Papa Hemingway's Haunts in Old Havana

Found in La Bodeguita del Medio in Old Havana, Cuba

 

   Ernest Hemingway left a huge legacy in Old Havana and San Francisco de Paula in the twenty or so years that he lived there.    He became the adopted son of Cuba during his stay there.    The warmth and love felt by the Cubans for his is visible as I wandered through town.   There seem to be as many images of Hemingway as there are of Che Guevara at least in and around Old Havana.   He was truly larger than life  when he was in Havana.






Che Guevara

Diplomatico Rums at Rum Bar for Conched in Key West Bar Crawl

     The 2nd Annual Conched in Key West Bar Crawl is the event of the day here in Key West.   The Rum Bar is the third stop of the event and will feature Diplomatico Rums in the Hemingway Daiquiri to be distributed to the crawlers.    This is a very special event for rum enthusiasts, and one that will enable you to see the Key West rum world in action.     Make it a point to stop by the Rum Bar today even if you are not a part of the crawl and chat about rum and my recent travels to Havana and seeing the Hemingway life style in Cuba.

     The Hemingway Daiquiri is an authentic one like those served to Papa Hemingway at the El Floridita in Old Havana.   It contains fresh squeezed lime juice, Luxardo Maraschino Liqueur, grapefruit juice, sweetener, and Diplomatico Blanco Rum.    For the strong at heart I will also serve the "Papa Dobles", Hemingway's personal favorite which has twice the rum, and forgets the sweetener.  The cocktails have been verified as to their recipe by my recent trip the El Floridita last week. 

Robert Burr will also be at the Rum Bar to introduce you to his new Rob's Rum Guide.   This is a comprehensive look at the great rums that are available to the American public and your palate.   These are great booklets that are filled with the information that you need to put the right rums on your table.    Rob will be there to help you answer your rum questions and enjoy your afternoon at the Rum Bar.

     I'm looking forward seeing the 100 or so rum enthusiasts that are stopping by today to enjoy the fun atmosphere of the Rum Bar at the Speakeasy Inn.   This is a great event that supports Reef Relief, a absolutely vital organization that is working to restore our reefs around the keys.    I'll see all of you today and this afternoon, it is going to be a really fun event in which you can participate and have a fine cocktail or two.   See you there.  ;o)

Day One in Havana, Cuba

     The first thing that hits you as you arrive at Jose Marti Aero Puerto is that you have stepped back into the 50’s.   The ramp you walk down to deplane, the buildings of the terminal.    The first sign of modern technology is when you check in to Cuba at customs.  The have high tech computers and cameras.   After the check in process is completed, the next thing as you walk out of the terminal and greet the parking lot filled with 50’s era automobiles.    On closer inspection, the fact that these relics are still around in this salty corrosive environment is unbelievable.   Many of these are a hybrid of different models and makes fitted together to keep them moving.   Chevys with Pontiacs and Buicks; Plymouths and Dodges;  They make for a very interesting group of autos.  Most of them are in pretty good shape for their ages and the fact that they have been operated in the salty tropical area.   

     Next we arrive at the Telegrafo Hotel which we will call home for the 5 days we are in town.   The hotels has a really great bar and restaurant.  The cocktails are all made with real Cuban Rums like Havana Club and Santiago de Cuba (made in the original Bacardi Distillery), and hall in the traditional Cuban style.   



El Floridita & Bacardi Building

     Off we go into the streets; first stop is in front of the Old Bacardi Building, one of the most beautiful buildings in Old Havana.     From there we look to the right and right in front of us is El Floridita.    Inside and straight for the bar and have a Papa Dobles and a seat next to Hemingway enjoying the cocktail and take a picture to look back on the whole experience later. The daiquiris were to die for, but the atmosphere of the décor and the music makes me feel like Ernest would walk in at any time.    By the way, he is standing in the corner, ready to pose for your pictures.



Hotel Ambros Mundo

     Next it was off to the Ambros Mundo Hotel, where Hemingway lived until he bought his house, “Finca La Vigia” built in 1886 by Miguel Pascual y Baguar, a Spanish Architect, and Hemingway bought in 1940 for $40,000.    The hotel was the perfect location, just a few blocks from El Floridita, Bacardi Building, La Bodeguita del Medio, and so many other places.   

