Cuba – A visit by Ladies, Let’s Go Fishing to an island lost in the 1950’s
Seventeen ladies and guests experienced their first time trip to Cuba with Ladies, Let’s Go Fishing Jan. 14-18, 2017. This was an incredible journey through time where people live in the 1950’s. Half of the group went to Trinidad with the others riding in vintage American cars, 1959 Chevys to explore and learn about Cuba. The following is about the group who took the Havana-Varadero portion of the trip.
After landing in Havana, they went via vintage 1950’s American cars to Varadero, a beach front community. From there they went to the Bay of Pigs to snorkel and see fish in Cuba’s pristine waters including a blue hole with freshwater fish. They visited an Indian community by boat where they saw statues of how the earliest Indians on the islands survived by catching fish and alligators. Accommodations were in a beautiful all inclusive resort with pristine white sugar sand beach.
On the way back to Havana they toured the only historical French Pharmacy in existence and saw ancient methods of making powders and liquids for medicinal remedies. They rode past rum factories and the abandoned massive Hershey factory confiscated during the revolution, passing the current method of transportation, horses with carts, motorcycles and pedal bikes with multiple passengers along the way. They stopped at the Bridge for drinks where the cup was a real pineapple.
In Havana they visited the rum museum with an amazing miniature working replica of the early years of rum making, followed by tasting. They visited cathedrals, historical monuments, parks and had a chance to shop for home made Cuban souvenirs and vintage magazines from the 1950’s. A feature was a visit to the Columbus Cemetary with its amazing statues. This is the burial grounds of famous people including the writer of the famous song, Guantanmera plus more. The trip included a visit to Ernest Hemingway’s house and its panoramic hilltop view of Havana.
They dined at Cuban Paladars, private restaurants operated by the Cuban people for local cuisine plus incredibly fresh lobster. At night they visited the famous el Floridadita bar with its famous salsa music. Other times they roamed Old Havana to select a place with music and food. In Havana they stayed at Cuban Casas, owned by Cubans, versus the massive American mafia-built big hotels on the waterfront Malecon but did have a chance to see them.
Due to the limited availability of fishing vessels, the group went to see Cuba versus experience fishing in Cuba. Commented Betty Bauman, LLGF Founder, “This was am amazing experience to see a third world country, lost in time in the 1950’s. Once the door closed to the U.S. their development stopped. It was fascinating to see how they are able to survive without the conveniences we take for granted in the U.S. Cuba is only 90 miles from the U.S. yet they are in a time capsule, trapped in the 50’s and worlds away from the life we live. If you don’t go soon you are missing the opportunity of a lifetime!”
American citizen tourism to Cuba is still banned by the embargo and monitored by the U.S. Treasury who can fine illegal travelers. The Ladies, Let’s Go Fishing trips are approved, legal trips due to our exemption.
The next two LLGF trips to Cuba in the spring of 2017 include:
Havana-Santiago Sat. April 29- Wednesday, May 3 Five days four nights, two in Havana, airfare to historic Santiago, two nights in Santiago, fly from there back to U.S.
Havana-Las Terrazas Thurs. April 6-Monday April 10. If opt for Varadero add-on return is Weds. April 12. Five Days/Four nights in Havana with a trip to their pristine hilly countryside in Las Terrazas. Optional add-on for two nights in Varadero.
Male guests are welcome.
For dates and more information visit www.ladiesletsgofishing.com.
