Copenhagen – Denmark

On 13/08/201613/08/2016 By TravelbyjaedIn architecture, art, lifestyle, photography, Travel, UncategorizedLeave a comment

I went to Copenhagen in March 2015 for 3 nights and as usual I stayed in a hostel, I stay in hostels for the socialising opportunities more so than to save on costs.

The first thing I did in Copenhagen was to buy a 48 hour hop on hop off bus ticket. These type of bus tours are a great way to see as much of a city in a short period of time. The next thing I did was book myself onto a free walking tour, another great way to learn about the city.

What I Did

Church of Our Saviour or Vor Frelsers Kirke
This church is located in the Christianshavn district of Copenhagen. The church’s brown and gold spire can be seen from miles around and on a clear day, the sun against the gold dome at the top acts like a light beacon drawing people to it. The main reason I visited this church was to climb up its tower, there are 400 steps to the top of the spire, the last 150 being outside. This is an old church so the steps are narrow and rickety and there is no place or time to rest on the ascent or descent as there is a constant flow of people going up and down. I think I paid the equivalent of £5 to climb up, don’t quote me on that but either way it is very cheap.

Church of Our Saviour, Copenhagen, Denmark

Me on the Church of Our Saviour, Copenhagen, Denmark

View of Church of Our Saviour, Copenhagen, Denmark — View from Church of Our Saviour, Copenhagen, Denmark

View from Church of Our Saviour, Copenhagen, Denmark

Christiania
Christiania is an autonomous neighbourhood of close to 1000 residents. Abandoned army barracks were squatted by arty types in the 1970s. Cannabis has been freely traded in the area since then and still is, hence why photographs are forbidden in the area. I really liked Christiania, I am a hippy at heart and I liked that these people where able to take a disused area and build something worthwhile. It is the home of the Christiania bikes used by the Princess of Denmark. Also I had an amazing Vegetarian meal in one of the cafes.

Entrance to Christiania, Copenhagen, Denmark (Picture not Mine)

Christiania Statue of Liberty, Copenhagen, Denmark

Mural in Christiania, Copenhagen, Denmark

Vegetarian Meal at Christiania, Copenhagen, Denmark

Christiansborg Palace or Christiansborg Slot
Christiansborg Palace is both a palace and government buildings. The Tarnet Tower at the centre of the buildings offers aerial views of the city, there is something about being high up that makes me feel extra liberated. Entrance to the tower is free and there is a lift to take you up.

Christiansborg Palace, Copenhagen, Denmark

Me at Christiansborg Palace, Copenhagen, Denmark

View from Tarnet Tower, Copenhagen, Denmark

St Alban’s Church
St Alban’s church is an English Anglican church in a peaceful park located in the Nordre Tolbold area next to the citadel Kastellet (a well pressured army fortress) and the Gefion Fountain. I liked this little church for its simplicity.

St Alban's Church, Copenhagen, Denmark — St Alban’s Church, Copenhagen, Denmark

St Alban's Church and Gefion Fountain, Copenhagen, Denmark — St Alban’s Church and Gefion Fountain, Copenhagen, Denmark

Inside St Alban's Church, Copenhagen, Denmark — Inside St Alban’s Church, Copenhagen, Denmark

Nordre Tolbold Park, Copenghagen, Denmark — Nordre Tolbold Park, Copenhagen, Denmark

Me at Nordre Tolbold Park, Copenhagen, Denmark

Little Mermaid
Within the same vicinity of St Alban’s Church is the Little Mermaid statue. I could barely get a clear view of the statue as it is quiet small and there were loads of tourist around wanting to see the famous statue. And no she does not have red hair or a turquoise fin.

Little Mermaid Statue, Copenhagen, Denmark

Me at the Little Mermaid Statue, Copenhagen, Denmark

Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek
The Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek is an art museum, the collection is built around the personal collection of Carl Jacobsen, the son of the founder of the Carlsberg Breweries. I did not go inside as I had limited time but I managed to find a gem in the gardens outside the museum. I came across Rodin’s ‘Thinker’, this really made my day.

Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek, Copenhagen, Denmark

The Devil Sculpture, Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek Museum Garden, Copenhagen, Denmark

Rodin's Thinker at the Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek Museum Garden, Copenhagen, Denmark — Rodin’s Thinker at the Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek Museum Garden, Copenhagen, Denmark

The Back of Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek Museum, Copenhagen, Denmark

The Round Tower or Rundetarn
The Round Tower in Copenhagen was one of the last places I visited in Copenhagen. It is free to go inside, there is also a small gallery, mid way up and best of all there is viewing platform for aerial views of city. I never got tired of seeing Copenhagen from up high.

Inside The Round Tower, Copenhagen, Denmark

View From The Round Tower, Copenhagen, Denmark

Some Art in The Round Tower Gallery, Copenhagen, Denmark

Just Walking Around
Walking around is what I like best, getting lost in the hopes I stumble across unique and interesting aspects of the city and Copenhagen didn’t disappoint.

A Colourful Square in Copenhagen, Denmark

The MarbleChurch From The Courtyard of The Royal Palaces, Copenhagen, Denmark — The Marble Church From The Courtyard of The Royal Palaces, Copenhagen, Denmark

My Review of the City
Copenhagen is a great city, it is vibrant, culturally rich and has a great history. The city is expensive but you can definitely visit even with a strict budget. I had a great time in the city and I would like to return to explore some more especially in Christiana. An all round great destination for anyone who wants to experience a Northern European City.

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Viñales – Cuba

On 26/07/201613/07/2017 By TravelbyjaedIn architecture, lifestyle, photography, Travel, Uncategorized3 Comments

Viñales is to the north of Havana and was 8 hours away from Trinidad, again we relied on the trusted Viazul Bus to get from Trinidad in the middle to Viñales in the north of the island. Viñales Valley is a UNESCO world heritage site and has been protected since 1999.
Being in Viñales actually felt like being in another country, the valley was unspoilt and some part appeared to be unchanged since pre-historic times.

The weather
The weather in Viñales was much cooler than any other city we had visited. The weather was cooler at between 25-27 degrees with a breeze whilst we were there.

Where I stayed

Casa León León
We stayed in Casa León León an amazing Casa particular with a great host. Leon who is the owner is an elderly man you would want to spend hours talking to and he was so lovely that he rode his bike to come meet us at the Viazul terminal to bring us back to the Casa. We had a large double room with two double beds with our own bathroom. Breakfast as with the other Casa’s we stayed in was delicious, Cuban breakfast rocks. We paid CUC60 for 2 night, I really recommend this Casa. Address: Calle Adela Azcuy # 45, Vinales, Cuba Tel: +53 48 796380

What I did
To fully explore the Island we bought a hop on hop off Viñales bus tour ticket for CUC5, the bus takes you along most of the major tourist attractions in the valley and the ticket lasts the whole day.

Jardin Botanico de Caridad
Viñales is rather small, so the centre is only 15 minutes walk from end to end. Jardin Botanico de Caridad is a five minutes walk from the central plaza. The jardin (garden) is beautifully kept and a great place to lose ones self. Viñales is already a quiet town so the jardin feels like a sanctuary within a sanctuary. However there was one weird thing about the jardin in that they had dismembered doll parts all over the place, it was initially scary but soon it became normal to see the creepy little doll heads, legs or arms hanging in an amongst the beautiful plants.

Jardin Botanico de Caridad, Vinales, Cuba

Creepy doll, Jardin Botanico de Caridad, Vinales, Cuba

Me in Jardin Botanico de Caridad, Vinales, Cuba

Cueva del Indio
We chose to use the boat at a cost of CUC5 to get through the caves, lets just say the queue to get on the boat lasted longer than the boat ride through the caves itself. Nevertheless the experience was worthwhile and after disembarking from the boat we got a chance to walk though and explore the adjacent ranch whilst we waited for the hop on hop off bus, there is also a bar, restaurants and souvenir shops to keep you entertained.