    Now it is off to La Bodeguita del Medio for a Mojito.    This is another place that is in a narrow alley of cobble stones and old architecture.   Great vibe in the place and it is standing room only as you get push into a square foot or so to order your mojito.    This is a bodega by US standards, but the narrow alley and the small entrance make this a must see, you must push your way to the bar to have one of their Mojitos.  The food is really good too, by the way. 

     The other exciting bar in Havana that I would have liked to had a drink at was Sloppy Joe's, but it is being reconditioned, but we were able to get inside and see the reconstruction of the famous long bar.     The original bar is at the Havana Club Museum where you can get a cocktail served on  it when you go through the museum.

     This was just the first day of the five days that Julio is so ably guiding us through the streets and the back alleys of Old Havana.    The part that amazes me is how you can turn any corner and there is something there that catches your eye.     The other thing that was a real surprise is hearing the rest of the story if you will from the people who live here and the pride in their country.

"Social Host" Laws: You Could Be in Trouble

Backyard parties for the under 21 set can lead you to jail if you are not on top of what is going on.    28 of the 50 states have “social host” laws on the books and they are being enforced.   A few other states like California have related laws that are circumscribed laws that only impose penalties if someone is hurt.

    In an article by Jennifer Levitz on September 11, 2012, in the Wall Street Journal she talks of several cases where these laws have gotten several people in serious trouble hosting parties for their under age children.

WARWICK, R.I.—Backyard bonfires and pool parties are popular pastimes for teenagers. But if alcohol enters the scene, the young revelers aren't the only ones who can land in trouble.

     Public officials who have waged campaigns against underage drinkers are increasingly targeting the adults who host them. In May, a Massachusetts mother went to jail for permitting teenage drinking at home. The 18-year-old son of Rhode Island Gov. Lincoln Chafee was recently in hot water over a party he held in May.

Terri Serra listens during her trial for allegedly violating Rhode Island's 'social host' law.

     And in Rhode Island, a former school-board member and cheerleading coach is currently on trial for allegedly allowing her daughter to host a post-homecoming gathering at which teens drank beer. She has pleaded not guilty.

     All are in the spotlight under "social host" laws, which impose criminal or civil penalties on hosts who permit underage drinking on their property, regardless of who supplies the alcohol or whether anyone gets hurt. Some 28 states had adopted such laws as of January, up from 18 in 2005, according to the National Institutes of Health.

     A handful of other states, including California, have passed more circumscribed laws imposing penalties on hosts if someone is harmed by underage drinking. And many cities and counties—from Cobb County, Ga., to El Paso, Texas—are passing or debating their own ordinances.

Read More at http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10000872396390443571904577631603480250074.html?mod=googlenews_wsj  

    

      It is a reason for parents even here in Florida to take notice and be aware of what your children are doing even in your own backyard.     You could be spending several months in jail even if no one is hurt as a result of the party.    The article is a real “eye-opener” for those with kids that have pool parties that you are responsible for the supervision of.

Conched In Key West Bar Crawl

     The 2012 end of summer party is the major event this week.  The second annual Conched in Key West Bar Crawl gets underway on Friday night September 21 at the La Concha with a Pre- Party Party.    Saturday at 2 pm is the Main event, the Second Annual Conched in Key West Bar Crawl.

This years event is for the benefit of the Reef Relief in Key West.   Mike Streeter of "Rum Connection" is quoted in Chilled Magazine as saying,

 “We have the utmost respect for the work that Reef Relief does here in the Florida Keys to protect our unique environment.   It’s gratifying to see so many friends join in the fun while giving back to those that do the most to preserve coral reefs and our marine sanctuaries.”

   
     This is going to be a fun event filled with good fun and some very special drinks.  Participants will enjoy tropical libations while leisurely strolling along Key West’s famed Duval Street, stopping at The Cork & Stogie, the Rum Bar at Speakeasy Inn, Pearl’s, Kelley’s, the Bottle Cap, Bogarts, Cowboy Bills, Willie T’s and Smokin’ Tuna.     The cost is $30 and includes a t-shirt, drink specials, a Cruzan Rum cup and a donation to the non-profit organization.

Remember that I will be behind the bar at the Rum Bar at the Speakeasy Inn serving a very special "Hemingway Daiquiri" made the traditional "La Floridita" way with Diplomatico Blanco ultra premium white rum.    Rob Burr will also be on hand to introduce you to "Rob's Rum Guide", the definitive guide to the sugar cane spirits.

