Cuba
Thursday - Tommy dropped us off at the airport about 8:15 for our 10:00 flight. Long line but checked in with lots of time to spare. Boarded and away we went on Westjet. Good flight, we both read and I had my Ipod. Landed in Cuba 1:30 to a very dreary reception area with passport control. Drug dog checked luggage coming off. Changed money to CUC dollars (exchange about 90cdn to 1CUC)in another section - Barbara had to make the bus wait. Interesting ride to resort, weren't sure what to expect so nothing shocking - did look forward to the old cars and saw a lot. Surprised to see Ladas still running. Got to Breezes a little after 2, Sunquest rep was to meet us next day at 3:30 to explain everything and answer questions we might have. Checked in fine, porter took our bags to our room. Very nice room in new section. We had missed the lunch period so he told us we could get a burger or pizza at the beach bar. We changed and down we went - had a burger (not great but filling) and a beer and then walked down to the beach. It was gorgeous. The buffet started at 7:00. We weren't sure what to expect from what we had been told but it was fine especially since the waitress kept our wine glasses full. we stopped at their little store on the way back and I got a cigar. Couple of more drinks - sat on the balcony with cigar watched the ocean and thought of Toronto weather. Long day so into to bed feeling great. Surprise, we were right by the disco which started at 11:30 and after it closed some young guys were hooting and hollering until about 4:00am.
Friday - had the breakfast buffet - btw the Cuban coffee is terrific - then went to see about a room change. Desk was great - no problem - gave us keys to new room B113 quietest section. We had a look it seemed fine so while they cleaned it we went to the beach. Came back and moved - one the groundskeepers helped Barbara with her bags. Lunch buffet again lots of wine then to beach for a while until meeting Sunquest. Tommy had suggested taking big mugs to fill at the bar and this was a great idea. Two other couples and us had come on the same flight trip so we were all meeting the rep. She told us about the amenities at the resort and showed us what outside trips were available. We all decided on the Habana trip. The other two took the day trip and we took the one that included the Tropicana night club show ($300) all on Saturday. Back to buffet for dinner (by then we had been adopted by Lazarita the waitress.
For breakfast I had either a toasted bacon sandwich or pancakes and bacon with juice and coffee. Barbara had eggs prepared at the grill for her with toast and or bacon. There was also french toast, potatoes, fresh fruit, cheeses, some different meats, and bread for toast. Lunch usually had a chicken, fish, potatoes, fries, sometimes beef, local dishes like bean soup or chorizos. Also platters of cold cuts and cheeses. Excellent bread and buns. Usually lettuce was available as well as tomatoes. Several types of salads were also available. They had some salad dressings which looked maybe homemade and also olive oil, there was a bottle of balsamic vinegar but it ran out and didn't get replaced but they had a cucumber vinegar that was pretty good. Dinners were similar to lunch with the addition of fresh fish grilled while you waited or beef bbq'd as well. Also there would be a carving station with, depending on the night, turkey, beef, ham, fish (only the turkey would be familiar). There were deserts every night which seemed to be fresh baked and two containers of ice cream which usually wasn't replaced when gone. Sometimes there was a sauce and sometimes not. You could get a liqueur in your coffee.
Saturday - Got up early shower and breakfast and packed a bag ready in the lobby for the bus at 9:00 to take us to Havana. Couldn't find the trip receipt - I had taken it. Ran back to room - couldn't find it there - finally found in my pocket - ran back with time to spare. On the bus - 16 seater - with tour guide Dennis. Dennis kept up a running commentary on the way and most of it was interesting. How some things seem to work in Cuba - in Varadero stopped to pick someone up - the person putting him on the bus seemed to know Dennis and there was no paper work. Stopped at roadside area with refreshment stands and toilets. Several buses had stopped here and there was long lineup for the toilets. Barbara compared it to a poorly kept porta potty. Three piece band was playing which was kind of neat. Back on the bus and more Dennis commentary. Interesting the closer to Habana the more anti-american Dennis was. Arrived in Habana and took pictures of the harbour. Lunch was at the highest newest building in Habana on the 33rd floor. Lunch was not so good but view was very good. Habana is very sad - very much like Detroit. There is decay all through the city which was at one time was very beautiful. There is an ongoing attempt at restoration but the decay seems to outrun the resources. Some buildings who's exterior are disintegrating when you see the inside have beautiful marble stairways and foyers etc. Even the new Habana is constructed cheaply along the lines of the USSR in the past. We had a walking tour and then some free time. Barbara was looking for coffee beans and Dennis had suggested a place but they only had them again at 9:00 the next morning. More walking tour and then free time again. Barbara checked another place for coffee and I went exploring - saw peacocks in a courtyard, saw three old Cuban women smoking cigars and selling them ( I have seen them in a poster or somewhere), saw a street parade with half a dozen stilt walkers, had a really nice chat with a Cuban in a parkette and his two musician friends. Had drive along the Avenue of Presidents which has statues of not only Cuban presidents but several South American presidents like Allende. Arrived at cigar factory (which was closed to public) but Dennis took us in to the cigar store which he said had good deals. Couple of guys outside offered deals. Got an assortment at a good price then went out to see the other guys but a cop came walking along and they took off. Walked past the factory and guard waved me over we went into the guard house with another guard, locked the door, and showed me some cigars at very good price - got some but should have got more (next time). Last free time we had one couple was late and Dennis almost missed them - had to go back to find them then we went to the flea market by the water. Big place but stall mostly the same - a lot of paintings. Off to Hotel Miramar where we had rooms (shared with 2 other couples) to shower and change for the Tropicana show. Also had the best meal of our trip at their buffet. After dinner while the wives and one other couple went up to change etc Fabian and I had a few drinks and solved the world's problems. The Tropicana is an outdoor nightclub famous around the world. Beautiful costumes but performances all seemed about the same. Each foursome received a bottle of rum and a can of coke per person. The young English couple with us got pretty hammered. Didn't get back to the resort until 3:00am.
