CUBA DAY 1: Into Old Havana!

Our first morning of waking up in Cuba, opening the curtains in our bedroom, on the 3rd floor of the hotel.....totally amazing sight: blue skies, blue and aqua sea, palm trees, and many other amazing looking tropical trees and bushes! Stunning! headed downstairs to find the restaurant and had some breakfast. the Cubans who looked after us here were just wonderful! the food was very acceptable and the coffee superb, a good selection of fruits, pastas, breads, eggs, omelets and much more!

Once we had our fill and a few more coffee's by the pool with our maps and guide book - we headed into Havana by shuttle bus. this is a 1/2 hour trip and i was totally mesmerized by the sights - the streets are very narrow in some places, except on the main highway....and they drive any which way they like, but mostly it's fast! Feels very much like you have been taken back in time to another century, which in fact is true, cos most of the buildings are 3-400 years old and in that beautiful european style. Lots of big windows (usually without glass) and ornate carvings all over the place.

It was a rather bewildering feeling when the bus dropped us off in old Havana...we were immediately approached by a man wanting us to take an hour and half horse and buggy ride around Havana. We tried to explain that we just wanted to wander around for a bit and maybe come back later! His haggling skills were very good! it took us a good few minutes to escape.
Only to find ourselves being 'globbed' by some other person selling something or other!

Walking around this astonishing place was very exciting and i spent a lot of time with my mouth hanging open at the beauty of the architecture...the colours and the variety of shapes. Lots of wrought iron railings and window coverings! All so stunning! A total chaotic blend of movement and sound....so very different to my usual habitat!

Had a taxi ride in a bicycle driven cab....not the greatest of comfort on the cobbled streets...but interesting none the less. we ended up in a lovely little place for lunch. We were entertained by a group of 3 men and 1 woman, they were quite wonderful and we bought their cd. the food and beer was good and we left feeling quite satisfied!

Our first day over, we headed back to the hotel for dinner and some lovely mojitos and wine by the pool