   

 This is going to be a really great event with a lot of fun people crawling through Key West for an important cause, Reef Relief of Key West.  ;o)

 
    

Dominican Club Rum

   

     Dominican Club Rum, is now available here in Florida.   This is a wonderful rum that for its young age is very sophisticated, flavorful and smooth.     Many of the new rums today lack the total package that this fine rum is offering.   I have ordered it for the rum Bar and it will be on the shelf very soon.    It is my opinion that this will soon become one of the classic rums.     One that will be requested on a regular basis at the Rum Bar in the near future.

     An amber colored rum, Dominican Club Rum has a delicate balance of aromas from mocha, banana, and buttermilk.   This rum doesn't have a lot of sweetness on the palate, it even borders on the dry side.  Dominican Club is medium bodied, well rounded, with silky fruited flavors on the palate. The rum is somewhat spicy with hints of praline in the finish.

     I think this is going to be one of the new rums that you will add to your collection, both as a sipper, and as a mixer for your premium cocktails.   Dominican Club Rum will really surprise you.     ;o)      

Summer is Almost Officially Over

    September 22nd is the official end of summer for 2012, and I can hardly believe that it disappeared so quickly this year.    I'm lucky I guess being able to make a living here in the tropics where it is a little harder to tell summer from fall, but I'm seeing some changes in Temperature and the first signs of leaves changing colors in the northern tier of states.   This is a great time to take advantage of the warm evenings and get to know a new rum on the patio before the colder seasons return.

    There ares so many new rums on the market now, and I'm really not going to give you a list, this is not the purpose for the article.    The idea is for you to take a few minutes walking the aisles of your favorite liquor store and discover a new rum, it could be a great new discovery that will become your new favorite.    This is the fun of becoming a rum aficionado.   It is the exploration and locating and trying a new rum for the first time.   A really great tool to use for research about different rums that are out on the market today is Rob's Rum Guide, a great pamphlet that Robert Burr produces and reviews over 300 different rums.   You can look at the book and order it on line at http://www.robsrum.com/Rums.html.   This will help you in narrowing down you rums that you will probably be interested in.



   With a little bit of investigation you too will be on the back porch enjoying a snifter of fine rum, relaxing and easing away the stress of your day in the evening hours.   Enjoy your special rum in your own special way to celebrate another summer coming to an end here in the northern hemisphere.   ;o)

   

The Sun, The Wind, and The Sea

 

 

 

  
    The forces of nature can carve beauty with the tools she possesses, Wind, Sun, and Sea.

One Week Until Conched in Key West Bar Crawl

 

     We’re just a few days away from the best bar crawl on the planet! The Conched in Key West Bar Crawl! On behalf of all of the sponsors and Reef Relief we can thank you enough for registering for this year’s event. It’s time to party with a purpose as we crawl our way down Duval and raise money for a great local charity, Reef Relief. Enclosed is the schedule of events for the weekend. That’s right we’re not just crawling on Saturday, we have a full weekend of events planned and would love for you to join us! Also, below you’ll find some additional information about the weekends activities. We hope you’ll join us for them all, but if not, no worries! We’ll see you on Saturday!

     Don't forget that I'll be serving you Authentic Hemingway Daiquiri's made with Diplomatico Blanco Rum at the Rum Bar, the third stop on the crawl.   This is a chance to meet Rob Burr, author of Rob's Rum Guide, and producer of the Miami Rum Renaissance Festival.    I be there to greet you and serve you your cocktails.     We will also be offering you a chance to taste other Diplomatico  Rums during your visit.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 21

Republic National Distributing Company Rum Tasting
8pm – 10pm
Kelly’s Caribbean Bar, Grill & Brewery
301 Whitehead Street, Key West

Join us for a special rum tasting event at Kelly’s Caribbean Bar!    Republic National Distributing Company will be providing light appetizers and lots of great rum for tasting & cocktails. They will also have one of their professional mixologists behind the bar creating some great libations!

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 21

KW Crawl Pre-Party
9pm – Close
Smokin’ Tuna Saloon
4 Charles Street, Key West

     Join us at Smokin’ Tuna Saloon for the official Pre-Party of the Conched in Key West Bar Crawl. You’ll be able to enjoy Cruzan Rum drink specials (with Cruzan cup – which we’ll have on hand) and meet your fellow bar crawl buddies.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 22

Conched in Key West Bar Crawl
2pm – ? (How long can you make it?)
Start location: Cork & Stogie
1218 Duval Street, Key West

Bar Crawl Schedule:
Times may vary based on rum consumed, pace of walking & overall flow of event.

