Acela & Julio Gonzalez, our hosts
Today at 4:00am begins a new adventure and a longtime desire to visit Cuba becomes reality. Can’t wait to check it off my bucket list.
We left the house at 6:00 and drove the five hours to Fort Lauderdale to catch our flight to Cuba. Check-in was quite easy as Southwest Airlines has a special service desk installed just to handle visitors for Cuban . It is a bit more paperwork to fill out, but was no problem.
Had a quick 40 minute flight to Varadero Airport with only seven other passengers on a large 737-700 Boeing. Han and I did not even sit together so we could both have a window for photos upon arrival.
Note: They don’t stamp your passport unless you ask them to. They stamp your visa card. There are two parts to the visa, one you hand in when you arrive, and one you hand in when you leave. KEEP your visa card in a safe place and keep your boarding pass on you at all times. It is your documented proof of being allowed in the country and your health insurance if you need assistance. There is a hospital just for tourist. Hopefully we will not be needing this.
Casa Couret our AirBNB home in Matanzas
Our AirBNB hostess in Matanzas (Acela) picked us up at the airport, along with a taxi friend of hers, and we got to know each other on our 20 minute ride to her home. Of course one of the first things I noticed were all the amazing classic cars. It is magical.
Our room is sizable and includes a large closet, fridge, great bathroom, nightstands with drawers and some stools. It
is very comfortable and homey. Once we placed our belongings in the room, we grabbed a beer out of the fridge, went outside to the lovely walled-in garden area and watched the many different goings on around us. I love the horse carriages that carry everything from people to pigs. Yes, I saw a huge pig sitting in one. Poor guy, it may have been his last ride.
Everyone waves and calls our greetings. Cuba is very welcoming.
Acela asked if we would like dinner prepared, so we would not have to go out, and we jumped at the chance when she mentioned lobster. She whipped up quite a spread, which was much more than either of us could eat. There was fish soup, salad, split open lobster with delicious garlic, rice, yuca, fried plantains and guava type pudding with a soft flavorful cheese. The table was beautifully set, food smelled divine and we sat down to feast. Our hostess is quite the chef.
Shortly after dinner we fell into the bed. It was about 8:30 when we flipped the lights off and passed out.
This time of year you do not need AC at night. It was even blanket weather.
1 comments
A picture is worth a thousand words. Loved it, thanks. We just got back from a week at Daytona. Not as much fun as the place we used to go in Amelia Island.