As one cannot fly directly to Cuba from the US (can’t think why?) we were up early to catch the flight to the Cayman Islands. After checking our off shore bank account – still empty – we flew on to Havana.
As simple as this sounds we learned very quickly about Latin America culture and economics. No arrival or departure info was available and the flight scheduled for 1.20pm was nowhere to be seen despite our racing through customs and immigration to recheck our bags. We then sat with Hans and Sue in the departure lounge for another 30mins learning to wait patiently, a behaviour well worth cultivating if one is to travel in the Caribbean.
Once safely on the red earth we were met by Louis Mole our guide and our driver Santiago. This was a good thing as what seemed half of Cuba was there to meet their relatives from the US or was it the three LCD big screens they were carrying that they were after. We didn’t know it at the time, but the signs of an emerging new culture were evident right from the start of our trip.
The trip into town was exciting with people everywhere and whole families in fabulous old chevies, dodges and fords straight from pre-revolution Cuba. We all laughed when Hans told the driver that he was looking forward to smoking Cuban cigars and the man opened his glove box and offered Hans one on the spot! Welcome to the generosity and kindness of the people of Cuba!
After checking into Hotel San Filipe ($280pn) in the old town we had a short nap before walking across to dinner at Cafe de Oriente. We soon found out that Oriente is the name for eastern Cuba and this wasn’t the local chinese! I had a wonderful lobster bisque ($10), followed by lobster ($30) and then our waiter Miguel put on a wonderful show to make Sue and I crepe suzette ($15). Together with some Spanish red wine and water my dinner came to $75.
Sue and I found out that night that one shot of Santiago de Cuba rum to finish the night leads directly to a splitting headache that no panadol can remove. We still to learn that one should drink 7 year rum with ice and a drip of lime juice before bed each night to avoid a hangover and gastro!
Worth noting - there is no auto correct for capitals for Cuba – shame on you microsoft that ‘cuba’ comes up as a spelling mistake!
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