06
October
My poor Baracoa!!!
Hurricane Matthew devastated beautiful Baracoa, Cuba’s first city in Oriente, the eastern tip of the island.
For weeks after my amazing trip to this wonderful city in June I blogged about my experience there among some of the most welcoming and
18
August
A Historical Treasure: the Cruz de Parra
Among the many interesting and unexpected findings in researching Baracoa was to learn that the oldest artifact connecting Christopher Columbus to Cuba is the Cruz de Parra, the cross he planted on the shore of Baracoa in December, 1492. Below
14
August
August 15, 2016 – 15 de agosto de 2016
Happy 505th Anniversary, Baracoa! You’re looking good!
¡Feliz 505 Aniversario, Baracoa! ¡Te ves bella!

Thanks for the memories – Gracias por los recuerdos
11
August
One month of blogging!
Unbelievable that I have been blogging about my Cuba research trip for just over a month now and there is still so much to share! For example, on the left is an amazing poster celebrating the founding of Baracoa by
06
August
Why Baracoa?
To be authentic in my writing, I always immerse myself totally in my subject.
The prequel to Mango Rain (Lluvia de Mango) will be Mimi’s Path (El Camino de Mimi), out this fall, and the story begins in Baracoa.
After a few
03
August
My Baracoa digs at a fort turned hotel…
So, this was my office during my stay at Baracoa. I stayed at the 3 star El Castillo Hotel, on the highest point of Baracoa, built in 1739 as a fort called El Castillo Seboruco.
El Castillo Hotel offers unparalleled
31
July
First morning views of Baracoa
Wow, right? These are the Baracoa views that greeted me in the morning.
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29
July
La Farola road to Baracoa
Baracoa is Cuba’s first and oldest city. Christopher Columbus landed here in November of 1492, writing in his journal that it was “the most beautiful place human eyes had ever seen.” It became the first Spanish settlement under a Spanish governor on August 15th, 1511. Baracoa’s special beauty and
27
July
Over 700 miles Havana to Baracoa
The trip from Havana to Baracoa on a tour bus (U.S. Greyhound style) began at 6:15 a.m. when I was picked up at my hotel, and ended after midnight when we arrived at El Castillo Hotel
in Baracoa, over 700 miles
21
July
More Havana …
One cannot leave Havana without at least walking by the magnificent Capitolio which housed the Cuban Congress prior to 1959. Currently undergoing a total renovation, this is another example of the architecture that gave early 20th century Havana world wide
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