WELCOME TO CUBA…

November last year myself and five other friends jetted off to explore and experience Mexico and Cuba! Boy it didn’t disappoint. We ticked off Mexico City, Tulum, Havana and Trinidad just to name a few. I’ve listed some recommendations and travel details throughout the gallery but the overall piece is to share all the little but beautiful moments I had the opportunity of capturing whilst over there. A visual travel diary!

Enjoy!

G x

Havana

Everything you read or hear about Havana is so on point plus more! Hot humid nights, Mojitos that are nearly 99% cuban rum, colour - there’s so much colour!! Oh and don’t get me started on those cars, if I could have jammed a pink Cadillac into my checked-in luggage I absolutely would have!

If I could sum up Cuba it would be sensory overload. I fell in love with everything all at once, so much, that I couldn’t photograph sometimes because there was just so much to take in and all equal in amazingness. 

Where we stayed?

In Cuba we stayed in Airbnb’s in both Trinidad and Havana - In Trinidad we were hosted by our own special Cuban grandma and boy was she the sweetest!

What I fell in love with the most?

The people in Cuba are just so beautiful and so generous, even with the political climate and the struggles and restrictions this country endures because of sanctions, the people just keep giving. 

The music - there’s something about Spanish salsa music that is simply so sexy and filled with so much passion and personality. It’s like all the finer things we experience in life but rolled into sounds. The way people dance when they salsa is so god damn beautiful, just a heads up though - don’t let your friends throw you onto an open air dance floor when you’ve never salsa’d in your life - that shit’s not easy!! Haha 

The time machine effect - Cuba literally feels like a different era that hasn’t caught up with the rest of the world. You feel like you’ve been transported back in time and that’s pretty special in this day and age. 

Highlight

Breaking down on the side of a road 2 hours into our 4 hour road trip.

Mexico City

First off our hit list was Mexico, we flew into Mexico City from Los Angeles and spent a solid couple of days here meandering through this busy city!

Where we stayed?

We stayed at this ultra cool and modern location called Hotel Carlota. Described as a concrete jungle and in the most convenient location it was an urban stay to say the least! 

What I fell in love with the most?

MARIGOLDS! These stunning flowers are literally everywhere and in big bunches in the markets too. My poor friend Jacqui was over me sounding like a kid at Christmas everytime we found a bunch… on nearly every single corner haha but flowers make the world go round! Oh and MAARGARITASSS obviously of course, one of my favourite drinks of all time and where to smash one or perhaps a few…. on home ground of course!

Tulum

What I want to start off with here is the fact that once I checked into our little beach hut and slice of paradise… there was no way I was coming home. One of the most beautiful stays of our trip!

Where we stayed?

Papaya Playa Project - a sustainable boutique hotel located right on the beach. This place blew my mind. The food, the view, our little beach hut and of course no doubt the company made for the most magical stay!

What I fell in love with the most?

Hartwood! The BEST dining experience I think I’ve ever had and on my birthday too. This place was so incredible that Jacqui and I went back for round two. Two words - JUST GO! And if you can’t get there, they have a cook book with all the dishes so bring a slice of flame cooked Mexican cuisine into your own home!

Pineapple juice, need I say more… but fresh, cold and pulpy three times a day, least to say I developed a very unhealthy addiction haha

Warm water swims in the gulf of Mexico and my cabana!