Going Off Resort - Varadero / Havana, Cuba : Experiencing Real Culture & Lifestyle

Day one was spent getting familiar with the grounds, the flight wasn't long, however, stress from airports takes a toll if is something a newer traveler isn't used to. This is the grounds of Pricessa Paradisus Del Mar which was wonderful.
https://www.melia.com/en/hotels/cuba/varadero/paradisus-princesa-del-mar-resort-and-spa/index.html
The staff was great but the first night, they may have been a little understaffed and grumpy at the desk. Everyone else was fine.

What I appreciated about the resort is that it was set up more like a tiny village. Many of the other resorts were set up like sardine hotel rooms stacked over each other, tightly packed. Paradisus was more spaced out with more character.
~~~~~~~~~~~~Alright, lets check out off resort.~~~~~~~~~~~~

What's important to remember is that a lot of tropical resorts soon turn to run down areas, the in-betweens that can be overlooked. I loved Cuba, but immediately wondered where all the resort revenue goes. I noticed the rebuilt places along with wreckage from bombing or deterioration of the 80's & 90's. From what I saw, people lived happy still. One person's riches is another's prison and ones poverty is a rich man's freedom. Does that make sense? Anyways...


It was a surprise to find some areas used trucks to deliver clean water to the city cores. One in particular decided to do a test spray on the street. It blasted a few of us as we walked by. At least....AT LEAST .... it was clean water!


Havana at night is incredible. It is then that the city is truly awake, truly alive. There are stores the size of telephone booths yet everyone is grateful for what they have.

We visited the first Mohito bar and it was standing room only! It's hard to believe that this place was also bombed at one time. There was a variety of reasons why Cuba was a target in the past but I believe it has to do with US trade issues. This is also an issue today as the tour guides explained to us. Trump has erased a lot of work that Obama did with Cuba unfortunately. Please feel free to read up more if you are interested in these topics.
https://www.amazon.ca/Last-Soldiers-Cold-War-Story/dp/1781688761
Hemingway's Mojito Bar - La Bodeguita del Medio, Havana
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bodeguita_del_medio

And of course (see below), I retain a soft spot in my heart for the furry creatures that scurry by. Can't help it. This is a picture of chet with our new found friend Pedro.

We've also had the opportunity to descend at least 40 - 50 meters underground to see some crystal formations. When they told us we were visiting a "cave", I didn't know we were descending into a cathedral-size cavern. It was like walking into another world or discovering Atlantis or something!

Please check out this beautiful bar setup that was located right on the resort. I would love to bring this set up back to Canada.

A Cuban bar in Varadero devoted to The Beatles. Although, they played other music there.

Paradisus at night

Tropicana Theatre! A very spectacular and colorful show!

Ché featured on an apartment building.

Chet with a Hemingway typewriter. I later found out that Ol' Hem was a famous game hunter. Didn't particularily like that.

Until next time Cuba, you are severly missed <3

Hey there, if you dig this sort of thing plus music plus art plus more....

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