Hard to believe that five weeks have passed since we arrived back home!
For many of us, this was our first visit and we had some apprehensions! Some had previously visited the tourist areas at the various beaches – Varadero, Holguin, etc. but had not made it to Havana, Cienfuegos or Trinidad.
Reflecting on our trip, there are many wonderful memories – most of all, the great group of intrepid travellers. To travel with Sergio is always an adventure for us! We never know exactly where he will lead us….but we always have confidence in his decisions on our behalf.
Arriving in Havana late in the afternoon meant we didn’t see much that first night riding into the city on our bus. When we arrived at Hotel Plaza, we were tired, thirsty and hungry! Thanks to Sergio and Ken Johnston, we gathered up enough Cuban Convertible Dollars (CUCs) to get drinks in the bar…will that be Cristal or Bucanero senor?
Day Two started out with breakfast on the rooftop terrace – our first view of Havana in daylight. Excitement built as we boarded the bus EVERY morning. Who cannot forget that bank line while we waited to exchange our Mexican pesos?
For me personally, the architecture was engrossing, with many buildings restored to their previous glory and many near collapse. The old cars were fascinating to see and I am slowly editing those photos to show them in black and white…truly a time warp.
My personal highlights included that first lunch at La Bodeguita del Medio (where Hemingway whiled away his afternoons with mojitos), our day trip to Vinales where we saw the incredible mogotes and the beautiful countryside. The highways were amazingly modern. Hemingway’s home at La Finca Vigia was inspiring to me as a pseudo writer, especially after reading Hemingway’s Cuba. Our stop at Cienfuegos on the way to Trinidad was memorable. Trinidad itself was memorable for that wonderful lunch at Paladar La Marinera (lobster anyone?) and the evening show that first night at our hotel. History came alive at Che Mausoleum (that sounds rather strange doesn’t it?). Finally amongst my Top Ten (who is counting)…the cavalcade of vintage cars we travelled in along the Malecon to reach Hotel Nacional for that not so memorable floor show at La Parisien.
Saving the very best for last – Cafe Taberna and the performance by some of the original members of Buena Vista Social Club! Heck, the performances by some members of our group were memorable too!!! Thanks again to Sergio for ‘snagging’ those last minute tickets for us.
Again, thanks to all of you for making and sharing the memories…and thanks to all of those Cubans we met along the way….
Hasta luego!
Cuban Odyssey 