2pm: Cork & Stogie – Sponsored by Rum Connection!

3pm: Pearl’s Patio – Sponsored by Team Cocktail

4pm: Rum Bar – Sponsored by Rob’s Rum Guide

5pm: Bottle Cap – Sponsored by Coastlines & Tan Lines

6pm: McConnell’s – Sponsored by Team Cocktail

7pm: Cowboy Bills – Sponsored by Big Kahuna Brew


8pm: Willie T’s – Sponsored by Rum Shop Ryan

9pm: Kelly’s – Sponsored by Starfish Travel

10pm: Smokin’ Tuna Saloon – Sponsored by Coastlines & Tan Lines

Join us as we crawl our way down Duval! Each bar will feature different rums provided by

Republic National Distributing Company
Company, drink specials, raffle prizes, games and more!   We encourage everyone to wear their

Conched in Key West t-shirt that you received with your registration.

 Additionally you will need to get a wristband at the first stop so all bars know you are a part
of the bar crawl.   This will help ensure that you receive all drink specials.

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 23

Reef Relief Check Presentation
1pm
Conch Republic Seafood
631 Greene Street, Key West

 http://rumshopryan.com/2012/09/14/conched-in-key-west-bar-crawl-schedule-of-events/  for more information and tickets.

Don't miss all of the fun and festivities of the event that helps us keep the seriously faltering reefs around Key West from disappearing altogether.   ;o)

 

Living Like a Pirate in Key West

     Key West of 2012 is much different that the days of the marauding pirates of the 1800's, but much of the heritage is still  present today.   The days of the wreckers, something of a pirate group themselves is brought to the forefront many times a year with the  "Wrecker's Races", and the celebration of the history of Key West.    Pirates like others need a place to rest their weary bones and for the modern day pirate of Key West  lerk along the canals of Key Haven on Stock Island just to the East of Key West.

     Hidden from the prying eyes of the tourists and others is the very unique lairs of the modern day pirates of Key West, or at least the ones who like to feel like they are.     Down the maze of canals that make up Key Haven are some of the more unique dwelling in the area.    This is really just a very up scale community, but with the unique houses and twisting canals, it is very much like heading into a secret maze that you can expect to find a pirate waiting around the bend ready to ambush you.

     Did I say a pirate, how about a fortress, one complete with antique cannons and howitzers point at you as you round the bend.   This is a beautiful place that is hidden in the palm trees complete with a widow's watch and a strong Spanish style architecture.   It is the castle of some famous pirate, it must be, not really, but your imagination can take you there as you cruise these waterways.    It is the very uniqueness of the houses here in Key Haven that draws me to cruise the dinghy through her quite often.

     Should you find yourself out on the east side of Stock Island in Boca Chica Channel, see if you can find the entrance to Key Haven and at idle speed, cruise through the waterways and enjoy the wide variety of sights in the neighborhoods.   Remember these are private house and docks, so show the residents the respect that you would like when they go through your neighborhood.    It is still a great adventure for us with an imagination.  ;o)

Cool Cars in Key West

Morgan Plus 4

   The slow times at the Rum Bar here in Key West is when I get to stare out the window to Duval Street.   In doing so I get the chance to spot some unusual things, my window on the Duval Street world is a very interesting one, you'd be surprised what all I do see.    Today I'm focusing on a few unusually cool cars that I have spotted outside the Rum Bar on different occasions.   Of course there are the usual number of Ferrari's, Jaguar's, Rolls Royce's, Bentley's, and Lamborghini's, but I'm talking about the really unusual classic's that seem to appear on a regular basis down here in Key West.

VW Microbus

     It isn't enough to see all of the "regular hot cars", but these classics's that keep rolling by  really get my attention.     Wood framed Morgan's and VW Microbuse's, now we are really talking.    An "Old Hippie" like myself can always relate to a VW Bus, a lot of memories from San Francisco are brought to the surface by this vehicle.

     I guess what really surprises me is the number of classic vehicle that live down in the very corrosive environment of Key West, but there are truly droves of them here.   One friend of mine is currently working on a restoration project of a Triumph TR-250, cutting out the rust and replacing panels has been a 4 month project for him, but when he is done, he will have a great sporty classic automobile in which to cruise Key West.

1959 Cadillac Sedan Deville

     The biggest eye catcher that I have been able to get a picture of was a 1959 Cadillac Sedan Deville.    This is the ultimate Cadillac is the icon of the fifties.  Every rock star, movie star, or any other person of importance had to have some model of the 1959 Cadillac.    Here we are 53 years later and the old girl is still roaming the streets of Key West.   

