Archive for March, 2009

Golfing in Varadero

Friday, March 27th, 2009

Located on the north coast of Cuba, 87 miles from Havana, lies the beautiful town of Varadero. This tiny town of eight thousand is one of the top vacation resorts in Cuba due, in large part, to its’ great golfing.

One of the top golf courses on the island is the Varadero Golf Club located on the thin Hicacos Peninsula.

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Built in 1933, this was the first golf course on the island. This is a narrow, 7,000 yard, 18 hole course with spectacular views of water on both sides set in the magnificent Caribbean landscape. This par 73 course features five par 5s and five par 3s with the longest hole at 587 yards while the shortest is 179. However, they saved the best of last as the most exciting hole is the 18th where the green sits on top of a cliff. Completing the course are 70 bunkers and numerous dog legs.

Carts are required and the green fees will cost about $100 but there are other amenities also. There is an excellent restaurant, a terrace bar and a well stocked pro shop. The old Dupont mansion, with all of it’s’ grandeur and luxury, now serves as the clubhouse.

Golfing is not all that there is to do in Varadero; there are many more activities designed for the visitor’s enjoyment. Close to the golf club is Varadero Beach which is the most popular beach in Cuba. With its’ sparkling white sand beaches and warm, clear water, this is a paradise for the beach lover. For the swimmer, there are wide sandbanks so they can venture far out into the ocean.

A wide variety of water sports are also available. Excellent scuba diving is offered that includes underwater caves, a huge variety of sea life, and beautiful coral reefs. There are sailboards, aqua bikes, Catamaran rides and parasailing plus many other fun things to do.

If that isn’t enough to keep the visitor occupied, cars, bikes, and motorbikes can be rented.
Other entertainment facilities in Varadero include a go cart track, an amusement park, and a marina that offers yacht cruises. Nearby at the Dolphinarium, dolphins perform show for the audiences to enjoy and visitors can even get in the water and swim with them.

Once nighttime falls, there is no drop off in activity. Live concerts are performed nightly by salsa orchestras and there are more than 10 discos to insure that the party doesn’t end. The resort has over 30 first-rate hotels offering fine dining and luxurious accommodations.

Varadero is a fantastic tropical paradise although it is not very well known outside of Cuba. Vacation in Varadero and you won’t be disappointed.

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Top Ten Popular Cars In Cuba

Thursday, March 12th, 2009

Most of the cars you will see in Cuba date back to the 1950s, before the Revolution. In the 1990s, after the collapse of the Soviet Union, aid to Cuba ended and cars truly became outdated. Most Cubans travel by foot, bicycle or horse and carriage.

Ladas

Older Russian Ladas are seen frequently on the poorly maintained streets of Cuba. The Lada was an economical option meant to mimic the Fiat in size and looks. It’s boxy looking, but easy to maintain while getting relatively good gas mileage.


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Ford Zephryr

Britain’s Ford Zephryr  was a six-cylinder sedan that found its way to Cuba in the 1950s. You’ll see quite a few of them in the area.


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Chevrolet Bel Air

Produced by General Motors in 1953, the Chevrolet Bel Air came in two-door and four-door sedans, station wagons and convertibles. Many Bel Air’s are found in Havana and other towns.


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Ford Edsel

While it proved to be a flop in the U.S., Ford’s Edsel is still seen on the roads in Cuba. Manufactured from 1958 to 1960, you’ll see plenty of 1958s along the streets.


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Studebaker Packard

Studebaker entered the automotive market in 1902 with an electric vehicle. Their final Packard was build in 1956, but Cubans still love them.


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Packard Caribbean

Packard also released the 1953 Caribbean. The leather interiors made these a car to own, and many Cubans still do.


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Austin A30

In the 1950s, Austin and Nissan Motor Company reached a deal allowing Nissan to manufacture a new line of Austins. These cars are still popular in Cuba.


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Ford Consul

From 1951 to 1956, the Ford Consul was a heavy competitor among family vehicles. The Consul is still found on the streets of Cuba.


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Chevrolet Suburban

Chevrolet Suburban first hit the market in 1935. It is the 1959 model that is spotted frequently. The Suburban seats a crowd and withstands the rough roads.


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Ford Woody

The Ford Woody is found frequently in Cuba. This bulky station wagon fits a number of passengers and included a manual start in case your battery died.


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Wages in Cuba are generally lower than those in the UK or the US. This limits the number of households that are able to purchase vehicles. Those who do own cars stick to vintage cars that they restore.

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Top Cuban Holiday Destinations This Summer

Monday, March 9th, 2009

Cuba is an excellent destination for travelers. With its moderate subtropical climate, visitors can enjoy the lavish scenery and bask in the sun. The top three popular holiday destinations are Havana, Veradero and Santiago de Cuba.

Havana

Havana, Cuba’s capital, was founded in 1519 and continues to be the center for activity. Its rich architecture adds a variety of styles to the landscape. It features everything from neo-Gothic to art deco and everything in between. It has been called “the city of columns” by Alejo Carpentier, one of Cuba’s most famous authors. He found great joy in observing the bustle of life throughout Havana’s streets. The Melia Habana is an excellent hotel located in the business center of Havana. It has 409 rooms and almost as many amenities.

Varadero

Varadero is one of the most well known seaside resorts in Cuba. It features wide sandbanks and the water is shallow for several meters past the shore, allowing swimmers a larger area in which to swim. The pure, white sand peninsula is home to luscious greenery and the crystal clear warm water contains a variety of coral species, shrimps, lobsters, mollusks, fish, crabs and even dolphins. Most of the activities found in Varadero are water oriented such as rowing, sailing, surfing and diving. An intimate hotel, Hotel Barcelo Cayo Libertad, offers guests a quiet setting, while staying close to the commercial center.

