Well, at least they had a good time! Beyonce reveals intimate holiday snaps of her controversial trip to Cuba with Jay-Z

PUBLISHED: 13:45 EST, 20 May 2013 | UPDATED: 01:35 EST, 21 May 2013

It was a holiday overshadowed by so much controversy, even President Obama was called to give his opinion on it.

But for Beyonce and husband Jay-Z, it seems that the superstar couple still managed to enjoy their fifth wedding anniversary trip to Cuba in April.

In new intimate snaps posted on the Crazy In Love singer's Tumblr page, the couple are seen taking in their surroundings as they are driven through Havana.

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Beyonce reveals intimate snaps of controversial Cuba trip

Controversy: Beyonce and Jay-Z were criticised for visiting Cuba in April, where you still need a special visa to visit

Not a care in the world: Beyonce looks effortlessly stylish in shades with her in braids as she poses for a holiday snap in Havana, Cuba

Power couple: Beyonce and Jay-Z seemed to take their trip to Cuba in their stride, despite the public outcry that their holiday caused

But no sooner had the pair started to enjoy their holiday when they were criticised for appearing to break Washington's embargo on travelling to Cuba for mere tourism.

Republicans then called for an investigation into the holiday, fearing that the celebrity husband and wife duo were granted special access to the banned country, because of their close ties to the President.

Local police were also called to keep the crowds at bay during their trip, after they were mobbed near the renowned restaurant La Guarida in Havana.

Well at least they had a good time! Beyonce reveals intimate snaps of controversial Cuba trip

Taking in the sights: Beyonce was clearly taken with this bright pink vintage car, and called the trip an enlightening experience

Banned: Washington's 51-year embargo makes it illegal for U.S. citizens to visit Cuba for mere tourism, but the Obama administration eased many of the restrictions in 2011.

In the newly-released pictues however, the couple - who married Paris on April 4, 2008 - are seen in high spirits as tour colonial Old Havana.

Earlier this month, Beyonce revealed that she found the public outcry over the trip 'quite shocking' adding that she found the trip an elightening experience.

She said: 'You know, it was such a beautiful trip. I met some incredible children. I visited some incredible entrepreneurs. And it was really, it was really educational for me. I learned so much about so many people and the country, and it was actually quite shocking,'

Happy holiday: Beyonce revealed that she found the public outcry over the trip 'quite shocking' but still managed to enjoy her time there

Washington's 51-year embargo makes it illegal for U.S. citizens to visit Cuba for mere tourism, although the Obama administration eased many of the restrictions in 2011.

But tourists still need a special visa or to be part of an organized tour.

When asked in an interview if he was aware that Beyonce and Jay-Z had travelled to Cuba, he replied: 'I wasn't familiar that they were taking the trip,' he said in an interview released Wednesday.

Wedding strife: Although it was to celebrate their fifth anniversary as a married couple, Beyonce and Jay-Z's trip was marred with controversy

'My understanding is I think they went through a group that organizes these educational trips down to Cuba.

'You know, this is not something the White House was involved with. We've got better things to do.'

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Meanwhile, Jay-Z chose to express himself through rap, in the song 'Open Letter'

In the song, Jay-Z hits back at the politicians who criticised his vacation, rapping: 'Politicians never did s**t for me, except lie to me, distort history. They wanna give me jail time and a fine. Fine, let me commit a real crime.'

The rap does also confirm his friendship with President Obama, saying: 'Obama said, 'Chill you're going to get me impeached.' You don't need this s**t anyway, chill with me on the beach.'

The rapper also recently put rumours to rest that his wife is pregnant with their second child.

According to Hot 97 Program Director Ebro Darden, he sent Jay-Z an email congratulating him on expecting his second child with Beyonce.

He claims he received an immediate reply with Jay-Z scotching the pregnancy talk.

'I emailed on some congratulations, send my love to the family, blah, blah, blah,' Ebro stated, 'He emailed me back and said it’s not true.'

Beyonce and Jay-Z celebrate fifth wedding anniversary in Cuba

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I used to say if she just had reall hair, was a little taller, was thinner and had different knees - she would be pretty, b/c her face wasn't that bad years ago. But she is aging now, don't believe she is 31 no way, and starting to look like her mother.....her face is taking on that squashed look, it's getting flatter and wider. Now she resembles a Native American man w/ a blonde wig. She is just laughable, I mean, IDK if she thinks she looks good or if she knows the truth and just doesn't care b/c she figures money makes up for it. So sick of seeing her every site I go to.

- Samantha , Sea Bright, United States, 21/5/2013 16:17

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Yet she wants the media to stop talking about her? Go away!

- Vanessa Christine , Los Angeles, United States, 21/5/2013 16:05

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I like Beyonce but I like Beyonce of old. You know what I mean, "Ring on it," "If I was a boy," "Halo" Beyonce. Not this new stuff. I've moved on to other artist like Alicia Key's, Emeli Sande and Adele. They are more talented than Beyonce and they don't have to dress provocative to get attention.

- Ambiguous , Malvern, 21/5/2013 15:17

Click to rate Rating 12

Americans are barred from commenting on this, it appears.

- Kimchee , Lake Orion, United States, 21/5/2013 14:48

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No low life Americans are allowed in Cuba.

- Kimchee , Lake Orion, United States, 21/5/2013 14:46

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I have also visited Cuba and found the Island and the people beautiful, however I don't think we can honestly support their policies when they ban their own people from leaving the country can we? I'm not really behind any of the Cuba or America bashing here as there is fault with both but lets remember that we are tourists when we visit Cuba, we wouldn't swap lives with them would we? There are still major issues to overcome.

- Leah79 , Dartford, 21/5/2013 14:32

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WOW! Do people not realize that the people in Cuba oppressed. That the country is run by good ole boys! I know people from Cuba who have come to America to escape and are still very worried about family members back home in Cuba. NO country will loan Cuba anymore money as they have defaulted on all their loans. This was a pr campaign for Cuba ....wonder if they got paid. It isn't just an American thing......it is a world issue and concern. According to the press South American drug lords also visit Cuba to RR.

- Mary Alice , The South, 21/5/2013 14:28

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My husband and I married in Cuba, I love it there. And to be honest, it's nice to travel a place where you don't get mistaken for being American. I've been to many countries where we are treated poorly and they tell us point blank it's because they thought we were American. Cuba is a beautiful country with beautiful, strong people. I'll accept the American outrage over these two going to Cuba if those same people start to show their outrage over China.....oh wait.

- lex02 , Toronto, Canada, 21/5/2013 14:00

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I want the pink car!!!

- rhi-bo , Leicester, United Kingdom, 21/5/2013 13:57

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It amazes me how arrogant the American government it sometimes. Basically what this says is, Cuba is one country the Americans did not succeed in forcing to switch to an "American approved" way of life, so the next step after a failed attempt at Westernizing a country is to ban your own people from going there. Does this strike anyone else as a bitter, desperate attempt to cling to some semblance of the fantasy that they are all-powerful? Whatever you think of Cuba and its politics, applaud it for following its own path and not letting itself be bullied by giants. Whatever you think of Beyonce and Jay-Z, applaud them for committing this 'victimless crime' which only exists to protect the US government's pride. Everyone wins, except those arrogant enough to believe they have a right to always win...

- Amused , London, United Kingdom, 21/5/2013 11:53

Click to rate Rating 48

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