2006 Cuba Blog
| Fri: Day 01: 30C - NO CLOUDS IN SIGHT - a bit windy |
| Woke up, drove to Park'n'Fly. Bought a duty free
Bailey's and Halifax ball cap. Got on plane. Landed in Cuba.
Lisa went thru passport control in 2 minutes. Took me 15. He asked me question after question. How many times you been to Cuba? This is my second. What do you do? Work for the government. What do you do for the government? Work for Department of National Defence. <He calls his buddy in for a chat.> What do you do specifically? <I should have said manage a Project Management Office but I knew that I would get another slew of questions so I said> Program computers. <Oops, after I said it I figured not the best answer. He calls his buddy back.> How many times you been to Cuba? This is my second. <and my second time telling you this pal.> You here for business or pleasure? <what do you think pal> Vacation... CLICK. Ok, have a nice stay.
When we arrived we were taken by electric 8 passenger golf
cart with our luggage to the Hill Top for champagne and private check in.
Then again into the cart We were in our rooms within 20 minutes of getting out of the limo (taxi cab). View room. Lathered up (SPF 40) and went for a recon. To the ocean for a quick swim. Water refreshing, almost a bit cool. Checked out the main pool. Then off to the concierge pool on the hill top and into the (heated) pool. Ahhh. Dinner that evening at the private dining room, had the lobster and steak. Yummy.
|
Lisa
changed money, I got luggage, went outside and we were whisked by our Air
Canada rep to our awaiting limo (aka taxi cab) for our ride to Sandals
Princessa Del Mar (Varadero). 
for a 100 yard ride to our building. 
| Sat: Day 02: 31C - NO CLOUDS IN SIGHT - a bit windy |
| Buffet for breakfast and lunch. We'd say below par.
Hung out at the main pool for a while and then to the ocean for a swim.
Warmer than yesterday. Then off to the hill top pool (only heated pool in
Cuba).
There were a couple of girls (aka ladies) frolicking (OK
Angela (marketing exec, ex-ballerina and all around great
mom) was with Jim (big shot nice guy exec) (Burlington), Kim (horse trainer)
was with Allen (Crown Attorney i.e. lawyer) (Ottawa). And friends of
Kim and Allen were Frank (RCMP) and Heather (vice principal). Notice
everyone was paired up, yup, couples only resort. The plan. To
meet in the
1905 Lisa is not ready yet, so I rolled because I did not
want to have people waiting for us. I get to the lobby, empty except a
couple sitting in the corner just inside the main door. So I sit
across from them and figure hmmm, I guess everyone else is late. Five
minutes go by, I take a nonchalant peek at
Suffice to say we had lobster(s), wine, more of each and
even more. Then off to the disco to see the "Tropicana" show, a bit of
singing and dancing in clothing a dentist would supply - floss. |
having
a drink and chatting). I too was in the pool on a floater. As
Lisa entered the pool I said to her "OK Do what Coco would do, go make us
some friends." And so she did, she introduced herself to Angela and
Kim and presto - we were no longer alone.
lounge
at 1900 and head for the buffet - they were having lobster night. So
off to the gym - where else - for 4k of spinning and 3k of jogging.
Meanwhile while we were at the pool, our bar order for our mini bar arrived.
Bailey's brought from home by Lisa.
the
couple. Five more minutes go by. No Lisa. No new friends.
The manager introduces himself to me and we chat for a minute. I sit
back down. Take another glance to the right. "Jim? Is that
you?" Well yes it was, and they were about to leave figuring we stood
them up. Hey, people look different at the pool nearly naked with dark
sunglasses, ball caps, wet hair etc. And there comes Lisa strolling up
the lane.
| Sun: Day 03: 31C |
| Room service for breakfast. Ordered the Caribbean (which
is continental (breads and fruits) and an egg dish). Got just the egg
dish. I.e. we got bacon and eggs each. Called again and explained we also
wanted the continental. Got another pair of egg dishes. Called a 3rd
time. Ahhh. Got the continental "stuff" and 2 more egg dishes. Suffice to
say they tried very hard, language barrier no doubt. We used room service
many many more times (even at 3AM) and it was perfect every time.
