HaiCuba/HaiKuba

What better way to start the summer vacation than with a sunny blog?
That's why I'm taking you to Cuba today!

Last week my curiosity was piqued when I first heard about HaiCuba/HaiKuba.

Not only this extremely original children's book is bilingual (English-Spanish), but it has a nice writing style consisting entirely of haiku's as well.

You can read more about this book in my review.

Although the content is quite limited (both due to the low number of pages and to the haiku writing style), this book really entices the reading public to search for more background information!

That's what I did 😄
Below you'll find an overview of the most interesting videos I came across.

Have you ever heard of the Tocororo?
Discover more about Cuba's national bird:

To get into the Cuban atmospher here's some music ;-)
Palma Real is all about the famous Cuban palm tree.
You can read what's so specific about this tree here.

On to the chaotic public transport in Cuba!
Did you know that the bus there is called Guagua (pronounced 'wawa')? Here you can read why.
You won't believe your eyes when you see the following video:

In the capital Havana people have the habit of hanging their laundry in the street.
An atmospheric image:

Would you like to try a local sweet?
Here's how you can make Dulce de Toronja:

Cuba isn't always sunny.
After all, from May to October it is the rainy season, with a risk of tropical storms and cyclones, especially in September and October.
You can discover how children experience rain there in the following video:

El Malecon is a 7 to 8 km long boulevard along the sea wall that was built to protect lower parts of Havana from flooding.
Fancy a walk?

Have you heard of the Guayabera?
This shirt is worn in various places in Latin America.
Apparently it's very symbolic for Cuba and a museum is trying to turn this garment into a global icon.

Every evening at 9pm, a cannon shot rings out in Havana.
Curious about this tradition? You can find out more about it here:

Say 'Cuba' and you often immediately think of the most famous music and dance form there.
Salsa should certainly not be missing from this overview!

Learned young is done old, they must think there.
Just take a look at the following children who already turn out to be accomplished dancers:




Everyone has heard of fireflies.
But do you also know the fire beetle (also known as the Fire Beetle or Pyrophorus)?
Discover more about this brightest bioluminescent insect in the world!

Finally, a video about one of the most special animals ever.
Meet the Bee Hummingbird, or the smallest hummingbird in the world, which you can only find in Cuba!