Barb and Baden’s Excellent Cuban Adventure – Part 1
I woke up this morning and checked the Vancouver weather forecast. It predicted snow today, despite the 8-degree temperature. This made me think it was a great time to leave town for some sunny, warm weather. With Barb and I planning a trip to Cuba, it’ll be the perfect opportunity to forget about snow and cold temperatures. I’m hoping our biggest decision soon will be where to get a delicious mojito.
Our trip to Cuba is a significant milestone for us. It’s been almost 9 years since Barb and I last went on a tropical beach vacation together. Our last such trip was in 2000, when we visited Cancun, Mexico. Of course, the reason for the 9-year gap is me.
Early in our vacationing life, I made a big declaration to Barb: I hated the heat. To put this into perspective, you have to understand that before meeting me, Barb’s vacation history consisted mainly of resorts, hot weather, and beach days. So, my statement that I didn’t like really hot weather led us to mostly travel to temperate climates and during the cooler seasons, like spring and fall. Our trip to Africa was the closest we came to a hot-weather vacation, and even then, it wasn’t particularly hot for most of the three weeks we spent in South Africa and Tanzania.
Going to Cuba is vastly different from visiting Africa. For most travellers, Cuba is a destination for all-inclusive resorts, where lounging by the pool is the main attraction. Barb and I have been discussing a trip to Cuba for years. Our last serious attempt was in May 2008, but plans changed when we visited Las Vegas for my father’s birthday. Cuba has always fascinated me as a unique Caribbean gem, unlike places where McDonald’s and Starbucks dominate every corner. At least not yet. The “not yet” aspect has always lingered in my mind, as I believed the restrictions on U.S. citizens travelling to Cuba would soon be lifted, transforming the country. Experiencing Cuba while it’s still in its current state was crucial to me.
Of course, a trip to Cuba solely focused on beaches and resorts wouldn’t allow us to immerse ourselves in its culture and history. While staying at a resort was acceptable, I wanted to explore Havana.
For a long time, we debated whether to stay solely in Havana or exclusively at a resort. Neither option seemed ideal for both of us. However, we eventually found a compromise that I believe will suit us both: a split vacation where we spend some time in Havana and the rest at a resort. Most people I know who’ve visited Cuba go to resorts, but if I had known about this split vacation option, I think we would have travelled to Cuba much sooner.
It’s been almost six months since we returned from Germany, so it’s time to rekindle our travel spirit. Preparing for a trip always brings back the excitement of exploring new and interesting places, regardless of how many times we’ve visited a destination.
As I usually do when I travel, I’ll try to stay connected online and post a few updates on my blog once we arrive. However, I’m not sure if I’ll be able to get reliable internet connectivity in Cuba. So, there’s a chance I’ll write blog updates but won’t post them immediately. Regardless, you’ll find out about our fantastic Cuban adventure soon enough.
Baden
