A short photo report about the trip to Cuba. A short photo report about a trip to Cuba Cuba photo report
What to do if you find yourself in Cuba for a short time? Where to go, where to smoke the best cigar and eat a real mango, how to have time
feel the real spirit of Cuba libre? Questions are answered by Irina Baryshnikova, a member of the Russian Photo club, who visited
such a journey.
If you find yourself in Cuba for a couple of days, then all you have time to do is visit Havana and the places nearby. It could be like sama
Havana, including old Havana, and its surroundings with waterfalls, valleys, tobacco factories and other “associated”
attractions. And, of course, in order to fully immerse yourself in the retro era of this country, the best way would be
go on excursions in vintage cars, of which there are many in Cuba.
We were in Cuba for three days, and during this time we were able to attend a couple of excursions conducted by the Russian-speaking guide Jose. It is worth noting that in
In this case, taking into account the uniqueness of this country, such an acquaintance with it was the most optimal. The guide not only showed the main
attractions, but also talked about details that an ordinary tourist would hardly know about, starting with what a mango looks like,
ending with the fact that, for example, ordinary citizens of Cuba are prohibited from having their own websites on the Internet, and that he has the opportunity to engage in
such activity is only thanks to his Russian wife.
One of the interesting events was a visit to a local tobacco factory that produces cigars. In just half an hour we were able
get acquainted with the main stages of their production visually. After the leaves are collected, they are hung to dry, a process that
often called "curing". This step can take up to three months! Once the leaves are dry, the cigar can be rolled. AND,
It turns out that your cigar's rolling technique can affect its final flavor. A good cigar has a smooth and shiny wrapper with
leaves neatly curled in one direction. And while I was photographing all these amazing things, my husband and Jose were enjoying
the process of smoking cigars, and I “spied” on them.
We also managed to go to the Viñales Valley - a national park in the valley of the Sierra de los Organos mountain range. Reserve territory,
which is under the protection of UNESCO, consists of flat karst formations, flat hills (locals called them “backs
elephants"), underground rivers, caves and waterfalls. It turns out that in ancient times Indian tribes lived in this territory. Cuban dance,
as well as a bar where they prepare incredibly delicious pina coladas, where they offer to independently add the amount of rum everyone needs, there were
one of the amazing impressions of this valley, besides its unimaginable beauties, of course.
If we talk about Havana itself, its colors are amazing. They are clean and positive, and the city itself seems to show its childish, inexperienced
modern civilization soul. And it’s absolutely impossible to take your eyes off vintage cars! If you want to take a break from the modern world,
reset and forget about civilization, you just need to visit Cuba.
Well, we went to Cuba in October. We didn’t travel like savages, but bought a tour. We lived in Varadero, one of the best resorts in the world. I liked it very much, I recommend it to everyone.
We arrived in Havana around seven in the morning. We quickly went through all the formalities, received our luggage, loaded onto the bus and went to Varadero. The journey took approximately 3 hours. The guide provided general information about the country, culture and history. Along the way, I didn’t forget to comment on what was happening outside the bus window.
On the way to Varadero, we made one stop to stretch our legs, take a break, look around, and, according to the guide, try the best piña colada in the country. The place where we stopped was a cafe with souvenir stalls, an observation deck and colorful local musicians. 
Also from the observation deck there is a wonderful view of the bridge with a 116-meter span 
Another wonderful view from the observation deck 
Sign at the entrance to Varadero 
Varadero has wonderful beaches with white sand and clear waters of the Atlantic Ocean... 
It was getting dark. Before dinner we went to the beach. 
In Cuba there are a lot of cars from the past, so-called retro cars, left over from the times of US expansion. I think comments are unnecessary here 
In Varadero, you can easily rent a car or scooter near almost any hotel. It’s good to take a car if you’re going to another city, and if you want to explore the surroundings of Varadero, then it’s better to take a scooter ($15 for three hours, or 18 for four + gasoline at your expense, a liter at a gas station costs $1. I write prices in dollars, since they are equivalent to convertible pesos, which tourists pay with). 
We take a scooter and go for a ride. Varadero is beautiful 
Spouse 
Locals of Varadero 
It turns out that Cuba has wonderful, delicious beer. There are two types of Cuban beer - Cristal and Bucanero. Both varieties taste great and are better than all the beers produced in Russia combined. As they say: “Less is better.” 
We lived in the Villa Tortuga hotel. I rate it a solid “4” on a five-point scale.
view to a pool 
Cuban dancers rock this stage in the evenings 
Access to the beach 
We went to Havana a couple of times. On your own, without excursions. City of contrasts. I really liked it
View of the El Morro fortress 
Local graffiti artists are having a blast. Graffiti visible at the beginning of the Prado pedestrian street 
Views of Prado street 
You can also often find masterpieces of the domestic automobile industry on the streets of Cuba. 
