Had a text off Dad earlier. He'd had a walk today to old Havana (Habana Vieja). He's visited a couple of Churches and a Cathedral - apparently they are cooler inside ... I think he means temperature rather than trendy ! I'm thinking it was probably the Catedral de la Habana.
He's also visited the Museum of Revolution. Dad picked up a cycle taxi - I think this is where someone else does the pedalling ! Now that sounds the perfect way to go out cycling.
Tonight he'll be catching the air conditioned bus to Santiago de Cuba. From the sounds of it the weather is a tad on the hot side - he mentioned it a couple of times in his text!
He had tried to call me and me to ring him but we never got through ... that's mobile phones for you !
Will update when I hear from him again.
Friday, April 8, 2011
The Handsomest Man in Cuba ...
Just been Googling about cycling in Cuba and came across this book The Handsomest Man in Cuba . Published in 2007. How can that be as my Dad only arrived yesterday :)
Been trying to track down a copy and it looks like it is only available in the States ! Doh. Would have been great to get Dad a copy for his return. Oh well, Dad will have to do his own version ... The Handsomest Man in Cuba Part II - The Return :)
Updated to say I've found one on Amazon Market place and ordered it :)
Been trying to track down a copy and it looks like it is only available in the States ! Doh. Would have been great to get Dad a copy for his return. Oh well, Dad will have to do his own version ... The Handsomest Man in Cuba Part II - The Return :)
Updated to say I've found one on Amazon Market place and ordered it :)
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Day 1 - Havana
Well just got a text from Dad with an update of his day. He's had a great day. This morning he had a ride out to Marianao. Following lunch it was then onto Guanabacoa and finally onto Havana Vieja or Old Havana as it's also known.
Weather has been very hot - just had a look and it's around 32 or 33 degrees ! That's warm. Tonight he's been back to the Casa and had lobster for tea ... now that's a bit more upmarket than his usual "camping" tea ! I bet he's having a craving for a cup-a-soup :)
Apparently it was the bike box that was damaged and not the bike. That's a relief.
Dad has booked the overnight bus to Santiago de Cuba for tomorrow night. Departs Havana at 10.00 pm and arrives in Santiago de Cuba at 12.00 am. So tomorrow he will have another day in and around Havana.
Weather has been very hot - just had a look and it's around 32 or 33 degrees ! That's warm. Tonight he's been back to the Casa and had lobster for tea ... now that's a bit more upmarket than his usual "camping" tea ! I bet he's having a craving for a cup-a-soup :)
Apparently it was the bike box that was damaged and not the bike. That's a relief.
Dad has booked the overnight bus to Santiago de Cuba for tomorrow night. Departs Havana at 10.00 pm and arrives in Santiago de Cuba at 12.00 am. So tomorrow he will have another day in and around Havana.
He's arrived !
Just got a text from Dad. He arrived at the Casa (B&B) in Havana just after midnight last night.. He's got a big double bed - I hope he's not thinking of taking that bike bed with him ! Talking of which Dad says his bike has got a bit damaged on the journey but it's gone together ok! He ought take a photo of the damage and claim on his insurance.
Today his plan was to go and sort out the tourist bus.
Today his plan was to go and sort out the tourist bus.
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
A few more photos
A couple more photos of Dad at Gatwick this morning courtesy of Andy.
Just been tracking his flight and his flight was delayed 45 minutes on departure. He should land in Holguin first and then onto Havana arriving 10.00 pm local time (3.00am BST).
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| Bike from car, to trolley, to plane ... |
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| Suspicious parcel in departures |
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| Dad waiting check in at Gatwick |
Gatwick Airport
He's on his way. Checking in a Gatwick Airport (thanks for the photo Andy). I doubt he'll get that box in the overhead luggage holder !
Updated to say ... he's all checked in and he didn't have to pay any excess baggage.
Updated to say ... he's all checked in and he didn't have to pay any excess baggage.
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Cuba here he comes
Well the day is nearly upon us. Dad and his bike set off early in the morning (courtesy of Andy Swindells - thanks Andy) for Gatwick. His flight is just after 2.00 and he'll arrive in Havana 10.00 pm (their time).
He's booked into a Casa Particular (B&B to you and me) in Vedado. His plan is to have a couple of days around Havana and then catch the tourist bus down to Santiago de Cuba. He'll then have a day or two around there and then cycle along the south coast in a westerly direction. Apparently the winds in Cuba are from East to West so he wants to have a tail wind ( a couple of curries will do the trick for a tail wind I think) ! He'll head along the coast towards Manzanillo. From there it'll either be Bayamo and Holguin or he'll head direct to Les Tunas. He'll then pick up the north coast and head back towards Havana.
Dad will hopefully be in touch as often as he can ... I don't think he'll get a very good mobile signal even though he has taken it with him and I think pay phones will probably few and far between. Time difference is BST - 5 hours. I'll update the blog as often as I can.
He's booked into a Casa Particular (B&B to you and me) in Vedado. His plan is to have a couple of days around Havana and then catch the tourist bus down to Santiago de Cuba. He'll then have a day or two around there and then cycle along the south coast in a westerly direction. Apparently the winds in Cuba are from East to West so he wants to have a tail wind ( a couple of curries will do the trick for a tail wind I think) ! He'll head along the coast towards Manzanillo. From there it'll either be Bayamo and Holguin or he'll head direct to Les Tunas. He'll then pick up the north coast and head back towards Havana.
Dad will hopefully be in touch as often as he can ... I don't think he'll get a very good mobile signal even though he has taken it with him and I think pay phones will probably few and far between. Time difference is BST - 5 hours. I'll update the blog as often as I can.
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