to everyone and board the “fancy” white Lada. The trip to the airport is surreal, is a sort of summary of our holiday: we drive though the typical Cuban smoky traffic we also see several urban farmers, and the sound track is a mix of Cuban artists from the radio : Ricardo Arjona, Silvio Rodriguez and Mana’ (Mexican). Once arrived at the airport we are back to reality, a never ending check-in queue. The Jose’ Marti’ is basic but very coloured, with flags of every countries attached to the ceiling of the only Gate. The duty free on the other hand and everything else is very similar to Havana centre but with higher prices. We get rid of our last Pesos Convertibles buying some food and souvenirs. The boarding procedure takes less than planned and in a question of minutes we take off. This time the flight is going to be two hours shorter than on the way to – Great !

Day 16

We are, once again, travelling alone with nor group neither guide. This was the first time that we went somewhere with an organised tour and I have to admit that for Cuba is the best choice. Everything is so much easier; there is no risk of getting lost in the Cuban motorway that have no signs at all. There is also to say that a local guide will give you much more information than any guide book available. There is also to say that a tour is very much peace of mind, no need to stress to look for an accommodation or a restaurant, in this way you have more time to enjoy your time , relax and talk with the people.

So now that we are on our own it's back to the old habit of selecting think to see and do. Today we decide to visit the Capitolio (Capital Building) the rum factory (Havana Club). We’ll also be spending some time looking for the last souvenirs and artworks for our flat. In the second part of the day we tried to visit the synagogue, but unfortunately it was closed. The latter is in the Vedado area of the city, and interesting part that is attracting more and more tourists. Once there we had an ice-cream at the very well known Coppelia, the finest helado in town. Just across the road there is this music store so we thought to have a look in and we came out with 4 CDs and a DVD.

The cinema is not that far away so we start to queue for our second and last film of the festival. This time it is called "Suspiros de Corazon" and Argentinean film. A completely different type of film, comparing to the previous one, more a comedy than anything else. We went one with a smile on our lips like everyone else in the theatre. Time to go back to Old Town – we’re going to have dinner in Havana Vieja.

Day 15/3

We are lucky enough to be here just when the Latin American Film Festival is taking place. So what better experience than try to go to a Cuban cinema? The selection of the film is not easy as the programme prints out only the title director and year without mentioning any additional information. In the end to select we spoke with a lady at the entrance of the cinema Pyett and we went for two films one Mexican and the other Argentinean. The cinema in Cuba is very cheap just 2 Cuban pesos for the local so we are sure that the cinema will be packed with local also considering that it's the weekend.

Just after saying goodbye to our travel mates for the last two weeks we head to the first film.

There are a lot of people in line in front of the doors so we join in. As usually happen here the chap in front of us start talking to us and we enjoy a long conversation about the agrarian reform and situation of the Cuban farmers. It was very interesting to talk to someone completely random in the street; it also made the queuing much more bearable. Once inside we came across a huge cinema with pretty old seats, the air conditioning helped to keep the temperature low. People were looking for a seat and chatting one with the other. The noise level is high but in a positive way! Everyone is eating some peanuts or pop corns that are available from old ladies outside the theatre.

The film starts straight with no advertisement and very sharp. The title of today's film is: La misma luna (The same moon) - I'll post a review of the film later on.

Day 15/2

We arrive in our accommodation after enjoying our first taxi ride. The problem seem to be that taxi driver do not have change, not even the smallest so we have to wait 5min for him to find someone with some change. The "casa particular" is just in the city centre, 2min off Calle Obispo - the commercial heart of Havana. From a steep stair we access the main area of the house. The property develops for a further floor upstairs, where our room is and on top of it there is also a spacious terrace roof. The room is more that OK and there is a lot of space for guests. Apparently this place if fairly known as there is number of tourists from different country already in. After a short rest it's time to continue our exploration around Havana.

Day 15

It time to leave for the group, we have to move to a casa particular for our two additional days in Havana. After a nice social breakfast we set off to start picking up on sights of the city that we haven't visited yet. Havana is very different from the other city that we've been to. People here in most areas are ignoring you, maybe the last sentence need more explanation; they ignore you means that they do not try to sell you something. This is not true near the very touristic places; Capitolio, Museo de la Revoluciòn etc. In general here you see more Cuban caring for their business and don't caring about us.