Sunday - Needless to say we were not up for breakfast. Lunch and then some beach time. Dinner and afterwards went back to see the show. Quite good with some audience participation. I went to the piano bar but the karaoke was pretty bad. Couple of drinks and to bed.
Monday - Up for breakfast - bacon and pancakes and juice. The juice was different almost everyday. Sometimes orange either sweet or a bit bitter, or a mix of mango etc but all drinkable. Down to the beach for a while and then lunch. Got some grilled beef today and they lots of tomatoes today although fairly greenish. Beach again, read, walked, lots of rum. Water is nice and warm. Had a cigar on the terrace before dinner. Good dinner with usual 6 or 7 glasses of wine and a coffee with local liqueur. Saw the show tonight as well - very funny because of the audience participation - six couples were up and had to do different dances that the cast previewed. After I went to the piano bar. There was an old Canadian guy playing piano and singing. I claimed to have opened for Dion and the Belmonts in'62. Kind of sad, but he seemed to enjoy this gig.
Tuesday - After breakfast beach and lunch we met Paul and Liz and Don and Gerri for an excursion into Varadero. We had planned on taking the local bus but an empty tour bus stopped and offered us ride for 2 pesos each. Explored the flea markets and some of the stores, had a beer, and then ended up walking back to the resort. A very nice time although Barbara fell down twice. She and Don were walking way behind us so we didn't know. Cigar on the terrace and then to supper. Went back again for the show which again was good.
Wednesday - Went the beach again after breakfast, beautiful day. Back to room for shower and then off to lunch. Lazarita off today and different waitress wanted to adopt us - asked if we had shampoo and stuff. Pretty windy in the afternoon so didn't stay on the beach very long. Read on the patio and enjoyed some rum and a cigar. We had made a date with Geri and Don and Paul and Liz to have dinner at Martino's one of the a la cartes. Met early for a drink and a chat. Pedro is the happiest Cuban and best waiter on the island - had a blast with him. He had to recite what wasn't available on the menu which was a longer list than what was available. He also had to go to the other a la carte to get more wine for us. I had the chicken marsala made with turkey which was not bad. After dinner we went down to the bar and ended up there until 3:00am. They kept serving us so it was a pretty mellow night.
Friday - had the breakfast buffet - btw the Cuban coffee is terrific - then went to see about a room change. Desk was great - no problem - gave us keys to new room B113 quietest section. We had a look it seemed fine so while they cleaned it we went to the beach. Came back and moved - one the groundskeepers helped Barbara with her bags. Lunch buffet again lots of wine then to beach for a while until meeting Sunquest. Tommy had suggested taking big mugs to fill at the bar and this was a great idea. Two other couples and us had come on the same flight trip so we were all meeting the rep. She told us about the amenities at the resort and showed us what outside trips were available. We all decided on the Habana trip. The other two took the day trip and we took the one that included the Tropicana night club show ($300) all on Saturday. Back to buffet for dinner (by then we had been adopted by Lazarita the waitress.
For breakfast I had either a toasted bacon sandwich or pancakes and bacon with juice and coffee. Barbara had eggs prepared at the grill for her with toast and or bacon. There was also french toast, potatoes, fresh fruit, cheeses, some different meats, and bread for toast. Lunch usually had a chicken, fish, potatoes, fries, sometimes beef, local dishes like bean soup or chorizos. Also platters of cold cuts and cheeses. Excellent bread and buns. Usually lettuce was available as well as tomatoes. Several types of salads were also available. They had some salad dressings which looked maybe homemade and also olive oil, there was a bottle of balsamic vinegar but it ran out and didn't get replaced but they had a cucumber vinegar that was pretty good. Dinners were similar to lunch with the addition of fresh fish grilled while you waited or beef bbq'd as well. Also there would be a carving station with, depending on the night, turkey, beef, ham, fish (only the turkey would be familiar). There were deserts every night which seemed to be fresh baked and two containers of ice cream which usually wasn't replaced when gone. Sometimes there was a sauce and sometimes not. You could get a liqueur in your coffee.
