Thoughts on Cuba for CamB

[Henry Krinkle]

First off, six of my seven days there were spent on Cayo Guillermo. It is a 13 sq km islet on the Atlantic side of Cuba. It is the smallest (?) islet in the Jardines del Ray chain. These are now all linked to the mainland by a series of causeways, the longest of which is 20km. No Cubans live on the Jardines del Ray chain. Cayo Guillermo is mostly a beach a road and brackish mangrove swamp. This is why it has the world's largest population of flamingos and so many herons and egrets.

The resort was pricey by Cuban standards but quite cheap. There was not much Cuban food on offer at the resort. The water is drinkable. The sunrises were nice. We were there with fifty friends for a wedding and so had a really good time. The water was much colder and choppier than the Caribbean at this time of year and the beach was ridiculously weedy. Because of the frequent strong winds snorkelling was unrewarding, though I did see some barracuda and a lion fish.

Here are a ton of shots of the area.

Waterfront restaurant on the resort.


Watch tower


Dock. A youngish barracuda, about three feet long lived under this one.


The young barracuda.


Beach with the everpresent 40-50km wind.












Resort at night.


The four second hand held exposure and the wind makes the palm trees look like underwater ferns.


I would walk two to four miles every morning around sunrise. these are a very few of the pictures I snapped along the way.

[Henry Krinkle]

I doubt I would ever bother with a Cuban resort again. We did manage to get intoMorón on day. It is the only city within a reasonable distance of the islands. I will post on that when I get home from work.

[muddy250]

Beautiful pictures Henry.

[CamB]

Great stuff Henry- thanks for the pics and information. Some super shots there. I would love to get to Cuba some day. Love the thought of the whole music and dancing scene there as well.

[CanadianStraps]

Great pictures. Sorry to hear you didn't enjoy it enough to want to go back. I love Cuba, and really enjoy the Cuban atmosphere and people. Have been many times.

[CamB]

I guess being at a resort most of the time stops you getting out and seeing more of the culture but as you said you were there for a wedding and I'm sure you had fun with all those friends. Interesting thoughts on the water and beaches- Ive never thought of Cuba as a beach destination but more of hanging out in Havanna and clubbing late every night.

[CFR]

Thanks for the pics, Henry.

[Henry Krinkle]

Great pictures. Sorry to hear you didn't enjoy it enough to want to go back. I love Cuba, and really enjoy the Cuban atmosphere and people. Have been many times.

I am not saying I wouldn't go back to Cuba, simply that I would not go to another Cuban resort. I have read that the one we went to is infintely superior to the ones around Veradaro and that it featured better than average resort food.We had a ton of fun, but most of it was self-made.

I would, however, consider going to Cuba itself.

[Henry Krinkle]

I guess being at a resort most of the time stops you getting out and seeing more of the culture but as you said you were there for a wedding and I'm sure you had fun with all those friends. Interesting thoughts on the water and beaches- Ive never thought of Cuba as a beach destination but more of hanging out in Havanna and clubbing late every night.

We did have a LOT of fun and the bands at the resort were a highlight. We stayed up late every night drinking, dancing and visiting.

The south side of Cuba is on the Caribbean and the western half of the north side is on the Gulf of Mexico, so there is some really nice water. Snorkeling around the Jardines del Rey is spectacular...when the Atlantic Ocean winds don't blow. Resorts are now a significant portion of the Cuban economy. The problem with them is they have trouble accessing goods, fruit and vegetables, herbs and spices and imported liquor. You have to experience Cuban "scotch" to understand just how horrific it is.

[CamB]

We did have a LOT of fun and the bands at the resort were a highlight. We stayed up late every night drinking, dancing and visiting.

The south side of Cuba is on the Caribbean and the western half of the north side is on the Gulf of Mexico, so there is some really nice water. Snorkeling around the Jardines del Rey is spectacular...when the Atlantic Ocean winds don't blow. Resorts are now a significant portion of the Cuban economy. The problem with them is they have trouble accessing goods, fruit and vegetables, herbs and spices and imported liquor. You have to experience Cuban "scotch" to understand just how horrific it is.

I bet it was great- really like the seagulls over the pier shot Henry.