Cueva del Indio Ranch, Vinales, Cuba — Rancho San Vincente, Vinales, Cuba

Me at Cueva del Indio Ranch, Vinales, Cuba — Me at Rancho San Vincente, Vinales, Cuba

Mural de la Prehistoria
The entrance fee to see the mural up close was CUC3 and the ticket entitles you to a free drink at a bar. This attraction is bitter-sweet in that because we came to see this attraction I got to taste the best Pina colada I have ever tasted. Once we looked at the less than impressive mural which we could see from the road we had 1 hour 20 mins to wait until the next bus so we decided to explore the area, we did a small walk up the side of the mountain and then walked into the neighbouring village where most people grew coffee. After that we went to the bar and indulged in the cocktails, the bar man liked us and was very generous with the rum serving and gave us multiple free refills.

Grounds of Mural de la Prehistoria, Vinales, Cuba

Caves at Mural de la Prehistoria, Vinales, Cuba

Hotel Los Jazmines
This hotel is worth stopping off at for the best views of the amazing valley. From here you can really see the prehistoric rock formations that make the valley really special. There is a souvenir shops and a restaurant to sit and relax and get away from the afternoon sun. I also believe for a small fee you can use the hotel’s swimming pool. There is a village nearby so if you are curious you can take a walk into the village like we did.

View from Hotel Los Jazmines, Vinales, Cuba

View of Vinales Valley from Hotel Los Jazmines, Cuba

View of Vinales Vally from Hotel Los Jazmines, Cuba — View of Vinales Valley from Hotel Los Jazmines, Cuba

Cow at Hotel Los Jazmines, Vinales, Cuba

Village near Hotel Los Jazmines, Vinales, Cuba

Walking around
We walked around and explored the quaint little town, aimlessly wandering is a great way to explore and find great things.

Cubans Communting, Vinales, Cuba — Cubans commuting, Vinales, Cuba

Food and Drink

D’Bliss Restaurant
This was one of the most reasonably priced restaurant in Viñales and the food was very delicious hence why we eat there both nights that we were in the town. My meal with a glass of beer cost CUC8.

D'Bliss Restaurant, Vinales, Cuba — D’Bliss Restaurant, Vinales, Cuba

Meal at D'Bliss Restaurant, Vinales, Cuba — Meal at D’Bliss Restaurant, Vinales, Cuba

Bar 3 J
This was a cool bar that was bustling every night with tourists and locals alike. The daiquiris were to die for and only CUC3 and that’s why we went back a second night.

Amazing Daiquiris at Bar 3J, Vinales, Cuba

Review of Viñales
This town was the perfect stop after the craziness of Santiago de Cuba and the activities in Trinidad, as we were getting towards the end of our trip Viñales was a welcomed change of pace and a great place to unwind. If you are visiting Cuba try to add Viñales to one of the destinations you visit, it is only 4 hours away from Havana and truly worthwhile.

So what next
The next stop is back to Havana where it all started.

Do you want to find out what we did in Havana for the second time and how we completed our trip to Cuba? Then follow my blog to find out more and you will be notified as I upload more posts.

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Prague – Czech Republic

On 25/05/201625/07/2016 By TravelbyjaedIn architecture, lifestyle, photography, Travel, UncategorizedLeave a comment

Prague (Praha) the capital city of the Czech Republic is now in my top 5 European cities. The Czech Republic many consider to be in Eastern Europe but it is actually in Central Europe. The currency used is the Czech Koruna (CZK) and £1 (GBP) equates to approximately 34CZK. One quirky fact is that the Czechs are the biggest beer consumers in the world, and not surprising beer is very cheap in the country and even cheaper than water.

Wenceslas Cathedral
This is an amazing Medieval Cathedral that dominates the Prague skyline, the Cathedral sits atop a hill and proudly overlooks the city with its very mythical and folky vibe. There are long queues to get inside so if you want to visit get there early. I didn’t go in I just walked around the building taking in its magnificence.

Wenceslas Cathedral, Prague, Czech Republic

Part of Wenceslas Cathedral, Prague, Czech Republic

The Old Town Hall, Pražský orloj (Prague astronomical clock)
There are many things that catch your eye as you enter the Old Town Square, however none more so than the Pražský orloj (Prague astronomical clock) this is a beautiful clock created by Mikuláš of Kadaň and Jan Mindel and was installed in 1410 on the Old Town Hall, making it one of the oldest functioning astronomical clock in the world. There is a little show that is played on the hour and there is always a crowd gathered to hear the tune and watch the little skeleton take centre stage in ringing its bell. If you are going to visit the square, it is worthwhile to see a great piece of art, science and maths in action.

Prague Astronomical Clock, Czech Republic

The Old Town Hall Tower
The Old Town Hall Tower, is one of the most striking buildings in Prague and for a small fee of 120CZK (approx £3.50), visitors can climb or ride to the top to experience terrific views over the Old Town Square and the rest of the Old Town. I chose to use the elevator up but walked down. There is some historical information on Prague and the Town hall and it is fascinating to see how Prague, the Old Town Square and beyond has changed through the times.

View Old Town Hall Tower, Prague, Czech Republic

View from Old Town Hall Tower, Prague, Czech Republic — View Old Town Hall Tower, Prague, Czech Republic

Inside the Old Town Hall Tower, Prague, Czech Republic

Charles Bridge
This is a stunning bridge with a fascinating history and it is home to various monuments with fanatical folk tales attached. The bridge is an interesting place to visit to people watch, listen to buskers and even buy some wares or souvenirs.

Charles Bridge Tower, Prague, Czech Republic

View from Charles Bridge, Prague, Czech Republic

Me on Charles Bridge, Prague, Czech Republic

John Lennon Pub and Lennon Wall
After the fall of communism there was an influx of western music and media to the Czech Republic. The Beatles music appears to have struck a cord with the Czech people who had lived with their freedom suppressed for such a long time, the Beatles lyrics on love, peace and freedom was new and refreshing. So inspired one anonymous person graffitied a wall with the word ‘Imagine’, then someone else came along and wrote some lyrics and from there it just grew and grew, of course the local authority saw this as an eyesore and painted over the graffiti but this did not stop people from doing it all over again, and I am glad they did, because not only is it a big tourist pull now but you can also feel the sense of love and freedom and desires etched, written and deposited on the wall.

John Lennon Wall, Prague, Czech Republic

Me at the John Lennon Wall, Prague, Czech Republic

The wall is only a few yards away from the John Lennon Pub where I had an amazing Mushroom Risotto. The Pub is dedicated to the Beatles and is decorated like a British Pub. The bathrooms I found to be confusing because the doors look like the old phone booths. The Czech clearly love The Beatles, however the Beatles never did visit the Czech Republic but their influence did.

Inside the John Lennon Wall, Prague, Czech Republic

Prague at Night
The City at night is truly spectacular, the views of Wenceslas Castle from Charles Bridge as the light glistens on the River Vltava makes a beautiful scene. There is also the Old Town Hall, the Church of our Lady and Prague Opera House.

The Charles Bridge at night, Prague, Czech Republic

St Nicola's Church, Prague at Night, Czech Republic — St Nicola’s Church, Prague at Night, Czech Republic

Prague Opera House at Night, Czech Republic

Light at Prague Opera House at Night, Czech Republic

Church of Our Lady before Týn, Prague at Night, Czech Republic

Old Town Square, Prague at Night, Czech Republic

My Review of the City
I am in love with Prague, it is an amazing city with a great history and culture, it is very affordable to eat, drink and do various activities. I had a great time in the city and I would like to return to explore some more. Prague is an all round great destination for anyone who wants to experience a central European city with a folky and mythical vibe.

