Cuba

Should be able to fly from TJ to Havana through DF.
It's done all the time, just don't let them stamp your passport.
Bring dollars, they love them.

Quote: Originally posted by Bob H

This is just the first step. But, eventually, we can go there. It was a stupid policy for 50 years and we were the only country. I'm happy to see this progress starting for real.

Quote: Originally posted by bajabuddha

After reading the preliminary reports, normal 'tourist travel' is still banned. Travel involving education or business/technical stuff will be allowed, but at least it's a start. I am glad to see it, would love to go myself; it's going to take a while though. It can still be done, but it's a tough dance to get it done for now.

Quote: Originally posted by alacran

I agree is good, but do nor forget the missile crises that created that situation.

Hotels and Casinos

Quote: Originally posted by bajaguy

I would be willing to bet that US hotel and casino corporations have been working through third parties and already have properties staked out or owned.

A trip to Cuba long ago...it was a dictatorship then, too.

I was barely a teenager in 1959 when I traveled with my folks to Cuba. While we were there Castro came down from the hills and seized the country from it's dictator, Fulgencio Batista. Along with all other US citizens, we were sequestered (held prisoner) in our Havana hotel until air transport back to Miami was made possible. For me, it was a fine adventure, plus I got a few great snapshots with my Brownie Hawkeye camera..one of which shows a Batista soldier standing guard under our hotel balcony just before the takeover. I said Hello to him and then pointed to my camera. I'm certain we were both wondering about each other. I sure hope that soldier made it through the revolution alive.




Naturally, my father had a rather different point of view of the 'adventure'.

I know what he would have thought of sweeping under the rug what Castro's oppressive communist regime has done to Cuba's chances of democracy and countlesss lives lost over the last 50 years.

My father had gone to Cuba for many years prior to this on agricultural business, plus enjoying the fantastic fishing, freshwater and saltwater... and also for horse racing, which he loved dearly. This last trip he took me with him and we caught monster largemouth bass in an inland lake. What a blast that was! Just tough luck that that was the last year we could do that Cuba trip together. I can only hope that those huge bucketmouths still thrive there.





An interesting anecdote from that trip. After Castro had seized Havana and Cuba's government, he re-entered Havana by gunship to an arranged and triumphant fanfare from the local population. (you yelled Hooray...or else!) I learned later that a Cubano told my Dad that Castro wanted to make a grand entrance...like a Ceasar rescueing his people.

The U.S. embargo, and the failures of communism, have locked Cuba into 1959. Some say that the country is/was on the verge of economic collapse and just a couple more years would have seen it tumble. Who can say? One thing is for sure...Politics always spoil the soup.

Today even the cars and buildings are the same. And this may prove the solution to some of Cuba’s problems.

Classic 1950s Fords, Chevys and other rare ones here are everywhere in Cuba. Imagine the reaction of a guy making $20 a month, after trade reopens with the U.S.: “I won’t give you more than $40,000 for your De Soto.” Hah...sorry, it's likely most of you younger folks don't even know what a De Sota was or what it looked like.


The hotels and casinos are still mostly closed up...and owned by the Cuban Army ..i.e. The Castro Bros. So guess who benefits from those sales or investments, if any?


Cuba already has tourist zones, where locals are not allowed to enter, except for work. Canadian tourists already fly directly to resorts on the southern coast of Cuba, just to go to the beach. The natural spot for the first Cuban casino-resort is, ironically, the Bay of Pigs. The scene of the disastrous failed invasion of 1961 is now a thriving resort, especially for Europeans.

But there is another spot, where a casino would be even more of a positive political statement by the Cuban government: Guantanamo Bay. It is isolated from the vast majority of the population; at more than 500 miles from Havana, it is actually closer to Miami. There are beaches and an airport and one of the largest sea ports in the world for cruise ships, if the U.S. will allow free passage.

Cuba could set up another tourist zone, with legal gambling, on the Cuban side of Guantanamo Bay. Local residents would be barred. But visitors from every other country, including the United States, would be welcome.

Most probably the Red Chinese will be first investors in Cuban casinos/resorts....and welcomed by the present Cuban communists who have warned America not to try to change their form of government. Americans can travel to communist-controlled Macau, the greatest gambling center in the world, without even having to get a visa. Wouldn’t it be great if Guantanamo Bay became better known for its hotel-casino resorts than for its prison?

Yup, communism knows from experience that casino gambling is a great form of revenue.


I just hope the Cuban people will benefit from this ...and not just the unscrupled politicians in our government.

[Edited on 12-21-2014 by Pompano]

Havana New Year 2000/2001