The capital is great when you are tired of the monotony of things in the other parts of the country. Here food, music and things to do are varied and interesting.

Day 14

After another natural/organic breakfast is time to say goodbye. As usual we try to leave something to the family not only a tip but also some gifts, they thank us very much.

Before going back to Havana we have our last planned visit today. We are going to meet Juanito a farmer farming steep fields in a hilly area. Juanito, thanks to various state run projects, is enjoying a better life than his ancestors. He in fact uses a solar system that runs his television and washing machine. Additionally his fridge run using kerosene as you've probably realised his home doesn't have electricity or running water. Juanito is another happy farmer living with his extensive family on this hill. Our group poses a lot of question to everyone; not only the farmer but also the local teacher, and the doctor with nurse. It's incredible but such a small community (108 people) have a school with 3 kids still open and running, a local doctor with nurse and additional services available at 8km. In Cuba living in a small farmer village is not a problem as in most countries, services are available and people decide to stay instead that move over to the cities. This is certainly a good example for other countries.

About moving to the city, this is what we are just doing, going back to Havana. This time we are going to stay at the 4* Inglaterra, but expectation is low we have read reviews that said; "Nice lobby but sloppy room..". This is exactly what we get, but we are not worried it is just for one night and the location is great. After a bit of catch up and wondering around it is time for the group farewell dinner. The restaurant is slightly better than average but with live music (too loud) and dancers. In this case you are supposed to tip; waiter, band and dancers. I know that gratuities are very important for workers in tourism, but three tips for a dinner on top of the bill is ridiculous. We end the night in Plaza Vieja having a meter of locally brewed beer.

Day 13

Today is dedicated to learn more about the valley in which Viñales is located. Our guide brings us around the fields for 3 hours and we encounter a couple of very friendly farmers.

The first, Alfredo is barefoot cutting some wood to repair his drying barn. He is very willing to talk with us and he explains about all the crops that he's growing in his farm. There is a particular emphasis on Tobacco plants, which are the main crop in this area. Apparently the plant takes just 80 days to fully grow. And when is time to harvest (May) he has to store leafs into the drying barn where they will stay until the beginning of the rain season. At that point Alfredo stores everything away and waits for the state to pick them up. He seemed to be happy about his life and when asked if working as a farmer is tought he answer "No No que dices..".

The walk continues into other fields, in one of those we meet the second Tobacco farmer that is working the soil with his two oxen. The scene is fairly surreal, comparing to our high tech tractors this method is slow and hard, but a usual the farmer wasn't bother about walking under the sun shouting orders to thee big animals. John, one travel mate also gives it a go to this old traditional method.

During the final part of our route we went into a dark cave with bats to see the other side of the valley. The walk was interesting mostly to learn more about tobacco farming.

We spent the rest of the day with our "families" and resting. We had some rain in the afternoon that was more than welcome due to the extreme high humidity. Today we decided not to go out after lunch and stay in to talk with the whole family and children. A decision that we are happy of because is the last night in Viñales and talking to Cubans is the best way to spend an evening.

Day 12/2

It was time to start our shot trip to viñales, a touristy place were we are going to stay in 'casas particulares'. This is the main feature of this stop, so we are looking forward to be allocated with a nice family. We've been lucky and we've got a very nice private home owned by a young couple with two children a cat and a dog. The location is very central but with a lovely back garden facing the lovely mountains nearby. There are two porches, one in the from for resting and one in the back where our meals will be served.

When we arrived the children were coming back from school so we had the chance to meet the whole family.

After sorting out the luggage and been shown our room we decide to have a walk around. Viñales is clearly a city that attracts a number of tourists, but if I had two explain why I wouldn't be able. The place is not ugly, but is a fairly standard Cuban city developed around a main street with a Josè Martì square. I've got the impression that this so called touristic site are more decided by the government that invests and build some hotels than by some extraordinary features.

The 'Casa Particular' is a brilliant way to visit the country; people are very talkative, the standard of the room is high (for Cuba) and the food is much better than the one served in hotels.