     This is one more thing that keeps me here in the ever changing world that is Key West.   I hope that picture keeps on being as interesting as it has been in my first 7 years here.  ;o)

Bike Week Kicks-off Tomorrow in Key West

     This is one of the fun weeks here in Key West, Bike Week always brings a variety of extremely cool motorcycles down here.    Duval Street becomes a "showroom" for everything from production bikes to the most extreme of custom "choppers".     The "Poker Run" is a charity event to benefit "Big Bike Riders Children's Foundation".

     This is a really fun weekend of bikes, bar crawls, and many other events that begin with the Bar Crawl on Thursday night.    Beginning at the Southernmost Beach Cafe and mores to the north on Duval and the surrounding streets.    This is a week that you don't want to miss here in Key West and one that we have fun with at the Rum Bar as well.   We are a part of the Thursday night bar crawl, so stop by and see Nick and Anne as they serve you the "Poker Rum Punch" that is being concocted just for the event.

     Bike week is a mixture of bikes and very colorful fun loving people that always make this such a fun event.   Make your way down to Key West this weekend for a really fun time.  ;o)

New Round of Complaints about US Rum Subsidies

    The rum wars that have been escalating since the large increase in the subsidies began in 2009.     The problem doesn't look like it is going to go away soon either.    The purchase of Lascelles DeMercado (Appleton, Coruba and Wray & Nephew) by Davide Campari-Milano SpA, seems to be part of the fuel for the latest salvo.     There are arguments on both sides of the battle, but there doesn't seem to be any solutions coming from either side.

A report in the Washington Post makes this clear.

By Associated Press, Published: September 10

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Rum, the sugar-based liquor that has fueled the development of the Caribbean for centuries, has become the focus of an increasingly bitter dispute with the U.S.

Small producers in countries such as Antigua, Guyana and Jamaica complain they are being punched by unfair trade and marketing advantages for global beverage corporations operating in U.S. territories, and say U.S. rum subsidies threaten to drive some beloved top-shelf Caribbean labels out of business, or force them to sell out.0

     “The amounts that are being doled out now are staggering,” said Frank Ward, chairman of the West Indies Rum & Spirits Producers’ Association. “We were able to live with the level of U.S. subsidies as they once were. But the massive increases, we believe, have skewed the market.”

     It’s a high stakes battle because rum, first developed on Caribbean sugar plantations in the 17th century and deeply engrained in local culture and history, is one of the few competitive industries for the tourism-dependent region’s tiny, vulnerable economies. The tipple, which can range from colorless to coppery, from almost tasteless to richly layered, generates roughly $500 million in foreign exchange for independent Caribbean countries and more than $250 million in tax revenue.

     The subsidies come from money raised through an excise tax on liquor sold in the United States. Under an obscure federal law, almost all of the money generated by rum goes to the treasuries of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Those tropical territories in turn hand a share of it to the producers as a subsidy to do business there.

     Distillers in other countries say they lived fairly comfortably with the U.S. subsidies for decades, even if they thought the rebates gave advantages to rum giant Bacardi Limited in Puerto Rico and Cruzan Rum, a U.S. Virgin Islands brand now owned by Beam Inc., the U.S. maker of spirits such as Jim Beam and Maker’s Mark.

But they are alarmed by recent deals that sharply increased the subsidies for already powerful corporations in the two territories.

     “Our Caribbean distilleries need to export rum in order to survive. But bigger subsidies in the U.S. islands means we don’t get a level playing field for our exports, and it’s going to affect both small and large producers here,” said Anthony Bento, managing director of the 80-year-old Antigua company that makes English Harbour Rum in copper stills and ages it in oak barrels.

     Clifton Shillingford of Shillingford Estates Ltd, a small Dominica distiller that makes its Macourcherie rums from local sugar cane juice instead of molasses, said the subsidies for big global brands in the U.S. islands will “destroy” his rum business.

     Diageo argues the complaints of smaller producers are overblown. Spokesperson Brooke Lawer says the subsidies the British company receives are similar to incentives from U.S. states or other countries to attract industry and do not create a competitive disadvantage.

