Havana

As the last days of our travelling approached we got ready to go 50 years back in time to spend our last 2 weeks in Cuba. It started off with a 9 hour (!!) delay at Cancun airport. As compensation for the delay we were given food vouchers which we used at Bubba Gump Restaurant, a choice made more because of my love for the Forrest Gump movie than for good value for money.

Without wifi in any public places, not having a Lonely Planet or having done much research beforehand, we relied on the recommendations of one friendly waitor in particular who shared his knowledge of the Cuban attractions, helping us get an idea of what we want to do on the island.

Instead of sleeping in hostels as a cheap form of accommodation, backpackers sleep in 'casas' (houses) of people in Cuba. Every casa has at least a private bathroom and air conditioning, a legal requirement. You can also choose to eat breakfast or dinner in the casa for a small additional price, the quantity of food more than at any restaurant. At Casa Jenny we met 4 young South African guys volunteering for a South African organisation. As we sat with them on the roof terrace drinking cuban coffee and smoking a cuban cigar, we listened to their travelling stories which reminded me of the book 'Lord of the Flies' - such as how they had killed a snake, cooked it on a fire and ate it for dinner, one of their many adventurous tales.