Saturday - Got up early shower and breakfast and packed a bag ready in the lobby for the bus at 9:00 to take us to Havana. Couldn't find the trip receipt - I had taken it. Ran back to room - couldn't find it there - finally found in my pocket - ran back with time to spare. On the bus - 16 seater - with tour guide Dennis. Dennis kept up a running commentary on the way and most of it was interesting. How some things seem to work in Cuba - in Varadero stopped to pick someone up - the person putting him on the bus seemed to know Dennis and there was no paper work. Stopped at roadside area with refreshment stands and toilets. Several buses had stopped here and there was long lineup for the toilets. Barbara compared it to a poorly kept porta potty. Three piece band was playing which was kind of neat. Back on the bus and more Dennis commentary. Interesting the closer to Habana the more anti-american Dennis was. Arrived in Habana and took pictures of the harbour. Lunch was at the highest newest building in Habana on the 33rd floor. Lunch was not so good but view was very good. Habana is very sad - very much like Detroit. There is decay all through the city which was at one time was very beautiful. There is an ongoing attempt at restoration but the decay seems to outrun the resources. Some buildings who's exterior are disintegrating when you see the inside have beautiful marble stairways and foyers etc. Even the new Habana is constructed cheaply along the lines of the USSR in the past. We had a walking tour and then some free time. Barbara was looking for coffee beans and Dennis had suggested a place but they only had them again at 9:00 the next morning. More walking tour and then free time again. Barbara checked another place for coffee and I went exploring - saw peacocks in a courtyard, saw three old Cuban women smoking cigars and selling them ( I have seen them in a poster or somewhere), saw a street parade with half a dozen stilt walkers, had a really nice chat with a Cuban in a parkette and his two musician friends. Had drive along the Avenue of Presidents which has statues of not only Cuban presidents but several South American presidents like Allende. Arrived at cigar factory (which was closed to public) but Dennis took us in to the cigar store which he said had good deals. Couple of guys outside offered deals. Got an assortment at a good price then went out to see the other guys but a cop came walking along and they took off. Walked past the factory and guard waved me over we went into the guard house with another guard, locked the door, and showed me some cigars at very good price - got some but should have got more (next time). Last free time we had one couple was late and Dennis almost missed them - had to go back to find them then we went to the flea market by the water. Big place but stall mostly the same - a lot of paintings. Off to Hotel Miramar where we had rooms (shared with 2 other couples) to shower and change for the Tropicana show. Also had the best meal of our trip at their buffet. After dinner while the wives and one other couple went up to change etc Fabian and I had a few drinks and solved the world's problems. The Tropicana is an outdoor nightclub famous around the world. Beautiful costumes but performances all seemed about the same. Each foursome received a bottle of rum and a can of coke per person. The young English couple with us got pretty hammered. Didn't get back to the resort until 3:00am.
Sunday - Needless to say we were not up for breakfast. Lunch and then some beach time. Dinner and afterwards went back to see the show. Quite good with some audience participation. I went to the piano bar but the karaoke was pretty bad. Couple of drinks and to bed.
Monday - Up for breakfast - bacon and pancakes and juice. The juice was different almost everyday. Sometimes orange either sweet or a bit bitter, or a mix of mango etc but all drinkable. Down to the beach for a while and then lunch. Got some grilled beef today and they lots of tomatoes today although fairly greenish. Beach again, read, walked, lots of rum. Water is nice and warm. Had a cigar on the terrace before dinner. Good dinner with usual 6 or 7 glasses of wine and a coffee with local liqueur. Saw the show tonight as well - very funny because of the audience participation - six couples were up and had to do different dances that the cast previewed. After I went to the piano bar. There was an old Canadian guy playing piano and singing. I claimed to have opened for Dion and the Belmonts in'62. Kind of sad, but he seemed to enjoy this gig.
Tuesday - After breakfast beach and lunch we met Paul and Liz and Don and Gerri for an excursion into Varadero. We had planned on taking the local bus but an empty tour bus stopped and offered us ride for 2 pesos each. Explored the flea markets and some of the stores, had a beer, and then ended up walking back to the resort. A very nice time although Barbara fell down twice. She and Don were walking way behind us so we didn't know. Cigar on the terrace and then to supper. Went back again for the show which again was good.
Wednesday - Went the beach again after breakfast, beautiful day. Back to room for shower and then off to lunch. Lazarita off today and different waitress wanted to adopt us - asked if we had shampoo and stuff. Pretty windy in the afternoon so didn't stay on the beach very long. Read on the patio and enjoyed some rum and a cigar. We had made a date with Geri and Don and Paul and Liz to have dinner at Martino's one of the a la cartes. Met early for a drink and a chat. Pedro is the happiest Cuban and best waiter on the island - had a blast with him. He had to recite what wasn't available on the menu which was a longer list than what was available. He also had to go to the other a la carte to get more wine for us. I had the chicken marsala made with turkey which was not bad. After dinner we went down to the bar and ended up there until 3:00am. They kept serving us so it was a pretty mellow night.
posted by Grumpy Old White Guy at
4:02 p.m.
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