Off to the pool (heated pool). And then lunch at the hill top (i.e. a
mere flight of stairs up).
Back at the room, our maid Yancey left us some towel art. Actually we got towel art every single day - she was great. Dinner tonight we were on our own. Jim and Angela
had Italian reservations and we had nothing so we were going to the hill
top. Actually I was going to the hill top. Lisa had a wee too
much to drink at lunch (at the pool) and I don't mean water. So I had
a nice feast of shrimp cocktail and salmon. I asked for a glass of red
wine, got a bottle, so felt obligated to drink it all. The wine here
was great.
I should mention, dining down here was terrific. At
all dinners in all restaurants there was music, either piano or various
combinations of strings and guitars. All of the seven restaurants had
a grand piano. The musicians were often from the Havana Symphony.
At the hill top, we had music for all meals, and even violin at the
adjoining gazebo for afternoon tea and crumpets (pastries, really) - hence
the need for the gym. |
Then
hung out at the (heated) pool until just after 7pm. 
Our
favorite was a Chilean red called "Nazareeno Cabernet Sauvignon".
After my solitary meal, I met the gang at the main square for a jazz
concert. The musicians here are unreal. Frank and I had a great
chat, he is also very into photography and music.| Mon: Day 04: 31C - NO CLOUDS IN SIGHT |
Breakfast at the hill top (alone).
0900 is too early for Lisa especially
That evening we were off with Jim and Angela
to the Japanese. Boy was it good. Lisa by now was back on
solid food and enjoyed it herself (except the Sushi). We ended the
evening at the cigar bar where Jim smoked a big sucker and I smoked a small
mild girlie cigar, or one might call a cigarello? |
after
a hang over. Music to my ears as I ate, the cello was heavenly.
Then down the stairs to the pool, heated, did I mention that? After
some swimming, tanning and drinking (Lisa was here by now), we decided to do
an excursion. We walked down to the Racquet Club for a snack, then the
ocean, the common pool and back. Cuba was playing baseball on TV.
At the Racquet Club the staff were all at the bar watching the game.
I made the mistake of ordering fries. Worst fries in the history of
earth. Serves me right for interrupting the game.
Oh,
forgot to mention, back at the pool, I finished a book. A Croatia by Ivo Goldstein. A history book, non fiction. Read half of it last
year in Punta Cana, so I had time to finish it this year in Cuba. Not
bad, done in less than 12 months.
| Tue: Day 05: 31C - NO CLOUDS IN SIGHT |
Breakfast at the hill top with Jim and Angela. Hung
around the pool for a while, and then Jim and
 Lisa
and I were off for a round of golf (included) (i.e. the green fees of around
$50CDN). The total cost for the game was $10 for cab, $30 for a cart,
and $30 each for Lisa and I for rental clubs. Clubs were great.
Calloway irons and Taylor Made woods. Unfortunately the driver was not
stiff but regular whip, i.e. I was not going to get full control over it.
The course met and exceeded our expectations. Although
dry, it played nicely. Hot as hell as we had a 1pm tee time Lisa shot a career round score of 95, first time to break
100. I shot a 91 (due to peeling 5 off the tee - remember - driver not
stiff enough). Jim was the winner in at 88. Said his handicap
was 5 or 6 strokes higher than mine at around 17. Sandbagger?
The view from the course especially on 17 and 1 Back at the ranch we needed a swim in the cool pool to
cool off. We settled for the heated pool. And it actually did
cool us off. French cuisine tonight, the four of us. I had
salmon (no duck here so I was on my 2nd salmon). Tonight was a
drinking night for me. Since we got back from golf, I have a few
drinks... red wine,
followed by a screw driver, a cognac, a coco loco, a beer, a chi chi, 2
cappuccinos with Bailey's, another glass of wine and topped that all off
with a final screw driver. Good night! |
.
Why? No one else was playing so we had the course to ourselves.
