Encore: Streets of La Habana

Just before I took a plane back to reality I had the time to take these pictures of La Habana Vieja.
That's the view I had from my hotel at la Habana. (probably the only good thing about it).






So I went for a walk...


















And found some oldies.












Let the good times roll.


















Sunset at the Malecón.












Just beautiful.


















The next morning before I left, I saw this cuban "Son" band practising next to the hotel.














And that's all from Cuba. I hope you've enjoyed it. Please post your comments. So long

The way home... One final thing.

My last day on the Isle was great. Big dramatic wall dives, lots of fish and corals. But no more talking, show us the pictures!!!
We saw these huge tarpoons swimming by this wall.









Have a closer look.













There were also smaller fish...












Like this French angel fish












Yet another.













Some gorgonians...


















...Sponges...


















...And Corals...













Of all sorts.














The fish that gather around the reef.











That's life around the corals.

















That's Sany, a Cuban instructor.












Once again Sany cruising over the reef.










We did our second dive at a place called El Limite.










This site is located around the limits of the diving area.









The place is an old time favourite between the cuban instructors.









And soon also among us.












It was certainly full of life.












We also came across this huge green moray.










That's her body.













I came across this little guy at the safety stop.










The group after a good day of diving

We are back in business!!!

Yes!!! we were back in the water. And it felt great.
I just love the texture of these corals.











Sponges are not bad either.












That's Trevor in the diving fashion...











...So is Kirsten...













...Uwe...














...Dave and Nicola.


















Well, there were also some fish.












Some of them didn't want to be noticed.











Please do keep on checking on this Blog 'cause I promise the best is yet to come

But everything goes wrong... (Well, sort of)

Nothing's perfect. A cold front entered de Isle. We were unable to dive for a couple of days. That ment more time at the Beach at Parque Punta del Frances.
This is a view of the beautiful white sand beach at the park.









That's the actual park. This path leads to...

















A lagoon, full of crocodiles!!
Of course we couldn't see any
That's salt water. Those trees seem to be comfortable with it.



Another one of the same beach.












Last one. Nice place to go Loco.

















One of our dive boat before we took off from la Punta.










But we had to get back to the hotel...
Bergljot was leaving us. We had to say goodbye properly.






So are you a tough Bucanero or a girly Cristal drinker? Which one defines you as a person?

El arribo a la Habana y buceo en la Isla de la Juventud

Hi there!

Sorry guys but I think I'm gonna write in english to make sure my new friends can understand.

This pictures were taken on the day of my arrival to La Habana vieja on January 3rd. That's Avenida el Prado, which goes through the Capitolio down to the Malecón.


People of La Habana will inmediately aproach to you trying to sell you cigars or to take you to a casa particular for which they'll recive a comission. I gets a bit overwhelming some times, specially if they realise you speak spanish. Still la Habana is a safe place to walk.




Ok, so the morning after I got to Cuba I took a plane to la Isla de la Juventud. That's located about 200 kms down south La Habana. And together with Maria la Gorda, in the province of Pinar del Río, are supposed to be the best diving sites in Cuba.

The plane of Cubana de aviación was a pretty old Antonov 75, soviet made aircraft, built in the sixties probably. It was pretty much like an old school bus with wings. Surprisingly the flight was short and quite confortable. As the cabin was not pressurized, the plane had to cruise at 1200 metres. Also you could actually se the steam from the clouds coming inside the plane! It was like natural air con!



This was the view I had from my room at the Hotel El Colony at the isle. The Hotel was brilliant, It had just had a big make over and the new cabins have all the comodities you could probably find in a three or maybe four star. Much better than the shithole I stayed in La Habana.

Pretty gorgeous I think, I couldn't get tired of taking the same picture over and over again.

So the next day I finally went diving!

La isla has 56 diving sites all located around the natural reserve called La Punta del Frances. Wich is a key with a beautiful white sand beach, a park and a salt water lagoon with crocodiles.





This is one of the first pictures I took with my little point and shoot Minolta. It was taken on the wall over La Cueva Azul, at about 20 metres deep where we did our check up dive.

As you can see the visibility was quite good. On average say 20 metres.

That water was around 27º C, and there were barely any currents at all. Also there weren't any waves. The sea was flat. You could actually read on the boat.




She's my friend Bergljot from Norway. She was also travelling by herself. She was in Maria la Gorda before la Isla. Her, and probably the general opinion was that the diving was slightly better there. Probably because there was this divemaster who looked just like Denzel Washington girls said!





This was also during our first dive. Here we are going though a small canyon above the blue cave





That's a really small Damsel. She wasn't too happy to have me that close, they are quite territorial, you know.




At least in Chile we call these Soldier fish. There was plenty of them.
I did'nt realise they were red until I saw the picture. You lose the colours with depth!



That's my friend Stefan from Germany. He stayed with us at the Isle for a couple of days. He was traveling with His girlfiend Simone which was also very nice



That's me. I think Stefan took this picture. He's good with the camera.










I'm sorry guys i don't know what's the name of the fish. I think it's probably a Grunt.







When we got back to the hotel. Like I said I can't get tired of taking that picture








These guys are a cople from Madrid on their third trip to La Isla. Que viva España!!!








They are are French couple. Since I don't speak french at all, we were not able to talk much. Which was a pitty cause they were really friendly and enthusiastic. Mental note: I must learn french. Anyway... Viva la France!!!




Once again your humble narrator this time in a self portrait.










That's a really nice cornetfish. There were quite a few of them.









That's a grunt...













...And another one.












A small one hidden between the rocks.











Here we are having dinner with Stefan and Simone on their last night at the Isle. But we've got new friends! On the right there's Kirsten and Trevor. From London, England.



Ok Guys That's only a sample. The best is yet to come so keep on checking on this blog. See yaa.