Breakfast wasn’t until 7, so we had a little time to organize our luggage for flying, and then walked over to the Santa Maria hotel across from the cathedral to have breakfast. The martins were flying around the cross at the top and we could watch them and the city coming alive below.
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| Our Breakfast Hotel's Stained Glass Windows |
We packed our bags. Arturo appeared with the bus at nine and we loaded up one more time. 15 minutes later we were at the airport giving fond abrazos to Luis, Gonzalvo, and Arturo as they set off in the bus for Havana. We entered the airport and went through Immigration, being questioned as to why we were in Cuba and were we with a group?, etc. then in Security we had to take off our shoes, belts, etc. , and my nail clippers were confiscated! I don’t know if they are getting back at Trump’s new restrictions or not!
We spent the last of our CUCs (Cuban money for tourists, different from the money everyone else uses) and waited a couple of hours for the jetBlue to arrive. We took off looking down on beautiful landscapes and turquoise water, and in 75 minutes we were in Ft. Lauderdale, and whisked through Immigration and Customs.
Jon kindly bought us sandwiches and then we all parted, most to spend another night in town and leave at the crack of dawn. We fortunately had a 6:30 PM flight to LAX and walked over to Terminal 3 and boarded another jetBlue aircraft, back in the luxury of Mint seats.
We were treated to the best food of the trip and wonderful lounging seats. Since we had already entered the country, we just got our bags and waited 30 minutes at the curb at LAX for the last Santa Barbara Airbus of the day to take us back to SB.
We were treated to the best food of the trip and wonderful lounging seats. Since we had already entered the country, we just got our bags and waited 30 minutes at the curb at LAX for the last Santa Barbara Airbus of the day to take us back to SB.
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| Mint Service |
We arrived just after midnight and got a cab up to the house – to find 4.25” of rain in our rain gauge – we missed the biggest rain of the year!! Tuesday morning we picked up a howling Maddie from the Cat House Hotel.
We had a wonderful Cuban visit and would like to return and explore some more. The countryside is lovely, the beaches spectacular, the people warm and friendly, and there is a delightful mixture of horse carts and gorgeously-maintained cars from the 50s. The birds, Anole lizards, and other wild life and plants are fascinating. Can’t wait to get back!!
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| (Sara Pike Photo) |