Day 12

We are still in Soroa in the fancy hotel; today's plan is to walk up to the top of the hill to a nice viewpoint. This will be followed by the now common waterfall where as you as usual was give it a go to the cold water. I sincerely didn't mind the programme as after days and days of eating restaurant food three times a day I have the need to burn some calories. The walk up was rather thought, but the funny thing is that half the way and at the top there were a couple of guys selling fruit and souvenirs. The scenario from the top was stunning well worth the walk. Once back at street level it was time to approach the river, but just in from of us a long column of tourists heading to the same direction. Even if uninspired we went and the waterfalls were beautiful but the number of tourists spoiled the whole thing.

Before leaving for Pinar del Rio we had time for a swim in the pool and having a shower, very relaxing after the long morning.

After a short trip we got to this town, which as highlight had a pizzeria with a decent pizza. Everything else was not extremely pleasant, the busy road with a lot of car smoke, the majority of buildings where derelicts - including the local university. People seemed to be nice and not too used to tourism, guess why!

Day 11

Last night there was a little incident involving us returning to our room after tea and finding the security guard running away from the back door of our room. This is the first time that we became slightly concern about security. Today we reported the fact and we got apologies from a number of people including the guard that said that it was an unlucky situation as he was checking that our room's door was close (from the inside?). Anyway I'll dedicate a separate comment about security in Cuba.

Today the day is almost entirely dedicated to the visit of a community, Las Terrazas, that is also biosphere reserve. This small community of 1000 people spread into 25,000 square km is a nice example of how communities in remote areas can be promoted and supported. This lovely place has all sort of services; nursery/primary/secondary doctors with a small lab, pharmacy and operation room (for minor surgery). Additionally there a cinema and a theatre, all those are the perfect incentive for people to stay instead that leave for the city.

As part of our tour we visited an ex-coffee plantation (Buena Vista), all the schools, we've spoken with one of the doctors. As usual we posed a number of questions and the answers were very interesting. The community attracts attention and tourists tend to have a one day tour from Havana (just one hour away). To make this experience unforgivable we had lunch in the best restaurant so far; El Romero (The Rosemary). As described in our program this is a vegetarian place, a gourmet vegetarian restaurant. This is quite right the food was fabulous, tasty different and healthy. After weeks of either: pork, chicken or fish we all were craving for something different. The two chief well deserve an applause and a generous tip.

We had coffee in the nearby store (Cafe de Maria) where the serve locally produced coffee in a lovely terrace overlooking the town. The last activity for today was a wee walk in the reserve to get to another nice waterfall where tourists can try the cold water. I wasn't really in the mood of swimming in the river so instead we took some pictures and relaxed under the warm sun.

Today was a very interesting day and after all the above we were fairly tired to we just rest and had dinner and few drinks in the afternoon.

Day 10

The night was nice and cool outside, the bungalows are well distant one from the other and the night went on quite and comfy. Breakfast is enjoyable but not that brilliant. It's time to free our arms from the wrist band and travel toward a new destination. We are heading back to the motorway but before joining it we are driven further up into the Bay of Pig. We pass Playa Larga that was the second invasion spot, now that location has been transformed in another turistic resort. Close by these is a memorial to the 160 Cubans that died to defeat that attempt of intrusion in just 68 hours.

Time for lunch and we are brought to the biggest restaurant that I've seen so far. It isn't as ugly as the usual Russian concrete block, is massive but with a good balance between natural stone and wood. Even if it looks modern and elegant, the menu is even more limited that in the other places we've been so far. We are in the surroundings of Havana and we are heading to Soroa, in the west of the country. Once arrived, we visited the local orchid garden; this was an impressive garden example of the fertility of this region. For what I can see this mountainous region is extremely green and full of vegetation. Just next door our accommodation, an hotel with small bungalows and a central swimming pool everything in harmony with the nature. The restaurant doesn't vary from the usual, with the only exception that they stock very expensive Spanish wine.

Day 9

It's time for us to leave Trinidad after three gorgeous days. As usual we salute the people at our best accommodation so far. We are now heading to Playa Giron with planned stop at Cienfuegos. The latter is a well proportionate town with the main square dedicated to a local hero (Josè Martì). Worth to mention are the local theatre, cathedral and the local council building. There is also a commercial street busy with shops for Cuban with hard currency.

