You may well be right about the BiCi taxis. It was just that voyhavana told me that Manfredz had to get permission to ride on one in Havana a year or so back as they were not licensed to carry tourists.

I have been to Cuba 9 times now, always AI, but I have stayed one night in a CP in Havana (which was a great experience btw), I have ventured outside of the resorts many times to visit the towns on my own and via excursions, I have visited homes of Cubans who work at the resorts, I have had many conversations with Cuban off resort (I am quite fluent in Spanish) and I must say that I agree with many of your comments, even though some seem to contradict my experiences (ie. the asking for money all the time, but I chalk that up under “its because I speak Spanish” category), Overall busman, you saw and experienced a hell of a lot more than I ever did in Cuba (as I was always dependant on the organized AI thing), so I take your word for what you have stated in here.

I am happy too, because I always wanted to do what you did, and discover Cuba on my own, and now I think this might change, as I have a bunch of other places in the world that I would rather see. Thanks to you Cuba is now lower on my “to-see” list. But I will continue going there for AI vacations whenever I have a free week and some $ to spare. I am presently in my “Asia” phase, I just love Asia, and I am going there again in 2010 for a 6 weeks so I can’t wait. I remember reading in one of your blog entries that some backpackers you met recommended Thailand to you. Well, I would like to second that advice. I have been there and from what I read about Central America in your entries, the Thailand experience would definitely suit your needs and likes as there are many similarities to Central America. South America is interesting too, but IMO more rough than Asia, and yuo have to beware of the big cities (like in Central America) and don’t be surprised to see similar experiences to Cuba (loads of ppl asking for $, I with my fluent Spanish even had a hard time at times).

You have motivated me to go to Central America, I am intrigued with Antigua after reading your entries, so I might plan an escapade there shortly.

So thanks again busman, and good luck with your next steps.

Lastly, I want to comment on bellagio’s statement:

“Strickly speaking, as a tourist, you are not permitted to ride in a Bi-Ci taxi or a Coche as they are not licenced to carry tourists. There is a always a heavy police presence in the town and trust me your every move is watched.”

AFAIK, last April when in Havana, we were informed that riding a BI-CI taxi or Coche is now permitted for tourists. We were even given a ride in a vintage 60s conertible coche around Havana, legally. I even read an online news article a few months ago which confirmed this change in law. So this aspect has improved.
As for police presence, I don`t mind it at all. But maybe because I am used to seeing this in many other countries I visitied as well where it was much more sketchy than in Cuba.

I think that’s a wise decision. Also with the currency exchange so awful a cp stay is quite expensive. Food and drink in Cuba is certainly not cheap as I know only too well.

Despite a population of 50,000 the water supply is only turned on twice a month so if your well runs dry you have to pay 60 CUP to have a tanker come and fill it. Internet connections, apart from doctors and the like, are actually forbidden in Banes. Even with money in my pocket many things are just not available to buy in the shops. Even the two convertible peso restaurants in the town rarely have everything available that’s on the menu, frequently being without eggs or french fries.

Strickly speaking, as a tourist, you are not permitted to ride in a Bi-Ci taxi or a Coche as they are not licenced to carry tourists. There is a always a heavy police presence in the town and trust me your every move is watched.

Last but one visit I was given an official written warning by the Immigration Officer for taking photographs of houses without roofs in the town. All he would say was ‘It isn’t permittted’. Heck I had taken 7 photos that day in the main road leading into the town. Woulkd you want to live somewhere where your every move was being watched?

On the bus rides we stopped at a few out of the way resorts (not beach) that seemed really nice but to stay at them would cost a fortune as you would need a rental car or some sort of excursion deal & as they are not AI you are looking at the full airfare.

Also I didn.t go for a holiday I went as a traveller to discover the “real Cuba” & I did & it came up short!

Dave is actually saying it as it is, and as I said on my post on his last blog I am agreeing with him more and more about Cuba.

I don’t blame anyone for sticking to the all inclusive route. If I had an English wife, there’s no way would I be staying in casa particulars for a variety of reasons, the food, lack of comfort, etc. Particularly now that the CUC is so strong against Sterling and the Cdn dollar the CP route is expensive. Not only that but Cuba is not a cheap destination as prices of food in the shops is very high.