Personal review from Your Travel Planner members, Elizabeth Clark and Martyn Calder. Elizabeth is a wonderful Colour Psychologist from Colourworks Consulting (www.colourworksconsulting.com).
January 2010
Cuba - land of cigars, rum, sugar, and Fidel. “Go before it changes,” we thought.
Cuban Flags for Sale
Since the collapse of communism, Cuba has started to open up and receive the financial benefits available from tourists from the West - UK, Germany, Netherlands, Spain, Canada. But not - of course - the United States; it is apparently still illegal in the States for US citizens to have financial dealings with Cuba, and tourism falls in this net.
It sometimes seems as if Cuba defines itself by its opposition to the United States - the victories of the Revolution and the Bay of Pigs may be well known; a celebrated baseball triumph may have passed non-baseball-loving Brits right by.
Our 1955 Bel-Air at Plaza de la Revolucion
Reminders of Cuba’s long and complicated relationship with the United States remain very visible on the streets of Havana: the Chevrolets, Oldsmobiles, Buicks, Chryslers, and Pontiacs that still form a significant proportion of the city’s automobile population. Their continued functioning is a tribute to the ingenuity of Cuban mechanics, particularly as they are apparently now often fitted with Lada or Toyota engines. Our morning’s tour of the city in a 1955 Chevrolet Bel-Air Convertible was a real high spot.
Havana
Havana - at least Havana Vieja (Old Havana) - is a beautiful city to wander around. The imposing Fort of El Morro dominates the entrance to the harbour which defines the city. The narrow streets are virtually vehicle free (not many Cubans have cars) and there has been a huge effort in recent years by the City authorities to restore the crumbling buildings. Beautiful newly-painted architectural gems juxtapose crumbling ruins which have been split into multiple occupation. Housing remains a pressing need in Cuba.
Plaza Vieja in Old Havana
Our wanderings took us, between stops in numerous street cafes, to the City Museum, the Rum Museum, the Automobile Museum, the Chocolate Museum (oh yes!), and the Museum of the Revolution. The Revolution has, of course, had a bad press in much of the West, but Batista was a desperately bad dictator, and American Mafia money was all over Havana and the then Cuban government.
The Revolution brought education and healthcare, but fifty years on the economy still struggles. Is this because of the US blockade, or is it a structural weakness of the communist system? Certainly most people are poor; a teacher may earn the equivalent of £10-15 a month, and many families struggle to augment a modest diet obtained by ration cards from sparse state-owned shops. Yet anyone in a tourist-related business might make that in tips on a good day. The divide is emphasised by there being two currencies: Cuban Pesos for most people, and Convertible Pesos for tourists and luxury shops.
Exploring Cuba
In the fields
Towards the western end of Cuba is Vinales - farming country. Here we wandered among the tobacco, pineapple, and corn fields where farmers - often with cigar in mouth - still sow by hand. Agricultural machinery is rare, and usually ancient. Tobacco leaf hangs in drying sheds, waiting to be rolled into those famous cigars.
Heading south from Havana we travelled on near-empty roads. Transport and fuel is short, and the government employs yellow-clad wardens at busy junctions to ensure that privately-owned (an ambiguous term in Cuba) cars take on less fortunate passengers - a very imaginative and eco-friendly solution.
Trinidad de Cuba is a UNESCO World Heritage site. A major centre for trade and piracy in the 1700-1800s, not much has changed in the city centre and it would make a wonderful set for Pirates of the Caribbean. We wandered around the cobbled streets and found a thriving craft market - the nearest thing to a private shopping centre we found in Cuba. Now a little way from the town, the beach was a vision of white sand and blue sea with, as is often in Cuba, very limited facilities.
Plaza Mayor in Trinidad de Cuba
Heading back north (and Cuba is much bigger than you think) we came to Santa Clara, site of one of the pivotal battles of the Revolution when Che Guevara led an attack on a government armoured train. The train’s skewed carriages now provide an imaginative museum. Also here is Che Guevara’s mausoleum - a haunting place - and museum. Che is an icon in Cuba, and his image appears everywhere, much more so than Fidel’s.
