What About September?

I noticed Jay was doing web searches on the Sunwing website.

We do have our summer getaways planned with my birthday Alaskan cruise coming up this month. In August, we have our weeklong getaway with an Airbnb during Fierté Montréal. So far, September is unscheduled. Though, during the second week of September Jay has a 'big' birthday too. This year, his is an odd number but it may be more iconic than mine.


Some good gifts can't always be wrapped. This was Havana 2018. Again?
We really enjoyed our stay in Cuba last September. If we leave a week earlier than last year, a trip could be a celebration for Jay's birthday. Cuba is a very cheap place to fly and stay in an all-inclusive. The people are nice and the beaches pristine. We loved the slightly run-down comfort of the Hotel Atlantico. We might prefer the close proximity to the city of Havana over the larger resort hotels in Varadero.

My Souvenirs

It was nearly today when we got back to the apartment last night. I guess taking the #100 bus from Marine Drive to 22nd Station was better than going all the way through downtown.

Now, after a fitful sleep and errands, things are back to some semblance of routine. We've restocked bananas and milk by going to the uptown Walmart. How quickly our week in Cuba went! It's a neat feeling when one feels changed but gets back to where things went on pretty much the same in one's absence.

I was thinking of what physical proof I have of a trip now. Most of the laundry is dry already. A little sunburn is being sucked out of me by our Vancouver air, even though the same, less-virulent sun is shining here today. I do have a few extra pounds on my waistline from buffet food. Oh, more importantly, between the toaster and the coffee maker, I've got these two bottles of Cuban rum. They cost about $US 8 each. Those are souvenirs I can really use!

Day 08 - Flying Back to YVR

We had our last breakfast for a while. Well, one which included fresh guava, papaya, and pineapple. Our bus back to the airport didn't leave until 1:30 PM, so we had time enough for the last walk on the beach towards Three Tree Point. That is our name for this walk along the beach near the Hotel Atlantico.



We had time for one last lunch after check out of our room at noon. Then, we got on the bus for our trip back to the airport in Varadero. Our Sunwing flights used this airport although we were close to Havana. It took about two hours on a good highway. There is little traffic as only the 50 to 75-year-old cars ply the roads as personal transportation in Cuba.



Of course, we were there in plenty of time to catch our 6:20 flight back to Vancouver. It left right on time after I got several bottles of good Cuban run for $US 8 a bottle. Of course, our seats were near the proverbial crying baby on our 6 hours and 45 minutes. Actually, it gave up about an hour into the flight and gave us all a rest, parents included!

We are pleased with the experience. We had never been on an all-inclusive trip, much less a Sunwing Holiday. We had a nice time.

Day 07 - Realizing the End Approaches

I've felt this before when new to the tropics. I could just sleep and sleep. It seems the hot weather and humidity can do me in. Feeling such lethargy shouldn't feel special, but it does. Moving my big ass around seems a chore. Yawn. Whereas there are times I'm worried about my poor sleep at home, last night I think I was in bed for more than 11 hours. This situation fits me well, I think. Yawn.







After a hike to the other big hotel on our section of beach, I felt like relaxing. It was interesting to look around the lobby of the Hotel MarAzul. The guests there need to walk across the road and along a short trail to get to the beach. It is a big building.

During the afternoon we were aware that this was the last afternoon in Cuba. How quickly time flies!







We have the morning here tomorrow but will leave after lunch.

Day 06 - Saving Energy the Vacation Way

We didn't have anything planned today except for hanging around the beach. Interestingly, our hotel just about dates at the time of the Cuban Revolution. The Atlantico is one of the last hotels of that era which slipped right in next to the surf.

The photos were taken early as Sunday is a big day for taking to the beaches. Locals arrived and set up camps with music and food. The usually quiet, empty beaches were less so.













Jay and I have never been beach people although we have done extensive travelling in such places. Today, I just wanted to try my hand (or more accurately butt) at a chaise lounge, watch the surf, and stare at the water. Our all-inclusive was remarkably cheap, but it does afford me unlimited drinks. I have been quite boring being satisfied with shots of rum and beer chasers.

I can sort of understand why some people associate vacations with this type of travel.

Day 05 - Havana Hop-On / Hop-Off Bus

The more I travel the more I know that I don't know much. Today was a nice second time seeing some of Havana.



We took the same 10:00 free shuttle bus from the hotel. This time we went in to catch the hop-on/hop-off. We found that we needed to get to the Central Park area to do our 'hopping'. It went out to the Malecon and went all the way to the other end. If Cuba ever opens up to foreign cash, a lot of work can go into this stretch of the city.







We passed some famous sites and got off the bus at Revolution Square to snap some pictures. It was nice to see the Miramar neighbourhoods. It is easy to see the difference that 60 years of Castro has caused. Life must be tough with few cars on the roads and long waits for an insufficient number of buses. There are very few convenience shops and people don't have things easy. We found a little spot to eat today in the historic district mostly for locals. They did have the price list in the tourist CUC money too. We spent around $US7 and had simple rice and beef plates, 2 soft drinks and an extra beer for me.

It is easy to romanticise the laid-back lifestyle with picturesque scenes, but probably quite another thing to live it. As a people, they should be proud. However, I fear Cubans have no way of knowing all they've really lost.









