Cuba Libre

Mosh said at the end of our holiday: "Cuba is a country of contrasts, sometimes there are loo seats and sometimes there aren't."
There is so much I could write about this fascinating country which has completely captured my heart. It is easy to be dismissive of an non-democratic society where doctors earn the same amount as someone who works in the field but it was the simple and unwavering pride the Cubans have for Cuba which won me over.

Yes some farmers still use a pair of ox to plough the fields and transportation is a mixture of horse drawn carriages, bicycles and motorised vehicles on roads that are falling apart but it also has one of the best public health services in the world and a compulsory education system that puts many western countries to shame.
Some people still cook over fires in kitchen's out doors and power cuts are common yet crime levels are low and arts and music valued highly.
At the very least it is refreshing to visit somewhere without any advertising and a complete lack of brands. No Starbucks. No McDonalds. No H&M, Next or Gap. Bliss.
So what were the highlights? It's a tricky one but trekking to Fidel's secret HQ during the revolution which was way up in the mountains is definitely one. It's only been in the last few months that they've allowed visitors to take camera's up so I felt privileged not only to visit but be able to capture it. Then there was Che Guevara museum and mausoleum both of which were very tastefully done.
At the other end of the spectrum there was visiting Cuban's in their own homes sharing fruit and snacks with them and seeing in the New Year in the town square in Santiago surrounded by music and dancing.
Oh and swimming in the sea on Christmas Day was also quite good.
Here are some pics the rest are at my flickr