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Belfast – Northern Ireland

On 22/05/201625/07/2016 By TravelbyjaedIn architecture, lifestyle, photography, Travel, UncategorizedLeave a comment

Belfast was the second leg of my trip to Ireland. I was really excited to go to Belfast as it is a city with a complicated history and I wanted to learn more about ‘The Troubles’ and how the city overcame them to be a city on the rise. Belfast is the capital city of Northern Ireland which is part of the United Kingdom, the currency used is the GBP (£).

Cost of my trip
I caught a coach from Dublin to Belfast and it took approximately 2hrs 30mins at a cost of €17. Accommodation cost £45 for 3 nights and my return flight back to London cost £35.

Where I stayed

Global Village Hostel
The hostel was located in the university district of Belfast. The hostel is not centrally located but it is very easy to get to the centre with a local bus or it is a 20-30mins walk dependent on your speed. The hostel was very cool, clean and the staff really made you feel welcome. There is a real community spirit encouraged by the staff at the hostel and for £15 a night it was great value for money.

Global Village Hostel, Belfast, Northern Ireland (This is not my photograph)

Inside Global Village, Belfast, Northern Ireland (This is not my photograph)

What I did

Ulster Museum
To learn about Belfast and Northern Ireland’s history the museum is a great place to start. The exhibition on ‘The Troubles’ is laid out in chronological order and it offers a great sense of what happened. Aside from the exhibition on ‘The Troubles’ there are other exhibition and collection on display and they are the most eclectic collection and display I have ever seen. Nevertheless it is still a great museum and there is no entrance fee.

Ulster Museum, Belfast, Northern Ireland

Sculpture outside Ulster Museum, Northern Ireland

Belfast Botanical Gardens
The Botanical Gardens is also home to Ulster Museum so you can visit both attractions on the same day. The beautiful domed conservatory is not very large but it is very interesting and a worthwhile visit, there is no entrance fee to the conservatory.

Belfast Botanical Gardens, Northern Ireland

Belfast Botanical Garden Conservatory, Northern Ireland — Belfast Botanical Gardens, Northern Ireland

Inside Belfast Botanical Garden Conservatory, Northern Ireland

Christmas Market
A Christmas market was held on the grounds of the grand Belfast City Hall, an iconic building in its own right brought to life by the dazzling lights and various booths and stalls selling everything to make the festive period extra special.

Belfast Christmas Market, Northern Ireland

Giant’s Causeway Tour
The Giant’s Causeway is an all day trip for £25, the trip includes a trip to Carrickfergus Castle, a walk along the legendary Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge and culminates at the UNESCO Giant’s Causeway. The drive to the various attractions goes along the gorgeous Antrim coast, offering beautiful and unspoilt views.

Carrickfergus Castle
The stop at the castle was very brief and we weren’t able to go inside but the views were worthwhile.

Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge
Walking on the bridge is not guaranteed as on days with high winds the bridge is closed, so I was very lucky the bridge was opened. There is a short and easy 1 kilometre hike from the car park to the place where you access the bridge, there is a small fee of £5 to cross the bridge. The views were really amazing and crossing the bridge was one of the best experiences of my life it was scary but exhilarating.

Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge, Northern Ireland

View from Carrick-a-Rede, Northern Ireland

Walking on Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge, Northern Ireland

Giant’s Causeway
An amazing wonder of nature, it was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1986, and a national nature reserve in 1987 by the Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland. In a 2005 poll of Radio Times readers, the Giant’s Causeway was named as the fourth greatest natural wonder in the United Kingdom. It was a truly unique sight and well worth the visit, I would like to visit again during summer time.

The Giant's Causeway, Northern Ireland — The Giant’s Causeway, Northern Ireland

Me at The Giant's Causeway, Northern Ireland — Me at The Giant’s Causeway, Northern Ireland

Other sights and things of Belfast

View from Victoria Shopping Centre Viewing Platform, Belfast, Northern Ireland

Queen's University Hospital, Belfast, Northern Ireland — Queen’s University Hospital, Belfast, Northern Ireland

Queen's University at night, Belfast, Northern Ireland — Queen’s University at night, Belfast, Northern Ireland

Queen's Bridge, Belfast, Northern Ireland — Queen’s Bridge, Belfast, Northern Ireland

Part of Belfaast Town Hall, Northern Ireland

Beacon of Hope, Belfast, Northern Ireland

Elmwood Presbyterian Church, Belfast, Northern Ireland

The Albert Clock Tower, Belfast, Northern Ireland

My Review of the City
Belfast is a city that is relatively new as a tourist destination but it is well worth a visit, I recommend going there before it becomes too commercial and things become very expensive. Going out eating, drinking and all the activities I did were very reasonably priced, I am sure this will change once the tourism industry becomes well and truly established. I had a good time in the Belfast even though there isn’t much to do in the city but when coupled with a trip to Dublin like I did, you will be bound to have a fun filled trip.

If you’ve enjoyed my review or if you want any advice for your trip leave a comment and I will be sure to do my best to help you.
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Trinidad – Cuba

On 25/04/201613/07/2017 By TravelbyjaedIn architecture, lifestyle, photography, Travel, Uncategorized1 Comment

Sancti Spiritus
The plan was to visit Sancti Spiritus and stay there for one day, we had been told that it is a small city but it is beautiful and worth a day trip. We booked Casa Las Americas and they were informed we would be arriving at 4am. The Viazul from Santiago de Cuba to Sancti Spiritus took 8 hours and cost CUC 28. As expected we arrived at Sancti Spiritus at 4am, the Casa was only a 10 minutes walk from the Viazul bus terminal but it was a little disconcerting walking around that early in the morning with the only other people on the road being transsexual prostitutes.

However when we arrived at the Casa they did not respond to our knocks on the door, we stood for 10mins before we decided to head back to the bus terminal, I guess the worker at the Casa drank too much rum that night.
We decided to make our way to Trinidad and fortunately for us the next bus to Trinidad was arriving at 6am, we had only a 2 hour wait. Trinidad to Sancti Spiritus was only 1 hour 30 mins away and cost CUC 6. We arrived in Trinidad 8 am in the morning, 12 hours earlier than we had intended to, all in all the only part of Sancti Spiritus we saw was the Bus terminal and the local sex workers.

Trinidad
Trinidad is the best preserved city in Cuba, a small city with a heavy Spanish Colonial influence and is truly beautiful, no wonder it is declared a UNESCO world heritage site. It is the most visited city in Central Cuba but luckily for us whilst we were there it was rather quiet. There was so much colour and vibrancy everywhere you looked.

The weather
The weather was between Havana’s and Santiago the Cuba and was manageable at between 27-29 degrees.