No one behind us, and only when we reached the 18 tee did we see a group on
the 18th green.
8
was unreal, the ocean to our left, the water a turquoise blue. Oh, if
you intend on playing down here, bring your own balls, they are $19CDN for 3
noodles. I found this out after Jim bought 3. We could have
given him 2 of ours since that was all he needed. He did put one in
the water. Hit a drive too far on a hole that required a lay up.
Tough luck.| Wed: Day 06: 31C - NO CLOUDS IN SIGHT |
We were on our own for most of the day. Jim and
Angela (and Kim and Allen) were off to Havana. We were too lazy and
the 2 hour ride each way did not excite us.
 Next
time. Toweled our chairs at 0800 and then off to the gym for 4 and 3
(spinning and jogging). We decided to try breakfast at the buffet
again. Not bad. It seemed to get better with each visit.
Back at the pool there were strangers to mingle and drink with and all in
all a good day.I rediscovered oil and balsamic vinegar in a dish, and bread to dip. Once I explained this to the hill top staff, they offered and delivered it to me thereafter whenever I wished. Once again I closed the pool around 1900.
|
We
met Angela and Jim for dinner at the hill top. I had the salmon.
Not that there wasn't anything else. Many a time did I have the
lobster and tenderloin or whatever it was - meat. And shrimp cocktail
to start I need not mention. At the square they had entertainment,
several young and strong acrobats. One of the events was to have them
stand 3 tall, i.e. one on top of the other, on each one's shoulder - and then
they hoisted a girl on the very top. Four high, only concrete below
them. They were impressive. We were the nervous ones.
Afraid they may be eating cement. Tonight Cuba beat Puerto Rico 4-3.
Bravo. You could here happy yahoo-ing all over the resort. | Thu: Day 07: 31C - NO CLOUDS IN SIGHT |
|
Up for chairs at 0730 today, noobs in town
and wanted to get my favorite spot. Gym at 0800 for 3k spin and 2k
run. Thought about sailing today, but no wind! Spent
In the evening, we went to the manager's reception which was a stand up buffet themed "Tastes of the World". Yummy, everything from shrimp to meat to caviar to hand made chocolates to oysters to spring rolls to lobster to - well just about everything. I even ate some stuff that I didn't know what it was, but it was good. And it all went down great with red wine. Entertainment pre dining was a string
quartet, post dining we were entertained to some syncronized swimming in the
heated pool; and finally in the lounge some great music by 2 pianists, a
vocalist and a kick-ass alto sax player. |
most
of the day at the pool (yes) the heated pool.| Fri: Day 08: 31C |
After breakfast, Jim and Angela and I headed for the
hobie cats - yes the catamaran. The sea was
 delectable.
Spent the rest of the day in the pool. Angela dunked me twice while I
was on my floaty. She says it was getting even for the dunk I handed
her earlier in the week - but I don't understand why because that dunk was
Jim approved. Today, Jim and Angela left us. We were a bit sad.
