HAVANA

Here we began and ended our Cuban journey. What an introduction to Cuba! A city that seems to be in a time warp; colonial palaces crumpling while workers strive to save the best. Where classic American cars mingle with Ladas, bicycles, motorcycles with sidecars, coco-taxis, bicycle-taxis and horse drawn carts. Goats grazing in a vacant lot next to a swank embassy. The lively sounds of Cuban music from the Casa de la Trova, houses, cars and bars.

SANTIAGO de CUBA

Santiago de Cuba, located on Cuba's southeast coast, is Cuba's second largest city and was Cuba's capital city before Havana. We passed through, and paused in, Santiago a couple of times. We stayed in a casa particulare (the Cuban equivalent of a B&B) near the city center but we soon tired of the noise and auto pollution. So we spent time in Playa Siboney, about 20km outside the city, and made a day trip along the coast to a small village beneath Pico Turquino.

TRINIDAD de CUBA

Trinidad, located on the south central coast of Cuba, is a World Heritage Site. The old section of Trinidad has not changed significantly for 150 years. Like Habana Vieja many of the buildings are being restored. Although Trinidad does get invaded by busloads of tourists from nearby Playa Ancon, and even Havana and Veradero, it retains a mellow charm. We stayed in La Boca, a sleepy little fishing hamlet, about 4km outside Trinidad. From there we bicycled to both Trinidad and Playa Ancon.

BARACOA

Baracoa is the oldest colonial city in the Americas. Long isolated from the rest of Cuba by the mountains surrounding it Baracoa still resists the frenzy of many touristic towns. Although you'd never know that if arriving by bus. The throng of card waving casa particular boosters at the bus depot can be un-nerving. However we soon found ourselves enamoured of the little town with its quiet hum of bicycle wheels, lush palm forests and friendly inhabitants.