Where I stayed
Hostal Sandra y Victor
Even though we had arrived 12 hours ahead of schedule we went to the Casa Sandra y Victor and they happily welcomed us in as we told them of our failed mission to Sancti Spiritus much to Victor’s Amusement. Knowing we were tired and hungry Victor prepared some breakfast on the porch for us, the breakfast as usual in Cuba was great and the views of the giant Avocado trees made the meal even more delicious.
The Casa was amazing, the family was great, it was clean, centrally located and best of all were weren’t under the feet of the family as we had our own space. We paid CUC 60 for 2 night, I really recommend this Casa.
Address: Maceo no.613a e/ Pablo Pichs Giron Guinart Tel: 41 99 6444. web: www.hostalsandra.com

Hostal Sandra y Victor, Trinidad, Cuba (The picture is not mine)

The porch of Hostal Sandra y Victor, Trinidad, Cuba

Porch of Hostal Sandra y Victor, Trinidad, Cuba

View from Balcony of Sandra y Victor, Trinidad, Cuba

What I did

Valle de los Ingenios
We took a half day trip to the Valle de los Ingenios a sprawling open valley that makes you forget that there are developed cities such as Havana on the Cuban Island. The trip was inexpensive at CUC 10 and included a stop at the Manca-Inznaga Estate and Hacienda Guachinango. One of the best part of the trip is the little wooden tourist train that takes you through the valley, the train is also named Valle de los Ingenios. Snacks, drinks and cigars are available on the train, the trip is great value for money and I highly really recommend it.

Valle de los Ingenios Train, Trinidad, Cuba

View from the Valle de los Ingenios train, Trinidad, Cuba

Locals of the Valle de los Ingenios, Trinidad, Cuba

View of the Valle de los Ingenios, Trinidad, Cuba

Me on the Valle de los Ingenios Train, Trinidad, Cuba

Manca-Inznaga Estate
The first thing you notice as you get the train station at the Manca-Inznaga estate is a 45 meter tower, it was built by the most successful sugar planters in Cuba.

Approaching The Manca-Inznaga Estate, Trinidad, Cuba

The main house of the Manca-Inznaga Estate, Trinidad, Cuba

Manca-Inznaga Estate Marketers, Trinidad, Cuba

The Manca-Inznaga Estate Tower
It is said that the tower was built to impressive a woman, lucky her. The tower is very old and so I climbed the wooden step precariously but it wasn’t a long way up to the top. The views are amazing the luscious greenery with dots of colourful buildings and white linen being sold by marketers made a beautiful picture. There is a fee of CUC 2 to climb the tower.

Manca-Inznaga Estate Tower, Trinidad, Cuba

On the Manca-Inznaga Estate Tower, Trinidad, Cuba

Looking out from the Manca-Inznaga Estate Tower, Trinidad, Cuba

View from the Manca-Inznaga Estate Tower, Trinidad, Cuba

Hacienda Guachinango
We stopped at the Hacienda Guachinango for lunch, there was also the chance to go horse riding for CUC 25. The Hacienda was very tranquil, a great place to come to get away from the hustle and bustle of a busy life.

Horse Riding at Hacienda Guachinango, Trinidad, Cuba

The Rail Bridge of Hacienda Guachinango, Trinidad, Cuba

Iglesia del la Santisima Trinidad
The church is not imposing but there is something about it that made we want to look inside. The inside similarly to the exterior is very simple and I liked that about it, the church was simply beautiful.

Inside Iglesia del la Santisima Trinidad, Cuba

Insdie Iglesia del la Santisima Trinidad, Cuba — Inside Iglesia del la Santisima Trinidad, Cuba

Ermita de la Popa
The church is formally known as ‘Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria de la Popa del Barco,’ a mouthful right? Hence why the locals call it La Popa, it is a dilapidated church on the outskirts of the city and lays 15 minutes at the end of a dirt track from Plaza Mayor. There is not much to see of the church but a frame, but do not let that discouraged you the views of the city and the lush landscape of Valle de los Ingenious on the other side of the hill are worth it.

View from Ermita de la Popa, Trinidad, Cuba

Playa Ancon
The beach is some 20 mins away from the city centre, there are several ways to get to it; hire a car for the day, by taxi or the most economical way is the Trinibus which runs a service to and fro for only CUC 2 for a return journey. Just make sure to check the departure times.
It was the best beach I have ever been to, the sea was blue and warm, the sand white and the weather was perfect. There was a man selling fresh coconut for CUC 3, I ordered one and he took 30 mins to bring it but it tasted off, be careful who you buy things from on the beach.

Walking around
We walked around and explored the city, aimlessly wandering was a great way to discover the city’s unique and quirky character. Trinidad is certainly the most colourful city we went to in Cuba.

Museo de la Lucha Contra Bandios, Trinidad, Cuba

Grocer's Shop, Trinidad, Cuba — Grocer’s Shop, Trinidad, Cuba

Food and Drink
Breakfast
We paid an additional CUC 5 each morning to have breakfast at the Casa and it was worth it, again I say Cuban breakfast is the best.

Breakfast at Hostal Sandra y Victor, Trinidad, Cuba

Taberna La Bojita
This was a very cool restaurant, popular with locals and tourists alike, we ate there both nights we were in the city and we saw the same faces both nights. I liked the rustic decor but I was little thrown by the slave shackles and restraint on the walls, a reminder of human cruelty. Nevertheless it was a brilliant restaurant and the good food was served in large potions on rustic crockery. The entertainment where a brilliant duo from Bayamo, their sound was a Jazzy, Afro and Spanish mixture, we stayed at least 1 hour after we finished our meals to listen to them. A two course meal and a drink cost CUC 12.

Meal at Taberna La Bojita, Trinidad, Cuba

Cristal Beer, Taberna La Bojita, Trinidad, Cuba

Fando Brothers
We popped in there by chance looking for a place to cool off from the hot afternoon sun, we ordered iced daiquiris which was perfect for cooling down and we sat for a while people watching. The drinks cost CUC 4 each.

Iced Daiquiries at Fando Brother, Trinidad, Cuba — Iced Daiquiris at Fando Brother, Trinidad, Cuba

Review of Trinidad
This city was prefect, a great mixture between Havana and Santiago de Cuba. Even though the city is small it packs a punch and offers a lot to do, I would certainly come back to Trinidad if I ever return to Cuba.

So what next
The next stop is Vinales at the top of the island.

Do you want to find out what we did in Vinales and how it compared to Trinidad, Santiago de Cuba and Havana? Then follow my blog to find out more and you will be notified as I upload more posts.

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Auschwitz & Birkenau – Poland

On 23/04/201628/05/2016 By TravelbyjaedIn Travel, UncategorizedLeave a comment

Auschwitz is 1 hour away from Krakow, there are many day trips you can organise from the city to the concentration camp, they cost around 125 zlotys (around £25) which includes transport and the tour.

Auschwitz

There is not much I wish to say about Auschwitz other than it is one of the most harrowing things I have ever experienced in my life, to be so close to a part of humanity’s evil was overwhelming and emotional. I recommend that everyone visits a concentration camp once in their lifetime, I truly believe it may serve as a reminder that we must protect and cling to our humanity and beneath it all we are all human beings striving for the same thing.

I had intended to take loads of pictures but I took about 10 pictures and I will only show 4, the main entrance sign, the place where Rudolf Höss (the monster in charge of the camp) met retribution, a quote by George Santayana and an example of the carts used to transport people to the death and concentration camps.

The quote “Arbeit macht frei” that appears above the entrance gate is a German phrase meaning “work sets you free.”

Death place or Rudolf Hoss, Auschwitz, Poland

George Santayana Quote, Auschwitz, Poland

Birkenau

I felt somewhat less emotional at Birkenau even though it was considerably larger than Auschwitz.

If you want any advice for your trip leave a comment and I will be sure to do my best to help you.

Budapest – Hungary

On 20/04/201605/09/2017 By TravelbyjaedIn architecture, lifestyle, photography, Travel, UncategorizedLeave a comment

Budapest is the capital city of Hungary and certainly one of the most beautiful cities I have been to, it was also a great introduction to Eastern Europe. The name comes from the the two main parts of the city divided by the River Danube Buda and Pest.

I visited from the 30th March – 1st April 2016. I spent a day and a half in the city and I wish I had stayed much longer, I would recommend visiting for 3-4 days to truly get a feel of the city.

