Cuba for the first time

Cuba is so unspoilt. The people are

friendly and even though we did not really speak the language you feel welcome.

We stayed like most folk in a resort called "Sirenis la Salina", in Veradero. It has 960 rooms and it has breathtaking beaches. The resort is new and the buffet was pretty decent , even though we had been warned the food is not good. They cooked a turkey one night, have great cafe con leche at the bar and the drinks are always generous. The wine is all Spanish, one of the few countries willing to export to Cuba. The rooms were clean and we had a
walk out to the patio. The pool has a swim up bar and try the aquacise...the instructors are buff and hilarious. There are 4 a ala carte restaurants and the French one was by far the best. They did use some garlic in the Italian one too. There is also a buffet near to the beach, serving french fries and hot dogs as well as seafood and all kinds of salads. The staff will move your beach chairs and bring you fresh towels and the ocean was warm to swim in.

On the 3rd day we "escaped" from the resort.

The resort offered rental cars but found a more generous deal in the town of Veradero. Be warned you must fill up with the expensive tourist gas when you return the car, they keep the cheaper gas for the locals.

You need cash....a lot of it. There are no ATM machines and they do not accept US currency at all. You may be able to exchange euros but do not bank on it. It is ok to change your money in the resort but the Cambio gave us a much better rate.

Go to Havana. It is more than worth it and stay in the Hotel Nacional where Charlie Chaplin and Winston Churchill once frolicked in the 90 year old concrete pool. This hotel is like stepping back in time and will stun you with the architecture and its loveliness. The views are amazing and the food is good. Walk around the old town and visit the rum museum. Take a guided tour or just wing it like we did. There is an apothecary which is full of painted dutch vessels and rich mahogany wooden shelving. It is still being used for herbal medicines.

We travelled to Cojimar not far from Havana to Ernest Hemingway's home. The views of the tropical countryside and harbour are stunning and his gardens are well kept . His home is now a museum and worth the trip. His booze bottles are still there as is his furniture and writing desk.

Cuba was warm and interesting with charismatic people and marvellous architecture. They appreciate tourists and we felt safe there. We stopped in many villages and sampled sandwiches and local markets. We cannot wait to go there again.