Day 8 - Cuba

I met up with friends from home for breakfast downstairs. They've been traveling here for 2 weeks and we had a good visit over our meal. 

For this morning, Tracy and I decided each do our own thing and meet up later.

After checking out, I caught a bicitaxi over to the market to pick up a few more souvenirs for people back home. Besides being a cheaper alternative to a regular taxi, the bicitaxi is quieter and you travel at a slow enough pace to see the world as you go by.

At the market I found some more hand crafted wooden hummingbirds that come apart, a gorgeous bracelet made from seaweed, a Havana cloth bag (like I need another one, but it had such a nice design), and some cat salad spoons which I hadn't intended to buy but got talked into it by a very enthusiastic salesman. 

I caught another bicitaxi and went to the Malecon to the spot I was meeting Tracy. I was early and enjoyed the ocean view.

The water was much calmer than the first time I was there. It was a very warm day, hot at times, and my hat helped a bit.

I ordered a small ham and cheese pizza and a Coke, and soon Tracy showed up. The fortress was on our agenda for the afternoon. You needed to go through a tunnel underwater and walking there wasn't an option.

We had to take a taxi. We were fortunate to find a classic old car taxi who would take us there for the same price as the regular taxi. It was a short ride, but another item checked off our Havana list.

Morro Castle is magnificent. Built around 500 years ago, it is an imposing structure and guards the Havana Harbour.

There were 3 ticket prices and we chose the one that gave us admittance to the grounds, the lighthouse and a guided tour.

The tour was supposed to last 20 - 30 minutes, but it lasted for over 2 hours. Our excellent guide was a history buff of course, and was passionate about her subject and her country.

We got some great photos, especially from the top of the lighthouse.

And when it was time to leave, our guide arranged for us to stay up there and get the best sunset photos on the city. Bueno!

When we left, we were hoping there were taxis available yet and we scored another hot car!

Supper was at the Inglaterra one last time. The rooftop restaurant has such a good menu and great Margaritas!

It was way too early for our pick up so we went for a stroll. I had forgotten to buy some Havana postcards for my friend who collects them. Everywhere that sold them was closed but we discovered a bookstore that had some old postcards, some of which were used! I found a few treasures.

We went back to the hotel to wait. A taxi was dispatched to take us to the Varadero Airport 2 hours away. No sense in sending a big empty bus for just the 2 of us! We flew out at 4 AM. The flight was nice and quiet. It takes longer to get home than to go to Cuba because the tail winds are against us. 

Back to the land of snow and cold!