The currency is the Hungarian forint (HUF), and £1 (GBP) is approx HUF 400.

Where I stayed

Wombats Hostel
The hostel is very central and one of the best I have stayed in, the room was spacious with a bathroom which is a big plus for a hostel in my book. The breakfast was also good, it was typical European breakfast buffet but also included an option for toasted sandwiches.

What I did

As I was only in the city for one day I bought a hop on hop off city bus ticket for HUF 5000 (£13) this also included a cruise along the River Danube. It was a very good choice as I got to see a lot of the city and learn some of its history along the way.

Fisherman’s Bastion
This sit atop a hill and offers stunning views of the city, as you approach the area you are immediately met with a sight of white stone and Mattias church which wouldn’t be out-of-place in a Disney film, the beautiful white stones are crowned with beautiful ornate tiles of various colours.

Fishermans Bastion, Budapest, Hungary — Fisherman’s Bastion, Budapest, Hungary

Fishermans Bastion, Budapest, Hungary 2 — Matthias Church Fisherman’s Bastion, Budapest, Hungary

Fisherman's Bastion, Budapest, Hungary 4 — Fisherman’s Bastion, Budapest, Hungary

View from Fisherman Bastion, Budapest, Hungary — View from Fisherman’s Bastion, Budapest, Hungary

House of Terror
While I did not visit the museum, I loved the building and how the word ‘TERROR’ was carved and illuminated on the building. The museum is worth a visit to learn more about the atrocities carried out during the Nazi occupation of the country.

Heroes Square
A large square with monuments commemorating the Hungarian founding fathers and the fallen soldiers of war who died unknown.

Statues on Heros Square, Budapest, Hungary

Museum of Fine Art
An impressive gold decorated building. Whilst most people were drawn to the monument and seven figures on Heroes Square the Museum of Fine Arts building was my first call, it drew me in like a moth to a flame.

Museum of Fine Art, Budapest, Hungary 1 — Museum of Fine Art, Budapest, Hungary

Museum of Fine Arts, Budapest, Hungary — Museum of Fine Art, Budapest, Hungary

Museum of Fine Art, Budapest, Hungary 2 — Museum of Fine Art, Budapest, Hungary

City Park and Castle Vajdahunyad
The City Park is next to Heroes Square and is also where the Castle Vajdahunyad is located. The castle is an eclectic mix of architectural styles: Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque. It was initially made from cardboard and wood, but it became so popular that it was rebuilt from stone and brick between 1904 and 1908. Today, it houses the Museum of Hungarian Agriculture, the biggest agricultural museum in Europe.

Castle Vajdahunyad in the City Park, Budapest, Hungary

The entrance to Castle Vajdahunyad, Budapest, Hungary

Part of Castle Vajdahunyad, Budapest, Hungary

Part of Castle Vajdahunyad, Budapest, Hungary 4 — Part of Castle Vajdahunyad, Budapest, Hungary

Part of Castle Vajdahunyad, Budapest, Hungary 2 — Part of Castle Vajdahunyad, Budapest, Hungary

River Danube Cruise
With the temperature in the 20s and blue skies the day was perfect for a cruise along the river, it took about 1hr 30mins to complete the circuit, and it offered the best views of the impressive parliament building.

The Parliment Building, Budapest, Hungary

The Parliment Building, Budapest, Hungary 1 — The Parliment Building, Budapest, Hungary

View from the River Danube, Budapest, Hungary

St Stephen’s Basilica
An impressive cathedral sitting in pride and place on St Stephens Square. The architecture is simply stunning. I really wish I had the time to go inside, I will make sure to go in on my next visit.

St Stephen's Basilica, Budapest, Hungary — St Stephen’s Basilica, Budapest, Hungary

St Stephen's Bascilica, Budapest, Hungary — St Stephen’s Bascilica, Budapest, Hungary

Other Sights of Budapest

The food I ate

Goulash
The national Hungarian dish is the Goulash, a meaty and heart stew. As I am a pescatarian, I opted of a mushroom Goulash which was delicious. My meal cost HUF 3500 (£9) inclusive of a glass of wine.

Kürtőskalács
Kürtőskalács (“doughnut”) is doughnut batter wrapped around a hot rod to get the spiral effect. I paid HUF 990 (£2.50) for my cinnamon Kürtőskalács and it was worth it.

Kürtőskalács Shop, Budapest, Hungary — Kürtőskalács Shop, Budapest, Hungary

Kürtőskalács, Budapest, Hungary — Kürtőskalács, Budapest, Hungary

Hungarian Perec (Pretzel)
The Perec is rather large and looks very appetising, however it was far too salty for me. I could only eat a couple of mouth full before I had to throw it away, a shame because I was expecting a buttery sweet/salty taste rather than just salt thankfully I only paid HUF 400 (£1).

My Ratings of the City

My ratings are out of ten and are my own personal views therefore feel free to disagree.

Culture = 8/10
I have given the city an 8 even though I spent a short amount of time there, there was loads to do and even much more I didn’t do that I am planning my next trip back to the city. The City has bath houses, museums, theatre production and so much more.

People/Friendliness = 6/10
Well, I didn’t really feel any warmth from the locals I met, I met indifference. I was concerned about going to Eastern Europe as generally the region is not as exposed to other cultures as the rest of Europe but as a lone black woman I felt safe in Budapest.

Attractiveness = 8.5/10
This City is beautiful, I was really impressed with the beautiful architecture and history. I am certain this city has inspired many folk tales.

Food = 8/10
The Hungarians love paprika and it can be found in virtually everything, I like paprika so I was happy. Normally the vegetarian option of many national dishes tend to leave much to be desired but the mushroom Goulash I ate was very delicious.

Affordability = 9/10
If you want a cheap holiday this is the city to be, a good meal at a restaurant will cost approx £10. I spent £50 for the two days I was there and that included doing all the touristy things.

Vibe = 8/10
Budapest has an amazing vibe, history, and a new unexplored kind of vibe. Paris and London need to watch their backs, because Budapest is coming for the best tourist destination crown.

Overall = 8.5/10
I loved this city and I will certainly be returning to it, the vibe, affordability and food are definitely things for which I will return.

If you’ve enjoyed my review or not leave a comment.
Or if you want any advice for your trip leave a comment and I will be sure to do my best to help you.

Edingburgh – Scotland

On 16/04/201616/04/2016 By TravelbyjaedIn architecture, lifestyle, photography, Travel, UncategorizedLeave a comment

I went to Edinburgh in August 2015, mainly for the annual Fringe festival. It was my first time going to the festival and my first time in Scotland. I arrived during the opening week of the month-long festival and stayed for 3 nights from the 6th-9th August 2015.

Cost of My Trip
My flight from London Stanstead to Edinburgh airport cost £59 and my stay at Baxter’s Hostel cost £130, so in all I paid £190 for my flight and accommodation.

The weather
Even though it was August the weather was still chilly averaging about 16 degrees and windy, I was unprepared so I had to buy a scarf and a light jacket for extra warmth. The weather in London at the time was about 21-22 degrees and I assumed it would be the same in Edinburgh but I was very wrong.

Where I stayed
I stayed at Baxter Hostel which was centrally located. The staff was amazing, from the outside it doesn’t look like much but it is cool, clean and breakfast (scrambled eggs and toast) was made fresh for you everyday by the staff.

What I did
I went to Scotland mainly to visit Edinburgh and experience the Fringe festival, so most of my activities centred around going to shows and watching street performances. But I did also explore the city and beyond.