Lisa and I and Andrew and Katia (also from Halifax)
discovered that there is a daily tea party in the mid afternoon in the
adjoining gazebo. So off we went. Tea and pastries and a solo
violinist. Very nice. We were t But Jim, why did you take my towel, and just after I felt bad because I forgot to give you the Halifax ball cap. Tonight was Italian, it was very good, I had the salmon. |
he
last at the pool and the only ones to the party. Andrew is a city
councillor here in Halifax so we talked a bit of politics. When we
returned (a mere 5 yard walk) to our loungers, my towel was gone. Not
my iPod or camera - just my towel. Someone going home and didn't want
to be out the $25. They should have taken the other stuff and bought a
bunch of towels. To say I was annoyed was an understatement. But
just annoyed, after all we were in paradise. After a chat with the
concierge desk, and after they launched an investigation, next morning, I
was provided a replacement towel gratis.| Sat: Day 09: 31C |
Like I said, got my towel this morning and all was back
to normal. Went again to the
 g ym
for a mere 5k run, finished with some more than light stretching and back to
the room to ice the tendons because of the asinine stretching.Lisa and I did the catamaran this afternoon, I really appreciated the company, she also had a great time. I was the captain of course, she was the first officer. At the pool today I found my drink. Each trip I find a drink I like, then OD on it. This one was pure and simple. Hand squeezed grapefruit juice and vodka. Yenni and Jose from this point on knew this was my drink and did a hell of a job walking up to the kitchen and doing some squeezing. Guess what, we (I'm corrected as I type) - I went to sleep
at 2000. What's up with that? |
| Sun: Day 10: 31C - NO CLOUDS IN SIGHT |
|
Slept in (since we went to bed so "late" last
night). Today started with a long walk on the beach heading west (the
direction of Varadero). Near where we turned around, we could see a
new resort under construction. Bought a conch from a vendor on the
beach. I
After brunch at the buffet, I bought a CD in the store called Cha Cha Cha. All the songs were Cha Cha Cha. Very nice. Back at the pool (yes the heated pool) (only heated pool in Cuba) I suggested to Yenni that she could stop calling me "sir". Then I asked her for a couple of shrimp cocktails and a vodka and GF. Lisa didn't want her shrimp cocktail so I ate it. We had dinner at the hill top around 8pm.
I had the salmon (after a shrimp cocktail). By now the scale back at
the room was showing me up 3kg, i.e. 6.6 pounds. Well I wasn't happy
about that after just loosing 38 pounds before leaving for the trip, but my
budget was to not gain more than 10 in 2 weeks and that it all had to be
back off within 2 weeks of my return. After that 22 more pounds before
summer. After dinner I suggested we try and stay out later than 10pm,
that we go bar hopping. Usually my younger wife would say yes and
outlast me.
After finishing the bottle of red for dinner,
we went to the lobby bar for a cappuccino and Bailey's. The plan was
to hit each bar for one drink. Cigar bar was next. Of course,
when in Rome... I had another girly cigar. Lisa decided it
important to make fun of the fact I only smoked 1/2 of the last one, so I
smoke the whole thing. Right down to the end. My lips and tongue
were burning. While this was going on we had our drink. Lisa got
sick from the cigar smoke. HA. The smoker got sick from the
smoke while the nonsmoker (allegedly allergic to smoke) did not. Next
to the piano bar. I had a drink and Lisa had water. The plan
then was to go to the racket club, then Port Royal, the the Rock House and
home. But Lisa was tired an not feeling well. The young lass
could not keep up with big daddy. |
wasn't
in the mood to negotiate. I told Lisa as we approached him on the way
back that I was willing to part with 4 pesos. He asked for $10 by
drawing a 10 in the sand, I signaled 4, he asked his buddy, buddy said yes.
Offer, acceptance and consideration. And being of sound mind (me), a
contract was let.
As
you will see, not tonight.| Mon: Day 11: 31C - NO CLOUDS IN SIGHT |
| Woke up, got on scale, skipped breakfast.
Met a new couple today from Toronto. Dan and Neisha.
S Dinner at the Bamboo was better than what others told us
it would be. We liked it all except Lisa's sweet and sour pork - it
was missing the sweet. Tonight was the big game, Cuba vs. Japan for all
the marbles. The lobby bar was crowded, they were setting up a
projection screen. Figuring all bars would be crowded with people
gathering around the TVs, we headed home to watch it in the comfort of our
room. Yes we are no fun. Ordered room service. Shrimp
cocktails of course. Cuba lost. |
reservation required. Oh Jim, you missed a young topless babe at the
pool. Topless for most of the day. I forgot to get you a photo.
Oh, I brought big Bubba back out today. Click on the photo above to
see it up close.| Tue: Day 12: 31C - NO CLOUDS IN SIGHT |
| Slept in, then to the hill top to eat breakfast alone
(again). We were golfing today at 1pm. Jim the following is for
you. #1 - long, pulled to right, punched a 4i (photo
at right) into fairway, 5i to pin, missed the birdie putt by inches. Remember the hole that required 3 shots over water, but
you had to select the proper club because it couldn't be swing with all you
got. The one where you swung with all you had and dropped it into the
pond. Again, off the tee perfectly with a 4i. I was up 15 yards
from the water's edge. Brilliant. Then flopped a 6i into the
water - must have been a defective 6i. Then dropped at water's edge.