A Real Gem
Visiting Cuba is a chance to see a society which, though in many ways familiar to us with its Spanish history and art deco development, has also been isolated from mainstream western culture for half a century. There is no McDonalds, no KFC, no Starbucks, and no Coca-Cola, and that alone is worth the trip!
Havana is a real gem, music is everwhere, there is beautiful scenery, and the Cubans are very friendly. It is not, however, a cheap destination and quality and service are not watchwords; food can be unimaginative and mid-range hotels may offer only fading grandeur.
Cuba is now at a crossroads as Fidel hands over the reins. What will it be like in a decade or two? Who knows - best go now and beat the rush!
Thank you to Elizabeth and Martyn for sharing their fascinating travel experience in Cuba. If you have a travel experience to share with Your Travel Planner readers, please do contact me at Go2 Holiday Research. We’d love to hear from you!
(by Roy Jacobsen*, with kind permission from Elaine Swift’s Word Alchemy blog)
One of best travel tips I can give anyone is to make an effort with the local language; you’ll be amazed at how much it’s appreciated.
As you will see, the US is no exception. This post first appeared in copywriter Elaine Swift’s Word Alchemy blog and looks at the differences in our common language.
As well as bringing a smile to your face this Monday morning, it may help you avoid a potentially embarrassing conversation during your travels to the US!
The first time I ended up on Elaine’s blog, I found myself giggling about her article “A few little words - why straplines matter.” I knew immediately from the context what she was talking about, but for this American reader, straplines are what show up on a woman’s sun-tanned shoulders. So straplines matter here, as well; just not for the same reasons.
England and America are indeed “separated by a common language.”
My first work-related exposure to the differences between American and British English came when I was a technical writer for an accounting software company. Because our product was sold in English-speaking countries worldwide, we had to accommodate spelling differences, such as check vs. cheque, and the -ize vs. -ise words (economize/economise, recognize/recognise).
Those differences can be jarring at first. But, like a pianist, you can learn to “transpose.”
The real fun comes when you encounter concepts that have entirely different words, or words that mean entirely different things, depending on which side of the pond you’re on. I’ve known for years that a car’s hood is a bonnet in England, and our wrenches are your spanners. And thanks to the Harry Potter books I know all about jumpers (sweaters), skiving off (playing hooky), and that delightful verb, snog, which sounds like more fun than making out.
Some of the differences are just confusing, like talking about that scrappy player on the football team. In the U.S., that’s a compliment; in the U.K., not so much. Asking for a sherbet will get you two different things, and suggesting that something be tabled in a meeting has the opposite result, depending on where you say it.
Then there are the words that can lead to embarrassment. We Americans shouldn’t ask for help with our bangs from a British hair stylist (they’re fringes, if you please) just as you shouldn’t tell your American friends that you’ll knock them up in the morning, or ask if you can borrow a rubber.
But despite the potential for confusion, unintentional humor, and downright embarrassment, I wouldn’t want to see our two “languages” become homogenized. Eliminating the differences would make things as dull as dishwater.
Sorry. Make that ditchwater.
* Roy Jacobsen says that everyone can learn to write clearly and powerfully. He’s a freelance writer, editor, and writing coach, and the dictionary is his toy box. Roy blogs at Writing, Clear and Simple
Wish you had booked something for February half term? No need to panic. Your Travel Planner has researched last minute self-catering breaks in the UK and the good news is that there’s still good availability…good offers too! Here are YTP’s Top 3 Last-Minute Self Catering Holidays for February Half Term:
Georgian House, Holsworthy, North Devon, 7 Bedrooms, Sleeps 14
Grade II listed house, set in 12 acres of gardens and grounds. A massive 50% discount week commencing 12th February. Was £1650, now £825. Call Helpful Holidayson 01647 433593, ref. M274.