Edinburgh Castle
This castle is truly impressive, it sit proudly up high overlooking the city like a guardian. The only downside about going to visit the castle are the hordes of people there, it is a big tourist attraction. The entrance fee is £16.50 for adults.

The Scott Monument
This was one of the most favourite part of my trip, the impressive Gothic structure dominates Princes Street, a popular shopping district. Located next to Princes Gardens it is a great place to visit and take some time out eat lunch, bask in the sun, sit and think or just get some fresh air. The best part is that admission is only £4, there are 287 steps to the top which offers a magnificent view of the city.

The Scott Monument, Edingburgh, Scotland — The Scott Monument, Edinburgh, Scotland

The Scott Monument, Edinburgh, Scotland 1 — The Scott Monument, Edinburgh, Scotland

Inside The Scott Monument, Edinburgh, Scotland 1 — Inside The Scott Monument, Edinburgh, Scotland

Inside The Scott Monument, Edinburgh, Scotland

View from The Scott Monument, Edinburgh, Scotland 2 — View from The Scott Monument, Edinburgh, Scotland

View from The Scott Monument, Edinburgh, Scotland

Me on The Scott Monument, Edinburgh, Scotland

St Giles Cathedral
As a lover of old architecture, especially churches and cathedrals, I fell in love with St Giles Cathedral. It is not as grand as some other cathedrals I have visited but there is a special air about the place that pulled me in. There is no entrance fee and it was great for me to practice my photography skills.

Entrance of St Giles Cathedral, Edinburgh, Scotland

Stainglass windows of St Giles Cathedral, Edinburg, Scotland — Stain glass windows of St Giles Cathedral, Edinburg, Scotland

Inside St Giles Cathedral, Edinburgh, Scotland

The Palace of Holyroodhouse
Holyroodhouse is the home of the Her majesty the Queen in Scotland, entrance fee to the palace is £12 for adults.

The gates of The Palace of Holyroodhouse, Edinburgh, Scotland

The Palace of Holyroodhouse, Edinburgh, Scotland 1 — The Palace of Holyroodhouse, Edinburgh, Scotland

Firth of Forth River Tour
For £20 you get a 24 hour hop on hop off bus tour of the city and a tour on the Firth of Forth river which included a visit to Inchcolm Island. The tour on the Firth of Forth river which goes along the Edinburgh and Fife coastlines alone is worth paying the £20, I went on a dry day and it was very beautiful and calming and I even got to see some seals.

The Forth Rail Bridge, Edinburgh, Scotland

Seal on the Firth of Forth River, Edinburgh, Scotlnd — Seal on the Firth of Forth River, Edinburgh, Scotland

Seals basking on an Island on the Firth of Forth River, Scotland

Inchcolm Island, Edinburgh, Scotland — Inchcolm Island, Scotland

Inchcolm Abbey on Inchcolm Island, Scotland

The Harmonium Project
The Fringe Festival opened with a large, free, public outdoor event which saw a spectacular digitally animated artwork projected onto the front of the Usher Hall, set to music. The Harmonium Project, outside the Usher Hall celebrated Edinburgh’s relationship with architecture, learning, music and its role in developing technology. I was very pleased I went along and witnessed the display.

The Harmonium Project, Usher Hall, Edinburgh, Scotland

Walking around
Doing what I love best when visiting a new city is to walk and explore and find new and exciting things. See below some of the sights and things I discovered.

Arthur's Seat, Edinburgh, Scotland — Arthur’s Seat, Edinburgh, Scotland

Bank of Scotland Building, Edinburgh, Scotland

St John's Church Edinburgh, Scotland — St John’s Church Edinburgh, Scotland

St John's Highland Church, Edinburgh, Scotland — St John’s Highland Church, Edinburgh, Scotland

The Scottish National Gallery, Edinburgh, Scotland

Fringe Shows and Events
There were so many street performance and shows, and I managed to get free tickets for two shows and both were very good.

View this post on Instagram

Another amazing street #Performance I was privy to see at the #EdinburgFringe #EdinburghFestival in #Edinburgh #Scotland they were so good but I didn't get the name of the group. #instagood #iphonevideo #travel #travelbug #travellog #traveladdict #explore #experience #wanderer #wanderlust #nomadspirit #seetheworld #jetset #globetrotting #citybreak #streetperformance #instavid #instagood #adventurer #adventures #lifestyle #livegood #livecolourfully #folkmusic I had to repost

A post shared by Jennifer Edwards (@lifeofjaed) on Aug 19, 2015 at 3:00pm PDT

View this post on Instagram

Should I go see more of this performance by #NoName at the #EdinburghFestival #EdinburgFringe it looks like it will be captivating or the next one I will post??? #Edinburgh #Scotland #travel #travelbug #travellog #lifestyle #livegood #wanderer #wanderlust #jetset #globetrotting #seetheworld #explore #experience #instapic #instagood #iphonepics #livecolourfully #Performane #dance #citybreak #nomadspirit #adventurer #adventures #adventuretime

A post shared by Jennifer Edwards (@lifeofjaed) on Aug 8, 2015 at 8:14am PDT

A Yurt, Fringe Festival Venue 2015, Edinburgh, Scotland

Fringe Festival 2015, Edinburg, Scotland

Fringe Festival 2015, Edinburgh, Scotland — Fringe Festival 2015, Edinburg, Scotland

My Ratings of the City

My ratings are out of ten and are my own personal views therefore feel free to disagree.

Culture = 8/10
There is so much to do in Edinburgh during the festival but even without the festival there are loads to do in the city which includes, museums, galleries, hiking, theatre and of course comedy shows.

People/Friendliness = 8/10
Scottish people are friendly and I find them more welcoming than the English, I can say that as I have spent all my life in England.

Attractiveness = 9/10
Edinburgh is a very attractive city with the perfect combination of history and innovative architecture. If you love historic architecture Edinburgh is the city for you.

Affordability = 7/10
Edinburgh is affordable, my benchmark is London (my home) and I did not feel I was paying more that I would pay at home.

Vibe = 8.5/10
The vibe was excellent, I was on my own but did not feel alone, there was so much happening it was truly amazing. However please note that I visited the city at a time when the city is most alive and bustling.

Overall = 8.5/10
I really loved this city and if the weather was warmer I would love to relocate to the city. The city affords a good lifestyle.

If you’ve enjoyed my review or not leave a comment.
Or if you want any advice for your trip leave a comment and I will be sure to do my best to help you.

Glasgow – Scotland

On 08/03/201607/06/2018 By TravelbyjaedIn architecture, art, lifestyle, photography, Travel, UncategorizedLeave a comment

I went to Scotland mainly to visit Edinburgh and experience the Fringe Festival. But as Glasgow was only 1 hour away by train and approx £12 for a return ticket i decided to visit the city on my first day in Scotland for some sight seeing.

What I did

Glasgow Cathedral
It is free to go into the Cathedral and it is well worth the visit. A small Cathedral but it has a special feel and magic to it.

St Giles Cathedral, Glasgow Scotland.jpg — Glasgow Cathedral, Scotland

Inside St Giles Cathedral, Glasgow, Scotland 3.jpg — Inside Glasgow Cathedral, Scotland

Inside St Giles Cathedral, Glasgow, Scotland 2.jpg — Inside Glasgow Cathedral, Scotland

Me outside St Giles Cathedral in Glasgow, Scotland — Me outside Glasgow Cathedral, Scotland

St George’s Square and Glasgow City Chambers
St George’s square is a great place to sit, think and people watch and the Glasgow City Chambers make a great backdrop for the beautiful square.