Oops, defective 7i. Got the next one over. More water to go over #18 - Perfect drive into the wind to the 100 marker. Then Lisa hit. Then I thought I'd hit from her tee (no one was looking) (photos not allowed during this swing). The tee was a good 50 yards closer than the men's. Down the middle perfect, 50 yards past my first one. Missed the birdie putt. Total round of 88. Not bad considering I had a 10, and a couple of fiasco's getting out of bunkers. Anyway, back to the pool to cool off and a few drinks. 2 vodkas and GF, 3 shrimp cocktails. Yummy as usual. Dinner at the buffet. Wow, they had calamari tonight. |
deal being 10 for 15 pesos, and me telling them we don't need balls, Lisa
yanks 2 in a row off the tee into the woods to the left. Me, low
drive, flubbed an easy 9i into a greenside bunker, not to pretty coming out
and onto the green, but the 40 foot putt for par was good!
7.
#8. #9. 43 on the front. I had such potential today.
43 wasn't too bad.
next shot. No sweat
- over beautifully - I think it skipped 3 times
going across. Now I needed a mere 90 yard SW to the green.
Didn't trust the yardage, the SW or me. And the SW is usually my
favorite weapon. Greenside bunker.
Suffice to say 10 is not a bad score after all the stuff I did on that hole.| Wed: Day 13: 31C - NO CLOUDS IN SIGHT |
|
Late breakfast, then off to the beach for
some snorkeling. No waves, no wind - and no shade huts a On our way back, Lisa decided to hang out at
the main pool. I wanted the heated pool. The snooty pool.
At the pool I had a small snack of 3 shrimp cocktails. Now
Then, a guy walks over to get a drink.
I say "Dave". He doesn't even look. Later on he comes back for
another
This night we stayed up and closed a few bars
drinking with Evan and Darlene, Len and Carol, Jack and Nancy (from Norwood
ON east of Toronto). And Dan and Neisha also met up with us for a few
minutes. To our shock and surprise, we made it to 3AM. |
vailable.
The beach guy set our loungers up near the water in the full sun where Lisa
could read and keep her eye on me. I was in the water for over an
hour. What a blast. I spent the whole hour in water no more than
12 feet deep, floating, watching some small fish, then diving down to try
and get a picture. I'm starting to like this snorkeling thing.
In the past I'd have a life jacket and worried about getting tired.
But you don't get tired just floating. During this, beach volleyball
was in session, Canada vs. Europe. I was having too much fun in the
water.
I
guess I should explain how this is not a lot of food. Each one came in
a dish with 3 shrimp on a bed of either lettuce or cabbage surrounded by
either tomatoes or cucumbers. So 9 shrimp and a salad. And
shrimp is the leanest protein one can eat. It is good for you. I
spent some time talking with Yenni, including explaining curling.
drink.
I say "Dave". Again he doesn't look. So I say "excuse me, is
your name Dave?" He says "No". I say "Are you sure?" He
was. Anyway Dave and Darlene, oops I mean Evan were from Cold Lake (so
they loved the heated pool). He looked just like my driving school
instructor (who now after I told the story to, signs his name Evan). I
asked Evan (the guy I thought was Dave), do you have a sports car, since
Dave does, he said yes, I said a Z3 girlie car like Dave, he said no a vette.
He asked if Dave was good looking. I cannot comment on such a
question, not an expert, have no experience judging how men look - not that
there is anything wrong with that. They arrived last Friday (same day
Jim and Angela left) -
hey
I should have asked Evan if he took my towel! But we hadn't seen them
since they were all over the place. Beach, main pool, etc. This
was what I was looking for, someone to replace Jim and Angela, and so we
agreed to meet at the hill top bar after dinner. Lisa and I were
eating at the French again. At the French I had an amuse bouche to die
for - mussels. The music was superb. We bought their CD.
