Cuba

[LeeIs]

Oh now you're killing me. Brazil is near top on my list of places to see! Would also love to see the falls in Chile - I forget the name at the moment. Make sure you post a Brazil travel story if you go!

That's good to know you speak a little Spanish. I should really brush up on mine. I learned it in high school but haven't really spoken it in a few years.

Rick

Yeah, I think every able person should go to Brazil atleast once. Only a few other nations are so diverse. U.S., Canada, Russia, China and all are mainly due to size. You got the Amazon jungles to the north, the tropical north east where it's hot hot all year round, and the more temprate south (some what with a European like climate).

But that's also the drawback as I've come to learn, because it takes so long to travel between cities, one really needs a few months to see a bit more of the country. It's not a one week or a two week vacation spot if one really wants to experience it all.

I only have 3 weeks and will only be able to go from Rio as far north as Salvador and that's it. I could do more but then I'd spend the majority of my time on buses, bus terminals or airports. Not likely to relax that way.

I'll definately do a write up on Brazil and the places I've gone while there.

I'm not sure what the falls in Chile are called. But one of the largest falls in the world are located in the tri-border between Brazil, Paraguay & Argentina. They're called the Iguazu falls

[another view]

Great thread, and a great story - thanks for sharing!

Interesting to hear a "real" account of what it's like to spend some time in Cuba as a traveller. I'd heard it was not difficult to get there but didn't know it was that easy. I think that the time to see Cuba is now - before politics between the US and Cuba get straightened out to the point that direct travel is allowed. I think that'll happen eventually, and then you'll see the McDonald's, Holiday Inn, Hard Rock Cafe, etc just like so many other places. Right now, it's a very unique place.

[walterick]

I think that the time to see Cuba is now - before politics between the US and Cuba get straightened out to the point that direct travel is allowed. I think that'll happen eventually, and then you'll see the McDonald's, Holiday Inn, Hard Rock Cafe, etc just like so many other places. Right now, it's a very unique place.

Steve, that's a really good point. I got the sense from Liban's travel story that Cuba had an "untouched" feel to it. I think you phrased it up well - once the tourist industry takes hold there, it will certainly change the face of the nation. Damn, now I feel like I should hustle on down there ;)

[LeeIs]

Great thread, and a great story - thanks for sharing!

Interesting to hear a "real" account of what it's like to spend some time in Cuba as a traveller. I'd heard it was not difficult to get there but didn't know it was that easy. I think that the time to see Cuba is now - before politics between the US and Cuba get straightened out to the point that direct travel is allowed. I think that'll happen eventually, and then you'll see the McDonald's, Holiday Inn, Hard Rock Cafe, etc just like so many other places. Right now, it's a very unique place.

You're absolutely right man. Now is a good time to go to experience this kind of Cuba.

But having said that, I don't think the U.S./Cuban bad relations is what is holding back the restaurant franchises and the such. Because most of the world has economic ties with Cuba already. Infact one of their most popular beers "Bucaneero" is brewed as a joing venture with one of our local brewers I think it was "labbatts".

I think what's holding Cuba back from vast globalization, etc. is the Communist regime's philosophies 1st more than the lact of ties with the U.S. So yes things will change upon regime change, whenever that happens.

[walterick]

But one of the largest falls in the world are located in the tri-border between Brazil, Paraguay & Argentina. They're called the Iguazu falls

Iguazu, that's the one I was thinking of. For some reason I was thinking they were in Chile?! Oh well, at least I got the region correct