News From Cuba – 20th July 2012
Hi everyone,
The group are on track to arrive at 7:30pm tonight at the Common Haugh in Hawick (thirty minutes later than expected – not bad for a trip of almost five thousand miles!).
Thanks,
Jono
News From Cuba – 19th July 2012
Hello Everyone
I hope you have all received the final report [see below if you didn’t]. I’m pleased to see all is well and it appears that everyone has had a fantastic time – another successful BEG expedition!! I’m sure we will hear many stories in the next few days and weeks although it will probably take some time before everything is revealed. The expedition team will undoubtedly have formed a strong bond and many folk in the group will probably stay in contact with each other for many years to come – another great benefit.
The ERG would like to thank everyone for their support during the time the group have been away. They haven’t been able to send lengthy progress reports as expected due to the poor communication channels, but in a way this makes the homecoming even more exciting as you now have the chance to hear first hand the highs and the lows. I hope in a small way we were able to offer some reassurance and support and allay any anxieties or worries folk might have had.
The team are due back as expected on the itinerary at 1900hrs Friday 20th in the Common Haugh, Hawick. If we hear of any significant change to this we will try our best to let you know; please check your e-mail or check out the BEG website tomorrow afternoon\ evening probably around 5pm. We will post the expected arrival time then.
Many thanks again to everyone who contacted us over the past 3 weeks.
Regards Allan, Jono, Nancy
News From Cuba – 14th July 2012
Afternoon Everyone
I received a text message this afternoon to say the group were having difficulties accessing any internet connection to send a more detailed report so they sent a condensed version via text.
"Our week of work in the La Platica community was a great success. We worked alongside workers from the National Park to mend banisters, signposts and trail paths. We made friends with the local workers, adults and children and our Scottish entertainment evening was great fun and the Cubans all appreciated the donations we left for them. At the end of the week, and despite some minor injuries and stomach complaints every single member of our group completed the trek up and down Pico Turquino – according to our guides the largest group to successfully complete the trek!! We are currently in Trinidad and have enjoyed a day of snorkelling in the Caribbean sea seeing a variety of tropical fish followed by a meal on the beach surrounded by hermit crabs and iguanas! Hope everyone is well back home. Adios, Cuba team 2012".
All sounds great doesn’t it – wish I was there!!
Regards Allan
News From Cuba – 12th July 2012
Good Morning Everyone
Received a text during the night from the group to say all is well.
They had just arrived back at their Hotel safe and sound after completing a very successful community phase and trek. They are all tired but very pleased with what they have achieved and have had a great time. There are no significant ailments to report with anyone in the group so that’s also good news. The group will be moving North today and hope to provide us with a bit more information once they get established there.
News From Cuba – 6th July 2012
"
Hola amigos!
Just a quick note for you all. We have all survived so far and are safe and sound. Our first stop in Havana included a tour around the city before we headed south to Santiago on a 12 hour bus journey. Again another tour around the city which let us all see more of Cuba´s culture. Our main activity so far has been salsa dancing which we believe most of our group will be sharing with you when we return home. None of us are experts but as we have been practising a lot hopefully we will be soon.
We are all now currently in Pico Turquino national park at La Platica doing community work where we are living in a mountain refuge for the next week.
Will be in touch again soon.
Adios, the BEG team
".
News From Cuba – 3rd July 2012
Hello Everyone
More news from Cuba – text message received 1600hrs 03.07.12
"Martin here, contacting you from the Sierra Maestra. All the group are fine, a couple have skin conditions on their feet but the doctors are monitoring things so they won’t be participating in the trek today. The trip has been great so far, lots of Salsa and it’s been sweltering hot!! We will be out of contact now until 11th July so I will text you then; however we will ask Kath [local organiser] to send an e-mail composed by the venturers in the next couple of days. Hope all is well back home. Adios Martin".
News From Cuba – 29th June 2012
Good Morning
I received a text message timed at 0209hrs [21.09 hrs local time in Havana] it reads – "All team and kit have arrived safely in Havana, met up with our guide in the Hotel, everyone happy".
That’s very good news indeed and we can now all relax and look forward to some progress reports in the next few days. Rest assured I will forward any information on to everyone as soon as it comes through. Today the group will be doing a round of visits to help acclimatise to the way of life in Cuba before travelling again tonight [overnight] to their base in Santiago.
Regards Allan