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Melia Cayo Santa Maria & Santa Clara June, 2006
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Last changed on 05/07/2009. This album contains 87 items.

Our Wedding, in Cuba! June 9, 2005
We married, June 9, 2005 at Iberostar Varadero, Cuba! The following album contains some of the photos from the resort photographer. The album titled IBEROSTAR VARADERO contains pics from the entire week, including candid wedding photos taken.

Our initial choice was to marry on the beach, but Tropical Storm Arlene had different plans that day, so we had to relocate the ceremony to the gazebo in the pool. This worked out wonderful. We had live music (sax & piano player) and were surrounded by family. It was perfect! Everyone tells us that if it rains on your wedding day, then your marriage meant to last, so I guess a tropical storm means our marriage will last forever!

I was a very easy going bride, not worried about details like colors or flowers, I left it all up to Yoan, the wedding coordinator, and everything was wonderful. It is difficult to tell, but my dress was made of white silk with beading embellishments all over in the shape of flowers. My hair was done by the resort salon/spa and tiny white flowers were placed in my 'do. Jason wore a white suit.

Last changed on 11/12/2008. This album contains 47 items.

Iberostar Varadero June 4-11, 2005
When we got engaged, we knew that marrying in Cuba was the only option. Our love for the country was the perfect way to start our union. We wanted something fun and stressless, and a destination wedding was the answer. We also wanted to share such a wonderful country with our friends & family.

Getting a few people on board was a little challenge as some people have misconceptions about Cuba, but once there, they understood our love. This was our first big group/family vacation (approx. 23 people) and we all had an amazing time. We organized a private bus tour of Havana for everyone which was a success. And everyone participated in various excurisions like catamarans, dolphin swims, deep-sea fishing, etc. And we all had a great time playing resort games, IV has the BEST animation staff that we have come across so far, never before have we particpated in so many resort activities! These are the pics for the week at Iberostar Varadero, including candid wedding photos. IV was a great resort, but we actually prefer Sandals next door.

The album titled HONEYMOON showcases the 2 weeks after the resort that Jason & I spent travelling across the island.

Last changed on 01/07/2006. This album contains 95 items.

Honeymoon Across Cuba - Santa Clara, Baracoa, Holguin, Camaguey, Trinidad, Cienfuegos, Havana June 11-26, 2005
After a fun and fantastic week on a 5* resort with family, we spent the next 2 weeks backpacking across Cuba. The previous year, we had a taste of this by eating in paladars, staying in casa's and exploring off the beaten track in both Havana & Vinales. This year, we decided to cover off the rest of the island.

In the 2 weeks, we visited Santa Clara, Baracoa, Holguin, Camaguey, Trinidad, Cienfuegos & Havana. We travelled mainly by Viazul and taxi (both legal & illegal). We visited a school & hospital to make donations, climbed a mountain and, snorkled and more! We told family that we were going to "backpack" across the country and that if they wished to donate any gifts, we'd be more than happy to take them. When we left the resort, not only did we have a backpack each of our stuff & goodies, but an additional 4 other bags to take with us! Needless to say, we were no longer backpacking but moving across Cuba! Following are a TONNE of pics and wonderful memories!

Last changed on 07/26/2005. This album contains 265 items.

Viñales, Pinar del Rio February 2004

Our trip in 2004 was about adventure and experiencing Cuba. This was our first time opting for a week in Havana. We originally planned to do a day trip to Vinales, but decided on an overnight trip, which in the end turned into three nights! We stayed at Villa Candida, a Casa Particular (rented a room in a home). The family (and food) were wonderful that we had to stay. We fell in love with Vinales.

In Vinales we went to a beach, toured tobacco fields via horseback & ventured through various caves. The more adventurous of the caves we visited was Las Cuevas de Santo Tomas which is about 20km from town. We took an illegal cab there and got a flat tire along the way! Welcome to Cuba! It wasn't a big deal and we fixed it right away. Our driver Alfredo introduced us to Jesus, his brother, who spoke some English & was very familar with the caves of Santo Tomas. He offered to take us through the caves (for less than the tourist route would've cost) for a much better tour. We decided, heck, why not? We're sure we got a much better tour than the tourist version would've offered us! Jesus was wonderful!

Last changed on 07/25/2005. This album contains 146 items.

La Habana October 2003,February 2004, June 2005
We have visited Havana on several occasions over the years and it is still one of our favorite places. During our most recent trip, we have noticed a lot of things changing while many things staying the same. And while travelling across the country, we have also notice d a lot of change. It will be interesting to see what happens in the years to come.

