Tag: Cuba

Podcast

Episode 10: Island Vacations

ltpmrs

 

Show notes:

 

 

    • Molokai
      • Molokai: The Novel by Alan Brennert
      • Kalaupapa tour (Sandy likes the airplane option vs the daredevil donkeys) – historic location where Hansen disease (lepers) patients were relegated in the early 1900s
    • Hawaii Island, also known as the Big Island

manta_ray

 

 

    • Tip: take Toilet paper with you – you can’t rely on it to be available at tourist stops, restaurants or on bus tours
  • Iceland
    • Blue Lagoon hot springs
    • Be prepared to pay a lot for most food; lamb and seafood are the way to go as they are native
  • Indonesia – Lombok
    • Black “Sand” beach

img_7589

  • Australia – Sydney
    • Bondi Beach

 

 

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

    • Sydney Harbor bridge climb

 

 

  • French Polynesia
    • Bora Bora

 

 

Tybee Island, Georgia
MicroBlog

Tip 98: Best of (part 2)

ltpmrs

Hello! We are rounding out our #100traveltrips with a list of our favorites:

Road trip destination?
  • Rebecca – Chicago
  • Michelle – Nashville
  • Sandy –  Memphis
Cruise destination?
  • Rebecca – Cuba
  • Michelle – Alaska
  • Sandy – The islands of French Polynsesia

Favorite trip of all time?

  • Rebecca – tie between Ireland and Australia (Australia was a work trip or it would probably win hands down)
  • Michelle – French Polynesia
  • Sandy –  Ahhh….I cannot pick one!  French Polynesia, Australia and New Zealand are at the top of my list.
MicroBlog

Tip 75: Cuba travel advice

ltpmrs

Yesterday we shared a tip on making sure you carry toilet paper with you while visiting the island. That was honestly the best advice we got prior to our trip so it felt worthy a separate post.

Here are some other tips:

  • You will need a visa if traveling from the US. Airlines and cruise lines sell them. They are about $75/person and can be issued immediately.
  • CUC (Cuban Convertible Peso) is the main currency. There is another option, the Cuban Peso, bur that is more for locals. The CUC is pretty much dollar to US dollar but the exchange taxes the conversion of US dollars something like 13%. It is more advantageous to convert from Euros so we had planned ahead and brought those instead. Also, US banks cannot concert the cash for you so it is something you have to do once you are in Cuba.
  • As of this writing, you can bring back 100 cigars and 1 liter of rum duty free per adult traveler. It is best to buy both from official retailers to avoid fakes.
  • There are hundreds of classic cars for hire relatively inexpensively. A fun way to view the city!
  • Drink only from sealed, bottles beverages.

Havana highlights:

MicroBlog

Tip 74: Take Toilet Paper to Cuba

ltpmrs

This may sound like super odd advice, but I was so thankful the cruise line gave us a heads up before we disembarked at Cuba. Sadly most charter buses (cruise excursions, included) and restaurants in Cuba did not have toilet paper. Also, many tourist stops and restaurants charged a dollar for access to a bathroom. Best to be prepared and carry a roll with you!

MicroBlog

Tip 50: Borrow travel books

ltpmrs

I admit I am mostly a consumer of digital content these days and mostly rely on podcasts and Google searches to learn about areas I am traveling to. Still there is a huge benefit to travel books and maps..I love maps! So while we have previously suggested ebooks and related apps, this tip is all about the good old fashion page turner.

Have you considered borrowing travel books rather than buying them? Honestly I hadn’t as I regularly buy the cheapest, newest used book I can find on Amazon, but recently my son wanted to spend a rainy afternoon wondering around the library…and I wasn’t about to discourage that. I was surprised at how many travel books, magazines and videos were available for loan at our local library. We’ll definitely be back soon!

Now off to study up for our upcoming Cuba trip!