Village Squire, 1975-03, Page 17Both organizations which so far have
cornered the market for Canadian tours to
Cuba stress cheap run in their advertising.
This is misleading. Rum bought in Cuba,
outside the duty-free shops, is as expensive,
or more expensive, than in Canada.
Drinks are not strong, but one ounce
with a lot of ice - "too much ice" -many of the
group said loudly. They cost 65 cents to
51 Canadian.
Drinks made from imported liquor, with the
exception of Russian vodka, are much too
expensive by Canadian standards.
The group found, however, that Cubans
pay more than we do. With a tourist ticket
Canadians get drinks at halfprice in bars
which are also open to Cubans.
On the last night after the group had gone
through immigration and given up any tourist
privileges, a group decided to wait the hour
and half for take -off in a lounge also open to
Cubans. A rum drink which would have cost
80 cents Canadian as tourists, now cost 51.60
- the Cuban price.
Cuban rum can be bought at the duty-free
shops at 52 for 26 ounces either at beach
hotels or the special diplomatic duty free shop
in Havana, but only just before departure.
Canadians were told on arrival that duty-free
purchases could not be made during the
holiday "because we must protect our bar."
Tourists who wish to economize on bar bills
should make duty-free purchases in Canada
before going to Cuba. Cans of fruit juices for
mixes are available in hotel boutiques and
room service can supply buckets of ice for
about 60 cents.
Apart from liquor and cigars - the latter
cost about 40 cents for the hand -rolled variety
- there is nothing much to buy. The tourists
were told by the tour guide to take no more
than 575 for spending money and brought
more than half of that home.
Handicrafts are limited, often expensive
and did not attract us.
Optional tours, including deep-sea fishing,
scuba -diving, sightseeing, bicycling and
horse -riding, are good value.
An all -day trip from Varadero Beach to the
Bay of Pigs, including a boat trip, a swim, a
visit to an aligator farm and lunch with beer,
was only 57 each.
Six of the group also took a two-hour ride
with two guides over the • former Dupont
estate, now being refurbished as a tourist
attraction.
It cost only 53.60 Canadian apiece and the
horses were good. Bicycles go for 51.20 for
three hours and one is free to go anywhere,
except to military or semi -military establish-
ments.
Buses, the public onces, are six cents and
we were free to take them both in Varadero
and in Havana. Public telephones are free.
The tour included a sightseeing trip in
Havana - the highpoint of which was the
cemetery - a world famous cemetery,
evidently - because prior to the revolution
wealthy Havanans vied with each other on
spending lavishly on tombstones, often
getting famous European architects to design
them. The group also toured a cigar factory.
Several people on the tour had visited Cuba
Mid -winter
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prior to the revolution. They missed the
gaiety which had been so much a part of
Havana. Gambling is now non-existent, the
Canadians were told. There are no public
casinos and no lotteries. Prostitution, which
was Havana's No. 2 industry is banned as
well.
Catholicism is on the wane. Most churches,
including the cathedral in Havana, were
locked. One church which was open had a few
worshippers. Most were old and white-
haired. The only beggar a Canadian saw in
Cuba was here, plying his trade behind a
church pillar.
For the tourist life here is good. There is no
tipping, no hidden extras. Beaches are clean
and uncrowded. Service is efficient and
honest. Hotels are pre -revolutionary with
comodious rooms. Beach hotels have
balconies or access to courtyards.
Plumbing is adequate, although showers
tend to dribble rather than pour and toilets
often lack seats. Taxis are scarce and
drive -yourself cars non-existent.
For many tourists one of the major
attractions in Cuba is the number of vintage
cars still running - old Frasers, 1950 finned
cars and. aged Jeeps.
Gas is rationed for those who do own cars -
10 gallons a month for 60 cents a gallon.
Most oil comes from Russia and apparently
prices have not gone up, "but then we
haven't charged them more for sugar," one
guide said. 0
t��ittrtt�le Cutabiatt "Notes
(Green Oial rru Drsigna
GODERICH
Our notes and Ontario Scenic
Prints are available at selective
stores in Huron and
throughout Ontario.
VILLAGE SQUIRE/MARCH 1975, 15