Martin's TravelAwesome Photo Series #11 - Cuba: A Land of Contradictions & Inspiration

Rum, cigars, old cars, revolutionary history, beautiful Caribbean beaches and coral reefs. Mix it up altogether in and around one island and there you have it, Cuba! It is not a destination I merely ticked off, it is a destination I experienced. By drinking mojitos, smoking Monte Cristo cigars and dance salsa in the capital called Havana (... but I did much more!). An extensive photo report from my trip made in summer of 2011.

All photography in this article is original and mine

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Cubans have a passion for life

Experiencing authentic Cuban culture can only be experienced if you stay with local people. There are many so called 'casa particulares' where you can do homestays, a wonderful experience. The romantic picture of Cuba can then really be experienced, only outside of the touristic Habana Vieja. These casa particulares usually know each other and operate some sort of network, that can be really helpful to navigate your way around: there is always a next place that is recommended just for you!

Unbelievable! In this country there is no gasoline, but cars are all over the road. There's no food, but everybody is cooking dinner. They have no money, but everybody is dancing and drinking rum! - Cuba Junky

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Life on the Streets - in a positive way!

Cubans spend most of their time in their neighborhood streets, where they play, work, and enjoy time with family and friends. I particularly loved the contrasts on the streets. You see houses crumbled, but also beautifully renovated buildings in their historic style, people's poverty but at the same time a street full of music and liveliness, full of joy. Parades like the one you see below are in fact very common in Havana.

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every country is very different i want to visit alll :)

Nice photo

Buenas fotografías

Your photo series are so bundle in photo comic

Interesting impressions of cuba, really a wonderful country. We've been there 2 years ago. You mentioned the beautiful coral reefs, have you been diving (or snorkeling) in cuba?
Jardines de la Reina in cuba is one or the best diving sites to see sharks by the way ;)

I love Cuba and Havana I was there 25 years ago on my honeymoon and I was fascinated. I hope to be able to return to admire a splendid nature and the inhabitants always cheerful and jovial.

Certainly, makes for a great honeymoon I expect! :) Hope you had a nice one!

Unfortunately now I'm divorced I'll go back to Cuba even by myself! :)

Sorry to hear, but maybe all the more fun! hehe ;-) let me know in case you need any tips! I'll post more about Cuba soon.

thank you so much!!!
I'll follow you and I'll be very happy to see your photos and if I can ask you later to take some for my watercolor painting or oil on canvas ...

It looks like a city full of history and character. I would love to visit as well.

We really liked your photos. The vehicles are very peculiar, especially the blue one that looks like a miniature. The city has an air of old, vintage, is charming, in the photos we can see how the city although it looks clean in its streets, the structures are deteriorated. We believe that it is a very good photographic work that reflects one of the faces of Cuba. We invite you to show us more pictures of this city, we are interested in seeing it. We liked your publication and we are following you to find out about your updates, thank you for giving us this beautiful trip, you have made our lives happy.
Congratulations, your post has been voted by the meteoro team, the project that goes faster in steemit. We are a team focused on helping newcomers and those who are not, and we support the original work.

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I may award you with an upvote if the comment is interesting :-)

interesting :-)

Trying to improve engagement on Steemit. I'd like some genuine and nice comments :)

Sorry i had to

I have a soul of an 9gagger

Wow! Very interesting great old city and happy lively Cubans.
Thanks for sharing beautiful photos and knowledge.
I love it!

i'll add this to my bucket list ;)

You should! What else is on your bucket list at this moment?