Detached Stone Cottage, Lizard, Cornwall, 4 Bedrooms, Sleeps 8
Very private cottage about 2 miles from the beach. 40% discount for week commencing 12th February. Was £699, now £419.
Sunday, 14 February 2010 must be an auspicious day. Not only is it Valentine’s Day, but it’s also the start of the Chinese New Year.
For Chinese communities, Chinese New Year is the biggest festival of the year and cities and towns all over the UK are welcoming the Year of the Tiger. Celebrations take place over 15 days, so there’s plenty of opportunity to join in the fun:
BirminghamSunday 14 Feb, 12.30 - 4.30pm, Arcadian Centre, FREE; Acrobatics, traditional dances, kung fu demonstrations and a dragon dance on poles, music, plus further entertainment and market stalls on Hurst Street.
Edinburgh Saturday 13 Feb, from 11am, Scottish Storytelling Centre, FREE; Scotland ♥s China! Drop into the Storytelling Centre for a Scottish-Chinese circus of family stories, music and activities to mark the Chinese Year of the Tiger. Storytellers from all over Scotland join in with a day of fun and friendship with a special theme.
London Sunday, 21 Feb, 12 - 6pm, Trafalgar Square, Leicester Square and Chinatown, FREE; Traditional and contemporary Chinese entertainment in Trafalgar Square including acrobatics, dance, music as well as firecrackers, Chinese dragons and lions. (See pictures from 2009 here). Plus cultural stalls, food and lion dance displaysin Chinatown; Shaftesbury Avenue will become ‘Hong Kong in London Chinatown’ with a stage featuring performances by local Chinese artists. A colourful fireworks display in Leicester Square will close the celebrations.
ManchesterSunday, 14 Feb, 11am - 7pm, Chinatown and Albert Square, FREE; A whole day’s celebrations with dragon and lion Dances, 175ft long dragon parade, kung fu demonstrations, performances from Shaolin monks, folk dance performances, acrobatics, art workshops for children, the money god giving away lucky red-packets and spectacular fireworks.
NottinghamFriday toSunday, 12 - 14 Feb, from 6pm on Friday, City Centre and Lakeside Arts Centre, FREE; Nottingham incorporates Chinese New Year celebrations with Light Night 2010, with illuminated Chinese Zodiac Animals lanterns - one for each of the 12 animals of the Zodiac - bringing alive the stories of the Zodiac animals.
Wishing everyone “Kung Hei Fat Choi”, a very happy and prosperous year of the Tiger.
If you’re taking part in Chinese New Year celebrations, drop us a line or send a picture to share with Your Travel Planner.
Air New Zealand unveiled their new design in enhanced economy seating when they launched the ‘Skycouch’ last week.
The ‘Skycouch’ is a specially designed row of three seats that gives passengers a lie-flat space to relax and grab some quality sleep.
6 things you need to know about the Skycouch
The Skycouch seats will only be in the first 11 window rows in economy, giving a total of 22 Skycouches per aircraft
Passengers will be able to buy three adjoining economy seats at a discounted price and then turn them into one fully flat bed/couch
Obviously, this will be more cost effective if you’re travelling as 2 adults or a family. Pricing is still be to be announced, but Air New Zealand say that for two adults, purchasing the Skycouch will be based on buying two seats at standard prices with the third seat at approximately half price
You’ll be able to buy Skycouch seats from April 2010, when flights on the B777-300ERs go on sale for the first time
The first routes will be selected services between Auckland and Los Angeles from December 2010
Further routes will include the through service to London from Auckland via Los Angeles (from April 2011) and then all Asian, North American and UK services to have the new product by around 2012.
Grade II listed house, set in 12 acres of gardens and grounds. A massive 50% discount week commencing 12th February. Was £1650, now £825. Call 
Cottage with stunning views of the Mendips. £100 off for week commencing 13th February. Was £420, now £320. Available from Holiday Rentals, property 74299. 