Same violin player that serenades us at the tea parties.| Thu: Day 14: 31C - NO CLOUDS IN SIGHT |
I took some abuse at the pool one day when I bragged
about finishing the book I started in Punta
 Cana,
so for the record, here was my reading list this trip.A Croatia (2nd half), Canadian Business 2005/2006 annual, The National Enquirer March 06, PC World March 06 (how can you do any traveling without reading something to do with computers), The Balkans (I started half way thru to ensure I made it to the end - and I did), Entertainment Weekly April 06, Golf magazine March 06 (great except the bunker tip), Glamour April 06 (kind of bathroom reading) (excellent tips on how to keep your skin looking young and feeling moist). I was also ready to next start reading Croatia - a Nation Forced in War, but who was I kidding, it was thick and there were only 3 days remaining. I'll save it for next year. It will just be that much better. Spent an hour of my last day here at the spa - went for a
massage.
Tonight was manager's reception again - every Thursday.
It was great as was the first one. Spoke to Oscar the general manager,
complimented him on his resort and got his card so that when we return next
year, I can get all of us exactly the rooms we would like. Building,
floor, etc. |
Excellent.
I needed that. All that lying around doing nothing can be hard on the
body. And in the latter part of the day as we left the pool, we left a
few things for our great bartenders. I gave Jose the big bubba, he was
very happy. Went to the lobby for some shopping. Got some
T-shirts for my brother Paul's kids, another music CD/DVD for me.
Passed on a percussion instrument (drum).| Fri: Day 15: 30C - CLOUDS, Tarmac at the airport was wet. |
Skipped breakfast again (yep got on the scale again).
Cloudy out. Said our goodbyes, got whisked to
 the
front lobby - actually our luggage did, we decided to walk the 200 yards.
Cab arrived to take us away. This cab driver was weird. When we
got to the airport road, he pulls over, two big buses pass us by, he gets
out to run back and talk to a couple of buddies, all without saying
anything. Did I mention 2 buses full of people are now ahead of us?
He comes back, gets in, we are off again. An oncoming cab approaches.
He stops. he gets out again. They chat. I'm thinking is
the cab going to blow or is an unmarked van going to stop and kidnap us.
Seriously? No. But I was getting pissed.
At the airport, we get to the Air Canada line and we are
100th in line of a line of 100. BP was 160/90. I remember our AC
rep at the resort telling us of the VIP lounge and the perks. $25CDN
each. We never did buy access to it. So I asked Lisa to find an
AC rep and pay it. She did. We were then asked to change lines
and presto, 3rd in line. We were going to ask if there were any 1st
class seats left, but the young man said no. We checked in. Our
next task was to get in a line of 30 to pay the departure tax, but, as a VIP
customer, we paid him, he went to the desk, then behind it, and paid it for
us. Next the passport control. All the lines had 10 or so in
line except row 1. Which is where we went. Suffice to say within
15 minutes of forking out $50 we were walking thru the metal detectors
(while #99 in line was probably now #88 in line) and into the VIP lounge.
Air conditioned, puffy leather chairs. We sat down. We were
presented with a plate of cold cuts. Can't eat without drinks, so we
had cappuccinos with Bailey's. And some banana chips etc. All
free!!! Well $50. Well worth it. When it was time to
leave, we went up stairs and onto the plane. The tarmac was wet.
It had rained here while we
Once on the plane I noticed four empty 1st class seats. Buddy was wrong. We asked to upgrade, No can do once you are on the plane. Oh well, saved $100+ and as luck would have it there was one other empty seat on the plane, the one right of Lisa so we had the side, 3 seats. Just as good. Movie was The Family Stone - sucked. 3 and 1/2 hour flight home. Flew over an array of windmills around Yarmouth. Temperature in Cuba 30C, at home 5C. Either way, shirt weather. What a vacation. What great people we met especially
Jim and Angela whom we spent a lot of time with. Jim, come on down so
we can play a round of golf - it's on me. |
were
in the lounge.