We stayed in a charming, traditional Cuban casa built by our host’s Grandfather. Casa Particulares are by far the best way to experience Cuba as it becomes more open to tourism.
https://www.hostelworld.com/hosteldetails.php/Casa-Novo-Guest-House/Havana/269299
Our host taught us a lot about the local area, both in terms of history and what scams we should avoid! Just taking in the sights and sounds of the old town of Havana took us a whole week. I hope this video shows how vibrant and lively that city is. I would love to go back and road trip to Trinidad!
Follow me on insta https://www.instagram.com/tomth0rnton/
Camera: https://amzn.to/3bGGrb2
Microphone I use at home: https://amzn.to/2MtTGTF
My 40L travel backpack: https://amzn.to/3b3Ywkh
Hard drive I use for footage: https://amzn.to/3syP7He
19 Comments
Loved this Tom! You really captured the essence of the place and the music was fabulous as always! X
Hello Tom we hope your well and the look on your face with that drink sure tells us what you actually thought of it haha. we hope you are having a great week . Love and Light Sarah and Glenn
OMG! I literally watched the beginning of the video 3 times because I loved your description you gave regarding the tamarind drink and the look on your face! Lololol. Molly: "Oh no!" Lolol.
I was in Havana three years ago and also stayed in a casa particulars. The hosts didn't speak a word of English and I didn't speak a word of Spanish. Loved it. Had a great time. I think the highlight of the day was having amazing breakfasts on the patio overlooking Avenida Salvador Allende. Also the park in the old city listening to people play music. Would love to go back, but with the travel situation these days, I fear it will be a few years.
This is wonderful, thank you so much for staying in my wonderful country's capital. Hope you lived the stay and what my tiny island had to offer you 🙂
No need to speak. Just the video alone shows Cuba in its beauty. That opening facial and description on the drink was classic..
I long to go to Cuba but as an American it’s just impossible. Sigh. 😩
The colors of the older cars…the fried plantains, the locals, the architecture. Sights smells, sounds….ya gotta love it.
Thank you.😁
I went to Cuba about 15 years ago, all-inclusive with some friends, my biggest regret looking back was not seeing more of the island as we pretty much stayed on the resort we were on.
Really fun to watch a video in Havana to remind me of when I was there. If anyone is traveling to Cuba i 110% recommend living in a Casa Particulares, it's the best decision you can do.
Havannah oh na na
Your films continue to amaze, Tom. I still have many to watch, but you seem to capture the essence of every place you visit. But you do it in a way that is truly relaxed and peaceful. The world is an aggressive place; this is the antedote.
God I LOVE the old American cars…its like going back in time with a colorized video. Yes, all the people in Cuba (except the high government officials) do not have much money, but no one can tell me that their level of happiness in life is less than your average suburban upper middle class American.
Great video!
i love the song that starts at 1:21, especially the singing at 1:57
edit: What is the song? How did you find this song, Tom?
I absolutely loved visiting Cuba. It's still crazy to think that the interner barely exists there – certainly like nothing we have in the West.
You at 4:45, there's a little card underneath Tom's glass. Those are internet cards that usually cost about $1. You scratch off the code, enter it to the browser on your phone and that gives you an hour of internet – but only if you're at one of the wifi hotspots in Havana.
You tend to see dozens of people stood at those hotspots, even when it's pouring with rain, all so they can get internet. And one hour's access basically costs a day's salary for a resident.
And if you try to go on anything that shows a video, it just automatically disconnects and you lose your hour.
Thanks for going to Cuba, as an American, I can't but would like to.
I have been to Cuba and I hope to return—the music, the people are wonderful. Did you go to the John Lennon sculpture in Havana?
Tamarind looks like a long brown pea pod, and you crack open the shell to find an almost mushy, stringy flesh inside covering large seeds. It's a nice snack. Sour as a lemon, though. My sister only eats hers after coating it in sugar.
Nice video. You captured it. It's a safe and colorful area. I've been 3 times and it is the best is when you are with the Cuban people. I hope you get to go again. I'm looking forward to my next trip, hopefully this year or maybe 2022.