Cuba is a mess.
If are a left leaning voter and you want to see what 50 years of socialism can do to a country. Visit Cuba.
Che Guevara and Fidel have become 'brands' on t-shirts. Fidel is still alive living in his mansion, but the post-revolution government is a joke
Ration stamps are still is use.
Food rations are used.
Everything is owned by the state and as there is no pride in ownership. There has been no infrastructure development of consequence, no building maintenance (shades of our Housing Commission.....), no small business growth to generate personal wealth.
It's a mess, but very interesting for week's visit.
Get there before Macdonalds arrive.
But the people are very pleasant, the beer is good and the lobsters are cheap.....it reminds me of my childhood in the 1950s.
So called 'Flame Tree in Havana
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1950 Chevrolets and old cars are everywhere used as taxis. These are privately owned now. Newer taxis are all government owned yellow Hyundais.
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There are some trees of note, but no camphors
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In the 'Museum of Revolution' in the old Presidential Mansion (complete with bullet holes) this old beautiful mahogany table, used both by Presidents and Casto remains intact.
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This shows part of old Havana, it is typical of the old town, with habited derelict remains of 300 year old Spanish buildings. Yes, some are under renovation, often in joint ventures with overseas Hotels but some have totally crumbled.
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Eucalypts have reached Cuba. And if you look closely, you will a white ants nest as well!
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Timber workshop in old Havana..... (then again there are 50 year old workshops in Sydney that look like this........)
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Business success! Tobacco leaves designed for cigars. The Government 'buys' 80% of the crop and the farmers can sell 20%
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Bromeliads all over trees in Vinales
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Was told this is a 'good timber' tree. Not sure of its variety, but it has similar bark to red cedar and mahoganies
![]()
:Good sized tree full of bromeliads in Vinales
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Horse riding in Vinales, limestone region with perfect soils for tobacco growing
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This was a beautiful home in Havana. It is owned by the Government (as they all are), has several families living in it and has had no maintenance since the revolution
![]()
This is a celebration of something or other. Revolutionary socialists can build this sort of rubbish but can't manage an economy
![]()
This farm held tourist dinners to generate income. Yes, I know the are farms in Australia that have chickens and pigs, not many have tobacco though
![]()
Shot showing the beauty of old Havana
![]()
Visit!
If are a left leaning voter and you want to see what 50 years of socialism can do to a country. Visit Cuba.
Che Guevara and Fidel have become 'brands' on t-shirts. Fidel is still alive living in his mansion, but the post-revolution government is a joke
Ration stamps are still is use.
Food rations are used.
Everything is owned by the state and as there is no pride in ownership. There has been no infrastructure development of consequence, no building maintenance (shades of our Housing Commission.....), no small business growth to generate personal wealth.
It's a mess, but very interesting for week's visit.
Get there before Macdonalds arrive.
But the people are very pleasant, the beer is good and the lobsters are cheap.....it reminds me of my childhood in the 1950s.
So called 'Flame Tree in Havana
1950 Chevrolets and old cars are everywhere used as taxis. These are privately owned now. Newer taxis are all government owned yellow Hyundais.
There are some trees of note, but no camphors
In the 'Museum of Revolution' in the old Presidential Mansion (complete with bullet holes) this old beautiful mahogany table, used both by Presidents and Casto remains intact.
This shows part of old Havana, it is typical of the old town, with habited derelict remains of 300 year old Spanish buildings. Yes, some are under renovation, often in joint ventures with overseas Hotels but some have totally crumbled.
Eucalypts have reached Cuba. And if you look closely, you will a white ants nest as well!
Timber workshop in old Havana..... (then again there are 50 year old workshops in Sydney that look like this........)
Business success! Tobacco leaves designed for cigars. The Government 'buys' 80% of the crop and the farmers can sell 20%
Bromeliads all over trees in Vinales
Was told this is a 'good timber' tree. Not sure of its variety, but it has similar bark to red cedar and mahoganies
:Good sized tree full of bromeliads in Vinales
Horse riding in Vinales, limestone region with perfect soils for tobacco growing
This was a beautiful home in Havana. It is owned by the Government (as they all are), has several families living in it and has had no maintenance since the revolution
This is a celebration of something or other. Revolutionary socialists can build this sort of rubbish but can't manage an economy
This farm held tourist dinners to generate income. Yes, I know the are farms in Australia that have chickens and pigs, not many have tobacco though
Shot showing the beauty of old Havana
Visit!