Detecting in Havana, Cuba -- Trip of A Lifetime

[DCMetal]

I just returned from a 10 day trip to Havana, Cuba. I wasn't able to pack my metal detector because I just didn't have the room and wasn't sure if I would be able to hunt. Luckily, I got some hunting in and even met some Cuban detecting enthusiasts while on the beach.



The guys let me see what they found in the ocean. Nothing over the top but still fascinating just the same. With their White's detectors, lots of old Cuban coins, silver chain and some costume jewelry. They said they've never found any Spanish gold. ; ( They invited me to join them the next morning but I wasn't able to make it.

Inspired by my new metal detecting buddies, I starting searching the waters wear they searched with a pair of goggles. I found what look to be teeth from some sort of animal and part of a jaw bone, that REALLY looks to be human.



While visiting Cristobol Columbus Cemetery to see my grandparents grave, I spend some time cleaning up the weeds. While pulling weeds I found a couple of coins, lots of glass, some bones and and part of an interesting piece of metal which I accidentally dropped after photographing it. The bones could be animal, but interestingly, because the cemetery is so full, the bodies are removed from their tombs after 3 years and stored in boxes. I wonder how carefully the bones are removed?



I have more photos and will add them later. I'm going back in December and will definitely take my detector this time!

 

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[G.I.B.]

Thanks for the wonderful story.

I can't wait to see more pictures.

Sailing to Cuba is on my bucket list-

 

[trapperart]

Congrats on some nice finds

 

[DCMetal]

Cemetery finds, beach finds and a big tarantula that I unearthed while hunting under the rocks. Also found a Gould's motor from Seneca Falls, NY.

 

[nsdq]

Thank you for sharing

 

[Terry Soloman]

Way Cool!

 

[Davers]

I just returned from a 10 day trip to Havana, Cuba. I wasn't able to pack my metal detector because I just didn't have the room and wasn't sure if I would be able to hunt. Luckily, I got some hunting in and even met some Cuban detecting enthusiasts while on the beach.

View attachment 1347976 View attachment 1347977

The guys let me see what they found in the ocean. Nothing over the top but still fascinating just the same. With their White's detectors, lots of old Cuban coins, silver chain and some costume jewelry. They said they've never found any Spanish gold. ; ( They invited me to join them the next morning but I wasn't able to make it.

Inspired by my new metal detecting buddies, I starting searching the waters wear they searched with a pair of goggles. I found what look to be teeth from some sort of animal and part of a jaw bone, that REALLY looks to be human.

View attachment 1348013 View attachment 1348014 View attachment 1348015

While visiting Cristobol Columbus Cemetery to see my grandparents grave, I spend some time cleaning up the weeds. While pulling weeds I found a couple of coins, lots of glass, some bones and and part of an interesting piece of metal which I accidentally dropped after photographing it. The bones could be animal, but interestingly, because the cemetery is so full, the bodies are removed from their tombs after 3 years and stored in boxes. I wonder how carefully the bones are removed?

View attachment 1347978 View attachment 1347979 View attachment 1348011

I have more photos and will add them later. I'm going back in December and will definitely take my detector this time!

Cool Post man. Very Cool.

 

[1637]

cool ,i heard there are 60.000 pre 60s old cars there.
brad

 

[DCMetal]

cool ,i heard there are 60.000 pre 60s old cars there.
brad

Yep!

 

[1637]

is there some were to find more pictures?
brad
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[Deft Tones]

Those cars are the real treasures!

 

[DCMetal]

is there some were to find more pictures?
brad
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[/QUOTE]
I posted a few more near the top but I don't have them posted on a site. If there's something that you're interested in seeing, just let me know. I did create a video for YouTube but it's more of a music montage of my trip.

 

[DeepseekerADS]

Great trip! And thanks for something we so seldom see - the Cuba we've missed for 60 years.

 

[Reelsnrods]

Thank you for posting. Very cool!

 

[jeff of pa]

Yep!

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I wonder how they Keep them in such Shape

 

[Tommy G]

Some really cool finds, and a glimpse of a culture that we rarely get to see. Thanks for sharing!

 

[against the wind]

Thanks for sharing your trip to Cuba with us.
Nice to meet fellow treasure hunters in our travels
Although I wish I could get my hands on some of those older cars, many of the original engines have been replaced with engines from Russia and European automobiles.
I was in Guantanamo Bay in 1970, but it was for training and we were not allowed to leave the base.
Taking a cruse ship to Cuba that would allow for a few days ashore, sounds like an adventure I might enjoy.

 

[CMDiamonddawg]

Thanks for sharing your Adventure ! Very entertaining .... esp. the old iron .

 

[bill_wabo]

Nice pictures and thanks for posting. Hey, your Gould "motor" is not a motor, I think it's a hydrolic ram. Got one in the shed, same brand but bigger. Those were used to pump water uphill without electricity.

 

[DCMetal]

Thanks for sharing your trip to Cuba with us.
Nice to meet fellow treasure hunters in our travels
Although I wish I could get my hands on some of those older cars, many of the original engines have been replaced with engines from Russia and European automobiles.
I was in Guantanamo Bay in 1970, but it was for training and we were not allowed to leave the base.
Taking a cruse ship to Cuba that would allow for a few days ashore, sounds like an adventure I might enjoy.

That's right! That's I was going to tell Jeff of PA. The motors that have been replaced are typically with Russian or Chinese motors. Cubans are well known for there ingenuity and many of them create their own parts. Some people are lucky enough to have family in the US who bring them parts. The inside of most the cars are pretty beat up. The ones in Havana Vieja, that drive the tourists around are in great shape.

Interestingly, my grandfather had a 1957 Cadillac with electric windows and AC. One of the few on the island. In 1991, when the wall fell and things got really bad in Cuba, my grandfather was forced to sell it. Luckily, it's still there. I managed to track down a guy who knows the current owner and sees him everyday. I gave him my number but never heard from the owner. When I go back in December WITH my metal detector, I'm going to try again to find it. I'm also planning to bring a pointer for the metal detectorists that I met. They don't have one.

Here's a quick video of the inside of a European 1950s or 60s Ford.



Here's a video of landing in Havana.