The first ever Montecristo Cup Golf Tournament takes place in Cuba at the sunny Varadero Golf Club on the May Bank Holiday weekend. The tournament will be sponsored by the worldfamous cigar company Habanos and will carry the name of thier famous Brand Montercristo. It really looks like fun. And best of all the chance to win a prize of an incredible watch by Cuervo y Sobrinhos. Golf legends like Tony Jacklin will help run the junior tournament where young cuban kids who have never been exposed to Golf before will have a chance to get involved in the sport, its the beginning of a whole new era for the sport on this incredible island. If you happen to be in Cuba drop by. www.themontecristocup.com
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The Montecristo Cup Saturday - May 2 - 2009
Thursday, April 23rd, 2009Top Ten Popular Cars In Cuba
Thursday, March 12th, 2009Most 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 In the 1990s, after the collapse of the Soviet Union, aid to Cuba ended and cars truly became outdated.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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Packard Caribbean
Packard also released the 1953 Caribbean. The leather interiors made these a car to own, and many Cubans still do.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Hemingway and Floridita
Wednesday, January 21st, 2009Even in his later years Hemingway loved a days fishing and if it was a good day where a few Marlin were caught he especially liked to visit Floridita. This was his bar of choice in Havana and where many a visitor caught sight of him perched at the end of the bar ordering his favorite Papa Doble.
Whether it was as it was a local - run of the mill spit and sawdust type bar or the plush velvet coated cocktail bar and 5 star restaurant it became when clients like Frank Sinatra Gary Cooper and Ava Gardenr to name a few of the high rollers flew into town, he still loved it because as he put it … the drnking here is great.!!!!
I live in Cuba because I love Cuba — Hemingway was often heard to say and he lived there beacuse the people left him alone. In the USA he was too well known and therfore bothered too much by everyone. In Cuba he had peace if he wanted it and company from all over the world was easy to find at the crossroads of the world that El Floridita became.
The Floridita Papa Dobles were the best and relied on a recipe including grapefruit as well as lime juice. They were immense and always served in papa corner , the far end of the bar where he held court.
The managers loved him a like to keep him up to date with everything, advising him on improvements and even letting him know when the toilets were being replace. He loved the place as it was and was heard to say…
“Makes you want to shout: Wate r closets of the world unite; you have nothing to lose but your chains.”