Read more at: http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/rum-producers-in-small-caribbean-countries-says-theyre-hurt-by-us-subsidies/2012/09/10/b7056c56-fb56-11e1-98c6-ec0a0a93f8eb_story.html

     This little war is really going to hurt the entire rum industry if it doesn't get settled very soon.   I know that large corporations here in the US have purchased rum from Barbados for their new brand "Shellback", and I hope events like this can happen in other places around the Caribbean to help soothe some of the financial woes of other Caribbean distilleries.   ;o)

Monday on Key West

    This is one of those days that I guess that I should have gone ahead and slept in.    It was an air conditioning service day, the cooling system on the boat passes sea water through the system, and about every other month the sea critters try to make their homes in the warm water of the system and clog the lines making the system over heat.    Today is the day that I have to turn off the A/C and back flush the lines.

   This is one of the times that living on a boat really sucks.     The boat will heat up really quick and your clothing turn to liquid almost immediately.    It takes about an hour and a half to flush the lines of the three systems, and by the time you are finished you need a cold shower just to cool off and bury the clothes you are wearing, or scuttle them.

     The process is done and the boat is finally cooling back down.  Perfect time for me to escape  to the office and write this blog for today.    I really still love being on the boat, but like any lifestyle, there are parts of it that none of us ever enjoy.   I hope that your day is going well and you get to enjoy the rest of your day like I am.  You know that when it is all said and done, I am still living here in Key West and paradise just out the door and a short dinghy ride away.   ;o)

Cormorant Heaven

Corks and Cocktails: Key West

    
      Southern Wine and Spirits of South Florida and Transatlantic Wine and Spirits of Florida held a gala event last night at the Casa Marina Hotel here in Key West.    The evening was all about wines and spirits, with a special interest for me being rum.

    We were introduced to a new Dominican Republic rum Called Dominican Club, a really nice anejo rum with a very mature finish for a young rum.  The rum had aromas of fruit and mocha, this amber colored rum was of a very solid nature with smoothness unlike most young rums.

     Cruzan had Master Distiller Gary Nelthropp, a fourth generation master distiller for Cruzan. He talked to us about the different components of the fermentation and distillation processes and what components are good for the rum and which ones are bad.

     Southern Wine and Spirits did a great job of creating a fun event that was very helpful for those of us that buy rum, spirits, and wines for the bars here in Key West, and I was grateful to all of the producers' representatives that were there to make this event very enlightening.  Rum was the most important part for me, but the evening was filled with fine wines, food and spirits of all kinds for out tasting and to become  acquainted with.  ;o)

Crossing Cuba at 8000 Feet

Key West Airport, December, 2000

    In the year 2000, my wife Marta and I embarked upon an adventure exploring the Northern Caribbean.    The first leg took us from Charlotte, North Carolina to Key West, Florida.   After a wonderful day on the island that I would call home a short 5 years later,  we were off on one of the most exciting legs of the trip.  Crossing Cuba at 8000 feet, an altitude that allowed great visibility of the island and a chance to take many really cool pictures from the plane.



Matanzas, Cuba

     After a short 40 minutes in the air, we had Cuba in sight.   It appeared on the GPS screen and we were just off of Matanzas, Cuba and our first real sight of the island.    This is a very exciting event for a guy that grew up with Ricky Recardo and the movies of the 40's and 50's about all of the cabarets and music that I was barred from as a result of the American - Cuba Feud, sort of reminiscent of the "Hatfield and the McCoys".   Anyway I was over Cuba and could not have been more thrilled.



National Farm in Central Cuba

     The trip across took us over the national farms and the Parque Nacional Cienaga de Zapata (Zapata Swamp National Park)  as we left Cuba for Grand Cayman, and our destination for the day.   The Farms were very interesting, they had a complex that appeared to be housing for the workers, and even a baseball diamond as a part of the complex.     The route they allowed us to cross was just to the east of Havana, and from the altitude we were at, never got to see Havana.     Most of the country that we saw was farmland and few signs of any city style living.

Parque Nacional Cienaga de Zapata

    
     When we reached the South Coast, the National Park was a beautiful site.  The meeting of the ocean with the land was one of beauty and just an awesome sight.   The ocean and it's many colors blending with the green and browns of the land made for a very lovely and memorable picture.   The Zapata Swamp is noteable because of the large number of birds. reptiles, plants and invertabrates that inhabit the swamp.   Truely a valued and highly protected wetlands. 

     That was a really great experience for me, and one that I will never forget, but with a little bit of luck, I'll be returning, but this time I will get to spend 4 days in Old Havana to do some research of the places that Hemingway hung out and spent his time in Havana.  Rum research is also a very big part of the trip as well.   ;o)