After an hour was time to get back to the bus and to entertain us for the second part of the transfer, we watched 'El Comandante' by Oliver Stone. Maybe some of you have already seen this 2002 documentary; I can assure that in this situation it has an improved meaning.

Just when the not too impressive documentary finished we arrive in Playa Giron.

We arrived into this thing that at the beginning seemed to be a huge car park. After further investigations it turned out to be a holiday resort. The only problem being that this was the sort of place that we tried to avoid. It has to be said that this was our accommodation only for 20hr or so, and that the location is historically important. Playa Giròn is one of the two landing spots during the Day of Pig's invasion. In fact just next door there is an interesting museum on this event.

Once checked-in we are all tagged with a blue wrist-band. So it was very much an all inclusive day, with open bar and restaurant.

The experience went ok, in the end we enjoyed a lunch slightly different from usual, a swim in the bay and some drinks before dinner. The rooms were rather basic though, the accommodation in Trinidad remains our favorite.

Day 8

According to the programme today is ment to be a ay off with an optional activity. The activity in question is a nice walk in the Topes de Collantes with swin into the river/waterfalls. As we are still staying in the beautiful guest house in Trinidad I thought that someone would have been put off by the walk, but I was wrong 100 percent attendance! As usual the weather was brilliant only some useful cloud to provide a bit of shade. The walk starts just 15min by bus from outside town centre. Once crossed the characteristic bridge we enjoyed a nice walk that was sort of challenging for the first bit an then it went on following a flat path. The final reward for the 45min walk was a wonderful place, a natural waterfall. Just underneath the waterfall the river was wider and deeper, this allows to dive and swim into the cried crystal clear water. After the long walk a cold bath was the best thing. Few of us decided to jump, in a style that would not make the olympic games. There was also the waterfall that provided a free Jacuzzi and a little further a cave with some bats.

On our way back we stop by a typical farmers house, the place was very much from the past but incredibly well kept - simple but welcoming.

Day 7

Today is another full day of events for the group. As usual early start with a nice breakfast at 8 and shortly after weare lon our way to the local school od art. This holiday isnot only about Fair Trade and farmers, but also about seeing with your own eye how this works in Cuba. The school was a very nice sight to visit, its a boarding school with 100 students. The head master shows us around explaining us how the request for places is always very high. They also have two foreign student. The facility are well kept even and ok in the painting/drawing/pottery/printing side but the digital photography is a capital intense business and even if they have internet in the school, there are only 6 computers available to the one hundred students.

There is also to say that they use to have a professional digital camera but it felt off the hands of a student and now they have none. Art schools are a very expensive to run, but as all education in Cuba this school is free.

We left a lot of gift to this school, I think that interest for art is always a noble thing.

As usual we were late for the next visit as our group always asks a lot of questions. Our next stop is at the local maternity ward, a unique structure where pregnant women with any sort of complication are referred to by their family doctor. The place is located just in the town centre and they have 30 bed for patients, as usual we begin our session with three main figures working in this place; administrator, doctor and chief nursery.

We decided tonight to leave behibd the group and we enjoyed a night out for two. The restaurant was rather nice and central and then we went to "La Casa De La Trova" to enjoy some live music.

Day 6

It's time to leave the Anap guesthouse and I have to say that they where really caring with us. Always helpful and really nice.

We need to proceed with our trip in direction of the rising sun. In this way we would be able to get to Trinidad. Before reaching our destination we stopped twice the first time in Sancti Spiritus a nice little town very lively and full of activities including stores in convertible pesos, something that I haven't seen before. There is also a little library where we bought three nice books for the equivalent of 2 pounds, as usual educational goods are dead cheap. The second stop was slighty different, is was a nice tower called Torre de Maneca Iznaga where from the top you can have a fantastic view of the surroundings. Nothing bad with it, the problem is that all local seems to want to sell you something, a selling technique more aggressive that anywhere else. The view from the tower was very impressive indeed as much as the prices of the only restaurant available.

