Happy New 2017

Rainy morning at Bodø airport.

Leaving Bodø, finally going home.

Lime is essential....

...when making cuban mojitos 

Skjelfjord.

Rockets on the other side of the fjord.

I woke up to a rainy day, had breakfast at the hostel and went to the airport. It was me and another woman and a couple which were tourists and changed seats all the time. The steward was extra happy and did the usual welcome and security then he was singing a northern norwegian song for us. ST picked me up at the airport since there was no bus. I went home to unpack and then packa again. Then we picked up Janett and went to Skjelfjord. We were supposed to go to Fredvang cabin but there was a bad forecast with storm coming in sunday and we wanted to go hiking in the area on sunday so we cancelled that. But it was a great night anyway with friends, good food and mojitos.

Day of adventure

The flight from Havana to Paris took 9 hours. We landed almost 2 hours delayed, I was so stressed certain that I would miss my next flight. Trough immigration and then security. And then a bus to another terminal which took ages. And then there was no gate for my flight? And it was supposed to be leaving like now. Then someone said it was delayed but the information came up first after half an hour. I was so hungry and afraid I wouldn't have time to buy anything since I didn't know what happened to my flight. I met a photographer from Oslo who also came from Havana. So we talked a little and he showed me some of his pictures. Finally the information came with a time of expected landing. So I had time to grab a sandwich. Finally the gate came up but the changed the gate twice before we could actually board the plain.

So we arrived in Oslo just after my flight to Bodø left. What a day. But my backpack arrived so that's good. Now I knew I was not making it home tonight so there was not much to do really than buying a new ticket to Bodø. Widerøe offered me a flight via Trondheim for 4000 NOK! But then Cody told me norwegian had tickets for 800 (thanks again!) and direct. So at least I came to Bodø and booked a room at the hostel. Finally I could check in, go through security and relax. No more stress. I was starving and found a cozy place with 2 different slices of vegetarian pizza (!) and I bought a beer. Damn it was good and bloody expensive, but frankly I didn't care. I Arrived to a windy and rainy Bodø and walked to the hostel where I arrived at 00.30 I had to be quiet since three other women were already sleeping. Now I am deadly tired.

La Guarida

Back at calle refugio again.

Habana 61, one of the fancy places.

Lunch at La Famiglia 28th

La Makina. We loved their malanga fritters.

La Guarida

La Guarida

La Guarida

La Guarida

On the morning 27th we left our host in Cienfuego and went to the busstation to see if we could catch a taxi collectivo to Havana which is a long trip. After a little over an hour there was success. Two chinese girls were also going to Havana so we split a taxi. We went back to Alfonso where we stayed before since it was perfect for us. He wasn't there but the neighbour Irena let us in and gave us some fresh pineapple and an espresso while waiting. She is the one getting us breakfast. On our last night we went to La Guarida. But first we went for drinks at Hotel Inglaterra and watching people. Drinks are the same price everywhere, 2 dollars (compare that to a beer in Norway 100 NOK). On our last day we didn't have much time but just wandered around the streets of old Havana one last time. Then we took a taxi to the airport at 1 pm since Rebecca's flight was at 4. So we got her checked in and out through immigration and then security. Sadly I couldn't check in yet since my flight was not until 8.30 pm so I had to hang around for a while. But I had a book to read and when I got through I was watching a movie and time went pretty fast. But there was nothing to eat besides crackers and cookies...imagine my happiness when some time that night I got my vegetarian hindu meal! (thanks Cody for helping out).

La Guarida opened July 14th, 1996 in a splendid edifice from early 20th Century, this was a building, where several families lived. It became an exclusive atmosphere where you find the apartments of ordinary families and a luxury restaurant in the same building. From beginning to end La Guarida offers a piece of Cuban history. Housed in a beautiful original Old Habana building, the walls are covered with images of pre-revolutionary Cuba in all of its grandeur. Most notably, a scene from "Fresa y Chocolate", a landmark Cuban film, was filmed in a dining room of La Guarida. The balcony offers a breathtaking view of Old Habana. It is also said to be Beyonces favourite restaurant.

Cienfuegos

Taxi.

Exploring the streets.  

Stuff like this all over Cuba.

Lovely plant.  

Cienfuego.

Our new host has a lovely roof terrace. 

Art. 

Famous Tomas Terry Theatre.

Fancy restaurant.

Mojitos in the afternoon.

We left Trinidad and went to Cienfuegos which was not very interesting but we only stayed two nights and then we get back to Havana for our last days.

Trinidad

Taxi collectivo.

Traveling in a classic 50's car.

Dinner at our new host.

Breakfast at our new host. 

Beach life in Trinidad.

Best way to spend xmas?

Trinidad.

Warning for horse with carriage. 

Red Cross in Cuba.

Trinidad.

Finally avocado! Photo: Rebecca

In the bar. Photo: unknown dutch guy

Still at the bar.

Rum all day long....

We took another taxi collectivo to Trinidad which was a long days trip. We came to our new host Nancy with family. It was a bit chaotic at the end because there was almost a fight between our taxi driver and some other guy driving in the crowded streets. The got out of their cars but then luckily some other people interfered. In Trinidad we had our first day at the beach. It was 12 km so we took a taxi there. Swimming in the ocean and drank some beer. Life is good. Then we went "home" walked around the streets exploring, found a good restaurant where we had a drink and then some dinner and we liked this place so much we stayed all xmas eve. Just moved over to the bar and tried a lot of drinks. This was a wonderful xmas.

Vinales

Taxi collectivo

Our new home

Our street.

Dinner.

Tobacco plant.

Leaves drying.

Trying organic cigars.

Showing how to roll one. 

In the country side.

Sugar cane.

We found a vegetarian restaurant!

Herbs and plants growing outside.

Bananas.

Vinales.

We went by taxi collectivo to Vinales, which is a clever way of transporting. We shared with a young french guy and a swiss guy who has been several times here and also cycle touring. We stayed with senor Guillermo and his wife at Ecologica House. He took us to see the tobacco fields, indian cave and some other places. Dinner was so good and more than we could eat. Tomorrow we leave for new adventures.