Rum & Revolution-live from the Spirit, February 22, San Juan to Ft. Lauderdale

[TLCOhio]

2 minutes ago, spinnaker2 said:

Moncada Barracks c. 1938 art deco

July 26, 1955 100 revolutionaries led by Fidel stormed Batista's troops here

 

the bullet holes in the building were cemented over but later re-done so as to remind everyone of the glory of the revolution. this is now a school

 

Success!!!  Good work by Spins in getting this picture to post.  Keep up the good work and progress so that in three weeks when you get back on the Silver Spirit, you will be able to keep us in the loop visually from your adventure across the Atlantic. 

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

Panama Canal? Early 2017, Fort Lauderdale to San Francisco adventure through Panama Canal.  Our first stops in Colombia, Central America and Mexico, plus added time in the great Golden Gate City. Now at 25,965 views.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2465580

[jpalbny]

Yay Spins! Thanks for persevering! 

[We4lv2trvl]

Did not see the Spins picture, so I posted my version.  Not the best of pictures because, like many of them, it was taken through the bus window.  Our guide didn't say a word about these holes, because he was talking about the housing across the street, but this was the site of several revolutionary attacks.  BTW, Castro's attack here was not successful and he was taken prisoner.  It makes you wonder what would have happened in Cuba if he hadn't been released to regroup and try again.

Edited March 10, 2019 by We4lv2trvl

[TLCOhio]

38 minutes ago, We4lv2trvl said:

 Our guide didn't say a word about these holes, because he was talking about the housing across the street, but this was the site of several revolutionary attacks.  BTW, Castro's attack here was not successful and he was taken prisoner.  It makes you wonder what would have happened in Cuba if he hadn't been released to regroup and try again.

 

Appreciate this great question and important background about Castro being released from prison, etc.  Interesting history in Cuba!!!  That is what is fun in visiting this island where so much has happened there over the many centuries. 

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

For my latest live/blog, see “the Holy Lands, Egypt, Jordan, Oman, Dubai, Greece, etc.”, with many visuals, details and ideas for the historic and scenic Middle East.  Check it at:

www.boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2607054-livenautica-greece-holy-lands-egypt-dubai-terrypix’s/

[spinnaker2]

These are the small houses surrounding the Moncada Barracks, now public housing.

[spinnaker2]

The Bacardi Mansion, a wedding gift to the couple from the family. Now a public building.

[spinnaker2]

Leaving Santiago de Cuba. This house is for sale. We did see many houses with "se vende" painted on them. Only Cubans may buy property in Cuba, and if a house is privately owned, then a percentage of the sale price must be given to the state.

[spinnaker2]

As we left people on the shore waved and took pictures with their cell phones.

The coastline of Cuba is very beautiful and mountainous.

At night we enjoyed the moon and the stars.

[spinnaker2]

Grand Cayman...

Three other vessels all at anchor in the harbor

 

This one was definitely the biggest, MSC Seaside, looks so top heavy. 

Wonder what kind of ballast it has??

 

 

 

 

[Stumblefoot]

7 minutes ago, spinnaker2 said:

This one was definitely the biggest, MSC Seaside, looks so top heavy. 

 

That is one ugly cruise ship IMHO.  Looks like a barge with a parking garage dropped on top.

[spinnaker2]

Tell us how you really feel Stumble!!!

And yes it is one ugly gigantic ship. It has been given all sorts of accolades and awards. Not for this sailor.

 

 

[spinnaker2]

Amazing sunrise as we made our way into Cienfuegos.

 

We apparently stirred up a school of fish and one bird was flying low over the water and diving in for her catch.

Edited March 11, 2019 by spinnaker2

[spinnaker2]

The tender port at Cienfuegos. Dwellings that were almost at the waterline. 

 

And we are off for our bus tour of Cienfuegos and environs. We were on a Yutong bus, Chinese made and quite fancy as compared to some of the vehicles on the road.

[spinnaker2]

[spinnaker2]

Some photos of Cienfuegos as we drove to our destination of Castillo de Jagua. 

 

[spinnaker2]

More local color, the ever present 24 hour gas station.

And a drag race of sorts.

[spinnaker2]

After a long drive of about an hour we arrived at Castillo de Jagua.

Built of limestone in 1742 by King Phillip V of Spain, it sits overlooking Cienfuegos Bay. 

There is also a ferry boat which is faster and more scenic, but we weren't offered that option.

 

Quite a view!

[spinnaker2]

Just behnd the Castillo is a small church and some houses, and this innovative lawn mower.

 

And, of course, a dog with purple spots who was not impressed by our presence. YAWN.

Edited March 11, 2019 by spinnaker2

[spinnaker2]

Back on the bus for the long ride into Cienfuegos.

We were not permitted to bring any food with us, not even an energy bar. We were permitted water. Some of us were getting hangry.

I mentioned earlier about the nuclear power plant, a picture is below. Not having seen the Chernobyl plant I cannot attest to the resemblance, but it does look odd far in the distance in the middle of a field. Almost like the dome of a church.

The blue and yellow building looks deserted, no cars or guard at the guard house, given the fencing,  it looks to be of import but I have no idea what it was.

The last photo is of a pineapple field, one of the crops grown in Cuba.

Edited March 11, 2019 by spinnaker2

[spinnaker2]

The tour guides always mention the fact that every Cuban household has electricity. There are wires everywhere!

The water supply is limited to certain hours of the day and every house has a cistern on its roof to collect water in order to have it available 24 hours a day.

 

And then there were these. Reminders of the Revolution, always the Revolution and unity and victory, only one Revolution.

[spinnaker2]

Cars!  Is that really a Ford hood ornament? ???

 

Edited March 11, 2019 by spinnaker2

[spinnaker2]

Teatro Tomas Terry is a remarkable theater facing Marti Park. 

 

The theater was the dream of a wealthy Irish immigrant, Thomas Terry. He died before its completion, but his sons finished the project as a tribute to their father and it opened in 1890.

 

It has 1200 seats in a coliseum type of seating arrangement, including many private boxes. The frescoes on the ceiling are whimiscal and elegant.

 

The Teatro was heavily damaged during a Hurricane and is being restored.

 

 

Edited March 11, 2019 by spinnaker2

[spinnaker2]

Parque Marti is named after Jose Marti y Perez,  a national hero of Cuba. The park is considered the heart of Cienfuegos. There is a compass rose called the "zero kilometer", a monument which marks the founding point of Cienfuegos. I snapped a photo of a little guy riding his tricycle in the compass rose, a perfect road map! As we walked around the park, school children were let out of school. They looked like kids from anywhere happy to be out of school and with their backpacks and cell phones.

[jpalbny]

2 hours ago, spinnaker2 said:

Cars!  Is that really a Ford hood ornament? ???

Spins - is that the Starship Enterprise??

[spinnaker2]

58 minutes ago, jpalbny said:

Spins - is that the Starship Enterprise??

JP

Dr Spins was drooling over the Chevvies. He had one.

The ten year difference in age matters in car preferences. I didn't see any Morgans, mg midgets or GTOs.

The cars are terrific and a testament to USA. The Cubans who own them now make their own parts, a tribute to their ingenuity and resourcefulness.