The last part of the trip to reach was fairly short, just 45min and here we were. A very lovely town that everyone seem to be in love of. The reason is simple, even if there a number of tourists around the place did not loose it originality. The guesthouse it's of an higher standard then the previous and there's no ruster to be seen :-) this time after few hours free wondering around town we had tea in an original paladar, private home good food prepared by the owner and family. Music is everywhere in Trinidad and if you are out and about in the evening hours both the Casa de la Musica and Casa de la Trova are place to enjoy some live performances.

Day 5/2

The second part of the day was devoded to visit the CCS Josè Martì. The difference between this coop and the previous one is that in this case there a number of indipendent (private) farmers that put their produce together to get a better deal. This time the meeting was different from the previous ones; instead that around a table the speaker was standing on a little stage. Also sometimes the members of this coop where contradicting one the other and this did not help the work of the translator Jesus. After this sort of strange meeting we were offered a coffee and invited to visit a member of the cooperative just few jards away.

The latter was a pleasant surprise, the farmer was very welcoming and entertaining, after visiting the finca (farm) we were invited to a little party with in order drinks food and music. A very wonderful experience that well worth the long travel. This was as explained by our guide the highlight of the FT tour, but the tour is certainly not over yet there are 10 days of travelling and visiting still to go.

Day 5/1

After a short trip to the surrounding area of Ciego de Avila we reach the first cooperative, the CPA Josè Martì. It's a bit remote but not too far away from the main road. We are welcome by representatives of the coop, all very knowledgeable and willing to dicuss with us FT issues. To summarise they are really enjoying the benefits of FT, even if the price they get for their produce (oranges and graipefruit) has always been fair, the premium paid by FT allowed them to build a number of infrastructures like workshop for lorries and plant nurseries as well as a new canteen for workers. We had also the impression that finding worker for them isn't an issue now as the benefit of FT are well known in the area.

We enjoyed their hospitality as well as an abundant lunch in the new canteen. It was probably they highlight of the tour so far, people where very nice and involved in the farming activity. As a last note even if we were supposed to help them, we did't have the chance because they haven't started picking up the fruits yet.

Day 5

The ruster start singing, It's the first time in my life that I've ever been waken up in this traditional way ..... It a very relaxing sensation, being back in time Ohhhh

When I check the clock the relax disappeared; it's two in the morning! I check outside and it's still dark; what's wrong with birds in Cuba was it Jet lagged too. The ruster went on for quite a while and managed to wake up everyone in the Guesthouse. As a result at breakfast we all look rather tired.

Today is an important day, we're going to visit the two fair trade farmers.

Day 4

Early breakfast today as we're leaving Havana to go to Ciego de Avila. The trip will take most of the da and we'll stop over only at Santa Clara to see the Che's memorial. Waiking up early is not an issue, as the jet lag is still having effect on our sleeping pattern. At 7.30 we are on the road headin East, the condition of the infrastructure is not brilliant, but the motorway is not that bad up to Santa Clara. Only problem being that before getting to the town the belt that makes the air conditioning work brokw down. As a result we waited for the mechanic to rescue us, unbelievably it took him only 1hr in total to get there and fix the problem.

The Che Guevara Memorial is located similarly to the plaza de la revoluciòn in a big area, very spacious where the monument really is the key figure. As you can see from the picture the statue an words by Ernesto are impressive. What you can't is the real memorial, just underneath the statue (photos are forbidden). The latter is split in two parts the first contains the rests of El Che and all the other fighters that with him fought the revolution . The second part is dedicated to a wee museum with a variety of photos and objects owned by Ernesto. The visit was really worth stopping over.

Back on the road we've got to our next accomodation - ANAP Guesthouse. You maybe remind this acronim that it was mentioned on day 2 - organisation of little farmers. The accomodation re simple but fairly nice and the surrounding is very nice with animals and plants. In this place we found a new feature of Cuba, frogs they seem to be everywhere. They jump everywhere from your room to the window down into the garden! Something certainly new ....

