Issue link: http://digital.canadawide.com/i/458251
mischa oak "There are so many special memories filled with wonderful sights and experiences which we shall never forget." 34 W E S T W O R L D | S P R I N G 2 0 1 5 delights in reminding us of the 28 C daytime temperature; the ritual on-deck details as crew members George and Paudelis prepare the ship for docking. We quickly get to know our fellow passen- gers and all are splendid folks, partly because of our shared interest in a cruise without discos, casinos and show tunes, and partly because we are just lucky. Late one afternoon Alfred patiently takes me through the history of the Swiss watch industry, from its post-war hegem- ony through the invasion of cheap digital time- pieces to its luxury zenith today. Another day Nathaniel regales a group of eager listeners with tales of working at Time Life in the Mad Men era: the Friday afternoon liquor cart and ridiculously extravagant expense accounts in Manhattan, and the sober side of journalism in war-torn Vietnam in 1969. Patricia, always ready with a wry one-liner, admits that Che Guevara was "a bit of a hero of mine in my lost youth." We meet people from our home prov- ince with whom, it transpires, we share mutual friends and establish a new friendship with Steve and Hilary long before the airport goodbyes. is is engaging and participatory cruising, bringing people together – if you want it to. All-inclusive resorts offer controlled, self- contained experiences in Cuba. Here's what to consider if you journey beyond. • Identification Carry your passport at all times. Nothing sinister here: you just never know when you will be asked to produce it. • Dress Wear long pants in the winter months when the winds blow. Cubans do, and so should you. • Money Convert Canadian dollars at a CADECA (Casa de Cambio). There are two currencies in the country: the Cuban Peso for residents, and the Convertible Peso (CUCs) for visitors. You want the convertible version, which is roughly one peso to the dollar. • Shopping Buy souvenirs and liquor at state-run stores, cigars at specialty shops known as La Casa del Habano. • Liquor Buy Cristal if you like your beer light, Bucanero for a heavier flavour and kick. Havana Club is a justly famous rum, but Cubans prefer Santiago de Cuba. • Transportation Try a horse-and-carriage or a cute, three-seat cocotaxi for sightseeing. Taxis are best for longer drives, but secure an authorized Cubataxi to avoid being overcharged. • Panhandlers/Street Hustlers A simple "No, gracias," said with a smile will persuade the few street people who might pester you to move on. –R.S. Horse-drawn carriages in Havana. Touring Tips