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Crossing to Cuba

Well we crossed to Cuba arriving yesterday, February 2nd morning. The passage was not fun, one of the worse, the weather was predicted to be 10-15 knots and instead was a steady over 20 knots with highest gust being 27 knots. Add that to opposing Gulf Stream current and we got a very nasty ride. I got sick, poor John had to do it all…. Anyway it wasn’t a long passage just 18 hours and we arrived in Marina Gaviota in Varadero……  08 2018-02-02 16:53UTC http://map.iridium.com/m?lat=23.190940&lon=-81.126317

We found the navigation charts to be very accurate when we were approaching the marina. The officials were excellent; they were waiting at the dock to help tie us up! There were a few officials involved, the doctor and the customs, both ladies were young professional and very attractive. They were very thorough, really checked all our documents reading everything, taking pictures of passport pages, boat papers just everything. Then we separately had walk across the dock into the customs house, which was very modern and just empty. There they photographed us and checked the passport again. After that the agricultural fellow and vet came onboard and checked our food and the vet checked Chico and his passport and health certificates. The vet was concerned that Chico’s shots were due in March of this year, so he arranged for him to be visited again the next day to get his rabies shot, costing us only $10! Anyway we were very impressed.

Marina Gaviota

The marina was built for 1,000 boats and there are just 6 of us here on our pier, so lots of spare dockage inside the marina. It’s new with all the facilities plus it is very inexpensive, $26 per night all-inclusive electricity, water and marina facilities. Attached to the marina is a small shopping tourist area, which caters to all the guests in the hotels. The entire peninsula caters to tourists with the Playa Blanca, one of the best beaches in the Caribbean stretching all along the outside shore.

Our first full day was miserable weather and we just walked around the hotel/plaza area, bought our Internet cards and exchanged some money. There are 2 currencies here, the one for the tourist and the one for locals. The local money buys much more, so that’s what we need to get next time.

We also used our bikes and rode around checking the rest of this end of the peninsular. We found there is not much to see as the facilities are all signed – No Passé – and have “guards”.

Cuba – cars

I think one of the most striking things you notice when you arrive in Cuba are the cars. They are mainly the very old from back in the 1900s. Most are just beautifully maintained. John has been just fasinated by all of them.

Veradero

On Sunday, February 4th we went on the bus to Verenaro the main centre for the tourist area found at the end of the peninsular on the mainland. To get there we got the Tourista bus, which is a double decker bus wit the top being open – natural air conditioning. The ride in and back was very interesting, passing all the many resorts, which are government run. They are beautifully maintained, manicured grounds with lovely architecture. I would imagine quite luxurious to stay in with all the extras.

Once in Veradero we walked towards Santa Marta the closest local village. We walked along the main road and the waterway to get to the marina – Darsnia where we planned to stay for a few days. Upon reaching the marina we found it to be quite adequate and with its close location to the village we thought exploring the area would be fun.

Back to Valadero we walked and found a restaurant for lunch. Ordering sandwiches, as  after showing us the menu that was what we were told all they had, no papa frias, aka French fries, no hambergesas, just cheese, ham and cheese and tuna sandwiches. My tuna sandwich I think was actually sardine and really wasn’t very impressive.

After lunch we strolled the streets and stopped to look at the beach and crafts. The beach Playa Blanca was amazing! Miles long with crystal clear water and fine white sand this beach really is rated as one of the best and you can see why, as it really looks it.

The crafts in the market were also impressive. The artwork – paintings were colourful and excellent plus there were many crafts that we had never seen before, wooden toys, cars and hats made from soda and beer cans, wonderful woodcarvings and excellent leatherwork, but no we didn’t buy anything.

Change of plans:

Our plan as mentioned was to sail to Darsinia And stay at the marina however when checking out of Veradero we were once again inspected by the officials and told it was not possible to go there unless we gave them our frutas/fruit. Reason/excuse being that Darsinia did not have an incinerator for our trash. Anyway what ever the fact or truth is we could not go there.

So it was plan B……go to Cayo Blanca, and outside Cay and get ready to sail over night to Havana and Marina Hemmingway. Cayo Largo was a beautiful anchorage, the sea crystal clear, turquoise and full of life. From there we set sail at 3:30 for Havana.

The purpose of life, after all, is to love it, to taste experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experience

Eleanor Roosevelt