Our Cuban Adventure - a wholly bizarre travel experience

Havana offers the best of both worlds, the busy city life, the peaceful old city life and beautiful beaches a short drive away.

Havana is like nowhere else we've ever been. Saying goodbye was truly hard, walking down the main boulevard leading to the old city, a certain chill ran down our backs as we tuned into Havana's vibrations it's surreal. Loud, polluted and colourful. Smelly and humid. Havana's outward way of life is exactly what makes it so exciting. You're always surrounded by sad decay, noisy old cars and dilapidated buildings; there's always someone shouting a friend's name or trying to interact with you; our interest was continuously piqued by the relentless interactions on the streets. Everyone knows everyone here and they're socialising nonstop - Its how the Habaneros roll.

In general, Cubans are happy at flashing their flesh, mainly to better handle the heat but it also has something to do with the fact that they also like to be sexy. Men roll their shirts up over their expansive stomachs, while women wear short skirts and always seem to bare their shoulders and their midriffs. Most of the young boys go shirtless, and babies are left wondering around in the nick. There is a certain element of freedom in their fashion expression.

Many people in Cuba don't know much about the rest of the world, relating information pieced together from different conversations with travellers; often when we told them that we were from South Africa, they would point to the skin on the forearm, indicating to the colour of our skin, 'Blanco ' they did not know that there are white people living in South Africa. Once, while buying a shirt from local traders, when we told the trader that we were from South Africa, she smiled and said, 'Suid Afrika, ahhh, millionires!'

The Cubano world revolves around the community and the family. It is that which welcomed us into Havana. In our colonial styled apartment in the Valle district, we were warmly greeted by our host Marlene, so down to earth and full of heart, Marlene was an instant friend.

A prominent feature of Havana is the Malec—n, a long protected promenade on the seafront. This walkway is the perfect place for a stroll, as it stretches along the seafront for miles. When we first walked along the Malec—n it was howling onshore winds and unusual waves that crashed against the bulkheads and sprayed seawater everywhere. Some young Cubanos were taking great delight in getting splashed. At night it really comes alive with busking musicians and flower sellers, groups of friends gather and drink, drinking alcohol in public is so blasé, and loving couples walk romantically along or embrace in passionate displays. If you get tired of the walk at any stage all you have to do is stick your hand out and anything from a convertible Cadillac to a Coco Taxi (Tuk-Tuk), will gladly drive you the rest of the way. TheMalec—n is a great place where you can sit on the wall enjoy the view and relax with the cool night's breeze coming in from the sea. The Malec—n can be the perfect place for any situation, whether you're looking out to sea, or watching the night fishermen patiently waiting for a bight. It's also a place to sit with your friends or partner and enjoy one last beer, a place where I could sit and watch the vintage cars go by for hours on end.

Be aware though, there are many clever scamsters trying their luck, however a quick "No thank You' and they happily walk away. You see, it's the continuingUS-imposed embargoagainst Cuba, signed by US President Kennedy in February 1962, which means that tourism plays a huge part of an individual Cuban's income - and as a result, people focus on foreigners to an obsessive degree, for some we are their only source of income.

Four days is just about enough time to wander the streets of Havana.There aren't many cities in the world with a vibrant and frenetic street life as Cuba's capital, so simply getting lost in the fray is a worthy experiences all of its own. Some of the streets with the most activity include Calle Oficos, Calle Obispo and Calle Mercaderes - all located in Habana Vieja (the old town) they feature a variety of live music, rows of shops and an all-day and into the night party vibe.

In Cuba you're never more then an hour away from a beach so join us next week as we head to the coastal town of Rancho Luna.