Category Archives: Travel

Travel and world news

Hasta La Revolucion

OK, this isn’t very PC, but who cares! Michelle spotted me at the top of the old tower in Cienfuegos and got me to wave. I think this matches the hat. 🙂 I am, of course, making a list of Continue reading

Wednesday, November 24, 2010 in Cuba Travel Blog

Sunrise on the Palacio

This is the Palacio de Valle, a great piece of architecture inside and out with strong Moorish influences. It’s also home to a restaurant, one of Cienfugos’ finest, where we ate after our long drive from Vinales. That has to Continue reading

Getting Wider?

Frances always says I’m getting wider. I hope this doesn’t give her too much evidence. 🙂 Continue reading

Economic Anomalies

It’s odd what economic anomalies are thrown up by a struggling economy. Before I came to Cuba I was told that I should bring soap as a gift/tip, so I’ve spent months systematically stealing hotel soap. However, the only people Continue reading

A Diffraction of Photographers

I’ve found the right collective noun for photographers: it has to be a “diffraction”, because they do have a tendency to spread out from a point. Like setting a group of small dogs loose in a wood full of squirrels… Continue reading

Monday, November 22, 2010 in Cuba Travel Blog, Personal News, Photography

Normal Service Will Be Resumed As Soon As Possible

After Vinales internet connectivity became more and more of a challenge. The Hotel Jagua in Cienfuegos was elegant and well-equipped, but very poorly stocked and staffed. One of the things they were out of were the tickets for computer use. Continue reading

Valley View

Another shot from yesterday: the view from my hotel balcony at the Hotel Los Jazzmines, a panorama stitched from 5 shots. Scary fact: the TIF file generated by the stitching software was 148MB. That’s the downside of steadily growing image Continue reading

Friday, November 19, 2010 in Cuba Travel Blog, Personal News

Mixed Fortunes

The update I wrote at about 7am yesterday turned out to be incorrect – the mist in Vinales Valley suddenly cleared, and we got some very good shots in the early morning light, with wisps of mist still visible. I’ll Continue reading

Cool Cab

This doesn’t need much explanation. Forgive the slight camera shake, but a 1950s Ford Consul does vibrate a bit. Who cares! Continue reading

Thursday, November 18, 2010 in Cuba Travel Blog, Personal News, Photography

Bolting Horse Cart

I wanted to use the shot of the old guy with the cigar to illustrate my main post, but this was arguably yesterday’s shot of the day. The buggy had just become trapped on the edge of a building while Continue reading

Going Guerilla

After a long and slightly boring drive through Western Cuba, we’ve moved to Vinales, a wonderful valley between two ranges of low, rounded mountains known as “Los Organos”, because Spanish sailors thought the eroded limestone looked like church organs. Vinales Continue reading

Just In Case You Thought I Wasn’t Photographing Any Cars

Lots of pictures of cars, so it’s difficult to choose a favourite at the moment. Here’s one which worked, showing the Capitolio (a copy of America’s Capitol) reflected in the bonnet of a nearby taxi of ancient vintage. The foyer Continue reading

Wednesday, November 17, 2010 in Cuba Travel Blog