..school bus from Canada 
Prado street ends with a beautiful view of one of the oldest hotels in the city 
One of Hemingway's favorite bars, El Floridita 
The famous Capitol, a copy of the American 
It houses the national library (as far as I know) 
At the foot of the Capitol, tourists are invited to feel the atmosphere of the past and take pictures against the backdrop of the steps with an ancient camera. 
And behind the Capitol there is a steam locomotive museum (scrap metal dump) and a cigar factory. 
Typical balcony view of medieval Havana 
ArteHabana Cultural Center 
And there are Rastas in Cuba 
"It is forbidden to play Pelota" is a sign on the wall. Don’t think anything vulgar, Pelota is such a game, the prototype of modern squash. 
Kids playing on the streets of Havana 
Where would we be without a UAZ? 
Are you tired? So sit down, smoke a cigar, relax 
Large birds circle around the tall building of the city hospital 
"Message to the Future" is walled into the wall of the city hospital building 
People waiting for the bus. There is a problem with public transport in Cuba. 
One of the streets of old Havana 
Kids frolicking on the streets of Havana 
The usual state of a Cuban. They are all lazy and unhurried there. 
In Havana, as here in Russia, folk wall art is very widespread. 
Monument to the revolutionary, poet, hero of Cuba Jose Marti. He died in the battle for the country's independence. 
Due to our topographical cretinism, we accidentally wandered into a residential area. Almost like ours 
American cars in Cuba 
Some are even in excellent condition (I didn’t look under the hood) 
O'Reilly Street 
I looked into one of the courtyards of Havana. As it turned out later, he is “famous” - everyone takes pictures of him 
You need to hold this guy by the beard and finger and you will be happy! 
Cuban Pioneer 
A very colorful Cola-Libre mailbox. In fact, there is also the usual Coca-Cola made in Mexico 
Plaza de La Ciénaga. Cathedral in Baroque style. They say that the remains of Columbus lie here. 
Plaza de La Ciénaga, fragment 
View from the Cathedral to Plaza de La Ciénaga. 
The same Granny. Sits at old man Ernesto's second favorite bar, La Bodeguita del Medio. He makes money by taking pictures with tourists. 
One photo - one dollar/CUC 
In this heat it would be a shame not to drink a cool mojito 
And again, a miracle of the domestic automobile industry - Zil 130 (by the way, a good car) 
Everywhere you can find the symbols of the revolution and the permanent image of the great Che 
We decided to take a ride along the Malecon embankment using the wonderful form of transport Coco Taxi. Inside view. 
Have you ever seen Don Quixote naked?? I have seen!! 
Another monument to another general-hero-revolutionary 
And again cars, cars... 
Coffin carrier. Stands in the Necropolis in Havana. 
Necropolis. 
Monument to the great freedom fighter Ernest Che Guevara on the mausoleum in the city of Santa Clara. 
Colonial city of Trinidad in southern Cuba, Caribbean coast. 
Quiet hour in kindergarten 
A student at a school opposite the kindergarten decided to follow the example of his younger brothers 
Those Coco Taxi... 
..their competitor is the antipode 
Steps for every taste! 
This grandpa, like Granny from Havana, is a famous shot. Only he doesn’t ask for money. 
It rained a little 
Resident of Trinidad 
Residents of Trinidad 
Trinidad, view from above 
Cats are the same all over the world 
And there are cars in Trinidad 
The Cuban land is wide
Thanks to all!
Cubans love to tell the story of how Christopher Columbus, when he first set foot on the soil of Cuba, was struck by its beauty to such an extent that he said: “I have never seen anything more beautiful in my life.”
The architecture cannot leave you indifferent. Everywhere there are traces of Spanish conquests, raids by corsairs and filibusters. It seems that the walls of fortresses and forts are still ready to repel the raids of brave pirates.
The pearl of Cuba is Havana. This city with a population of about 2.5 million people was founded by the conquistador Diego Velazquez back in the 16th century. The city consists of two parts - Old and New Havana, which differ strikingly.
Old Havana has beautiful monuments, beautiful squares, cathedrals and monasteries, houses and buildings from the colonial era. Walking along the narrow cobbled streets, among houses imbued with a colonial spirit, is a real pleasure.
The modern part of Havana leaves a rather depressing impression: devastation and poverty. The average salary in Cuba is about 20 dollars a month, Cubans say that this is only enough for food, therefore, there can be no talk of renovating houses.
I was amazed by the stores: half-empty shelves, very poor assortment, fairly high prices for food. People on the streets cannot be called particularly joyful either. There are queues everywhere, and people are allowed into stores in small batches to prevent theft. There is practically no private business, everything belongs to the state, the local population was allowed to leave Cuba only 2 years ago.
This is how I saw modern Cuba: the beauty of nature, the beautiful ocean and the almost miserable existence of people.
Friends, when I left for Cuba, I hoped that I would be able to stay in touch, but, as it turned out, there is practically no Internet there, and as a result, I could not answer your questions for two weeks. I'll do this in the next few days.
P.S. I have prepared a short video for you that I filmed in Havana during a trip around the city. I filmed from a car, the quality is not the best, but you can feel the atmosphere of the city. Look.