George Square, Glasgow, Scotland.jpg — George Square and Glasgow city Chambers, Scotland

Glasgow Botanic Garden and Doulton Fountain
Glasgow Botanic Garden and Doulton Fountain are both in the same area of the city. Entrance to the amazing gardens is free and the Dolton Fountain in the target terracotta fountain in the world, both are indeed worth a visit.

The Doulton Fountain, Glasgow Scotland.jpg — The Doulton Fountain, Glasgow Scotland

Glasgow Botanic Gardens, Scotland 1.jpg — Glasgow Botanic Gardens, Scotland

Glasgow Gallery of Modern Art and Other sights of Glasgow
As I walked the city I came across many beautiful buildings and sights.

Glasgow Gallery of Modern Art, Scotland.jpg — Glasgow Gallery of Modern Art, Scotland

Cylesdale Bank Headquaters in Glasgow, Scotland

Glasgow, Scotland.jpg — Glasgow, Scotland

Argyll Arcade, Glasgow, Scotland.jpg — Argyll Arcade, Glasgow, Scotland

A nice building in Glasgow, Scotland — Glasgow, Scotland

Review of Glasgow
Glasgow has a rather unpleasant reputation however I found the city to be charming and full of surprises. I may not take a trip to Glasgow in the future but if I am in close proximity to the city, I will definitely visit the again.

Shortly I will upload a blog of my trip to Edinburgh and my experience of the Fringe Festival, please follow my blog to find out more and you will be notified as I upload more posts.

Thank you for taking the time to read my blog.

Santiago de Cuba – Cuba

On 13/02/201613/07/2017 By TravelbyjaedIn architecture, art, lifestyle, photography, Travel, Uncategorized1 Comment

Santiago de Cuba is only 16 hours away from Havana via Viazul (the Cuban intercity coach service) however it felt like a world away from Havana. The cost of the Viazul from Havana to Santiago de Cuba was CUC51. You will need ID to book your ticket so make sure you take it with you, also the route from Havana to Santiago is very popular so it is advisable to book 24hours in advance.
Havana is where my trip began in Cuba and you can read about it in my previous via this link. We stayed 3 days and 2 nights in Santiago de Cuba.

The city was devastated by Hurricane Sandy and it was still recovering from the aftermath, with many buildings destroyed and in disrepair. This is one of the reasons I believe the Cubans we met in Santiago De Cuba were a little more aggressive in selling you their wares or services. The worst offenders were the taxi drivers who were very persistent adopting a hard sell and stalk sales pitch.

Apart from those selling service or wares there are also young people who go around trying to befriend foreigners in the hopes of a tip or a hookup. We unfortunately encountered one such young man within 10mins of leaving our Casa particular on the first day in the city and it took 2 hours to get rid of him.

The Weather
The temperature in Havana was a manageable 27 degrees for a British person like me, Santiago de Cuba on the other hand was HOT, the first day was a sweltering 37 degrees at the highest point

Where I stayed

Hostal Atardecer
This wasn’t great but it wasn’t bad either, the lady in charge of the Casa (Yulia), was very lovely and made us feel very warm and comfortable. The breakfast was good and Yulia did her best to give us tips on things to do in the city. We paid CUC74 for 2 people for 2 nights and this included 3 lots of breakfast.

Hostal Atardecer, Santiago de Cuba, Cuba

Hostal Atardecer, Santiago de Cuba, Cuba 2.jpg — Hostal Atardecer, Santiago de Cuba, Cuba

Hostal Atardecer, Santiago de Cuba, Cuba 1.jpg — Hostal Atardecer, Santiago de Cuba, Cuba

What I did

Balcón de Velázquez
This is a balcony overlooking the city facing seawards. It is great place to hide from the hot afternoon sun. It is literally just a balcony with a small shop selling souvenirs, therefore I suggest taking a packed lunch and some snacks along with you in case you want to spend some time there. Entrance is free but if you want to take pictures it is CUC1.

Balcón de Velázquez, Santiago de Cuba, Cuba 4.jpg — Balcon de Velazquez, Santiago de Cuba, Cuba

Balcón de Velázquez, Santiago de Cuba, Cuba 5.jpg — Balcon de Velazquez, Santiago de Cuba, Cuba

View from Balcón de Velázquez, Santiago de Cuba, Cuba.jpg — View from Balcon de Velazquez, Santiago de Cuba, Cuba

Balcón de Velázquez, Santiago de Cuba, Cuba.jpg — Balcon de Velazquez, Santiago de Cuba, Cuba

View from Balcón de Velázquez, Santiago de Cuba, Cuba 1.jpg — View from Balcon de Velazquez, Santiago de Cuba, Cuba

Casa de Diego Velazquez
The museum is the oldest building in Cuba and it is very well-kept. This museum is home to some of the best antiques I have seen anywhere. The French, Italian, Dutch and mostly Spanish influence are clear and evident. The only annoyances were the museum attendants that persisted in taking you around the museum so that you would tip them. However do not let that put you off the museum is too beautiful to pass by, I cant recall the exact entrance fee but I know it is less that CUC5.

Casa de Diego Velazquez, Santiago de Cuba, Cuba.jpg — Casa de Diego Velazquez, Santiago de Cuba, Cuba

Inside Casa de Diego Velazquez, Santiago de Cuba, Cuba 1.jpg — Inside Casa de Diego Velazquez, Santiago de Cuba, Cuba

Inside Casa de Diego Velazquez, Santiago de Cuba, Cuba.jpg — Inside Casa de Diego Velazquez, Santiago de Cuba, Cuba

Courtyard of Casa de Diego Velazquez, Santiago de Cuba, Cuba 1.jpg — Courtyard of Casa de Diego Velazquez, Santiago de Cuba, Cuba

Basilica del Cobre and Castillo del Morro
We organised a short excursion with Cuba Tour to Basilica del Cobre and Castillo del Morro, the tour costs CUC18 per person and included the hire of a classic car to the attractions and back to the city centre.

On the way to Basilica del Cobre and Castillo del Morro, Santiago de Cuba, Cuba.jpg — On the way to Basilica del Cobre and Castillo del Morro, Santiago de Cuba, Cuba

Me in the classic car on the way to Basilica del Cobre, Santiago de Cuba, Cuba.jpg — Me in the classic car on the way to Basilica del Cobre, Santiago de Cuba, Cuba

The first stop was to Basilica del Cobre a beautiful red dome Cathedral some 18 km north from the centre of Santiago de Cuba. The drive to Cathedral was so lovely that the hot afternoon sun became a distant memory as the wind lapped against our faces as we drove along. The cathedral is truly magnificent, it sits atop a hill overlooking the town below like a guardian. We were very lucky that at the time we went it was quiet and peaceful, which allowed us to really take in the views and feel reverence for the place. The drive to and the Cathedral itself was well worth the price of the excursion.

Basilica del Cobre, Santiago de Cuba, Cuba.jpg — Basilica del Cobre, Santiago de Cuba, Cuba

View from Basilica del Cobre, Santiago de Cuba, Cuba.jpg — View from Basilica del Cobre, Santiago de Cuba, Cuba

Inside Basilica del Cobre, Santiago de Cuba, Cuba.jpg — Inside Basilica del Cobre, Santiago de Cuba, Cuba

After the cathedral we drove to Castillo del Morro, a fort some 8 km south of the centre of Santiago de Cuba. Leading up to the fort were stall selling souvenirs, trinkets and such like there is also a restaurant and a bar. It was very calming being in the fort looking over the water and feeling the cool sea breeze. Like with many historical buildings in Cuba the fort is very well-kept. Entrance fee to the fort cost CUC4.

