do you know who this guy is? everywhere i looked, i seen this guys face on tshirts, buildings, posters, and pretty much everywhere. heard he’s some kind of revolutionist. super famous guy and very popular. and now, he’s not Fidel Castro.

this is the hotel Ernest Hemingway stayed in back in the 1940’s. i went to the very room he always stayed in when he visited Havana. he wrote 3 of his many books in that room and it was very inspirational.

this is the best way to experience and enjoy Cuban life. i seriously felt like smoking a cigar. haha.

it was a very long trip back to hawaii. really loved seeing the beautiful colors of the ocean.

then arriving at LAX airport, i started to get depressed. back to reality.

i really lucked out on flights this time. and traveling on standby teaches me how to be very patient. not just patient in traveling, but patient in everyday life. everything happens for a reason and if you live like that, you will have a better life.

if you go to Cuba, you have to bring back Cuban cigars. it’s illegal to import or sell in the US so the only way to get them into the states is to bring them back yourself. very expensive and the best in the world. no, i don’t smoke, but i have friends that do. these are the very same super long Montecristo “A” Fidel Castro use to smoke.
ok, before you americans go to Cuba, understand that it is still illegal to travel there as a tourist. i have the ultimate best way in and out of Cuba. legally of course. i’ll let you know later but here is my advice for now. “go there asap. drop everything and plan your next trip there. it will change so fast and if you miss the deep history and pure culture now, you will never see something like it ever again in your lifetime.” it was one of the best and deepest trips of my life!

Pure Classic!
Good morning 6am.
Happy to be home!
Ala Moana head high and clean.
Diamond Head shoulder high and windy.
Pipeline knee high and not breaking.
Rocky Point chest high and side wind.
East winds at 20mph.
Clouds, showers, sun, and rainbows!
Going surfing.
Have a wonderful day!

when in Cuba, do what the Cubans do right? jumped in a 1949 classic chevy convertible and took the 40 minute ride to the airport. it couldn’t have been a better way to end a perfect Cuban trip! it’s called “going out in style!” all i needed was a Cuban cigar and i would have felt like Ernest Hemingway. haha.

got to Havana airport at 11am. flight supposed to leave at 1:30pm, then got delayed to 4:05pm, then the flight disappeared, then reappeared to 6:05pm, then finally left at 6:30pm. it was the first time i was at an airport wondering “what’s going on?” luckily i never got stuck there because if i did, i’d be sleeping at the airport. why? because i didn’t have a visa to re-enter the country.

so stoked to land at Cancun and see my amigos! the greatest place for a layover! had an awesome dinner with Ambo-san, Hiromi-san, Shin-san, and Satoko. we were talking about our next surf trip! where and when? nobody knows but if it is meant to happen, it will happen. thank you Satoko and Shin-san for picking me up from the airport.

finally made the connection to LAX. have a stopover and hopefully get the next flight back to hawaii. this trip has been so long. 7 airplane rides, 6 bus rides, taxi’s, convertibles, bicycles, and lots of walking. in fact, i must have walked a marathon in these past 8 days. looking forward to going home after eating this airport ramen and water dinner for $17. omg!
see you back in hawaiian paradise! can’t wait to surf!