Ivan, Lynda and Evi slip into Cuba between Hurricanes

Ivan, Lynda and I headed to Cuba for two weeks in early October to try and find our dear friend, and bring down some aid during yet another difficult period.  Our Cuban friend Lilliety distributed the medical aid (not much) in Mantanzas, and we personally visited some schools and hospitals en route to Sancti Spiritus.  It was wonderful to be in Cuba again but the serious shortages of everything there are daunting.

Upon our arrival, Ivan asked the bus driver if he knew Lillietty (a friend we made 11 years ago) and the same night we received a phone call from her.  We had a very emotional reunion the next day where she works as a tour guide. We enjoyed lunch with her family on the Sunday before departing.

Lilliety arranged things so we could drive to Sancti Spiritus and spend 6 days at the Ancon.

It was great to show Lynda one of my favourite countries.  We were an excellent travelling trio, and did more than I ever have in such a short time in Cuba.

Lynda and I hiked up in the jungle on the Cuban Sierra del Escambray  (Cuba's second largest mountain range) with a young female guide who showed us the flora and fauna lovingly as she had grown up near Toppes Collantes.

Ivan did a shallow dive with Leo, the dive master and was very pleased.  We lucked out with mostly sunny weather in between a few hours of clouds and overcast weather.  Ivan is now busily packing his underwater film apparatus to be sent to Leo via a BC traveler. Word of mouth is so effective in Cuba, one wonders why we are so dependent on the internet here?

While visiting Sancit Spiritus we stopped at the hospital, and two schools off the beaten path where we happily gave away the things brought (considered strict weight regulations for baggage). 

This trip was not planned, but spurred on by the great travel prices during Hurricane Season.