Our bus was waiting at 4:50 and we got into the coolness. Havana was hot today. We left at exactly 5:00 PM and were in our hotel at 5:25. I sort of look forward dinners, white wine and all, at our hotel. I look forward to tomorrow hanging around the beach and pool too.

I'm really happy to say I've visited Cuba and hope things start to play catchup to the global forces necessary for existence today.

Day 04 - As They Say, Life is One!

I got up at about 8:30 although Jay was up a half hour earlier.

Hey, this is a beach location. We walked up a kilometer and a half just to see the slight wave and the folks already out swimming and sunbathing. There's a big entrance from the road next to the property at which lots of locals visit. The beach goes on and on.







Back at the hotel we put our belongings on some chairs and waded in. There is no coral; it's just sandy white sand as far as one can walk, and then some. A few Hobicats and some self-paddle boats belong to the hotel. That seemed like too much work.



After an hour and a half, we came back to wash off and waded around the pool too. Today's shot of dark rum came before noon but it was twelve o'clock a little east from here. We lunched around 1:00 PM and soon prepared for a nap. That was mandatory.

I'm just up from that. The day is still young, but I can't imagine a whole lot of serious work will take place. Most probably it'll include more walking on the beach, perhaps down to an unofficial gay section a few kilometres from the hotel.

We're saving our strength for another day in Havana tomorrow.

Day 03 - Havana!

By last evening, we had walked around eight kilometers. Today, we upped that number by at least three. Rather than the beach and local neighbourhood walking, we went to Havana. A free shuttle runs to Havana directly from our hotel at 10 AM. This morning we were dropped off downtown within thirty-five minutes.





We spent almost all the say in Old Havana. The Capitol Building is undergoing maintenance and it looks clean and white. However, the dome was covered. Central Park was busy and as the day was pretty hot and humid, we stopped a lot on benches in the various parks.



We had an uninspiring lunch near Cathedral Square. We were pretty tired by the weather and sat for quite a while in the main area in front of the Museum of the Revolution. We befriended a dog who trusted enough to deeply sleep right by our feet.





Before walking back to the area to board our return bus at 5:00 PM, we walked to the Castle of the Point and were able to look down the length of the Malecon. This is where we'll start another day in town on Saturday. A lady at our hotel's front desk thought Saturday would be busier than weekdays as families go to enjoy the weekend by the seawall. Jay and I also decided that we may try to catch the hop/on hop/off bus then. We will be able to get to the famous sites of Cuba which are just too far to get to on foot.

Day 02 - On Another Island

Yesterday's flight went flawlessly. Our plane left Vancouver on schedule and got to Varadero just a bit after the promised time. Getting through customs didn't take long as the queues were short. As soon as we got through customs, we found a Sunwing guy who told us the bus number to look for. We didn't get wet in the tropical shower. There must have been around eight large, luxury coaches and we boarded the one heading towards Havana. A young woman guide gave us some facts and the island as we travelled. The first resorts were about 45 minutes from the airport and we had to stay onboard for about another hour. Six or eight of the passengers got off at the Atlantico.



Downtown Cuba is about 20 minutes from the hotel. We signed up for hotel shuttle for tomorrow and stayed around the hotel area today. This is full board; we have now sampled every meal here. Last night I had to try the free drinks and had at least three black rum shots with beer chasers. They made the musical band even better. There was a big lightning storm. The rain didn't seem special as it was doing that at home when we left but there's a difference between 15-degree rain and 30-degree rain! I liked the lightning because Vancouver hardly ever has any.





Today is a nice mix of sun and clouds. The beach stretches all the way to Havana, I guess. We walked down only about 4 of those 30 kilometres. Meals are good with a variety in the buffet. There was another show at the theatre in the evening.

Day 01 - On a Flight Today

We're on our way to Cuba right now. Actually, we're on our way to the airport first. Our Sunwing charter is supposed to leave from YVR at 8:00 AM. We'll see.

We are staying at the 'Hotel Atlantico' for a week. It's about 20 minutes outside of Havana. Will it look like this photo I found online? It probably won't as we're heading there during the middle of hurricane season.



I may have to post about the week upon our return as Internet availability might be spotty.

No Back to School Nowadays

Weekends seem to come at an increasingly rapid rate. I can count those remaining before our winter departure on my hands. (Given my dismal math skills, I do often require their use.) I guess I still do not have an answer for those who asked how I'd fill my time when taking early retirement. Back then, I opined that I would simply live. That's still true. This seems to be a common refrain for this blog: I've never been one to apologize for not punching a time clock.

People don't suddenly change at the onset of retirement. If one was able to fill one's time before, the same will surely occur after. People who put off things for retirement will probably not do them afterwards.



Jay and I are fortunate to be perfectly happy planning upcoming trips and even more fortunate to have the money to do so. We started packing today for our flight to Cuba on Tuesday. It didn't take long as we're going for just seven nights. A backpack each will be enough.

This'll be a Short Week

Today, we went to Langley Farm Market to buy fruit and vegetables. I also had a bit of banking to do. I dropped off a sizeable deposit at Lougheed Hyundai. I needed to show 'em I'm serious about snagging one of the limited supply Kona Electric subcompact-SUVs coming to Canada next year.

It was really rather warm this afternoon. Google Home says it's presently 24°C. How come I feel as though this could be the last gasp of summer weather around here?

A week from today, however, we'll be saying: