Sailing through Cienfuegos Bay

Cayo Carenas, Cuba

We set sail from Miami on Thursday, February 21 about 6 p.m. and arrived at the mouth of the harbor midday on Saturday February 23.

Winding Our Way through the Channel ©2019 Bo Mackison

We are heading for our first stop, Cienfuegos, a city of about 150,000 people, situated on the southern coast of Cuba.

Jagua, Cuba as Seen from the Viking Star ©2019 Bo Mackison

Miami Departure – On the Viking Star

Leaving Miami © 2019 Bo Mackison

We departed Miami on February 21 on a week long cruise heading to Cuba.

Welcome Aboard ©2019 Bo Mackison

The weather fully cooperated for our 6 pm departure and the day was sunny and warm. 93˚ felt planty warm. When we returned from our afternoon excursion to the nearby art museum, the pool deck was busy.

Infinity Pool and Miami Background ©2019 Bo Mackison
Sun Setting as We Begin Our Voyage to Cuba ©2019 Bo Mackison

A Thursday evening departure, a full day at sea tomorrow, and an early afternoon arrival in Cienfuegas, Cuba on Saturday.

Before We Set Sail – A Visit to the Perez Art Museum Miami

We arrived at the ship’s berth at noon and we were set to sail for Cuba at 6 pm. The buffet was beckoning as were the lounge chairs and the sparkling pool, but we were docked within view of the Perez Art Museum Miami (PAMM). We grabbed a plate of food, knowing there would be plenty of gastronomical experiences in the coming week, and grabbed a taxi to take advantage of an afternoon to see some art before we set sail.

PAMM is celebrating its 35th anniversary, though they have only been at this site since 2013. A minimalist building with great views — inside and out.

For Those in Peril on the Sea by Hew Locke

Once inside the art museum’s entrance, we were greeted by an impressive array of colorful vessels, all suspended from the high atrium’s ceiling.

“… the installation creates the impression of a massive exodus taking place throughout the architectural space above the viewer. It features a broad range of vessel types, from cigarette boats, catamarans, and cruise liners to ragged fishing skiffs and timeworn cargo ships

Part of the installation For Those in Peril on the Sea by Hew Locke

“In light of Miami’s history as the site for numerous waves of immigration—particularly from the Caribbean, and specifically by seaFor Those in Peril on the Sea will have a particular resonance for the Museum’s audiences.”

~ from PAMM website
Our Reflection in art by Anish Kapoor. Untitled, 2013.

This is only a tiny portion of the expansive installation in miniature by Liliana Porter. El hombre con el hacha y otras situaciones breves – Venecia 2017 (The man with the axe and other brief situations – Venice 2017)


The gallery with a view. It was a popular place for selfies and too-numerous-to-count photo ops for several young women. I eventually decided I didn’t have enough time nor patience to wait and so took a photo of the view plus Bob plus strangers. There were other things to see, but one of my first views of the Atlantic Ocean was still a highlight.

Kerry James Marshall b. 1955 Campfire Girls 1995

Marshall has long emphasized the importance of creating ordinary representations of black people at leisure, representations that are largely absent from the history of painting.

from PAMM exhibit

while the dew is still on the roses . . . presents the work of Kingston-born artist Ebony G. Patterson (b. 1981). The most significant presentation of the artist’s work to date, the project includes examples of the artist’s work produced over the last five years, embedded within a new installation environment that references a night garden.

~ from Perez Museum of Art Miami website
night garden begins here

This was my favorite exhibit – a large darkened room filled with the artist’s “drawings, tapestries, videos, sculptures and installations that involve surfaces layered with flowers, glitter, lace and beads…”

Teresa Margolles b. 1963 La gran America (America the Great), 2017

Handmade cobblestones made from dirt and clay collected from both sides of the Rio Grande, fired and set into a wall installation.

Window View at PAMM © 2019 Bo Mackison
Geometrics – a Found Walk-Through-Sculpture Staircase ©2019 Bo Mackison
A View of the Harbor with Cruise Ships in the Background ©2019 Bo Mackison

On Our Way

Getting the Message… Fly to Miami. Okay!
I love flying above Chicago!
And flying through puffy clouds is the prettiest…
Chicago to Miami (to Havana)
Descending into Miami – look at all that GREEN!

Traveling to Cuba – The Beginning

Why We Planned a Trip to a Warmer Clime ©2019 Bo Mackison

February 20. There were lots of reasons to travel to Cuba this winter. The weather in Wisconsin was a big factor.

Traveling with Tom Bihn © 2019 Bo Mackison

I packed two suitcases to within a few ounces of our allowable limits. Since we were flying from Chicago O’Hare to embarkation destination of Miami, I packed our handy overnight bag with two changes of clothes, our necessaries, shoes (so we could leave our boots behind), a book for each of us, and a few art supplies.

There are traditions. Whenever we fly from Chicago, we make time for a stop at one of our favorite pizza places.

Weather? Check!

A quick check of the weather in Cuba vs. the weather in Wisconsin confirms what we expected. The weather will be about 70˚ wartmer in Cuba than back home.