Now that we have seen the country we have a better understanding and appreciation. We would have to say that Havana is still one of our most favorite cities to visit, even after all these years. Our two other favorite cites are Vinales & Baracoa. These are our pictures of Havana over the years.

Last changed on 10/12/2005. This album contains 159 items.

Habanos Cigars Updated

Here you will find our cigar experiences. From buying to storing them and of course, smoking them. We will include as much advice as possible based on our experience. I have been smoking cigars for approximately 6 years whereas Christine tried them for the first time while in Cuba.

Cigar buying can be pretty complicated in Cuba with everyone trying to cash in on the popularity. Many people are either trying to sell counterfeits or over-charge you. So take a look at the pictures and read through the captions, this should answer most questions you may have and maybe point out a few things you may not have considered. If you have any questions or comments you may submit them below the full sized version of the pictures or feel free to email us using the link to your left.

"I smoke in moderation; one cigar at a time" - Mark Twain

October 2003 - February 2004

Last changed on 04/27/2009. This album contains 75 items.

Trinidad de Cuba October 2003 and June 2005
Our first visit to Trinidad was by bus tour for a day in October 2003 and we returned this past June 2005 for another visit. The city is still amazing and breath-taking, but the real draw the second time around was to revist the craft market. Through all our travels, you will not find a craft market of linens (tables, clothes, etc) as beautiful and of such high quality as in Trindad. I'm not a 'table linen' type of person, but the workmanship is so very beautiful, that it's hard to pass it up.

In the Cuba Moon HandBook there is a name of a casa for a well-known photographer who has a "honeymoon" suite with an antique bed. If you are interested in staying here, be sure to book in advance. We didn't plan on visiting to Trinidad so we didn't book a casa, and he was all booked. Actually, we didn't once pre-book a casa once and we always managed to find a place to stay.

Last changed on 04/27/2009. This album contains 42 items.

Sandals Royal Hicacos Resort October 2003

We arrived about an hour early into Varadero and had a shuttle take us and 6 other couples directly to Sandals. When we arrived, the front desk greeted us with an amenity kit & a chilled glass of champagne. What a fantastic start! We were taken to room 3008 on the second floor of building 30, a corner suite on the Sunset side. Our room was huge! We stayed in a Gardenview room which had a living room, huge king size bed, fridge, TV, bathroom with a bathtub large enough for two and a balcony!

The resort has a colorful island décor and is beautiful. Every morning we enjoyed the buffet in the Hicacos Restaurant. For lunch, we varied our visits between El Viejo Y El Mar on the beach (they served the best french fries and hot dogs) and El Caribe (the Pollo Columbo is fantastic!). We had the buffet dinner at the Hicacos Restaurant a few times (for the one year anniversary of the resort and for Cuban night), we ate once at El Viejo Y El Mar (had Surf & Turf, be warned, they served half a lobster, head and all), a few times at El Caribe (the Seafood Salad in a coconut shell, Lamb Stew and Coconut Pie are fabulous!) and a few times at Las Morlas AKA "the seafood place" a 5 star experience not far off from a 5 star restaurant in Canada. During the late afternoon we would visit El Mirador for drinks and socializing and most evenings we relaxed in the Piano Bar with a cigar.

October 2003

Last changed on 07/01/2009. This album contains 88 items.

Downtown Varadero October 2003

Downtown Varadero is a little touristy but if it’s the only place you visit outside of the resort, you’ll at least get a taste of Cuba. There are a lot of little markets to shop at(remember to bargain) and plenty of wonderful items to buy. This is where you will find the "Flea Market" that people on the resort might mention. The Plaza América aka "The Mall" is between downtown Varadero (where the Flea Market is) and the resort area of Varadero. We bought a fair bit at the market, if you go, try to make it a couple of times before you actually purchase so you can get used to the pricing and value of things since they can vary greatly day to day, shop to shop ...

You will get your first taste of the more native cuban life here. The houses all look pretty run down but if you get a peak inside, most look clean and tidy. If you can, look past the fact that no one has done anything to maintain most of the buildings in 50 years and notice that there is little or no garbage in the streets. With a coat of paint or 2 Cuba would have very clean looking cities.

October 2003

Last changed on 11/11/2007. This album contains 20 items.

Perros de Cuba Updated June 2005

There are dogs everywhere in Cuba! And almost every dog you find during the day is sleeping.

It appears that all the dogs are mix breeds. Many are stray, but most seem to be healthy. Even a few we saw that looked like they were hit by a car or two, were happy as well.

What is weird is that they lay completely flat out like this and hardly move for anything. I think it might be the heat or are Cuban dogs just really lazy?

Last changed on 11/23/2008. This album contains 36 items.