It's a historic moment in time in regards to the official relationship between the United States and Cuba. During the State of the Union speech Tuesday night, President Obama spoke about that relationship and how the time had come to end a political policy that was long past its expiration date.

A painting in Cienfuegos, the painter is known to be the "Artist Of The City."  Jennifer Halm / Capital Public Radio

CapRadio Travels took a group of public radio listeners to Cuba with partner travel agency Earthbound Expeditions. Earthbound has been one of the few agencies granted a special people-to-people visa from the U.S. Department of Treasury allowing Americans to travel legally to Cuba, with some restrictions and requirements.

Senior Producer Jen Picard and Director of Member Services Jennifer Halm represented CapRadio on the trip and they join Insight today to talk about their experience.

LINKS:

• Cuba Export Statistics
• Havana Times
• Georgia Port No. 1 In Exports To Cuba
• Morning Star Online: U.S. Exports To Cuba Hit Lowest Level In A Decade
• Reuters: U.S. Food Sales To Cuba Continued Decline In 2011

PHOTOS BELOW TAKEN BY JEN PICARD

Senior Producer Jen Halm and Director Of Member Services Jennifer Halm in Cuba For CapRadio Travels. 

Jennifer Picard: While staying in Trinidad, we traveled to Topes de Collantes, a nature reserve park in the south-eastern ranges of the Escambray Mountains. We passed this man and his little pig not long after enjoying an amazing pig roast. There were a few people in the group who swore off pork after this encounter. I was not one of them.

Jen Picard: The Hotel Nacional in Havana, Cuba. We stayed here during most of the trip. Frank Sinatra's room is still one of the biggest draws.

Jen Picard: This is Morrow Castle (or Fortress) in Havana, Cuba. A canon re-enactment is held there every evening and more than 5,000 Cubans show up for it each time. 

Jen Picard: A photo taken of Trinidad de Cuba

Jen Picard: Che Guevarra is everywhere in Cuba.