I often wonder what the percentage would be of people who did not only fly to Cuba, but also travelled to it. Or, put otherwise, how many spent their time on mojitos, daiquiris and the white-and-turquoise beach scenery of Varadero and the Cayos, the Cuban 'Keys'? Cuba is an exciting country to explore for many reasons. Havana is an extraordinary city; the visitor observes and lives its diverseness, which is like the palette of an inspired painter, the colours melting into a spontaneous mix and variety of shades, suggesting a whirl of emotions. Havana whirls with emotions: rightful pride for the classy grandeur of its buildings and plazas, apparent indifference barely concealing sorrow and humbleness for the state of disrepair of what used to be grand, entrancement at the unique sound of Cubafrican rhythms in local dance bars in the evening, wariness to face life in a city of shortages and ideology during the day. But, Cuba is not only Havana either. On the palette of our inspired painter we also see the pastel colours of the cobblestone streets in stylish colonial cities of the early 1500s, just like we also see the dark red stains of the violence of dehumanising, brutal slavery until well into the 19th century. Cuba is a place where meeting the past and meeting the present are confrontations that interrogate. And it is only by reaching out from West to East in a basic Chinese rental car that the answers start emerging.