Day 3/2

After the interesting visit to Anap it was time to exprerience some hands on agricultural activity. The've been driven over to a so called urban agricultural project. The idea behibd this, i s to provide the majority of local people with vegetables without travelling too far.Once in the farm you feel like beeing in the middle of nowhere but in fact we were just few miles away from bustling Havana.The tour begun with a wee speech by one of the cooperative's founder where we've been given freshly squeezed orange juice - very very very nice. After that it was time to have a stroll around fields and see the impressive variety of produce. We also came across the ugliest fruit in the world - Napa.Attached to the farm there's a little outlet but there are also customers that go directly into the fields and pick their product !This project is another example of how Cuba needed this sort of idea after the fall of the USRR and lack of oil import.We boarded the mini bus once again and this time we were brought back to the city centre to have lunch in Chinatown. This chinatown has its origin thanks to the cjinese community that come over to build the railway line. To be sincere ks very small, just a couple of streets but the restaurant we went to was excellent.

Day 3/1

This was the first day were we moved away from the touristic trail. Even if still in the capital we started today to tackle the Fair Trade/ agricultural issues that will be at the centre of the tour from now on.First thing in the morning we visited Anap (Asociacion National Agricultores Pequenos) the associasion of small farmers. Tthis is a state run organisation that take care of the interests of their member around the island. Anap was also involved from the very beginning to the implementation of the Fair Trade model in Cuba.The person that we were supposed to meet (Deborah) was delayed when her car broke down. We anyway went on with the presentation and we had the luck to have her boss (Mario ) to do the talk. It was a very informal event that took place in their national building. Mario is the typical cuban, his resenblance are fairly similar to the one of Ibrahim Ferrer (late singer of Buena Vista Social Club). The clearly likes to talk and he entertained us with a speech that covered all the various tasks of Anap since the Cuban agrarian reform 1959. It was very enjoyable to hear from his mouth the important role that the organisation is playing in coordinating and helping small farmers. At the end he took questions and we went on for quite a bit covering vqrious issues including FT.

Day 2

The first proper day in Cuba begun with an early start. It was mainly due to the jet lag so me and Manu had our breakfast at 7.15 . After eating a comprehnsive meal we started our visit of Havana. Everything is perfectly organised with the mini bus always around to facilitate transfers.
The Old Havana is an impressive location, no wonder that UNESCO recognised it as world landmark. Streets are narrow but pedestrianised buildings are of very different types, mostly are painted in bright colours but the state of them range between delerict (about to come down) and recetly restored that look new. We started our tour from Plaza de las Armas up until the Plaza Vieja. During walking tour we came across a variety of characters approching us. The most commons are the one trying to sell you something; newspaper, coins, your poirtrait (done in 2min before approaching you). Second comes the one that offer to take a picture with you at a price, the most characteristic are a street singer, a man with a big sigar in his mouth and two women dresses in typical cuban dress. To conclude there are the one just asking for money ... But also a variety of dogs without owners that seems to be everywhere.
The picture is an installation just next to the American Interests Office. It's calle the "Cien Banderas" the 100 flags, it rapresents the fact will need stop fighting to keep its autodetermination. In a wind day like today it is really impressive.

Day 1

In order to celebrates such a special event, I decided to alter my look. If you don't notice any difference I going to be very disappointed! Yes, I've shaved my head. Both a practical and aesthetical decision; practical because I'm now able to put sun lotion directly on my scalp. There was also an attempt to try a new look; considering that a pony tail wasn't possible, this was the only way to go.
I don't know what you think, but I like it. It's practical and clean, you've to get used to it though . Now whatever I touch with my head (pillow, head rest) comes directly in contact with my skin ouch.. strange!
Feel free to comment on what you think.
About the traveling bit, just one thing 13 hours are a awful lot of time. Next time with the help of my readers I'll flight business! :-)

Less than one week away

Getting ready for a trip in never the easiest thing to do. Usually there are two factors that are affecting the size of the task: destination and length of the holiday. In our case there is a third one, very charateristic of this destination: an economic embargo that block the majority of goods to be sold in the country. In other words if you forget something home you won't be able to buy it on site.

Due to what seems to be a very complicated situation we decided to put a little more time and efford in order to prepare to our journey. At the end of the day this is going to be the only major holiday for 2007 and we're really looking forward to it. So now, less than one week from taking off, we've got the majority of things already sorted.

What we are going to TRY to do is keeping this page up to date with a sort of diary, in this area of the screen, and some pictures, on the right.

Please note that this is not the main site. You'll be able to follow my adventure using the Web 2.0 flash web page at this link.

As usual if you have question or comment, please feel free to ask.

Hasta Pronto
Marco