Santiago de Cuba

Santiago de Cuba was once the capital of Cuba until Havana became the capital in 1553. Although it has not been the capital for over four and a half centuries, it is still one of the best places to visit because of its strong Caribbean culture. It is a versatile area, conferences and congress meetings are held there, yet there is a part specifically called the Parade Grounds because of the number of parades held there. Santiago de Cuba is filled with friendly, outgoing citizens. Although the existence of Spanish, African and French culture is found all over Cuba, it is in this area that the mixing of these three ethnicities is most prominent. The Hotel Brisas Sierra Mar Los Galeones is a popular hotel in Santiago de Cuba, it is a nurturing spa resort that incorporates nature into the experience, allowing for a peaceful, relaxing stay.

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Cultural Differences Between Cubans and Westerners

Friday, March 6th, 2009

Cuban culture is embedded with national pride. No matter how difficult their circumstances may be, Cubans relate one to the other with national pride that shows clearly in everything they do. It’s different to engender this kind of national pride in western culture, particularly with the changing global migration into most western countries. In the United States, as an example, the culture is one of a “melting pot” with numerous nationalities blending into American society. Cuba has not been as affected by an influx of new immigrants. This allows Cuban culture to retain its traditional essence.


The Cuban People
Cubans have lived through many historical changes to their government and their country. Yet, Cubans will always remain loyal to their heritage. No matter what the difficulties, Cubans have learned to rise above them. Few countries of the world can aspire to such a level of national loyalty. Cubans have always been friendly to numerous tourists who have visited this beautiful country. Their hospitality is the underpinning of their national pride.

Cubans, Culture and the Future
The future of Cuba always lies in the hearts of its people. Cubans understand hard work. But, the Cuban culture is the best example of making hard work appear effortless and more so, enjoyable. Where Western cultures are intense and stoic, Cubans enjoy their work with a unique ability to show the world the happy side of their culture. The future of Cuba will inevitably include this particular feature of Cuban culture. Perhaps, it is the Cuban culture that sweetens the example it sets for Western culture.

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Top 5 Beaches in Cuba

Wednesday, March 4th, 2009

With over 2000 miles of seacoast, Cuba has a number of wonderful beaches for relaxation and recreation.

1- Varadero Beach


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Possibly best known is Varadero Beach, located on the northern curve of Cuba’s shore, just east of Havana. This popular seaside resort offers white sand beaches and clear waters through which the sea floor may be seen. Scuba diving is a major activity for one can see many varieties of coral, fish, and crabs. Swimmers often see dolphins. There are also underwater caves to be explored. Nearby is a nearly pristine beach, part of a natural reserve. The area has places to rent boats, sailboards, aquabikes, or to engage in other recreational options such as motorcycling, horseback riding, or skydiving. There are live concerts in the evenings, and plenty of opportunities for nightlife.

2- Santa Maria Beach


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Another beach close to places where one can find an active nightlife is Santa Maria Beach just 15 minutes from downtown Havana. Near the expanse of white sand are numerous cafes, bars, and restaurants. Water sports equipment rental shops and other small stores are easily accessible.

For nightlife which appeals to singles, staying near Havana is recommended. However, those who prefer quiet and seaside relaxation will appreciate other beaches throughout the island.

3- Cayo Santa Maria


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Not to be confused with Santa Maria Beach, Cayo Santa Maria is found on the eastern end of Cuba in the province of Guantanamo. The beach is a wide with white sand. One end is reserved for nude bathing. The weather is quite consistently sunny and warm. The main beach is known as a quiet resort for those who prefer to enjoy strolls on the beach and great personal service. The food and service is reputed to be excellent.

4- Cayo Coco


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The King’s Gardens, Jardines del Rey is found at Cayo Coco. Cayo Coco is on the Atlantic shore of Cuba in the Sabana-Camagüey Archipelago, 250 miles east of Havana. The keys are home to one of the world’s premier coral reefs, with much sea life. Eco-tourism in growing. They are linked to the mainland by a causeway. With many dolphins and birds such as flamingoes in the area the area is popular for wildlife watching. A number of resorts serve the area, including some adults-only.

5- Playa Guardalavaca & Playa Esmeralda


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For those looking for newly popular beaches, Playa Guardalavaca and Playa Esmeralda at the eastern end of the island in Holguin are good choices. Guardalavaca is an archeological site for Spanish settlements of the 1700-1800s. The warm, quiet, turquoise waters are protected by a coral reef with remarkable clarity, creating great opportunities for diving excursions.


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Esmeralda is just 3 miles away, yet the waters are green and there are sea cliffs. Many resorts have sprung up in the area.

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Cuban Government Banning Microsoft Windows

Tuesday, March 3rd, 2009

The Cuban government has announced that is plans to rid every computer in the country of the Microsoft Windows operating system. Recently, the nation l has banned the American-made software and created their own Linux-based operating system. Entitled “Nova,” the change in the nationwide preferred operating system is said to be an integral part in the battle against U.S. influence in the country.

The Communist government has recently continued its staunch resistance to American hegemony in the country. Part of the explanation issued by the government, however, is regarding security. Officials from the Castro regime have stated that Microsoft Windows is a threat to both the will of the Cuban people as well as a general security threat due to faults within the programming.

The exact parameters of the ban are not presently known, including how the Castro government intends on enforcing the removal of the Microsoft Windows operating system and how it will institute the policy, including distribution of “Nova.” However, network connections may be able to identify rogue computers operating on the island’s network infrastructure.

The Cuban government has attempted to remove most American influence from the nation since the Castro regime took control in 1959.

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