Castillo del Morro, Santiago de Cuba, Cuba.jpg — Castillo del Morro, Santiago de Cuba, Cuba

Castillo del Morro, Santiago de Cuba, Cuba 1.jpg — Castillo del Morro, Santiago de Cuba, Cuba

View from Castillo del Morro, Santiago de Cuba, Cuba.jpg — View from Castillo del Morro, Santiago de Cuba, Cuba

View from Castillo del Morro, Santiago de Cuba, Cuba 1.jpg — View from Castillo del Morro, Santiago de Cuba, Cuba

Museo del Carnaval
It was interesting to go to this museum to see the history of the carnival in Santiago de Cuba and to see costumes used in past parades. The city holds an annual carnival festival every July. It was free to go inside the museum but to take pictures was CUC3 and an attendant followed you around to make sure you didn’t take any pictures, don’t mind this as the museum is still worth a visit.

Museo El Carnaval, Santiago de Cuba, Cuba.jpg — Museo El Carnaval, Santiago de Cuba, Cuba

Museo El Carnaval, Santiago de Cuba, Cuba 1.jpg — Museo El Carnaval, Santiago de Cuba, Cuba

Jardin de los Helechos
It was worthwhile going to the mini rain forest on the outskirts of the city. The garden started out as a hobby by the owner Manuel G.Caluff in 1976 and has grown through love and care into one of Santiago’s most famous attractions. Entrance to the garden is only CUC3.

Jardin de los Helechos, Santiago de Cuba, Cuba.jpg — Jardin de los Helechos, Santiago de Cuba, Cuba

Jardin de los Helechos, Santiago de Cuba, Cuba 2.jpg — Jardin de los Helechos, Santiago de Cuba, Cuba

Jardin de los Helechos, Santiago de Cuba, Cuba 3.jpg — Jardin de los Helechos, Santiago de Cuba, Cuba

Jardin de los Helechos, Santiago de Cuba, Cuba 4.jpg — Jardin de los Helechos, Santiago de Cuba, Cuba

Frog in Jardin de los Helechos, Santiago de Cuba, Cuba.jpg — Frog in Jardin de los Helechos, Santiago de Cuba, Cuba

Me in Jardin de los Helechos, Santiago de Cuba, Cuba.jpg — Me in Jardin de los Helechos, Santiago de Cuba, Cuba

Truck taxi
To get to the Jardin de los Helados we decided to travel like the locals. Unfortunately we couldn’t figure out which local bus to take, although it was very likely that we wouldn’t have been let on board anyway. However we did manage to get on truck taxis to take us there and back. We later found out that foreigner are normally also not allowed on the truck taxis. Lucky for us though we had two separate guys who didn’t mind foreigners. We did pay over the odds for our fare but for us it was still way cheaper than taking a tourist taxi. We paid CUC5 (CUC2.5 each) there and CUC2 (CUC1 each) back, the first guy certainly ripped us off.

Me in the Truck Taxi, Santiago de Cuba, Cuba.jpg — Me in the Truck Taxi, Santiago de Cuba, Cuba

Truck Taxi, Santiago de Cuba, Cuba.jpg — Truck Taxi, Santiago de Cuba, Cuba

Paseo La palcita Show at Parque Céspedes
Parque Cespedes is the main square at the centre of the city and we happened to come across some people setting up for the closing ceremony of Paseo La Placita. The festival is held every year as a closing ceremony for summer. The show was amazing with salsa dancers, Afro-Cubano song and dance and other forms of entertainment.

Paseo la Placita performers, Santiago de Cuba, Cuba.jpg — Paseo la Placita performers, Santiago de Cuba, Cuba

Paseo la Placita performers, Santiago de Cuba, Cuba 1.jpg — Paseo la Placita performers, Santiago de Cuba, Cuba

Paseo la Placita Afro- Cubano performance, Santiago de Cuba, Cuba.jpg — Paseo la Placita Afro- Cubano performance, Santiago de Cuba, Cuba

Paseo la Placita Salsa Dancers, Santiago de Cuba, Cuba.jpg — Paseo la Placita Salsa Dancers, Santiago de Cuba, Cuba

Paseo la Placita young performers, Santiago de Cuba, Cuba.jpg — Paseo la Placita young performers, Santiago de Cuba, Cuba

Paseo la Placita musicians, Santiago de Cuba, Cuba.jpg — Paseo la Placita musicians, Santiago de Cuba, Cuba

Walking around
We walked around and explored the city, aimlessly wandering was a great way to discover the city’s unique and quirky character.

Classic car on the street of Santiago de Cuba, Cuba.jpg — Classic car on the street of Santiago de Cuba, Cuba

Scalinata di Padre Pico, Santiago de Cuba, Cuba

Mural of Virgen de Regla at Malecon, Santiago de Cuba, Cuba.jpg — Mural of Virgen de Regla at Malecon, Santiago de Cuba, Cuba

Boat at Malecon, Santiago de Cuba, Cuba.jpg — Boat at Malecon, Santiago de Cuba, Cuba

Food and Drink

Breakfast
We paid an additional CUC5 each morning to have breakfast at the Casa and it was worth it. Cuban breakfast is the best.

Casa Micaela
Casa Micaela was one of the best restaurants we ate at, in Cuba, I say this because it served wholesome food for a very reasonable price and not surprising it has a good rating on Tripadvisor and it is recommended in most travel books. We ate there every night we stayed in Santiago de Cuba. A meal with a drink was about CUC8.

Casa Micaela, Santiago de Cuba, Cuba 1.jpg — Casa Micaela, Santiago de Cuba, Cuba

Meal at Casa Micaela, Santiago de Cuba, Cuba.jpg — Meal at Casa Micaela, Santiago de Cuba, Cuba

El Baturro
El Baturro is a cool bar and I had the best Mojito I tried a Mojito in Cuba. The atmosphere was chilled and nice.

El Baturro, Santiago de Cuba, Cuba 1.jpg — El Baturro, Santiago de Cuba, Cuba

El Baturro, Santiago de Cuba, Cuba.jpg — El Baturro, Santiago de Cuba, Cuba

Hotel Casa Granda
We avoided this Hotel’s bar because it looked too plush and also we felt we would be surrounded by tourists only. However we went there and it was very nice, we sat on the balcony overlooking Parque Cespedes, a great place for people watching and the drinks were not much more expensive than the local bars.

Hotel Casa Granda, Santiago de Cuba, Cuba.jpg — Hotel Casa Granda, Santiago de Cuba, Cuba

View of Catedral de Nuestra Senora de la Asuncio from Hotel Casa Granda, Santiago de Cuba, Cuba.jpg — View of Catedral de Nuestra Senora de la Asuncio from Hotel Casa Granda, Santiago de Cuba, Cuba

View of Parque Cespedes from Hotel Casa Granda, Santiago de Cuba, Cuba.jpg — View of Parque Cespedes from Hotel Casa Granda, Santiago de Cuba, Cuba

Review of Santiago de Cuba
Santiago de Cuba although not as beautiful or bustling as Havana has its own charm, I am sure it was even better before Hurricane Sandy came along. Nevertheless it is still worth the visit with many things to do mostly around the city, I would recommend hiring a car so that you can get around easily. If I ever go back to Cuba I will return to this city.

So what next
Next stop is Sancti Spiritus in the middle of the island.

Do you want to find out what we did in Sancti Spiritus and how it compared to Santiago de Cuba and Havana? Then follow my blog to find out more and you will be notified as I upload more posts.

Thank you for taking the time to read my blog.

	Travelbyjaed on Cardiff – Wales
	Travelbyjaed on Viñales – Cuba
	PERFORMING ARTS HIGH… on Cardiff – Wales
	Claire Sanabrias on Viñales – Cuba
	Trinidad – Cub… on Viñales – Cuba

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